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Wells, Rocky Reach, and Rock Island HCP Tributary Committees Notes 14 January 2021

Members Present: Jeremy Cram (WDFW), Chris Fisher (Colville Tribes), Tom Kahler (Douglas PUD), Brandon Rogers (Yakama Nation), Kate Terrell (USFWS), Catherine Willard (Chelan PUD), Justin Yeager (NOAA Fisheries), and Tracy Hillman (Committees Chair).

Others Present: Becky Gallaher (Tributary Project Coordinator), Hans Smith (Yakama Nation alternate), Chris Butler (YN), and Scott Hopkins (Chelan PUD alternate). Chris Johnson (MSRF), Jessica Goldberg (MSRF), Brian Fisher (MSRF), and Nick Legg (Wolf Water Resources) joined the call for the Upper Beaver Creek Project discussion. Steve Kolk (BOR), Mike Kane (Kane Natural Resources), and Scott Bailey (CCNRD) joined the call for the Lower Chiwawa River discussion.

The Wells, Rocky Reach, and Rock Island Hydroelectric Projects Habitat Conservation Plans Tributary Committees held a conference call on Thursday, 14 January 2021 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

I. Review and Adopt November Agenda Tracy Hillman welcomed everyone to the meeting and the Committees adopted the proposed agenda with the addition of an update on Plan Species Account deposits and discussion on the Chewuch RM 4.2 Enhancement Project.

II. Review and Approval of December Meeting Minutes The draft 10 December 2020 meeting notes were reviewed and approved by the Tributary Committees.

III. Monthly Update on Ongoing Projects Becky Gallaher gave an update on funded projects. Most are progressing well or had no salient activity in the past month. • Barkley Irrigation – Under Pressure Project – The sponsor (Trout Unlimited; TU) reported that construction has been suspended until spring. • Icicle Boulder Field Project – The sponsor (TU) reported that the installation of the waterline and step-pool channel are complete. • Peshastin Creek RM 10.5 PIT-Tag Detection Site Project – This project is complete. The sponsor (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; WDFW) provided the 2019 annual report, which was uploaded to the Extranet site. • Beaver Fever Project – The sponsor (TU) reported there was no new activity on this project. • Derby Creek Fish Passage Project – The sponsor (Cascade Fisheries; CF) reported there was no new activity on this project.

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• Chiwawa Nutrient Enhancement Project – The Sponsor (CF) reported there was no new activity on this project. • Twisp River Floodplain Left Bank Spring-fed Alcove Restoration Project – The sponsor (Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation; MSRF) reported that this project is complete. The final report was uploaded to the Extranet site. • Johnson Creek Habitat Restoration Project – The sponsor (TU) reported they are working on completing the 60% design. • Cottonwood Flats Floodplain Restoration Project – This project is complete. The sponsor (Chelan County Natural Resources Department; CCNRD) submitted the final report, which was uploaded to the Extranet site. • Lower Wenatchee Instream Flow Enhancement Project – The sponsor (TU) reported there was no new activity on this project. • Peshastin RM 3.4 Side Channel Project – The Sponsor (CCNRD) reported they continue to collect groundwater data. The engineers completed the existing conditions model and began identifying alternatives. They are currently developing conceptual designs. • Napeequa Side Channel Connection Project – The sponsor (CF) reported they contacted the acting executive director at Tall Timbers. At this time, the director is re-evaluating priorities and trying to keep the camp running in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The director committed to a site walk this spring to discuss a possible pathway forward. • Monitor Side Channel Project – The sponsor (CCNRD) reported they continue preparing permit documents. In addition, Natural Systems Design is calibrating the model to fit within the parameters for the FEMA No-Rise permitting process. • Restore Chiwaukum Creek Project – The sponsor (CF) reported the design team met on 16 December and evaluated two concepts. The team identified a preferred concept. • City of Leavenworth (COL) Fish Screen Project – The sponsor (TU) reported they have focused on completing the installation of the fish screen. As of 27 November, the new system has been conveying water to the COL treatment facility while screen building construction continues. Currently, the building is dried in with roofing, siding, windows, and doors installed. Work on the building interior should be completed by late January. Exterior finishes, final grading around the structure, and the punch list will be completed in spring 2021. • Goodwin Side Channel Assessment Project – The Sponsor (CF) reported there was no new activity on this project. However, they continue to make monthly site visits to collect data. • Sugar Reach Habitat Enhancement Early Implementation Project – The Sponsor (MSRF) reported there was no new activity on this project. • Enloe Dam Removal Concept Plan Project – The contractor (Inter-Fluve) is working on the conceptual plan, which is due on 31 March 2021. • Upper Beaver Creek Final Design and Restoration Project – The Sponsor (MSRF) reported there was no new activity on this project. • Vandervort Appraisal Project – This project is complete. The final report has been uploaded to the Extranet site. • Big Meadow Creek Fish Passage Project – The sponsor (CF) reported they received confirmation from Bonneville Power Administration to proceed with a bridge as the replacement structure.

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They also submitted the Special Use Permit application, which authorizes them to complete the work on USFS land. Kate Terrell shared the following Icicle Working Group project updates: • Icicle Peshastin Irrigation District Fish Screen Replacement – The replacement of the Snow Lakes Trail Bridge will be completed in February 2021 (Phase 1 of the project). The larger bridge will enable construction equipment to cross Icicle Creek to install a compliant fish screen (Phase 2). Site preparation for the new screen will be completed this spring before the start of the irrigation season (1 May). The new fish screen is currently being designed and will be installed this spring or fall. • Cascade Orchard Irrigation Company (COIC) Irrigation Efficiencies and Pump Exchange – Design and permitting work are underway and should be completed in early 2021. Construction will begin in 2021 and includes three phases: 1) replacement of the mainline open canal with a pressurized pipe, 2) replacement of lateral lines with upgraded pressurized pipe, and 3) construction of a new pump station with diversion and fish screen on lower Icicle Creek. Once completed, the need for the current diversion shared with the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery (LNFH) at river mile 4.5 will be eliminated. This will enable COIC to fully separate from their commitment to LNFH and allow both organizations to develop modern systems most efficient for their independent needs. • Icicle Peshastin Irrigation District Full Season Pump Exchange Project – Alternatives analysis and conceptual designs are being completed for two pump stations along the Wenatchee River to provide water to part of the Icicle canal and all of the Peshastin canal. Conceptual designs are also being developed for a power generating concept to offset long-term pumping costs. All alternatives being considered will improve instream flows in Icicle and Peshastin creeks and will result in the elimination of the Peshastin diversion.

IV. Upper Beaver Creek Discussion Brian Fisher (MSRF), Chris Johnson (MSRF), Jessica Goldberg (MSRF), and Nick Legg (Wolf Water Resources) described the status of the Upper Beaver Creek Project. The purpose of the discussion is to update the Committees on the Batie diversion and Anderson Parcel. They also asked for feedback on the eastern floodplain component of the project. Nick gave a presentation on the status of the Upper Beaver Creek Project (see Attachment 1). He began by outlining the purpose of the presentation and identified the schedule for the project. He noted that the 60% design draft is due on 29 January 2021. He then focused on the eastern floodplain component of the project. He said there has been some interest in reconnecting the eastern floodplain; however, assessments so far demonstrate challenges (uncertainties) with reconnection. In addition, this component of the project is unfunded. Before moving too far along with this component of the project, Nick said they need a commitment from the Committees to participate on the project and will need an expanded scope of services. As background, Nick described the condition of the eastern floodplain. He noted that the site has a perennial groundwater source, is well vegetated, has beaver activity, and has limited fish access. He then described the current upstream and downstream connections. A 24-inch culvert connects the eastern floodplain with Beaver Creek at the upstream end of the site. A 12-inch culvert connects the floodplain with Beaver Creek at the downstream end of the site. The existing culverts provide poor connectivity. The downstream culvert is undersized and has a steep slope (3.5%). In addition, an irrigation pipe constrains culvert expansion at the downstream location. Nick said that although there are several challenges to reconnecting the eastern floodplain, there are potential options including connections via subsurface and/or the Batie diversion.

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Based on questions from the Committees, Brian indicated that the length of the eastern floodplain channel is about 2,400 feet (includes both the eastern floodplain channel and the seepage in the former Beaver Creek channel). He added that groundwater input occurs throughout the year but is highest during the spring. He also said that Beaver Creek can backup into the floodplain channel, but its effects are limited because of the size and steepness of the culver. Brian noted that he has observed O. mykiss in the floodplain channel and believes more fish would use the channel if it were better connected to Beaver Creek. There is a fear that those fish currently in the floodplain channel may become stranded. The Committees indicated they are interested in further scoping this component of the project. To that end, Chris Johnson said he will provide the Committees with a budget, scope of work, and timeline for reconnecting the eastern floodplain. The Committees will then decide if this element of the Upper Beaver Creek project is cost effective and worth pursuing. Committee members who have participated on the Upper Beaver Creek design team said they are available to meet with the design team within the next few weeks. The Committees thanked MSRF for joining the meeting and updating them on the Upper Beaver Creek Project. The Committees also appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback on the Project.

V. Lower Chiwawa River Discussion Steve Kolk (BOR), Mike Kane (Kane Natural Resources), and Scott Baily (CCNRD) provided an update on their evaluation of the Lower Chiwawa River. The purpose of the discussion is to update the Committees on potential restoration opportunities on the Lower Chiwawa River and to gauge the Committees interest in pursuing restoration actions on the Lower Chiwawa River. Steve reminded the Committees that although the Rock Island Tributary Committee supported the Lower Chiwawa River Floodplain Reconnection and Instream Enhancement Project (RI contribution = $24,960), CCNRD (project sponsor) did not receive funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for this project. Steve said he met with CCNRD about the possibility of expanding the scale of the project well beyond the lower 4 miles included in the proposal, noting that BOR has about $100,000 they could use to help design projects in the Lower Chiwawa River. After reviewing work conducted by the Forest Service and their consultant, Steve said that wood and pools are lacking in most sections of the Lower Chiwawa River. Following the discussion on background information, Steve gave a presentation on the results from their Lower Chiwawa site visit, which was conducted late last year (see Attachment 2). He began by describing some of the habitat impairments and threats in the Lower Chiwawa River (from Gate Creek to the confluence of the Chiwawa River with the Wenatchee River; ~14 river miles). Most of the habitat in the river was altered to aid log drives (i.e., removal of large boulders and log jams that impeded log drives). In addition, housing development along the lower 3 miles of the river has impaired habitat conditions there. Currently, the lower river is primarily a homogeneous, plane-bed channel with little diversity. Steve then identified several locations within the lower 14 miles that would be potential sites for floodplain reconnection and large wood placements. He said he compared results from their field visit with information contained in the Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team’s prioritization tool. He said there was good agreement between his observations and the prioritization tool. Thus, the potential actions he identified address the impaired conditions highlighted in the prioritization tool. Steve identified project partners, which include CCNRD, USFS, BOR, and local experts. He noted that the next steps include concept development and appraisal-level designs for 3-5 projects. He hopes to have appraisal designs completed by fall 2021. The appraisal designs would include detailed sketches of the project features including approximate size and placement, existing conditions model, approximate quantities of material for construction, anticipated habitat uplift created by feature implementation, and rough construction cost estimates.

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Scott Baily described CCNRD’s involvement with the project and asked whether they would need to resubmit an application to the Committees given the expanded scope of the project. He said the budget of ~$25,000 is unlikely to change even though the project reach has expanded from 4.25 miles to 14 miles. Tracy Hillman said it may not require a new application if the budget and purpose of the project has not changed. However, given that the scale of the project has changed, Tracy recommended that they submit a scope change for the Committee to review. The Committee will then determine if a scope change is sufficient, or if a new application is warranted. The Committees thanked Steve, Mike, and Scott for discussing the Lower Chiwawa River project with them. They found the discussion very helpful.

VI. Chewuch River Mile 4.2 Enhancement Project Early last year, the Yakama Nation (YN) submitted a proposal to the Committees titled, “Chewuch River Mile 4.2 Enhancement Project.” In July, the Committees declined the opportunity to fund the project as designed, but indicated they were open to discussing the project further with the YN. In September, YN provided written responses to the Committees’ concerns. In November, YN met with the Committees and discussed why the project was designed the way it was and also responded to additional questions and concerns. Following the discussion, the Committees observed that there appeared to be a disconnect between floodplain restoration projects and Ecology’s wetland regulations. As such, the Committees invited representatives from Ecology to the December meeting to discuss wetland regulations and policy. The Committees found the discussion with Ecology informative and encouraging; however, they are unsure whether YN approached Ecology following the December meeting about the possibility of reconnecting the wetland at this site. Based on discussions with Ecology during the December meeting, the Committees understand wetlands can be reconnected and, provided restoration projects do not convert a wetland into a flowing channel (change the wetland from a lentic to lotic system), may not require mitigation in some circumstances. Before making a funding decision on this project, the Committees would like to know whether Ecology would allow floodplain features to be reconnected at this site and, if so, under what design constraints. In general, the Committees believe the project as currently proposed falls short of achieving the full biological potential of the site, it fails to restore natural processes, and relies too much on developing perennial channels. The Committees would like to see a project at this site that more fully engages existing floodplain features and takes advantage of the full potential of the site. This may mean a shift from creating perennial channels to restoring seasonal channels (or a combination of both), which should reconnect a larger percentage of the floodplain features (e.g., the wetland) and more fully restore natural processes. The Committees encourage YN to consult with Ecology on the possibility of reconnecting the wetland and other floodplain features. Based on the discussion with Ecology in December, the Committees do not believe Ecology will take issue with reconnecting the wetland as long as the reconnection does not convert the wetland from a lentic to lotic system. Establishing seasonal flows onto the floodplain should reconnect the wetland but not change its integrity or ecological state.

VII. Information Updates The following information updates were provided during the meeting. 1. Approved Payment Requests from December and January: Rock Island Plan Species Account: • $118.13 to Clifton Larson Allen for Rock Island financial administration in December 2020.

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• $1,177.04 to Chelan PUD for Rock Island project coordination and administration during the fourth quarter of 2020. • $475.00 to Cordell, Neher & Company for financial review of the Rock Island Plan Species Account during November through December 2020. • $111.12 to Cascade Fisheries for the Derby Creek Fish Passage Project. • $3,433.16 to Cascade Fisheries for the Restore Lower Chiwaukum Creek – Phase I Project. • $52.46 to Cascade Fisheries for the Chiwawa Nutrient Enhancement Project. • $331.13 to Cascade Fisheries for the Goodwin Side Channel Project. • $150.30 to Cascade Fisheries for the Big Meadow Creek Fish Passage Restoration Project. Rocky Reach Plan Species Account: • $118.12 to Clifton Larson Allen for Rocky Reach financial administration in December 2020. • $1,007.83 to Chelan PUD for Rocky Reach project coordination and administration during the fourth quarter of 2020. • $475.00 to Cordell, Neher & Company for financial review of the Rocky Reach Plan Species Account during November through December 2020. • $40.65 to Cascade Fisheries for the Napeequa Side Channel Project. • $7,944.03 to Chelan County Treasurer for the Beaver Creek Barrier Correction Project. Wells Plan Species Account: • $585.71 to Chelan PUD for Wells project coordination and administration during the fourth quarter of 2020. • $431.86 to the Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation for the Methow River – Vandervort Appraisal Project. • $1,652.42 to the Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation for the Sugar Levee Groundwater Evaluation Project. • $5,391.85 to Inter-Fluve for the Enloe Dam Removal Concept Plan Project. 2. Tracy Hillman reported that he and Becky Gallaher completed Section 2.3 (Tributary Committees and Plan Species Accounts) for the Annual Report of Activities under the Anadromous Fish Agreement and Habitat Conservation Plan for each hydroelectric project. Tracy said he sent the draft reports to Anchor QEA, who is compiling the draft annual reports. The draft reports will be sent to the HCP Coordinating Committees for review. The PUDs will submit the final reports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in April. 3. Tracy Hillman reported that the PUDs will deposit funds into each of the Plan Species Accounts. Chelan PUD will deposit $817,905 into the Rock Island Plan Species Account and $387,375 into the Rocky Reach Account by the end of January 2021. Douglas PUD will deposit $296,984.42 into the Wells Account at the end of January. Becky will provide the unallocated balances within each account during the February meeting.

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4. Tracy Hillman provided members of the Committees the current versions of the Policies and Procedures for Funding Projects and the Tributary Committees Operating Procedures. Members will review the documents, which were last updated in 2019, and provide edits/comments before the February meeting. During the February meeting, members will approve necessary updates. 5. Jeremy Cram discussed WDFW’s desire to purchase two PIT-tag detection barges and asked whether the Committees would be interested in helping fund the purchase of the barges. He said one barge would be located near the mouth of the Wenatchee River and the other near the mouth of the Methow River. He said the barges would allow for better estimates of juvenile Chinook and steelhead survival rates. He added that each barge is about $200,000 and the annual operation cost is about $15,000. He is trying to secure a cost share from the Bureau of Reclamation. Jeremy noted that West Fork Environmental (http://www.westforkenv.com/pit-tagging/antennas) builds the barges. The antenna system is dubbed the FIN (Fish Interrogation Nodes) and is capable of detecting PIT-tagged fish throughout the whole water column at variable river flows and stages. Jeremy said he will share a proposal with the Committees in the future.

VIII. Next Steps The next scheduled meeting of the Tributary Committees will be on Thursday, 11 February 2021. Meeting notes submitted by Tracy Hillman ([email protected]).

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