Wenatchee LiDAR Acquisition Watershed Assessment

Transcription

1 Upper Columbia Regional Application 2017 Wenatchee LiDAR Acquisition Watershed Assessment Chelan County Natural Resources Department 411 Washington Street Suite 401 Jennifer Hadersberger PRISM # Anticipated Request - SRFB: $ 228,710 Anticipated Request for Proposal: $ 228,710 Secured Match BOR: $ 26,502 Pending Match USFWS: $ 60,000 Pending Match USFS Pilot Project: $ 32,608 (Name Source, if applicable) Anticipated TOTAL Project Budget: $ 347,470

2 Questions Answers 1 What Upper Columbia subbasin is the project in? 2 What project category is your project? 3 What Assessment Unit is the project in? Wenatchee Assessment Wenatchee 4 What rank restoration and/or protection priority is the assessment unit the project is located in? 5 What is the primary species the project will target? 6 What secondary species will the project will target? 7 What regional PCSRF Metrics will be implemented with this project? 8 What Primary Ecological Concern does the Project Address? (not required for protection projects) 9 What other Ecological Concerns does the Project Address (not required for protection projects? 10 What is the rank priority of the primary ecological concern this project addresses in the assessment unit it occurs (not required for protection projects) Whole watershed Spring Chinook Steelhead and bull trout Total acres of upland habitat treated, 323,382 Sediment conditions increased sediment quantity Water quantity altered flow timing Not ranked for entire basin 11 Where is the project? W and N (northern limits of Chiwawa basin) to W and N

3 Regional Technical Team - Summary Information Click here for complete RTT scoring criteria QUESTION 1 In one sentence, what is the purpose of your project? 2 Location of the Restoration Project 3 In one sentence, identify what you are going to do 4 How long will it take for the benefits of the project to be realized and how long are they estimated to persist? SUMMARY INFORMATION This project will document watershed scale existing conditions as a first step in upland forest assessment. Baseline data will be used to generate metrics that summarize issues at the subwatershed scale allowing for prioritization and future project development. Throughout the Wenatchee basin starting at the limits of the floodplain and extending uphill to the wilderness boundaries. This project proposes to secure light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for upland forested areas throughout the Wenatchee watershed (excluding wilderness areas) that contain ESA listed species. This data will characterize existing conditions and then be used to identify and prioritize actions that would benefit aquatic habitat. You don t even know how cool this LiDAR data will be until you start to use it it can be used to develop future projects; it is almost survey grade data (check out Figure 4). 5 Benefits to Freshwater Survival or Capacity We have to start going outside the stream channel to start improving landscape scale conditions. This will protect our investment in projects that are located in the stream channel. We need to restore landscape scale hydrologic processes and this assessment is the first step. Restoration of hydrologic processes will improve survival, productivity, and capacity.

4 Citizens Advisory Committee Ranking Criteria and Summary Information For complete CAC ranking criteria click here CRITERIA SUMMARY INFORMATION Criterion 1: Benefits to Fish and Certainty of Success (60 pts. as a weighted percentage based upon RTT score) Is the project consistent with the Recovery Plan Implementation Strategy? Is the project/assessment based on proven scientific methods that will meet objectives? Are there any obstacles that could delay the implementation of this project or study (e.g. permitting, design)? Criterion 2: Project Longevity (30 points) Yes, improved accuracy of roads and stream crossings is listed as a data gap in the Biological Strategy and updated table of data gaps in the Recovery Plan. Yes, LiDAR can be used to map streams, roads, floodplains, stream bed elevation/gradient, and vegetation mapping see example graphics in the figures and incorporated into the proposal text. LiDAR would be flown in the fall and data is available the following spring. The implementation could be scaled to priority areas or available funding and implemented in phases. Who has the responsibility to manage and maintain the project? What is the responsibility of current or future landowners? Has the sponsor successfully implemented projects in the past? Are the benefits associated with the project in perpetuity? *Will the project last only a few years? Is there a high risk of failure associated with this project? CCNRD will work with State DNR to host the data. CCNRD worked with FEMA to collect the 2015 LiDAR data which is publicly available on the Puget Sound LiDAR consortium web site. This data will be useful for several decades. Certain areas might be outdated after specific events occur, but that in itself is also useful. If a fire or landslide occurs, that small area could be re-flown for comparison/evaluation of impacts/changes. No Criterion 3: Project Scope (15 points) How much habitat is being protected or gained? N/A as this is an assessment project Are threats imminent? Is the scale of the proposed action appropriate? Criterion 4: Community Support (25 points) This data could be used immediately in the development of salmon recovery projects and USFS development of restoration strategies The implementation could be scaled to priority areas or available funding and implemented in phases. *Has there been public outreach about this project to assess the level of community support? *Does the project build community support for salmon recovery efforts? *Is there any community outreach planned during and/or after implementation? US Forest Service supports this data acquisition. The public has not opposed recent LiDAR data acquisition efforts in 2015 for the FEMA floodplain boundary update and the recent YN effort to secure bathymetric LiDAR for the Lower Wenatchee Reach Assessment.

5 Has the project sponsor secured landowner participation or acceptance? Will there be public access? CCNRD has discussed this project with USFS staff and the NCW Forest Health Collaborative; all entities are supportive of securing this useful data. The data will be hosted online and publicly available for download. Will the project create benefits or raise concerns for particular groups or the community at large? What is the breadth and strength of the partnership supporting the project (technical support, financial, and in-kind contributions, labor)? Criterion 5: Economics (20 points) Concerns are not anticipated. The benefits to salmon recovery partners is described in this proposal. This data would also be useful to any parties who use topographic data, for example, irrigation districts, public works, private developers, foresters, orchardists, etc. This data is topographic survey data which can be used to cite road locations, evaluate forest stands, identify problems with remote infrastructure, etc. CCNRD has discussed this project with USFS staff and the NCW Forest Health Collaborative; all entities are supportive of securing this useful data. Does the project represent an opportunity for economic benefit? Will this project help the region move closer to delisting or reduce regulatory intervention? Is the project budget clearly defined and reasonable? How much benefit does the project create for the dollars invested? A local consultant will be hired to assist with the analysis to convert the LiDAR data into road and stream layers and quantify the road/stream crossings. I think to move closer towards recovery we will need to implement actions to improve watershed health higher up in the watershed. This data acquisition is the first step to document conditions in the upper watershed and develop projects to improve conditions. The budget is itemized and based upon cost estimates provided by DNR and a local consultant. The project implementation could be scaled to costs available. The real economic benefit here is that if we collect LiDAR on a large scale basis rather than piecemeal, we save 30-50% of the cost because the cost/acre is reduced for larger areas. Also, we can use this data to develop projects up to the 30% design stage which would be a cost savings for each individual project developed as we would not need initial survey to develop conceptual alternatives.

6 Response to Comments - Project: Wenatchee LiDAR Acquisition Watershed Assessment Comments from the June 14, RTT presentations 1. Does green LiDAR have a higher resolution? - No, the only difference is that green LiDAR uses a lower power sensor so that it penetrates the water surface rather than bouncing back off the water surface. Green LiDAR is typically flown at a lower altitude which results in tripling the cost to secure bathymetric data. There is no LiDAR more accurate than the 1-2 m product proposed to secure under this proposal. There is a product that does hydroflattening to define the edges of water surfaces but this is typically used in areas with large lakes rather than in upper watersheds with tributary streams. You can increase the number of pulses when securing the data, but in a forested area like this, 4 pulses per square meter is what is recommended and proposed by this project. 2. Are you planning to fly the whole watershed? - This proposal does not include the floodplain areas that were recently flown by FEMA in This proposal does not include the wilderness areas within the Wenatchee watershed. - Tumwater corridor and areas adjacent to the Lower Wenatchee were added to the proposal. So this proposal now covers the entire Wenatchee watershed from the 2015 floodplain boundary LiDAR coverage up to the wilderness boundary. - There are 1105 sq. miles of wilderness within the Wenatchee watershed, thus at $505/sq. mile the additional cost to add wilderness areas is >$500, The cost to fly green LiDAR over the Wenatchee mainstem and main tributaries (ie. to repeat the floodplain areas flown in 2015) would be approximately $200,000 (134 sq mi). Note that this cost estimate does not include the Lower Wenatchee since YN already collected green LiDAR for this area as part of the Lower Wenatchee RA. - These two costs (total $700,000) are not included in this proposal but either could be implemented as stand-alone projects at any time in the future. 3. CCNRD is walking a line between wanting to evaluate the whole watershed and just focus on the anthropogenic effects (roaded areas). If you want to look at watershed process you would want to look at the whole watershed. - Some reviewers would be interested in the data in wilderness areas and outside anadromy, but would like to see the cost for those data. Costs are included above. 4. The RTT would like to see the data hosted on Puget Sound Consortium or another site (or OpenTopogrophy.org) - The cost included in this proposal is to sub-contract the work through DNR, host the data on the DNR web site, and DNR staff will QA/QC the data. If this project is contracted through Puget Sound LiDAR consortium, hosted on their web site, and they QA/QC the data, then that will add approximately 14% to the project cost for securing LiDAR data (~$40,000). If online entities are willing to host the data for free (I m happy to, then CCNRD would be happy to coordinate that data hosting as part of this project implementation. RCO Review Panel Comments: This effort to collect LiDAR in a more extensive area of the Wenatchee River basin is an important element in data collection for watershed management and planning. Looking at watersheds from ridgetop to valley floor is a shift for some in terms of the scale of restoration that may be affecting aquatic systems. Although not as directly connected to salmon habitat as floodplain reconnection projects (for example), this type of holistic watershed planning is necessary in terms of comprehensive

7 management of large woody debris recruitment, sediment management, and hydrology. With the recent fires across the Upper Columbia region, these types of data are going to be necessary to mitigate for mass wasting and sedimentation events due to vegetation loss from fire. The integration of funding from USFWS, USFS data storage, and management from DNR and other support make this application a strong approach to the collection of additional LiDAR in the Wenatchee Basin. 1. Clarify that this proposal includes floodplain mapping for the tributaries. Data secured could be used to map floodplain boundaries for the tributaries. 2. Clarify that DNR becomes the host for the data and will provide contract management for QS. Will the data be publicly available and how will it be accessed? The Puget Sound LiDAR Consortium would be an ideal location to make the data available. DNR would publicly host the data and sub-contract with Quantum spatial. Puget Sound LiDAR Consortium would not be used to sub-contract, host data, and QA/QC the data due to the added cost (~40K). 3. Clarify the process for invasive species mapping how exactly will this be accomplished? Clarify the process for identification of brook trout habitat. How exactly would this be accomplished? We are seeking match funds from USFWS and part of that proposal is also to digitize the existing FLIR data as a mosaic. USFWS suggested that the combination of this data LiDAR and FLIR data could be used to identify warmer ponds that might be strongholds for invasive brook trout in the upper watersheds. This mapping exercise would need to be field verified. 4. Further describe the process for automated stream mapping in LiDAR. How will this be field verified to address errors in the modeling? CCNRD would hire a sub-contractor or sub-contract with USFS Staff to incorporate the LiDAR digital elevation data into modeling software that delineates streams in their topographically correct position. Field verification would happen on a watershed by watershed basis as part of future projects. 5. Further clarify the software/approach for identifying road/stream crossings using LiDAR. How will these be field verified to address errors in the modeling? CCNRD would hire a sub-contractor or sub-contract with USFS Staff to incorporate the LiDAR digital elevation data into modeling software that delineates roads and identifies stream crossings. Field verification would happen on a watershed by watershed basis as part of future projects. 6. Provide a comparison (if possible) between the levels of effort involved for: 1) aerial photo analysis for road/stream crossing Identification and 2) LiDAR processing for road/stream crossing identification. I suspect the level of effort might be similar. However, road and stream layers generated from 1-2m resolution LiDAR would be more accurate compared to using road and stream layers mapped based upon 10m DEM and/or aerial photographs. Field verification is not part of this project. 7. For the final application please provide a detailed cost estimate for the project. See attached. Summary of Project Changes: The text has been edited to further clarify project benefits such as data sets that could be derived from LiDAR and projects that could be developed using this data. The budget has been updated throughout the proposal to reflect the additional area added for Tumwater corridor and the river left areas of the Lower Wenatchee mainstem. Figures 1 and 2 have been updated.

8 Project Number Project Name Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Watershed Assessment Sponsor Chelan County Natural Resource Department Planning Type Assessment List all related projects previously funded or reviewed by RCO: N/A 1. Project brief. This project proposes to secure light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for upland forested areas throughout the Wenatchee watershed (excluding wilderness areas) that contain ESA listed species. This data will characterize existing conditions and then be used to identify and prioritize actions that would benefit aquatic habitat. 2. Project location. This project proposes to secure LiDAR data for 323,382398,013 acres of upland forested areas in the Wenatchee watershed that contain spring Chinook and steelhead habitat. Some LiDAR data has already been acquired on private lands located within the 100 year floodplain. This project will secure the remainder of the LiDAR data of upland forested areas on USFS (excluding wilderness areas) and private lands in the Upper Wenatchee mainstem, Nason Creek, Chiwawa River, Little Wenatchee River, White River, Chumstick, Icicle, Peshastin, and Mission creek subwatersheds (Figures 1-2). The cost estimate table (below) provides the acreage breakdown. 3. Problem statement. Watershed scale processes such as run-off and stream flow, erosion and sediment supply, and nutrient delivery influence the physical and biological conditions at the reach scale (Roni and Beechie 2013). These landscape level processes must be understood as part of a watershed assessment to identify causes of habitat degradation, list necessary restoration actions, and determine which of those actions are the highest priority to help achieve restoration goals (Roni and Beechie 2013). The presence of roads can increase the drainage density 21-50% by altering flowpaths in a watershed (Wemple, Jones, Grant 1996) Altered flowpaths result in higher peak flows (see graphic below also from 1996 citation) and lower base flows which is similar to predicted conditions under future climate change scenarios. Roads de-commissioning and stormproofing projects can restore infiltration and mitigate the hydrologic impacts from roads to restore stream hydrologic processes. A rectified roads map with identified stream crossings is the first step towards project implementation designed to mitigate anthropogenically altered peak and base flows.

9 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal Notice how roads increase peak flows and decrease base flows. Graphic from Wemple, Jones, Grant 1996 Currently, fish distribution, potential habitat mapping,and forest analysis models (ex. GRAIP) are based upon the 10m Digital Elevation Models (DEM). Figure 4 depicts the difference in the 10 m DEM and 1-2 m LiDAR data resolution. The following stream profile graphic compares stream bed elevation mapping based upon DEM and LiDAR. Currently, DEM is used to map stream gradient for fish distribution and intrinsic potential; this data would be more accurate once updated with stream gradient derived from LiDAR data. Improved accuracy in intrinsic potential mapping would help prioritize fish passage barrier mapping and prioritization efforts. To date, stream assessment and restoration efforts in Chelan County have largely been focused at the reach scale. Addressing watershed scale processes higher upland was thought to be the responsibility of USFS and other land managers. However, development of watershed scale aquatic enhancement projects on USFS lands has been challenging in Chelan County. USFS has completed a watershed scale NEPA analysis to identify aquatic enhancement actions in the Tillicum watershed based on existing road and stream data. However, planning efforts in other watersheds have not been completed to date. CCNRD has collaborated with USFS to map roads and streams in Nason Creek; however, this on the ground inventory has still taken 2-3 years to complete (2015 grant application, 2016 inventory, and 2017 analysis). Securing LiDAR watershed wide for areas with spring Chinook and steelhead distribution could expedite the documentation of existing conditions, especially how roads interact with stream and watershed processes, and save money compared to doing this analysis one watershed at a time. In addition, Page 2 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

10 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal LiDAR can be used to assess uplands that are privately owned where field access to ground trothed conditions may be limited. 4. List the fish resources present at the site and targeted by the project. Species Life History Present (egg, juvenile, adult) Current Population Trend (decline, stable, rising) Endangered Species Act Coverage (Y/N) Bull Trout Egg, juvenile, adult Declining/Stable Y Spring Egg, juvenile, adult Stable Y Chinook steelhead Egg, juvenile, adult Rising Y 5. Describe the limiting factors, and limiting life stages (by fish species) that the project expects to address. LiDAR data documents existing conditions at the watershed scale as a baseline assessment used to develop and prioritize future actions. Potential projects that could be identified through this assessment would address sediment conditions; water quantity (stream hydrology); invasive species mapping; and in-stream complexity (sources of large wood). The following text describes the type of projects that could be developed to address the liming factors described above. Water Quantity LiDAR data can be used to map road locations, stream crossings, and calculate road density at the sub-watershed scale. This information is the baseline for developing plans to de-commission roads and restore natural hydrologic conditions at the watershed scale. Invasive Species Mapping LiDAR data combined with temperature data (FLIR) can be used to map potential brook trout locations throughout the watershed. Brook trout mapping is the first step for development of brook trout eradication projects. Riparian vegetation LiDAR can be used to identify areas where riparian trees and shrubs are lacking. This information can be used throughout upland forested areas to identify the location of potential riparian vegetation projects. Sediment Conditions LiDAR data can be used to map road locations, stream crossings, and calculate road density at the sub-watershed scale. This information is the baseline for developing plans to de-commission roads and upgrade stream crossings to reduce fine sediment input. Appendix E of the Biological Strategy lists Treatment of Roads to reduce sediment delivery as a universal ecological concern to be addressed. More specifically, the Biological Strategy states the following: Page 3 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

11 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal Roads exist throughout all of the UCR watersheds that either need repair or should be obliterated. Many of these roads deliver elevated levels of fine sediments to streams. The RTT recommends that where possible, roads that are contributing to elevated levels of fine sediment to streams are fixed or eliminated. Channel-adjacent roads should be the highest priority for elimination. The RTT further recommends that the inventory of forest roads be reduced to a level the USFS is able to reasonably maintain for roads on their property. In addition, the following table identifies priority actions as listed in Appendix E of the Biological Strategy (RTT 2013) that could potentially be addressed by this proposal: Watershed Restoration Priority Ecological Concern, Data gaps, and Priority Actions that could be addressed through this project (per Biological Strategy 2013) Nason 1 Sediment Conditions (#6 EC), the cumulative effect of road densities on stream channel function and sediment delivery are not fully known. Actions to address the #6 EC are listed as USFS road maintenance and actions, de-commission roads that are affecting sediment delivery to streams Upper Wenatchee 2 Sediment is not listed as a primary ecological concern in the Biological Strategy; however, WDFW has expressed concern about changes in spawning that may be a result of elevated sediment levels contributed by Nason Creek (Cram and Murdoch, pers. Comm.). Icicle 3 Sediment conditions are the #7 ecological concern with a specific recommendation to remove the road at Trout creek. Mission 6 Sediment conditions are the #3 ecological concern. Chronic road failures on E. Fork Mission Creek result in increased sediment delivery is listed as a factor affecting habitat conditions. The recommended action to address sediment conditions is to assess and reduce road interference with channel function and sediment load. Little Wenatchee 8 Sediment conditions (#2 EC), there is uncertainty about the effects of road management on stream channel function, water temperature, flow, and large wood inputs. Actions to address the #2 EC are listed as USFS road maintenance and actions, decommission roads that are affecting sediment delivery to streams Chumstick 9 Sediment conditions are the #3 ecological concern and the extent of the effect of private and public roads on stream channel function and sediment delivery is not fully assessed but of concern. Recommended actions to address sediment conditions are to implement sediment control program on USFS lands and reduce road densities in tributaries and upper reaches of the assessment area. Chiwawa 10 The cumulative effect of road densities on stream channel function and sediment delivery are not fully known, but of concern. Page 4 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

12 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal 6. Project goals and objectives. A. What are the project s goals? Document watershed scale existing conditions. Baseline data will be used to generate metrics that summarize issues at the subwatershed scale allowing for prioritization and future project development B. What are the project s objectives? Secure LiDAR data for 323,382398,013 acres, publicly available for sharing and use in watershed assessments. Calculate miles of road and road density calculations for the following watersheds: Upper Wenatchee, Nason Creek, Chiwawa River, Little Wenatchee River, White River, Icicle, Peshastin, Chumstick, and Mission creek subwatersheds. Provide GIS layers of existing mapped roads and DNR mapped streams, updated GIS layers obtained from LIDAR analysis, and metrics describing the differences for each watershed listed above. Conduct a GIS spatial analysis of stream temperature and LiDAR data to map brook trout locations. What are the assumptions and constraints that could impact whether the sponsor achieves the objectives? Text to be added to the final proposal Project details. A. Provide a narrative description of the proposed project. Formatted: Highlight This project proposes to secure light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for watersheds that contain ESA listed species in the Wenatchee basin. LiDAR is a remote sensing method that captures the earth surface by penetrating the tree canopy to provide a more accurate ground surface compared to existing data such as aerial photographs or topographic maps. LiDAR acquisition is typically the first step for conducting in-stream Reach Assessments and it should be the first step in a watershed scale planning effort to identify and prioritize upland actions that would benefit stream habitat. Data sets obtained from LiDAR: Rectified roads layer Rectified stream layer (see figure 5) Accurate stream bed elevation (stream gradient) Vegetation height Floodplain elevations Stream cross sections Page 5 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

13 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal Topography Evaluation of landslides These data sets generated from LiDAR data can be used to document existing watershed conditions such as the location of roads and streams, and characterize riparian and forest vegetation. Once existing conditions are verified, LiDAR will be used to document problems and opportunities such as the following: Identify roads with the highest likelihood of erosion and potential to contribute fine sediment to streams areas where roads disconnect floodplain and disrupt channel migration processes areas where roads alter drainage patterns and change stream hydrology areas with the greatest potential to contribute coarse sediment and large wood to streams areas with the greatest potential to retain cold-water mapping brook trout locations to identify eradication projects Characterize forested vegetation to identify areas for prescribed burn/thinning to improve landscape level fire resiliency Characterize riparian vegetation to identify future riparian planting projects Map stream gradient to update potential habitat for ESA listed species Map natural barriers Document existing conditions to evaluate post-fire effects of mass wasting and vegetation remova Floodplain mapping and stream cross section data is accurate enough to utilize for 30% design of in-stream habitat improvement projects (floodplain re-connections, large wood placement, barrier removals, etc) Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, Bulleted + Level: 1 + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt Identification and prioritization of watershed scale projects for future implementation will complement the in-stream projects that have been completed to date. Most restoration work has focused on in-stream salmon habitat enhancement, which has provided some localized and important benefits at the reach scale. This project hopes to broaden that scope by allowing practitioners to look both upstream and upland to identify in-stream and upland projects that restore key watershed processes and functions. In addition to roads, stream mapping, and subsequent analysis, LiDAR can be used for the following vegetation mapping and analysis: Riparian Function - First return LiDAR data can be used to map vegetation height (Figure 3). Modeling can use the vegetation height data and topography to calculate the shade provided by the existing vegetation (Figure 3). Then, potential shade can be calculated to identify areas that would benefit most from planting native trees and shrubs. Upland Vegetation Conditions - This information can allow managers to assess landscape conditions (e.g., vegetation composition and structure) that influence stream and watershed processes and functions. Managers can then propose and prioritize restoration treatments and integrate terrestrial components of land management. Page 6 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

14 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal In summary, LiDAR data will be used to develop the following salmon recovery projects: riparian plantings, floodplain re-connections (Figure 6), fish passage projects, sediment reduction, addressing impacts of climate change through restoration of natural stream hydrologic processes, and mitigation of post-fire effects. LiDAR mapping accuracy has improved significantly (Figure 4). Technical specifications for the LiDAR acquisition will be consistent with those for the recent 2015 FEMA-Chelan County LiDAR data acquisition. The LiDAR instrument will produce onground laser spot diameter no less than 15 cm and no greater than 40 cm; record a minimum of 4 returns per laser pulse, including first and last returns; record intensity with a range for at least 8 bits; and have a laser scan angle that does not exceed 30 degrees overall. The LiDAR sub-contract will also specify the following details: GPS procedures, horizontal datum, spatial reference framework, report of survey, all-return point cloud, bare-earth surface model, full-feature DEM, ground point density raster, intensity image, formal metadata, file naming conventions (usability), and data quality specifications. The data analysis will verify the roads and stream layers and provide the following metric deliverables: LiDAR data for 323,382398,013 acres; miles and road density calculations; GIS layers of existing mapped roads and streams with updates information from LiDAR analysis, and metrics describing the differences; and GIS spatial analysis of brook trout locations. Formatted: Highlight B. Provide a scope of work and detailed list of project deliverables. Item/Milestone Outcome Target Completion Date (Month/Year) CCNRD contracting Contracts completed January 2018 with funders CCNRD sub- Contracts completed June 2018 contracting with LiDAR and data analysis firm LiDAR flights LiDAR made publicly November 2018 available Data analysis Final Report with maps and metrics and description of analysis June 2019 C. Explain how the sponsor determined cost estimates. Cost estimates for LiDAR were provided by Quantum SpatialDNR based upon the cost per acre for broad area LiDAR acquisition for the Puget Sound LiDAR Consortiumthrough their contract with Quantum Spatial. Cost estimates for road and stream layer verification were provided by Washington Conservation Science Institute based upon similar analysis that have been completed. Conducting this analysis on a larger scale saves money compared to doing this one subwatershed at a time. Page 7 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

15 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal Note that the budget provided is broken down into sub-watershed categories so this project could be scaled to match available funding or implement in phases. For example, the pre-proposal did not include ~42,000 acres on river left of the Lower Wenatchee basin since this area has limited ESA listed fish distribution. As an example of how this project could be scaled, removal of this area would reduce the overall cost by ~$33,000. If partial funding is available, CCNRD would work with RTT to identify the highest priority areas to secure LiDAR data coverage. D. How have lessons learned from completed projects or monitoring studies informed the project? Text to be included in final proposal US Forest Service has developed watershed protocols designed to evaluate aquatic habitat in order to develop watershed wide restoration strategies that get tackled one watershed at a time. These aquatic landscape evaluations are completed with limited staff time and therefore lack complete field surveys in some cases. LiDAR coverage would improve the US Forest Service analysis by improving the documentation of existing conditions which would facilitate the NEPA process and result in more restoration project implementation. LiDAR coverage also expands the analysis onto adjacent private lands which helps to integrate restoration implementation across the landscape through public-private partnerships. 9. If the project includes an assessment or inventory A. Describe any previous or ongoing assessment or inventory work in your project s geographic area and how this project will build upon, rather than duplicate, the completed work. A portion of this LIDAR coverage has already been acquired on private lands located within the 100-year floodplain. As a result, most restoration work has focused on instream salmon habitat enhancement, which has provided some localized and important benefits at the reach scale. This project will secure the remainder of the LiDAR data in upland areas on USFS (excluding wilderness areas) and private lands throughout the Upper Wenatchee (Figures 1-2), and thus hopes to broaden restoration efforts by allowing practitioners to look both upstream and upland to identify in-stream and upland projects that restore key watershed processes and functions. B. If a design is NOT a deliverable of this grant, please describe how this project meets all of the required criteria for filling a data gap that are listed in Section 2 of Manual 18. This project will map roads, quantify the number of stream crossings, and calculate road density in all sub-watersheds within the Wenatchee basin. This project was developed in order to address the data gap of roads mapping as described in the Biological Strategy (see table above). The Biological Strategy specifically states that the effects of roads is not known or there is uncertainty about the effects of roads and road density on aquatic habitat in the Chiwawa, Little Wenatchee, and Nason creek. Page 8 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

16 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal 10. If the project includes developing a design or a feasibility study: N/A 11. Explain why it is important to do this project now instead of later. Securing LiDAR watershed wide for areas with spring Chinook and steelhead distribution would expedite the documentation of existing conditions, especially how roads interact with stream and watershed processes. This method is much faster than conducting on the ground inventories and results in easily accessible data. Similar to conducting an in-stream reach assessment, securing LiDAR data is a necessary first step to identifying, prioritizing, and implementing projects in upland areas that will address watershed processes on a much larger scale. This data can be used to inform the USFS development of restoration strategies at the watershed scale. This data can also be used to inform the upland watershed processes component of the Biological Strategy update by providing data on the number of road-stream crossings per watershed and road densities. This information would document which sub-watersheds are the most hydrologically impacted by roads. Since we know that, this would help prioritize upland actions in these areas. 12. If the project is a part of a larger overall project or strategy, describe the goal of the overall strategy, explain individual sequencing steps, and which of these steps is included in this application for funding. This project is an assessment focused at the watershed scale that is being designed to accomplish the following objectives: 1) provide a consistent and scientifically rigorous assessment of key aquatic ecosystem processes to inform ecosystem restoration project planning, 2) at the watershed-scale, identify restoration opportunities and priorities that restore watershed processes and contribute to the recovery of listed fish, 3) recognize and assess important interactions that occur between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems so that restoration opportunities and priorities are fully integrated. This process is consistent with the aquatic habitat characterization and project development currently going on within the US Forest Service. US Forest Service is currently characterizing aquatic habitat and developing projects to improve aquatic habitat in the Chiwawa watershed. US Forest Service recognizes the potential uses of LiDAR data to verify the road and stream layers allowing for an analysis of the drainage network to streams, assess riparian processes, and assess upland vegetation conditions and restoration options. Once this information is available, then you can identify the following: Identify roads with the highest likelihood of erosion and potential to contribute fine sediment to streams areas where roads disconnect floodplain and disrupt channel migration processes areas where roads alter drainage patterns and change stream hydrology areas with the greatest potential to contribute coarse sediment and large wood to streams areas with the greatest potential to retain cold-water potential locations for brook trout eradicaiton Page 9 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

17 Wenatchee Watershed LiDAR Acquisition Pre-Proposal Once these assessments have been completed, this information can be used to identify the highest priority areas to develop proposed projects to improve aquatic habitat at the landscape scale. For example, certain roads may be identified as the highest priority for de-commissioning or storm proofing. Once an area is identified as a high priority for storm proofing, specific actions can be developed from ground trothing the area. 13. Describe the sponsors experience managing this type of project. Jennifer Hadersberger, CCNRD, will be the overall project manager to track the project schedule to ensure that contracting, sub-contracting, and project implementation occurs on time in order to complete the project and meet all grant deliverables. CCNRD staff have managed many assessments and planning projects in addition to design and implementation of salmon enhancement projects for over 15 years. CCNRD has successfully partnered with the US Forest Service to implement projects on USFS lands. In addition, Jennifer Hadersberger facilitates the Wenatchee Habitat Subcommittee where the outcome of this project will be reviewed and shared with other salmon restoration practitioners. 14. List all landowner names. This project will cover public and private land throughout the Wenatchee basin. 15. List project partners and their roles and contributions to the project. CCNRD will sub-contract with Quantum Spatial through DNR for the LiDAR flights. DNR will QA/QC the data and ensure that the data is hosted on the DNR web site and made publicly available. Washington Conservation Science Institute (or a similar cabable firm) will analyze the LiDAR data to verify the roads and stream layers and provide the metric deliverables listed as the project objectives. 16. Stakeholder outreach. Quantum Spatial has all the permits and authorizations to fly and secure LiDAR. Public outreach about this project will be through the Wenatchee Habitat Sub-committee and US Forest Service. References: Roni, Phillip, and Tim Beechie. Stream and Watershed Restoration. A Guide to Restoring Riverine Processes and Habitat. Formatted: Indent: Left: 0", First line: 0", Space Before: 0 pt, Hyphenate Wemple, Beverley, Julia Jones, and Gordon Grant Channel Network Extension by Logging Roads in Two Basin, Western Cascades, Oregon. Available online at pdf Page 10 Manual 18, Salmon Recovery Grants March 2017

18 DETAILED PROJECT BUDGET Basin Acres (Does not include area from 2015 LiDAR) Wenatchee Chiwaukum 3,672 Upper Wenatchee 17,951 Nason 42,235 Little Wenatchee 38,754 White River 15,885 Chiwawa 63,522 Mission 29,828 Peshastin 57,882 Icicle 28,573 Chumstick 44,764 Tumwater corridor 12,047 Lower Wenatchee river left 42,899 Wenatchee Total 398,013 Task Units Cost/Unit Cost Secure LiDAR 622 square miles 505/sq. mi $314,110 Road/Stream Analysis 460 hours 66/hour $30,360 Contracting 60 hours 50/hour $3,000 Total $347,470 Funding Request and Status Funder Cost Status BOR $26,152 Secured (if used by December 31, 2018) USFWS $60,000 Pending USFS Pilot Project $32,608 Pending SRFB Request $228,710 Pending Total $347,470

19 Figure 1: Wenatchee LiDAR Proposal with Spring Chinook Distribution Legend 2015 LiDAR Limits FS Roads Spring Chinook Distribution Wilderness Area (707,477 Acres) LiDAR Coverage Needed (398,013 Acres) Wenatchee Watershed Boundary Miles

20 Figure 2: Wenatchee LiDAR Proposal with Steelhead Distribution Legend 2015 LiDAR Limits FS Roads Steelhead Distribution Wilderness Area (707,477 Acres) LiDAR Coverage Needed (398,013 Acres) Wenatchee Watershed Boundary Miles

21 Figure 3: How LiDAR can be used for riparian vegetation height and shade analysis

22 Figure 4: The top image is a 10 m resolution DEM image. Compare the resolution to the bottom figure which is the same area but depicted with 2 m resolution LiDAR.

23 Red line = stream channel mapped using aerial photograph and NHD stream layer Figure 5. LiDAR can be used to rectify the stream layer Mapped stream channel using 1m LiDAR (with the red NHD stream layer for comparison)

24 Figure 6. LiDAR can identify floodplain re-connection projects and quantify acres of disconnected floodplain at the watershed scale Old railroad grade in floodplain