Nason Creek - Kahler Conceptual Design

This project collected survey data, completed a geomorphic and hydraulic assessment, Habitat Suitability Index model, and developed conceptual design alternatives to address cumulative impacts within this reach. Input was solicited from the landowner/project partner, Wenatchee River Ranger District (WWRD) on developing alternatives that address the following issues in this reach: riparian vegetation is missing along ½ mile of Nason Creek; stream temperatures exceed Department of Ecology standards; large wood recruitment is limited; habitat complexity, pools and side channels are lacking, thus reducing adult holding habitat and juvenile rearing opportunities; Steelhead and Chinook spawning is limited; roads accessing the powerline corridor are contributing high sediment loads to Nason Creek. Funding was used to pay staff time for USFS and Chelan County as well as contracting costs for Natural Systems Design to complete the assessment and designs.

Upon completion of the data collection and assessment phase of the project, alternatives were developed and routed thru the WWRD ID Team for comment. These comments were then incorporated into the Draft Conceptual Design. The Draft Conceptual Design was presented to other stakeholders including: WSDOT, BPA, Weyerhaeuser, WWRD and private landowners. Comments were received from WSDOT, USFS and BPA and the Final Conceptual Design reflects those comments. Additionally, comments made on the Conceptual Design Phase will inform subsequent design phases, especially general practices acceptable while working in and around BPA Transmission Corridors. See Stakeholder Comments in the attachments in PRISM.

A 3 month extension of the project was asked for, and received in order to receive and include comments from BPA in the Final Conceptual Designs. Comments from WSDOT were focused on how LWD structures could be located to reduce existing erosion issues on US-2 ROW and to assure that other LWD structures would not cause additional erosion issues on US-2 ROW. BPA comments were focused on protecting existing towers, maintaining access to those towers and potential impacts to transmission line maintenance from vegetation changes (replanting). Additionally, there was concern that BPA maintain access to areas were periodic vegetation management was crucial. They agreed to removing a section of road, provided access was maintained from either end of the removed section. WWRD comments included temporary road closure options be considered (gating) as well as permanent road removal options for future design phases. For NEPA process, WWRD evaluated the project to identify wildlife, listed plant and cultural resource issues that would need to be addressed. The WWRD also wanted to split the project into two areas, those that were located on USFS property and those on private property for the simplification of the NEPA planning process. Additionally, the WWRD was not interested in constructing project elements on USFS land that would likely cause direct increased floodplain inundation or channel changes on downstream private property.

To develop a conceptual design for an instream restoration project benefitting Chinook and steelhead.