1.0 WETLAND PROJECT SUMMARY SHEET - 11/12/99

 

Project Title:  ASHLEY CREEK WETLAND ASSESSMENT & RIPARIAN PLAN - FINAL

 

Name and Address of Lead Sponsor:             Flathead Basin Commission (FBC)

33 2nd Street East

Kalispell, MT 59901

State Contact Person:             Lynda Saul

Title:                                                                           DEQ Wetlands Coordinator

Phone:                                                                                                                                                 (406) 444-6652           Fax:                                         (406) 444-6836

 

SUMMARIZATION OF MAJOR GOALS: The overall project goal is to integrate wetland and riparian assessment and restoration into the TMDL efforts underway in the Flathead, and also to restore water quality limited streams in the Ashley watershed to fully functioning. This will be accomplished by three goals. Goal 1: Assess wetland/riparian selected stream segments on the 303(d) list of Water Quality Limited Waterbodies and tributaries in the Ashley watershed. Goal 2: Develop a local wetland/riparian restoration plan for the assessed segments through landowner assistance using EPA’s watershed approach, and coordination with MDEQ’s TMDL and wetland programs. Goal 3: Demonstrate new or unfamiliar technology, restoration or management strategies for wetlands/riparian areas in the study area.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project involves the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Flathead Basin Commission (FBC), Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Flathead County, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Land & Water Consulting, KirK Environmental, and local landowners.  In addition there are host of additional watershed partners that are involved in the Ashley watershed project, which are identified in this application. The proposed project focuses on Ashley Creek, tributaries to Ashley Creek, and indirectly Flathead Lake, which Ashley Creek drains into via the Flathead River. Significant water quality, wetland/riparian impacts exit in watershed. The project will assess impacted waterways via boat, vehicle, and by foot to identify wetland and riparian conditions. The assessment process is complicated by limited stream access on private lands for which floating the creek during periods of moderate flow is proposed. A GPS/GIS mapping system will be used to map waterway impacts and develop a restoration plan. Specific activities include (1) developing a QA/QC plan and establishing a technical resource committee, (2) planning field activities, (3) promoting good landowner relations, (4) promoting community participation and communication between stakeholders for planning purposes, and (5) completing the field effort. The second major effort will be take the field assessment information, advise from the technical resource committee, and landowner input to develop a wetland/riparian restoration plan linking mitigation, TMDL needs, implementation of the VNRS, and MDEQ’s wetland program. Since the size of Ashley watershed is relatively large, the restoration plan will propose a phased mitigation effort linking community involvement under the watershed approach. The combined resources of partners, a technical resource committee, and partners involved in the overall watershed effort, will be used to implement a demonstration project involving innovative restoration activities or management of wetland/riparian areas on key stream segments. Implementing this project will result in important community involvement on water quality limited streams, planning for restoration of wetland/riparian corridors, reducing the future nutrient load in Ashley Creek, protecting streambanks, and improved habitat.

 

Federal 104(b)(3) Funds Requested: $30,734             State & Local Match: $ 18,241

Other Federal Match: $18,241                                                Total Project: $ 58,869

 


2.0 STATEMENT OF NEED

 

BACKGROUND: Nutrient loading is a significant problem in the Flathead Basin. Substantial data has been collected in the Basin as part of the overall TMDL process. Results show nitrogen and phosphorous levels have reached unacceptable levels in Ashley Creek, other streams, and Flathead Lake; channelization and disturbance of wetlands is common; and oxygen has been depleted and algae blooms have been documented numerous times in Flathead Lake. Monitoring data shows a clear link between nonpoint sources of nutrients flowing into the Lake from streams, such as Ashley Creek, and also from groundwater, and overland flow. Ashley creek itself carries a relatively large nutrient and sediment load which can in part mitigated through fully functioning wetlands and riparian zones. To address these needs, the FBC is implementing a Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Strategy (VNRS) to meet the target TMDL levels, improve water quality, and maintain excellent water quality throughout the Basin.

 

NEEDS: Wetland and riparian impacts are known to be a significant issue in the Ashley watershed. In 1987, the Flathead Conservation District with technical support from MDEQ and MFWP completed a study of Ashley Creek streambank management practices and nonpoint source pollution. The study focused on Ashley Creek, the riparian zone on Ashley Creek, but did not include evaluation of tributaries to Ashley Creek, such as Fish Creek. The study documented significant streambank impacts within wetland and riparian areas (Appendix A). In addition to these efforts, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) completed wetland enhancement efforts downstream of Smith Lake primarily for bird habitat improvement, which is in need of evaluation to determine the overall effectiveness of past efforts. Other work, including stream inspection efforts under the VNRS, has documented significant riparian impacts on tributaries to Ashley Creek. To address some of the issues, the NRCS has established easements and wildlife corridors to lesson and mitigate some impacts. However, a watershed approach is needed to establish a watershed baseline, expand the 1987 study, and develop a watershed restoration plan involving landowners. This grant, in conjunction with a recent 319 grant submitted to MDEQ requesting funding for a demonstration project on Mount Creek (a tributary to Ashley Creek), is greatly needed to begin a watershed approach for the Ashley drainage (see Appendix A for a map of the proposed project area).  Presently, the VNRS has undertaken the task of promoting a phased watershed project in the Ashley watershed.

 

Population growth is also an issue in the Ashley watershed. For example, approximately 70 percent of the Flathead Basin is public land. However, the Flathead is second most rapidly growing and developing regions of Montana, currently accounting for close to 100,000 human residents. Recent trends in population growth and development place a disproportional burden on water resources, and fragile riparian and wetland habitats. Land ownership patterns and jurisdictional boundaries exacerbate rather than facilitate comprehensive planning and coordination, and endanger the enhancement and protection of aquatic and riparian habitat and water quality. Clearly, rapid population growth is significant in that incremental improvements in reducing nonpoint source nutrient loads and wetland mitigation can be negated from significant population growth. The overall VNRS/TMDL effort includes watershed scale projects, such as this project, that are focused on high population growth areas. Fully functioning wetland/riparian zones are an integral component needed to mitigate watershed impacts, develop an Ashley watershed TMDL, and meet target TMDL levels.

 

2.1 Project’s Relevance to State Nonpoint Source Management Program

 


The FBC developed their VNRS implementation effort to address nonpoint sources of pollution and to meet the target TMDL levels in Flathead Lake. Implementation of this project establishes a clear link with past TMDL monitoring used to establish impacted streams, develop target/approved TMDLs levels, and fund on-the-ground action that reduce nutrient loading in streams, such as Ashley Creek. This project and past FBC efforts directly relate to the State’s NPS program and the TMDL process.

 

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposed project focuses on Ashley Creek (WQLW # MT76LJ0081), tributaries to Ashley Creek (e.g., Fish Creek WQLW # MT76LJ0085), and indirectly Flathead Lake (WQLW # MT76LJ0061), which Ashley Creek flows into via the Flathead River.  The following are goals and objectives for the proposed project.

 

Goal 1. Plan field efforts and establish a technical resource committee in support of assessing wetland/riparian areas on upper Ashley Creek above Smith Lake, lower Ashley Creek, and tributaries to Ashley Creek as access and funding allows.

 

Objective 1.The project team will complete an assessment of wetland/riparian area conditions in the watershed in conjunction with DEQ’s TMDL program, and also as part of the VNRS currently being implemented by the FBC and report findings.

 

Task 1.            Gain landowner support and access needed to conduct the assessment.

Products: Informed and supportive landowners, and access to stream segments.

 

Task 2.            Establish a technical resource committee, develop a plan and field schedule for assessment activities, and prepare a QA/QC plan.

Products: A field plan for field personnel will be developed and a QA/AC plan prepared describing field efforts and assessment techniques.  The QA/QC plan will outline the control techniques used to ensure accurate and precise data collection methods are used for the field effort.

 

Task 3.            Trained professionals will conduct a wetland/riparian assessment on impaired stream segments identified by the technical resource committee, area landowners, national wetland inventory maps, and local expertise familiar with the Ashley watershed (e.g., Plume Creek, NRCS, CKST, etc.).

Products: 10 to 15 stream segments will be assessed using consistent and reliable data gathering techniques, and mapped using a GPS/GIS system. The approach will be useful to characterize habitat types and health of the plant communities, soil conditions and hydrology, and general water quality in the assessment segments. The results will be compiled into stream section maps identifying the wetlands/riparian area, impacts, and a report will be written outlining the findings.

 

Task 4.            Provide a technical presentation and copies of the assessment report to the technical resource committee, Wetland Council, Watershed Coordinating Council, and post the report on-line for Montana residents.

Products: Information transfer to technical resource committee, councils, partnerships between the involved entities/residents, and coordination of efforts between the technical resource committee and local watershed. This task will include submission of the report

 

 


generated from the assessment activities and a presentation to the council.  In addition, the report will be available on the FBC web site and the www.montana.edu web site.

 

Goal 2. Develop a wetland/riparian management plan and phased prioritization schedule with landowners, project team, and coordination with DEQ’s TMDL program and the FBC’s VNRS implementation efforts.

 

Objective 2. The project team, input from local landowners, and advice from the technical resource committee, will be used to coordinate and develop a phased management plan and appropriate mitigation alternatives responsive to wetland/riparian impacts in the Ashley watershed.

 

Task 5.            Organize tours and field workshops for landowners see the importance of wetland/ riparian areas and understand the wetland/riparian segment conditions.

Products: One tour/workshop per segment assessed or combined segments for landowners (as access allows) and/or use of visual aids in a workshop for stream reaches that can’t be easily accessed.

 

Task 6.            Assess landowner attitudes and interest in forming a local group planning process that would address wetland/riparian conditions and initiate a phased watershed process on Ashley Creek tributaries and the main channel.

Products: Assess landowner support, and development of a planning process for local areas that have a high interest in being involved in the watershed approach.

 

Task 7.            Develop wetland/riparian management and mitigation alternatives based on a prioritized action plan that integrates landowner goals and objectives, access, sites listed on the 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Waterbodies, and availability of potential funding.

Products: Management and mitigation alternatives are developed in a report format for about 50 percent of the assessed areas.

 

Task 8.            Landowners select alternatives and begin implementing BMPs with the assistance from local agencies and organizations.

Products: Management plans are implemented through the watershed approach; full implementation will extend beyond the length of funding under this project.

 

Task 9.            Evaluate the effectiveness of the management plan implementation and mitigation efforts.

Products: Proposed and implemented management response actions are monitored as practicable, with complete evaluation extending beyond the length of funding under this project.

 

Task 10.          Present the alternatives report and a presentation to the technical resource committee, Wetland Council, Watershed Coordinating Council, and post the report on the Internet.

Products: Informed councils and information transfer, and coordination of efforts. The alternatives report will be available on the FBC web site and the www.montana.edu web site.  This product will serve at the final deliverable under this contract. Future deliverables will be developed through the watershed project and other funding sources.

 


 

Goal 3. Demonstrate new or unfamiliar technology/strategy for managing wetlands/riparian areas.

 

Objective 3. The project team will identify, plan, and implement a new or unfamiliar technology or management approach for wetland/riparian areas in the project area based on landowner needs and funding.

 

Task 11           The project team and local landowners will implement a new management strategy or new technology for demonstration and evaluation at a selected stream segment(s).

Products: Implementation of a demonstration effort and information as to whether the new approach is beneficial. If the demonstration is successful, the site will also serve as an example for technology/management approaches others can follow.

 

Task 12.          The project team and landowners will continue to seek partnerships with groups, organizations, and agencies to help demonstrate new/unfamiliar technologies or management strategies.

Products: New partnerships, coordination with others, to help establish a unified approach to wetland management in the Watershed.

 

3.1 Milestone & Organization Charts

Appendix A contains the project milestone and organization charts.

 

 

4.0 COORDINATION PLAN

 

The project’s overall sponsor and coordinator will be the FBC. The FBC is a uniquely organized watershed coordination group whose members represent the full extend of regulatory and resource managing agencies and the public. Scott Payne, FBC’s VNRS Coordinator, and owner of KirK, will conduct the day to day management activities, landowner relations (with support from Mark Holston of the FBC), and serve as the technical liaison between project partners, the watershed committee, and the technical resource committee. Scott is a professional consultant and hydrogeologist, and a registered geologist. The following summarizes the members on the technical resource committee, the role of active project partners, and a list of active members and interested entities involved with the watershed approach as stakeholders and members.

 

Technical resource committee (additional members may be identified):

 

Lynda Saul                          MDEQ wetlands program

 

Roxann Lincoln             MDEQ TMDL program

.

Mike Roberts              DNRC (wetland/riparian assessment team leader)

 

Rox Rogers                          FWS (Wetland/riparian delineation & restoration)

 

 


Mark Deleray            MFWP Fisheries program (tentative assignment)

 

Scott Payne                        Project Manager

 

Active participants for this project

 

FBC                                                    Mark Holston: TMDL and VNRS strategy input, and land owner relations.

 

KirK                                                    Scott Payne: Technical liaison, project management, planning/reporting, quality control, leadership, and landowner relations.

 

Flathead County             Rick Breakenridge: GPS/GIS mapping support.

 

MDEQ*                        Roxann Lincoln and Lynda Saul: TMDL regional coordinator, state wetland program coordination, stakeholder involvement, technical advice, and contract administration

 

NRCS                                                 Mary McDonald: Technical input/design for Flathead County NRCS projects, information/support for NRCS efforts in the Ashley Drainage, stakeholder involvement.

 

FWS                                                    Rox Roger: Technical input, field assessment activities, restoration planning.

 

DNRC*                         Mike Roberts and Rich Moy: Technical input, field assessment activities, restoration planning.

 

Land & Water             Andrika Kuhle: Field assessment activities, and restoration planning support.

 

Landowners                        TBD: Local needs, decision making, and project input.

 

Active participants on the Ashley watershed project:

 

See the above list and include the following

 

Plume Creek Timber                          Brian Sugden

 

MT Logging Association                          Patrick Heffernan

 

Flathead Conservation Dist*.            Kathy Jones

 

MDOT                                                  Gordon Stockstad

 

MFWP*                                                Mark Deleray

 


Pending interested participants on Ashley watershed project:

 

CKST*                                                Mary Price

 

Bonneville Power Admin.                         Lynn Ducharme

 

Kalispell School District                        TBD

 

Bureau of Reclamation*                        Ralph Carter

 

USFS*                                                                                     Kathy Barbouletos

 

EPA*                                                                                                   Willam Engle

 

Army Corp of Eng.                                    TBD

 

NOTE: * Denotes entities actively involved with the FBC and the Flathead VNRS effort. The FBC operates as consortium of agencies under a partnership aimed at addressing water issues in the Flathead.  These entities are part of the decision making process established for FBC, and these entities are involved in the Ashley watershed project through their FBC representative.

 

5.0 EVALUATION AND MONITORING PROGRAM

 

The initial effectiveness of the program will be part of a larger watershed program implemented over a three to five year period. Funding will be sought to conduct the watershed program, integrate findings and recommendations into an approved TMDL, conduct monitoring, and pay for mitigation efforts. Based on the current estimate of impacts on Ashley Creek, a relatively large funding source will be needed to complete a phased watershed effort. Until that funding is available, the effectiveness of this grant will be monitored in several ways to ensure successful completion of funded tasks for this project. Demonstration sites will be monitored three times for effectiveness, which will be paid for under this grant in the year 2001. In addition, volunteer monitoring useful to evaluate the general condition of wetlands may be possible if MDEQ wetland training funding requested by the FBC is awarded. After the year 2001, the VNRS effort, the proposed 319 effort (if funded), and future funding will be used to monitor the overall effectiveness of this project. In addition, key sites will be monitored for changes due to changes in flow, urban sprawl, new land uses, easements, etc. using these funding sources. Water quality within the Basin and on Ashley Creek will also be monitored during this period under a separate contract and through volunteer monitors. Long-term and measurable improvements in Ashley Creek water quality and Flathead Lake water quality is anticipated in a five year time frame as large numbers of projects are completed, other VNRS efforts are initiated, and other types of projects are completed. A five to ten year period of monitoring will be used to verify incremental improvements in water quality. Improvements on this time scale will be described in the FBC bi-annul report, which is paid for by other funding sources.

 

6.0 BUDGET

 

See budget tables in Appendix B.