Methow Subbasin Anadromous Fishery Habitat Improvement

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The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is committed to proving assistance to entities that can attend to issues involving fish screening, fish passage, water flow, and channel complexity in specific tributary subbasins of the Columbia River in order to benefit anadromous fish habitat. The Methow Subbasin is one such subbasin. Reclamation expects to provide assistance to meet specific metric goals that include: (1) fish screens that meet current criteria; (2) spawning and rearing access restored by removal of fish passage barriers; (3) meeting instream flow targets; and (4) increased miles of channel complexity in the Methow Subbasin. The kind of habitat improvement activity anticipated includes: reconnecting flood plains, side channel improvements, backwater channel improvements, woody structure and large rock cluster development, deeper pool development, and reconstruction of spawning gravel. Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) is a non-profit organization located in the Methow Subbasin with a mission to conduct “on the ground” activities that will enhance salmon habitat in the Methow. MSRF is a significant party for this activity within the Methow. MSRF identifies potential habitat improvement projects in the Methow Subbasin; coordinating fish habitat projects with local constituents; defining the projects for interested parties; participating during project design and construction in an advisory role, or construction management as requested; and examining the influence of the project on fish habitat after completion of construction. Project activity has a long lead time process where projects are identified and then the coordination begins that will involve state and local government units, private landowners, non-profit organizations, in addition to various Federal Agencies, including Reclamation. Once the habitat projects are completed, there is a post-project time to evaluate the success of the project for improving the habitat. Post project completion activity may include any repairs or improvements that may be necessary. Projects that initially look promising will not be completed without absolute support by private landowners will not be completed. However, the preliminary activity to get to a point where the project is a go or no-go is necessary. It is anticipated that the agreement that will cover the administrative and coordination functions, and specific project activity. Due to the complexity of the issues and the geographic location, a great amount of activity must be coordinated before a project is agreed to by the local parties and then by Reclamation. The coordination with local organizations and private land owners is essential to the overall success of habitat improvement in the Methow Subbasin. Any activity meeting the appropriate criteria and that has been coordinated, approved and prioritized with the local land owners; and others, within a project area will be presented to Reclamation for potential funding. Reclamation will make a determination as to whether the individual projects are suitable. The anticipated length of the agreement is 5 years. Subsequent renewal or continuation modifications related to additional funds for any awards as of a result of this Notice of Intent may be entered into without future competition; however, are conditioned upon successful project performance and availability of appropriated funds.

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