Oregon Screen and Passage Issues: The Reality

Presented by Michael JensenJohn Day Screen Shop Manager

Funding Programs-Statewide• ODFW Cost Share ProgramODFW Cost Share Program

• Fish ScreensFish Screens– 60/40 cost share – 60% we pay, 40% water user60/40 cost share – 60% we pay, 40% water user– Voluntary - Cost share eligible up to $75,000Voluntary - Cost share eligible up to $75,000– Upon completion, water user takes over minor maintenance Upon completion, water user takes over minor maintenance

activities for under 30 CFS diversions and both minor and activities for under 30 CFS diversions and both minor and major maintenance activities for over 30 CFS diversionsmajor maintenance activities for over 30 CFS diversions

• Fish PassageFish Passage– 60/40 cost share – 60% we pay, 40% water user 60/40 cost share – 60% we pay, 40% water user – Voluntary - Cost share eligible up to $75,000 Voluntary - Cost share eligible up to $75,000 – Upon completion, water user takes over minor and major Upon completion, water user takes over minor and major

maintenance activitiesmaintenance activities– Some alterations, modifications, or cumulative changes to Some alterations, modifications, or cumulative changes to

existing diversions require addition of fish passage (Trigger existing diversions require addition of fish passage (Trigger events)events)

• ODFW SurchargeODFW Surcharge– Surcharge on Fishing LicensesSurcharge on Fishing Licenses– Maintenance for fish screensMaintenance for fish screens– Money gets spread thinner as new cost share projects are Money gets spread thinner as new cost share projects are

installedinstalled• Fish Screen Tax CreditFish Screen Tax Credit

– Based on 50% of eligible expenses up to $5,000Based on 50% of eligible expenses up to $5,000

Funding Programs-Area Specific

• Bonneville Power Adminstration (BPA)Bonneville Power Adminstration (BPA)– Currently funds projects in the John Day, Currently funds projects in the John Day,

Umatilla, and Walla Walla River Subbasins Umatilla, and Walla Walla River Subbasins through the John Day Screen Shopthrough the John Day Screen Shop

– Can fund screen, passage and stream habitat Can fund screen, passage and stream habitat improvement projects as they relate to fish improvement projects as they relate to fish passage.passage.

• Mitchell Act (NOAA)Mitchell Act (NOAA)– Columbia River Basin ProgramsColumbia River Basin Programs

– Enterprise Screen ShopEnterprise Screen Shop– John Day Screen ShopJohn Day Screen Shop– The Dalles Screen ShopThe Dalles Screen Shop

– Due to current funding levels, has only been used Due to current funding levels, has only been used for maintenance, though this money is stretched for maintenance, though this money is stretched thinner as new projects are added every year.thinner as new projects are added every year.

Other Funding and Partners• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)• Fisheries Restoration Irrigation Mitigation Act Fisheries Restoration Irrigation Mitigation Act

(FRIMA)(FRIMA)• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Partners US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Partners

ProgramProgram• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)• Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) • US Forest Service (USFS)US Forest Service (USFS)• Oregon Water Resource Dept. (OWRD)Oregon Water Resource Dept. (OWRD)• Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and

Watershed CouncilsWatershed Councils• Numerous Conservation GroupsNumerous Conservation Groups• WaterusersWaterusers• MitigationMitigation

The Goal

The ProblemsMother Nature (Geomorphology,

Climate,etc.)Project MaintenanceProject Placement, Size and TypeIrrigation Infrastructure

All wrapped into One Big Problem!

Some Solutions! Knowing your sitePeriodic MaintenanceWateruser Cooperation Partner Cooperation

Figure 1 – Journal of Hydrology (N.Z.), Vol. 13, No 1, 1974, The Torlesse Stream Vortex-Tube Sediment Trap by J.A.Hayward and A.J. Sutherland

• There is no “one size (or type) fits all.” • No project will perfectly fit a site.

• Expect a measure of disappointment, which should not be viewed failure.• No one can account for the variability of

every site.• Appreciate the little things

• Overall completion cost (future maintenance)• Keep it simple!

• Cost and length of time to repair.• When in doubt, remember, no one

knows your area as well as you.

In the end, we can only do our best and not expect to resolve all of the issues