Final Notes HCP-TC 21-01 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. HCP-TC Final Meeting Notes 1 11 February 2021 Final Notes HCP-TC 21-01 • 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. HCP-TC Final Meeting Notes 2 11 February 2021 Final Notes HCP-TC 21-01 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.