White Salmon River Subbasin Planning, Coordination and Management
Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments
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| 12-Yaka-02 | | Lower Columbia River | | 02/01/2013 | | 03/31/2017 | | 2012 | | Completed | | 01/25/2024 | | |
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Description
YNFP has been and will continue to be closely involved in development and implementation of Recovery Plans for White Salmon subbasin fishery resources, including contributing to periodic stock status reviews. This project ensured a continued adequate level of involvement by YNFP staff to contribute to completion of a final White Salmon Recovery Plan, and to coordinate with at least three multi-agency groups on recovery implementation. In the draft Proposed White Salmon River Recovery Plan, NMFS encourages “creation of a local planning forum that could provide guidance for further development and implementation of recovery plans for the Washington Gorge Management Unit”. Though a local planning forum was not formed during the period of this grant, funding allowed staff to engage in local events and activities related to salmon recovery in the basin, including the Mid-Columbia Steering Committee and Washington Gorge Implementation Team.
The Recovery Plan also identifies salmon and steelhead reintroduction options developed by the White Salmon Working Group. While a tribal fishery has not yet been implemented, this project enabled necessary additional monitoring, analysis, planning, and coordination to inform co-manager decision-making and implementation of a potential future tribal fishery. Staff was able to take part in planning through the Working Group while it was still active, and produced several products related to fishery planning for Condit Dam removal with other working group members. Funds through this grant supplemented staff time for building and maintaining a native plant nursey at the YN’s field office in the White Salmon Subbasin (at Husum). Funding also paid for time for 2 biologists and 1 planner, and enabled staff to be involved in planning for administration and co-management of a tribal fishery. While the WRIA 29B process was not restarted, YN staff took part in the other subbasin-scale planning processes, and continued to engage with other stakeholders and advocate for the need for a comprehensive watershed planning process. Funding also enabled staff to be involved with a YN-led education and outreach group, SHARE the White Salmon River, which sponsored a Symposium of river-related issues at White Salmon Riverfest and other activities to provide education and engage local citizens in the watershed. Other staff time for education & outreach opportunities around Condit Dam removal and YN restoration activities (such as public and school presentations) were able to be covered by this grant. Funding also enabled staff to track and respond to land use proposals and processes in the basin that affect habitat and fisheries, including individual land use applications as well as larger processes such as shoreline master program updates.
Staff has also been very involved with other resource agencies, local municipalities and irrigation districts in negotiating a solution for reducing pressure from withdrawals and fish passage barriers on Buck Cr., one of the major anadromous-accessible tributaries to the White Salmon, which has both an irrigation and municipal diversion, and where steelhead spawning has been documented since Condit Dam removal. Fisheries staff has joined with YN water resources staff to come up with options for restoring flow to the creek while still providing for the needs of the human water users. This process is ongoing.
Staff has also been able to take part in a multi-stakeholder group organized around planning for management of and protecting lands
PacifiCorp currently owns adjacent to the river once PacifiCorp receives its surrender order and beings to divest itself of its lands in the basin. YN’s ability to influence the prioritization of those lands and the outcome of what ultimately happens to them will help insure that the significant investment in salmon recovery initiated with Condit Dam removal and ongoing through multiple restoration projects is protected into
Project Benefit
YNFP has been and will continue to be closely involved in development and implementation of Recovery Plans for White Salmon subbasin fishery resources, including contributing to periodic stock status reviews. This project will ensure a continued adequate level of involvement by YNFP staff to contribute to completion of a final White Salmon Recovery Plan, and to coordinate with at least three multi-agency groups on recovery implementation. In the draft Proposed White Salmon River Recovery Plan (NMFS, 2010), NMFS encourages “creation of a local planning forum that could provide guidance for further development and implementation of recovery plans for the Washington Gorge Management Unit”. Funding staff time could be used for involvement in a local planning forum (i.e. salmon recovery board), and subsequent review updates.
The draft Plan also identifies salmon and steelhead reintroduction options (Appendix I) developed by the White Salmon Working Group; necessary additional monitoring, analysis, planning, and coordination over the next several years for co-manager decision-making and implementation would be secured through this project. Funds through this grant would assist in the maintenance of one YN field office in the White Salmon Subbasin (at Husum), fund time (approximately 2.5 pay periods or 5 weeks) for 2 biologists and 1 planner, and enable staff to administer co-management and planning of a possible future tribal fishery. In addition, should WRIA 29B be restarted, YN staff could take part in the watershed planning process again.
Funding Details |
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| PCSRF | $71,071 |
| In-Kind Other | $7,200 |
| Report Total: | $78,271 |
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Worksites
White Salmon River Subbasin
- Worksite Identifier: White Salmon River Subbasin
- Start Date:
- End Date:
Area Description
No Area Description data was found for this worksite.
Location Information
- Basin: Middle Columbia (170701)
- Subbasin:
- Watershed: 1707010508
- Subwatershed:
- State: Washington
- Recovery Domain: Lower Columbia River
- Latitude: 45.983514893
- Longitude: -121.576995403
ESU
- Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon ESU
- Middle Columbia River Steelhead DPS
- Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon ESU
- Columbia River Chum Salmon ESU
Map
Photos
Metrics
Metrics
- B.0
Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)
- . . B.0.a
Planning And Assessment Funding 78,271.00
- . . B.0.b.1
Area Encompassed 10,000.0
- . . B.1
Restoration Planning And CoordinationY (Y/N)
- . . . . B.1.a
Planning and Coordination funding 78,271.00
- . . . . B.1.b.2
Coordination on implementation of a Recovery PlanY (Y/N)
- . . . . . . B.1.b.2.a
| Name of the Recovery Plan Implemented | |
| NMFS, "Proposed Recovery Plan for the White Salmon River Watershed", Dec. 2011. www.nwr.noaa.gov/ Klickitat Lead Entity, Klickitat Lead Entity Region Salmon Recovery Strategy, May 2012.
http://klickitatcounty.org/NaturalR/FilesHtml/SalmonHabitatRecovery |
- . . . . . . B.1.b.2.b
| Description and scope of the Recovery Plan implemented | |
| Scope: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 requires National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)’s National Marine Fishers Service (NMFS) to develop recovery plans for species listed under the Act. The purpose of recovery plans is to identify actions needed to restore threatened and endangered species to the point that they are again self-sustaining elements of their ecosystems and no longer need the protections of the ESA.
Recovery plans are not regulatory documents; they are guidance for anyone involved in species recovery efforts as well as for the various state, Federal, tribal, and local entities whose activities and jurisdictions may affect endangered species. A recovery plan provides a roadmap for restoring a listed species or population to biological viability and greater likelihood of long-term survival.
This is a plan for re-establishing the White Salmon River populations of lower Columbia River (LCR) Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, CR chum salmon, and MCR steelhead.
The Plan aims for these populations to contribute to the conservation and survival of their respective Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs)/Distinct Population Segments (DPSs). “The Klickitat Region Salmon Recovery Strategy documents the vision for salmonid recovery and the goals and other components of the strategy for salmonid habitat recovery and protection in the Klickitat Lead Entity’s geographic area, which includes WRIAs 29b, 30, and 31, including the Columbia River extending from the confluence with the White Salmon River upstream to the confluence with the Yakima River. The primary basins of interest are the White Salmon River, the Klickitat River and Rock Creek basins. The strategy will be used for a number of functions, including the following:
• guiding the identification, sequencing, and prioritization of salmonid habitat projects for funding through the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB);
• recruiting project sponsors and guiding their efforts towards higher priority areas and projects;
• guiding the identification and selection of mitigation projects;
• contributing to the habitat restoration and protection (non-regulatory) component of watershed plans developed under chapter 90.82 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW);
• enlisting the support and active participation of landowners and the community at large in the effort to restore and protect salmonid habitat;
• assessing completed projects to determine if the desired results are realized, and to refine and retune the strategy and project guidance for maximum benefit to salmonids;
• seeking sources of project funding to augment SRFB monies; and
• serving as a tool for education and community outreach.”
[…]The vision for salmonid recovery is: “Restore salmon, steelhead, and trout populations to healthy, self-sustaining, and harvestable levels and improve and maintain habitat on which fish rely, with strong community support and participation in the Klickitat Lead Entity geographic area.”
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- . . . . B.1.b.3
Coordination of watershed conservation and restoration effortsY (Y/N)
- . . . . . . B.1.b.3.a
| Name of plan | |
| NMFS, Proposed Recovery Plan for the White Salmon River Watershed, Dec. 2011. http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/LC/plan.cfm |
- . . . . . . B.1.b.3.b
| Description and scope of the plan implemented | |
| The ESA of 1973 requires NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to develop recovery plans for species listed under the Act. The purpose of recovery plans is to identify actions needed to restore threatened and endangered species to the point that they are again self-sustaining elements of their ecosystems and no longer need the protections of the ESA. Recovery plans are not regulatory documents; they are guidance for anyone involved in species recovery efforts as well as for the various state, Federal, tribal, and local entities whose activities and jurisdictions may affect endangered species. A recovery plan provides a roadmap for restoring a listed species or population to biological viability and greater likelihood of long-term survival. This is a plan for re-establishing the White Salmon River populations of lower Columbia River (LCR) Chinook salmon, LCR coho salmon, CR chum salmon, and MCR steelhead. The Plan aims for these populations to contribute to the conservation and survival of their respective Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs)/Distinct Population Segments (DPSs).
Klickitat Lead Entity, Klickitat Lead Entity Region Salmon Recovery Strategy, May 2012.
“The Klickitat Region Salmon Recovery Strategy documents the vision for salmonid recovery and the goals and other components of the strategy for salmonid habitat recovery and protection in the Klickitat Lead Entity’s geographic area, which includes […] the White Salmon River […].The strategy will be used for a number of functions, including the following: (see b.2)
[…]The vision for salmonid recovery is: “Restore salmon, steelhead, and trout populations to healthy, self-sustaining, and harvestable levels and improve and maintain habitat on which fish rely, with strong community support and participation in the Klickitat Lead Entity geographic area.”
This project would provide for YN coordination, management and policy development with other government agencies and decision-making bodies in the White Salmon subbasin (including WDFW, NMFS, USFWS, and other federal, state and local government agencies) implementing cooperative planning, monitoring, and policy development. Coordination of these agencies and actions with appropriate Tribal officials and personnel is essential to Tribal co-management. Specific multi-agency groups in which the YN is involved include: the White Salmon Fisheries Technical Working Group (which includes co-managers, federal and state agencies, and PacifiCorp, and focuses on salmonid population management and monitoring); the White Salmon Watershed Management Committee’s Technical Advisory Group (a local stakeholder group focused on habitat projects); the Klickitat-White Salmon Technical Advisory Committee (focusing on review of habitat projects under the SRFB process overseen by the Klickitat Lead Entity), as well as the development of a multi-agency and stakeholder group addressing education and outreach for and to river users to ensure peaceful, shared use and the protection of aquatic resources on the White Salmon.
Coordination, oversight, and administration of Yakama Nation Fisheries Program (YNFP) habitat and monitoring activities would be achieved under this project; no other funding source currently provides for those activities. Building YNFP capacity in this subbasin is essential to implementation of recovery activities.
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- . . . . B.1.b.5
Tribal infrastructure supportY (Y/N)
- . . . . . . B.1.b.5.a
| Name of plan developed or implemented | |
| NMFS, Proposed Recovery Plan for the White Salmon River Watershed, Dec. 2011. http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/LC/plan.cfm
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- . . . . . . B.1.b.5.b
| Description and scope of the plan developed/implemented | |
| YNFP has been and will continue to be closely involved in development and implementation of Recovery Plans for White Salmon subbasin fishery resources. This project will ensure a continued adequate level of involvement by YNFP staff to contribute to completion of a final White Salmon Recovery Plan, and to coordinate with at least three multi-agency groups on recovery implementation. In the draft Proposed White Salmon River Recovery Plan (NMFS, 2010), NMFS encourages “creation of a local planning forum that could provide guidance for further development and implementation of recovery plans for the Washington Gorge Management Unit”. Funding staff time could be used for involvement in a local planning forum (i.e. salmon recovery board).
The draft Plan also identifies salmon and steelhead reintroduction options (Appendix I) developed by the White Salmon Working Group; necessary additional monitoring, analysis, planning, and coordination over the next several years for co-manager decision-making and implementation would be secured through this project. Funds through this grant would assist in the maintenance of one YN field office in the White Salmon Subbasin (at Husum), fund time for 2 biologists and 1 planner, and enable staff to administer co-management of a tribal fishery. In addition, should WRIA 29B be restarted, YN staff could take part in the watershed planning process again.
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- . . . . B.1.b.8
Conducting habitat restoration scoping and feasibility studiesY (Y/N)
- . . . . . . B.1.b.8.a
| Name of plan implemented | |
| NMFS, Proposed Recovery Plan for the White Salmon River Watershed, 12/2011. http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/.cfm -NPCC, White Salmon Subbasin Plan, 2004
http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/bigwhitesalmon/plan/
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- . . . . . . B.1.b.8.b
| Description and scope of the plan implemented | |
| While the focus of this project is to staff coordination and planning efforts, YN involvement with local agencies and stakeholders (those named in b.2 and b.3) will directly lead to and assist with the refinement of objectives for habitat restoration and feasibility studies. YN staff using newly generated and existing research (i.e. recovery plans, subbasin plans and assessments, limiting factors analyses, etc.) will provide valuable insight to advance these types of projects. At this time, it is difficult and/or premature to assign specific metrics, but this planning and coordination project will directly benefit passage projects that will open multiple stream miles and lead to effective restoration of miles of stream and acres of upland habitats, including potential hydrologic benefits. It is anticipated that during future project reporting we can identify metrics from these collaborative sources. However, it will be important to not double-count the benefit of the restoration projects with this coordination/planning involvement. As previously stated, there is currently no other source to fund YN staff involvement in these processes and efforts for the White Salmon subbasin.
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- . . . . B.1.b.9
Evaluation/analysis of restoration plans and projectsY (Y/N)
- . . . . . . B.1.b.9.a
| Name of plan implemented | |
| http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/LC/plan.cfm
Northwest Power and Conservation Council, White Salmon Subbasin Plan, 2004
http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/bigwhitesalmon/plan/
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- . . . . . . B.1.b.9.b
| Description and scope of the plan implemented | |
| One of the primary purposes of this coordination and planning project will be to evaluate restoration plans and projects. This project will support YN staff to develop either independently or collaboratively habitat restoration project proposals, review proposed projects and plan updates. During the course of this project, YN will review and comment on the White Salmon Recovery Plan and participate in periodic check-ins scheduled by NOAA.
The YN will provide valuable expertise to local agencies and stakeholder for habitat project refinement and plan review, such as through continued participation in the Lead Entity Technical Advisory Committee and the White Salmon River Watershed Management Committee (WSWMC) technical group. In addition, should WRIA 29B be restarted, YN staff could take part in the watershed planning process again.
It is anticipated that during future project reporting we can identify specific metrics (i.e. number of proposals developed, reviewed and plans reviewed). Evaluation of past habitat projects (such as those conducted as part of the FY 2009 PCSRF Rattlesnake and Indian Creek Passage and Wetland Habitat Enhancement grant), such as through ongoing monitoring of shallow groundwater and instream flows in and downstream of the project area, will help to determine success of completed actions as well as identifying where and what additional work needs to be done.
This grant will also fund collaboration with local stakeholders and agencies to identify feasibility and potential funding sources of habitat enhancement projects already prioritized through Lead Entity and WSWMC processes. Completed studies such as the PCSRF FY 08 Buck Creek Watershed Fish Population/Habitat Analysis in preparation for the re-colonization by anadromous salmonids have already helped to identify several habitat limiting factors in advance of recolonization that could be addressed by future restoration projects; a feasibility study has recently been completed through Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group for the potential of placing large wood in Buck Creek for enhancement of fish habitat quality and quantity. Continued coordination of YN staff in the subbasin with local and regional organizations as well as state and Federal agencies made possible by this project will help gain efficiencies for identifying, funding and moving toward implementation of restoration projects that benefit returning anadromous salmonids.
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