FY 2012 Continued Dungeness (and ESU) Salmonid Reovery Planning and Coordination

REVISED 3/21/17, PER NOAA COMMENTS/GUIDANCE. NOTE: B.1.b.9 is not selected for this FY funding allocation, because work related to that worktype is captured in the previous years funding allocation (FY11), as described in progress reports.

This project provided salmonid recovery staff support in three areas:
(a) Design and planning of riparian habitat restoration and protection projects in the Lower and Middle reaches of the Dungeness River, and its tributaries: This included providing essential staff support for collaborating with partners on key habitat protection and restoration projects, especially the Dungeness Levee Setback Project and the Three Crabs/ Meadowbrook Creek Restoration Project. The Tribe provided technical support to partners in applying for grant funding and in restoration design processes, attended technical work group meetings, and attended related trainings and workshops.

Worktypes completed for Strait of Juan de Fuca Worksite:
- Coordination of implementation of a recovery plan (the NOPLE 3-Year Work Plan).

The Tribe also used 2014 aerial photography (funded by FY2011 PCSRF allocation) in these and related riparian planning efforts (e.g. tracking shoreline development or areas in need of protection, tracking shoreline erosion, etc.), and hired a consultant to fly 2015 aerial photography flight in June 2015 (funded by FY2012 PCSRF allocation). The 2015 flight was timely, as habitat program staff were able to use the imagery in planning for replacement of the Dungeness Railroad Bridge trestle which was damaged this past winter (February 2015). The Tribe, using non-project funds, is working with partners to replace the bridge and trestle with a more fish-friendly structure. Engineering is currently underway.

Worktypes to complete for Strait of Juan de Fuca Worksite:
- Habitat Survey (aerial photo analyses) to track riparian, estuarine/nearshore habitat conditions using remote sensing.

(b) Technical assistance by Tribal staff to restoration partners within various ESA-listed salmon recovery and watershed planning forums: Forums the Tribe participated in included: the East WRIA 18 Planning Unit (Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT)), which met monthly; the North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity Group; Puget Sound Partnership (and the Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network) and Ecologys water supply technical group (convened monthly or bi-weekly during 2015 drought declaration).

Worktypes to complete for Strait of Juan de Fuca Worksite:
- Coordination of implementation of a recovery plan or watershed assessment (WRIA 18 Watershed Plan).


(c) Continued coordination of tribal activities related to ESA-listed salmonid restoration, and directed work by the Point-No-Point Treaty Council (Treaty Council): Treaty Council activities for FY2012 allocation included many ongoing tasks: PNPTC staff participated in discussions and activities relevant to salmon recovery via the following forums: Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council; Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, Inter-agency Review Team to implement an In-Lieu Fee (ILF) program sponsored by the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC); and Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (ERN), the Lead Integrating Organization (LIO) for the Strait Action Area under the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP). A thorough description of these activities are described in their progress reports, attached in 2012-JSKT-01 Documents (report dated 01/16/15) and 2013-JSKT-01 Documents (report dated 07/31/15).

Worktypes to complete for Strait of Juan de Fuca Worksite:
- Coordination of implementation of a recovery plan or watershed assessment (e.g., Puget Sound Action Agenda, Chinook Recovery Plan).

(a) Design and planning of riparian habitat restoration and protection projects in the Lower and Middle reaches of the Dungeness River, and its tributaries.
This planning targets critical habitat parcels and stream reaches in efforts to halt or reverse the decline of healthy riparian corridor habitat. Benefits include:
• Eventual riparian and habitat improvements in lower Dungeness River.
• Spawning, rearing and refugia habitat improvements in the lower river diked reach.
• A better understanding of riparian planning needs and habitat changes by comparing aerial photos over time.

Dungeness riparian corridor restoration (including land protection strategies for specific riparian parcels), Dungeness floodplain restoration (including dike setbacks), lower Dungeness River restoration and large woody debris installation are all among the 10 strategic elements for recovery listed in the Dungeness Chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan. Aerial photography is included in the “summary of Dungeness monitoring program” within the Dungeness Chapter of the Recovery Plan.

(b) Technical assistance by Tribal staff to restoration partners within various ESA-listed salmon recovery and watershed planning forums.
The Tribe’s involvement in coordinating recovery projects with the community and local and federal agencies helps sustain partnerships and provide for efficiencies in accomplishing salmon recovery goals. Recommendations in the local watershed plan and the Recovery Plan are intended to improve water quality, in-stream habitat, in-stream flows, and aid in salmon recovery. On a regional scale, our continued participation in activities related to the Puget Sound Partnership, and the many other ongoing planning and salmon management forums, keeps us informed about and gives the Tribe a stronger voice in decision-making related to regional salmon recovery.

(c) Continued coordination of tribal activities related to ESA-listed salmonid restoration, and directed work by the Point-No-Point Treaty Council (Treaty Council).
The planning/coordination activities conducted by Point No Point help protect natural resources and therefore tribal fishing opportunities, which directly address tribal treaty fishing rights.