Studies and Analysis Which Provide the Basis for the PM&E Measure. In developing this PM&E measure and the Xxxxx Fork River Native Salmonid Restoration Plan (Restoration Plan) (Xxxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx 1998), the CFRT and the FWG developed, reviewed, and used a large number of fish resource and fish passage related studies, reports, and other information (e.g. as provided in memoranda or other communications by contractors/consultants to the group). These include WWP conducted or contracted studies of historic and current fish species occurrence and abundance (CES 1998a, 1998b; NDT 1994; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 1993; WWP 1995a, 1995b, 1996a, 1996b), several of which focused specifically on adfluvial, native salmonid populations and their habitat (CES 1998b; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx, 1993; WWP 1996); numerous state and multi-agency reports specific to the restoration of bull trout in the Lake Pend Oreille-lower Xxxxx Fork River system (MBTSG 1996a; PBTTAT 1998), in other areas of the Xxxxx Fork River ( MBTSG 1996b, 1996c, 1996d), or for bull trout restoration in general terms in Idaho or Montana waters (State of Idaho 1996); an evaluation of the suitability of the lower Xxxxx Fork River as a migratory corridor for adfluvial species (Beak 1998); and a preliminary engineering assessment of the feasibility and potential options for providing fish passage at Cabinet Gorge Dam (Xxxxxxxxxxxx 1997a, 1997b). Identification and discussion of the fish passage issue began at the earliest stages of the Xxxxx Fork Collaborative Relicensing Process, including initial stage consultation comments, early NEPA scoping by FERC staff, and at the initial meetings of both the CFRT and FWG. Discussions of the issue have occurred at the majority of FWG meetings since. The FWG reached final consensus on the plan at their June 25, 1998 meeting, and approved recommending the PM&E measure for implementation to the CFRT.
Studies and Analysis Which Provide the Basis for the PM&E Measure. Most of the information providing the basis for this PM&E measure was provided to the FWG by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) personnel at work group meetings beginning in April of 1997. Related information on the current status of LPO- CFR bull trout populations and threats posed by intentional or incidental harvest and the effects of land use activities can be found in various state restoration plans (State of Idaho 1996), status reports (MBTSG 1997, PBTTAT 1998), and documents prepared by or for Washington Water Power (WWP 1996, Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 1993). In addition to the IDFG verbal descriptions of the magnitude and potential impacts to bull trout of illegal harvest based on the results of their current enforcement activities, they also showed the FWG a video (June 11-12, 1997 meeting) of an interview with an individual apprehended for illegal harvest (video property of IDFG, Boise, ID). That video confirmed their descriptions of the extent of such activities and the vulnerability of bull trout when in the spawning streams. IDFG also provided the FWG with cost projections for the anticipated program and was also able to secure matching funds for the first two years of this effort, beginning in 1998. The FWG agreed at it’s July 29-30, 1997 meeting that Idaho’s proposal to implement the program in 1998 should be forwarded to the Xxxxx Fork Relicensing Team (CFRT) as a recommended interim PM&E measure to be funded by WWP immediately. The CFRT accepted and approved the FWG recommendation (at the January 28-29, 1998 CFRT meeting) and WWP provided the two years of interim funding to Idaho Fish and Game as noted below. Later, the FWG approved this PM&E for developing and funding a longer term Bull Trout Protection and Public Education Project at their May 14, 1998 meeting as outlined below. Both Idaho and Montana have provided input into determining an adequate level of WWP funding to effectively implement the program within both states, which is also reflected below.
Studies and Analysis Which Provide the Basis for the PM&E Measure. Early in the consultation process, the FWG considered the potential mitigation benefits of protecting habitat and improving conditions in LPO-CFR tributary streams. Information on the positive results from local landowner and stakeholder driven Watershed Councils was presented to the FWG, and discussed at their April 30-May 1, 1997 and June 11-12, 1997 meetings (FWG meeting summaries). The success of The Elk Creek Watershed Council, a group active along a tributary to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir, was highlighted as a site-specific example of the benefits of such groups (pers. comm. of X. Xxxxxx, FWG member). Lack of initial financial resources and assistance was identified as an obstacle to the potential formation of additional Watershed Councils on those LPO-CFR tributaries where local interests are or would otherwise be supportive. The FWG agreed at it’s June 11-12, 1997 meeting to recommend to the Xxxxx Fork Relicensing Team (CFRT) a PM&E measure providing for support and/or facilitation of the formation of additional Watershed Councils along tributaries to the lower Xxxxx Fork River or Lake Pend Oreille.
Studies and Analysis Which Provide the Basis for the PM&E Measure. As noted above, although there has been a substantial focus on water quality conditions in the upper Xxxxx Fork River basin, relatively little data was available for waters in the project area prior to WWP’s investigations. Xxxxx and Xxxxx (1985) provides data on metals contamination in river sediments, including some sampling in the project reservoirs. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1992), Xxxxxx (1985, 1992), and Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx (1988) provide relatively recent summaries of the available information concerning water quality in the Montana portion of the Xxxxx Fork River, conclusions concerning the relative status of various portions of the river, and alternatives and plans for addressing water quality concerns. Most recently, WWP has contracted for or conducted several limnological studies during 1993 - 1995 (ND&T 1994; WWP 1995, 1996) that provide substantial new information on nutrients and productivity in the lower Xxxxx Fork River and also included some analysis of metals contamination in reservoir sediments and two tributary mouths (as background indicators) (ND&T 1994). Finally, as part of the collaborative consultation process, the Water Resources Work Group (WRWG) has obtained substantial additional analysis and evaluation of nutrient, productivity, and metals information from their consultants (Beak 1997, 1998; Xxxxx 1997; WRWG meetings, early 1997 through Dec. 9, 1997), and has continued to discuss these issues and appropriate measures for addressing them through their May 13, 1998 meeting. Specific to this protection, mitigation, and enhancement (PM&E) measure, the WRWG began discussing coordination of it’s monitoring needs with the activities of the Tri-State Implementation Council (TSIC) in early 1997 (WRWG Meeting Summary, April 10-11, 1997). The TSIC is an interstate body (Montana, Idaho, Washington) tasked with monitoring significant trends in the Xxxxx Fork - Pend Oreille watershed, with the goal of recommending measures to improve water quality. The TSIC was in the final stages of developing and implementing a Xxxxx Fork River Nutrients Monitoring Program, and was interested in the participation and support of the WRWG and WWP. Given similarity of data needs and a desire to avoid duplicative efforts, the WRWG requested the TSIC consider an additional sampling station to better define conditions in each of the two reservoirs and an expansion of their analysis on the lower river to include metals. The TSIC agreed to sampli...
Studies and Analysis Which Provide the Basis for the PM&E Measure. Water quality monitoring in 1994 indicated relatively high levels of phosphorus (i.e. nutrients) and phytoplankton production in Cabinet Gorge Reservoir during the September 1994 sampling (WWP 1995; Beak 1997). There was no clear explanation for these “elevated” levels (Beak Consultants, Inc. - X. Xxxxxxx pers. comm. to Water Resources Work Group [WRWG] at April 10-11, 1997 meeting). The WRWG discussed the potential for remobilization of sediment nutrients in Xxxxx Reservoir during periods of stratification (i.e. low oxygen conditions at deeper depths) as a possible causative factor. They also discussed the desirability of additional monitoring of Xxxxx Reservoir stratification and the associated conditions in the hypolimnion (e.g. near bottom). The WRWG also discussed at several meetings during 1997 the issue of metals accumulation in Xxxxx Reservoir sediments. They had a summary report prepared on available information for metals contamination in the lower Xxxxx Fork River and the potential influences of the projects (Xxxxx 1997). Following review of the available information and Xx. Xxxxx’x summary report, the WRWG identified the possibility that potential anoxic (i.e. low oxygen) conditions could result in the remobilization of sediment metals as an issue warranting further study. The WRWG had Xxx Xxxxxxx, Beak Consultants Inc. (Beak), develop a sampling protocol for evaluating the issue of nutrient and/or metals remobilization in Xxxxx Reservoir (WRWG meeting of September 11, 1997, October 23, 1997, and as agreed to on May 13, 1998). The WRWG agreed that evaluations during three years of stratified conditions would be sufficient to determine the effect of reservoir stratification.
