 |
1994 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program |
| Council document 94-55 | |
 |
|
7.8 Implement State, Federal and Tribal Habitat Improvements
7.8A Land Management
U.S. Forest Service (Regions 1, 4 and 6) and Bureau of Land Management (Idaho and Oregon/Washington Offices)
7.8A.1 Continue implementing the procedures outlined in the Anadromous Fish Habitat Policy and Implementation Guide as outlined in the policy signed January 1991. In addition, incorporate and implement the Guide in the President's forest plan, PACFISH, and other appropriate initiatives. Seek the means to accelerate the Anadromous Fish Habitat Plan. Include quantitative fish habitat objectives in the plan. By September 1, 1992, all land management activities should be designed to at least maintain the quantity and quality of existing salmon and steelhead habitat.
7.8A.2 In streams where either water quality objectives or federal land management plan objectives for fish habitat and water quality are not being met, initiate actions needed for recovery. Through the Columbia River Basin assessment and Eastside and Upper Columbia River Environmental Impact Statements, identify fish restoration measures and forest health concerns, and develop strategies to enhance the aquatic habitats for the production of salmon and steelhead. Special attention should be given to insect infestation as it relates to catastrophic fire danger that may threaten salmon and steelhead habitat.
7.8A.3 Review and, as necessary, amend existing land management plans to incorporate the Council's habitat goal, policies and objectives. In the immediate future, evaluate and develop a range of alternatives that display PACFISH riparian management objectives through the Eastside and Upper Columbia River Basin Environmental Impact Statement.
7.8A.4 As a condition for ratepayer funding of habitat protection or improvement projects on federal lands, demonstrate that federal land management activities are consistent with and, therefore, will not undermine the benefits of any project implemented through this program.
7.8A.5 Continue to improve livestock management by developing, updating and implementing livestock management plans. Provide adequate staff and funding to monitor and supervise all livestock permits in salmon and steelhead production areas consistent with the Council's habitat goal, policies and objectives. Revise all livestock management plans, as necessary, to incorporate and implement the Council's habitat goal, policies and objectives and to address enhancement of riparian areas and compliance with state water quality standards and best management practices.[1] Through the Eastside and Upper Columbia River Basin Environmental Impact Statements, incorporate PACFISH riparian management objectives, standards and guides, and riparian habitat conservation strategies into livestock management plans.
7.8A.6 Report annually to the Council by March 15 on the effectiveness of federal land management actions to protect and improve anadromous and resident fish populations and habitat on federal lands in the Columbia River Basin. For each subbasin where federal lands occur, include an assessment of consistency with the Council's habitat goal, policies and objectives, and actions that will be initiated to address any inconsistencies, including a schedule approved by the Council for achieving compliance and actions that will be initiated to remedy problems. In addition, include an assessment of population and habitat status and trends in each subbasin. In particular, provide information on average, high and low water temperatures where major streams leave federal lands and at other key locations. Temperatures should not indicate an increase. Maintain summer temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or demonstrate that temperatures are declining toward attainment of this objective.
Council
7.8A.7 In consultation with fish managers, review reports for consistency with the program, subbasin plans, and other appropriate plans.
Soil Conservation Service
7.8A.8 Explore alternatives to provide permanent erosion control for lands in the Columbia River Basin that are currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Submit alternatives and recommendations to the Council by the end of June 1995.
7.8B Best Management Practices
Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Appropriate Indian Tribes in Consultation with Appropriate Water Quality Agencies
7.8B.1 Establish best management practices under the Clean Water Act to maintain and improve salmon and steelhead production. Best management practices should be designed to meet the Council's habitat goal, policies and objectives. Conduct monitoring to ensure that best management practices are implemented and that instream salmon and steelhead habitat and water quality goals are met. Present practices to the Council by December 31, 1995.
7.8C Mining
State and Federal Agencies and Tribes
7.8C.1 Review and, if necessary, seek improvements to mining laws and administrative practices to promote salmon and steelhead productivity. Ensure that all mining activities comply with state water quality standards. Report to the Council on progress on this measure by June 30, 1993, and annually thereafter.
7.8D Streambanks, Streambeds and Plant Nurseries
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Corps of Engineers and Tribes
7.8D.1 Work with model watershed committees and other appropriate groups to identify and protect riparian and underwater lands associated with perennial and intermittent streams that contribute to anadromous and resident fish production, regardless of whether a particular portion of a stream is fish-bearing. Where water quality objectives are being met, retain existing shade, vegetation, standing and down large woody debris and small woody debris. Where water quality objectives are not being met, initiate action to increase shade, vegetation, standing and down large woody debris and small woody debris. Use non-structural methods as the first choice for protecting and improving riparian areas and streambeds. Report to the Council on progress on this measure by June 30, 1993, and annually thereafter.
Bonneville
7.8D.2 Evaluate the adequacy and capacity of existing native plant nurseries to supply plant materials for use in protecting and improving riparian and other habitat. Submit the evaluation to the Council by June 30, 1995. If the Council finds existing supplies are inadequate, the entities identified by the Council should bring existing nurseries up to capacity and, as needed, fund development of additional native plant nurseries.
7.8E Land Exchanges, Purchases and Conservation Easements
Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Bureau of Land Management (Idaho and Oregon/Washington Offices) and U.S. Forest Service (Regions 1, 4, 6)
7.8E.1 Implement land exchanges, purchases or easements of a sufficient width to improve and maintain salmon and steelhead production in privately owned riparian areas and adjacent lands, with full compensation of landowners. Consider factors such as need for fish passage facilities and potential improvements to instream flow conditions when purchasing or exchanging private property. In implementing this measure, acquisition of easements should be the preferred approach for protecting riparian areas and adjacent lands. Exchange or purchase that results in net gains of land in public ownership should be considered the lowest priority method for this purpose. States and federal agencies provide an updated list and report progress to the Council by December 31, 1993. In addition, federal agencies should provide to the Council by December of each year, a list of high quality riparian lands that potentially could be acquired through exchange.
Bonneville and Other Implementing Entities
7.8E.2 Provide funding for the acquisition and management of permanent conservation easements for rebuilding and maintaining Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead populations. These acquisitions should be on a willing-seller and willing-buyer basis. Report to the Council on progress on this measure by June 30, 1993, and annually thereafter.
7.8F Water Regulation
Idaho, Oregon and Washington
7.8F.1 Review state water quality standards and compliance procedures by June 30, 1995, and report to the Council findings and any limitations in resources to programs that could impact meeting the habitat goal, policies and objectives of the program. If necessary, adjust water quality standards and compliance procedures to meet the program habitat goal, policies and objectives.
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Federal and Tribal Agencies
7.8F.2 Improve enforcement of existing water rights and duties for diversions and use from the mainstems of the Columbia and Snake rivers and tributaries. To facilitate these determinations, ensure that existing and new diversions affecting salmon and steelhead streams are equipped with devices to measure instantaneous and seasonal flows. Report progress to the Council by December 31, annually.
Bureau of Reclamation
7.8F.3 Identify all cases of water spreading on reclamation projects in the Columbia River Basin. Determine quantities and market value of water that has been spread by water users. Propose alternative approaches for addressing this issue, including alternatives that provide incentives for water conservation, that would make water available for instream uses and that recognize whether instream needs are satisfied.
Corps of Engineers
7.8F.4 By June 30, 1995, propose to the Council a network of water quality monitoring stations in the Snake and lower Columbia rivers capable of instantaneous telemetry. After Council review, fund the water quality monitoring network.
7.8F.5 By January 1996, with consultation and approval of fish managers, fund a comprehensive assessment of all existing and planned dredging activities in the Columbia and Snake River mainstems. Report results of assessment to Council by December 31, 1997.
7.8G Instream Flows for Salmon and Steelhead
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington
7.8G.1 To protect salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries: establish instream flow protection levels; enforce water right permit conditions; deny new water rights if water is not available consistent with salmon and steelhead needs at all life stages, or if existing water rights or the public interest would be detrimentally affected; and acquire water rights on a voluntary basis by purchase, gift, or through state or federal funding of water conservation or efficiency improvements that produce water savings. Use all available authorities to protect water provided for salmon and steelhead habitat or passage. If existing authorities are inadequate, identify authorities needed and seek legislative approval. In determining whether a proposed diversion or transfer would be consistent with salmon and steelhead needs, consult with fish and wildlife agencies and Indian tribes to determine whether the proposed use would cause any reduction in the quantity or productivity of salmon and steelhead habitat.
Bonneville and Other Implementing Entities
7.8G.2 Provide funding for the acquisition and management of critical water rights for rebuilding and maintaining Columbia Basin salmon and steelhead populations. These acquisitions should be on a willing-seller and willing-buyer basis. Report to the Council on progress on this measure by June 30, 1993, and annually thereafter.
Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Bureau of Reclamation
7.8G.3 Review the adequacy of existing law and its implementation to protect enhanced instream flows for fish. Complete review and report recommendations to the Council by December 31, 1995. Thereafter, report to Council on progress by December 31, annually..
Bonneville and Bureau of Reclamation
7.8G.4 Fund and implement four water leasing demonstration projects; one in the Yakima River Subbasin, along the lines proposed in the Environmental Defense Fund's March 1994 report, and three in the Snake River Basin. Work with the states, the Council and other parties to demonstrate and evaluate the use of water leases and transfers to increase stream flows for salmon and steelhead. Identify goals for each demonstration project in cubic feet per second of additional instream flows measured at specific points at certain times of the year. Report to the Council annually by the end of August regarding progress.
Bonneville
7.8G.5 Share funding of the demonstration projects as follows:
- Because Yakima River fish are affected by only four mainstem federal dams, and the purpose of the project is to address both mainstem and tributary water problems, provide one-fourth of the cost of the water leasing demonstration project.
- In areas of the Snake River Basin above eight federal mainstem dams, where the purpose of the project is to address both mainstem and tributary water problems, fund 70 percent of the cost of the projects.
- In areas of the Snake River Basin above eight federal mainstem dams, where the purpose of the project is to address mainstem water problems, fund 85 percent of the cost of the projects.
7.8H Water Conservation
Salmon and steelhead need adequate river flows for spawning, rearing and migration. With growing development pressures on streams, there is a need to find innovative ways to leave more water in streams. More efficient out-of-stream water use may be a fruitful strategy. There are many questions about how conserved water actually can be secured for salmon and steelhead, although there is agreement that standing water over time refills aquifers that in turn feed the river system. The Council agrees that there is a pressing need to answer these questions.
Council
7.8H.1 Continue to emphasize water conservation and efficiency improvements to help salmon and steelhead.
Bureau of Reclamation
7.8H.2 In 1991, initiate a cooperative effort with the states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and with irrigators, to select and design at least four demonstration water conservation projects to provide additional instream flow and enhanced water quality for production of weak stocks. One or more weak stocks should be present in any given subbasin selected for demonstration. There should be at least one demonstration project in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Consider opportunities to combine one or more of the water conservation demonstration projects with model watershed projects described under Section 7.7B.
7.8H.3 Take initiative to secure the necessary funding to complete watershed selection and planning by the end of 1993, and complete implementation of the demonstration projects by December 31, 1996.
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington
7.8H.4 The Council urges the states to evaluate putting into place statutes or regulations that call for establishing water conservation programs, with a goal of 25 percent more water conservation regionwide by 2005. All or a substantial portion of such conserved water should be dedicated to instream uses.
7.8I Water Resource Information Coordination and Development
Environmental Protection Agency and the Council
7.8I.1 Secure funding through appropriate sources and establish a mechanism to facilitate coordination of water quality activities relating to Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife resources. This should be an integrated basinwide approach that includes coordinated data management and an annual public report and review process. Use a cooperative approach including participation by all relevant entities such as Bonneville, Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Reclamation, fish managers, state water quality agencies, state water resource agencies, tribal agencies, land management agencies, U.S. Geological Survey and others. Report status of this activity to the Council annually by April 15.
7.8I.2 Coordinate development of a study plan to compile and evaluate existing water quality information, identify data gaps and priority problems, and recommend proposals to address gaps and priority problems. Use a cooperative approach including participation by all relevant entities such as Bonneville, Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Reclamation, fish managers, state water quality agencies, state water resource agencies, tribal agencies, land management agencies, U.S. Geological Survey, Council and others. Coordinate with the Columbia River Estuary Bi-State Study as well as other appropriate studies and programs. The project should include analysis of point sources, non-point sources, dioxin pollution, transboundary pollution, sewage in metropolitan areas and cumulative effects. Complete study plan and submit to the Council by April 15, 1993. After Council approval of the study plan, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council and other relevant entities should secure funding through appropriate sources to implement study plan. Report status of this activity to the Council by April 15 annually.
7.8J Water Availability
Water is a finite resource. The Council is concerned that continuing diversions of Columbia River and tributary water will degrade stream conditions needed by salmon and steelhead. Competing demands for water must be evaluated, and Idaho, Oregon and Washington must consider the cumulative effects of new diversions on water for salmon and steelhead. Elsewhere in this program, the Council calls for water efficiency, water marketing programs and other means of augmenting flows for fish. Continuing with water diversions that would deprive salmon and steelhead of the benefits of these programs would make little sense.
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington Water Agencies
7.8J.1 In coordination with projects described in 5.2A and 7.11C, and similar efforts, develop coordinated, interstate mechanisms to protect from appropriation additional Columbia and Snake river basin stream flows that come from storage releases, water conservation or other efficiency improvements, where the water is needed to maintain and rebuild salmon and steelhead populations.
National Marine Fisheries Service
7.8J.2 Develop a regional assessment of the availability of water for salmon and steelhead spawning, incubation, emergence and migration in the Columbia River and its tributaries, given current and projected water use and plans to provide secure flows for salmon and steelhead. The assessment should include a range of 50 percent to 95 percent probability of water availability. In cooperation with the states, tribes, and other federal agencies and interested parties, fund an evaluation of the effects of water withdrawals, depletions and return flows on the natural hydrograph. Compare the magnitude of these effects to the magnitude of effects caused by upstream storage. Develop hydrographs of the mainstem Columbia and Snake rivers and selected tributaries. Analyze the cumulative effects of likely future additional withdrawals on at-risk stocks of anadromous fish. Report results and provide recommended measures to the Council by April 1995.
[1] Best management practices are a practice or combination of practices that are the most effective and practical means of preventing or reducing the amount of pollution generated by non-point sources to a level compatible with state water quality goals. The practicality of these efforts should include technological, economic and institutional considerations. The development and evolution of best management practices requires the input of experts on each resource that may be impacted in order that all values are appropriately considered.