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Home My WebLink About03/17/2020 11C Update on Nelson Dam Removal Project to\'4\lyy tbxk ik 1 +� PPP d P P p Pd PPi .l P 1 ittYlltYlt.\ta. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 11.C. For Meeting of: March 17, 2020 ITEM TITLE: Winter update on the Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Process, and Fish Passage Improvements SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works David Brown,Assistant Director of Public Works, 509-575-6204 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Winter update report produced for the Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Process, and Fish Passage Improvements. This is part of the project outreach materials. ITEM BUDGETED: Yes STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D IJ gate /21/2020 r Mery a 2 Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Winter Process, and Fish Passage Improvements 2019/20 OVERVIEW The City of Yakima (City) and partners are working to implement the comprehensive Lower Naches River Coordination Partnership efforts. One such multiple benefit effort, The Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Process, and Fish Passage Improvements (hereafter referred to as project), is underway to improve fish passage for two ESA-listed species, bull trout and Middle Columbia River steelhead, as well as Coho salmon and Middle Columbia River Chinook salmon, improve sediment continuity to improve upstream and downstream habitat, increase flow conveyance to decrease flood risk for nearby landowners, and improve water supply reliability for four water purveyors. The Phase 1 project includes removal of Nelson Dam and the adjacent north bank fish ladder and construction of a natural roughened channel for fish passage, lowering of the north bank to reconnect the floodplain and decrease unnatural sediment retention thereby reducing upstream flood risk,the creation of two secondary fish passage channels to provide alternate passage routes during high flow events, and consolidation of four existing water supply intakes into one newly constructed intake facility with a fish screen. The project is currently progressing towards the 60% design level, has secured a significant portion of project funding, but still has a funding gap to fill. WINTER 2019 - 2020 (Oct- Jan) • Funding— o The construction cost at 30% design is estimated to be approximately$15 million. $10,476,000 in construction funds have been secured from City of Yakima bond funding ($6,000,000) and Ecology Floodplains by Design Program ($4,476,000). Potential sources of additional funding include the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and Ecology Yakima Basin Integrated Plan funds. o $4-5 million in funding is still needed to complete construction of the Phase 1 project. A funding request was submitted to the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board in January 2020. Partners benefitting from the project, such as BPA and BOR, should continue internal discussions as how to cover funding gaps to ensure project success. • Permitting— o The USACE will be the NEPA lead. The need for additional federal coverage (NEPA) for multiple federal nexus (including BPA and BOR) will require on-going coordination and may delay the project if requirements are not fulfilled in a timely manner. o HDR updated the wetland and stream delineation report and the cultural survey report to include the results of an additional surface water pipeline corridor. An additional pipeline spur will be evaluated for wetlands and cultural resources in winter 2020. Update #2 February 14, 2020 3 Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Winter Process, and Fish Passage Improvements 2019/20 o HDR received confirmation from regulatory entities (USFWS, WDFW, NMFS), in consultation with the Yakama Nation, on an in-water work period for the Naches River. In-water work on the Naches River will occur over two consecutive work periods from July 16— February 28. The City will attempt to expedite work during the second window to the extent possible. o HDR has prepared a Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA), which contains numerous supplements including: • Wetland and Stream Delineation Report, • Functional Lift Assessment to demonstrate that the project will result in a net gain in ecological stream functions; • Water Quality Monitoring Plan; • JARPA Exhibits; • JARPA supplement including detailed in-water work plan, impact minimization measures, and water quality protection measures. o The draft JARPA will be submitted to the USACE and Ecology in late winter 2020. o A cultural and historic resources report has been prepared and was provided to the Yakama Nation for preliminary coordination. The report will be provided to the USACE with the JARPA. o HDR has prepared a Biological Assessment (BA) (ESA Section 7 consultation document) and an Essential Fish Habitat assessment. This assessment will be submitted to the USACE with the JARPA package in winter 2020. HDR has coordinated with NMFS, USFWS, and the Yakama Nation during BA development to characterize baseline conditions for ESA-listed and EFH species in the action area. o The County pre-application site visit and pre-application meeting application was prepared in January 2020. The City will submit the application to the County in February, with a goal to meet the County in March, and initiate the SEPA process. o A SEPA checklist was completed in January 2020. The checklist will be provided to Yakima County by end of March 2020. The County will be the SEPA lead for the project. • Design o Design engineers have completed several documents related to the 30% level of design including 30% construction drawings, updated opinion of construction cost, the draft Design Criteria Report, Geotechnical Data Report, and Geotechnical Design Criteria Report. o A 30% design review meeting was held with the City and County in mid-December 2019. o A meeting to review fish screen and fish passage design was held with WDFW and NMFS in January 2020. Update #2 February 14, 2020 4 Nelson Dam Removal Project: Water Supply, Riverine Winter Process, and Fish Passage Improvements 2019/20 NEXT STEPS • The City, County, and Design team will host a 30% Project Update meeting for project partners, stakeholders, and interested parties in Yakima, WA in late February or early March. • The project JARPA will be submitted to the USACE and ECY in late winter. This will officially kick off permitting review. The JARPA and supporting materials will present a case for project verifications under the NWP program. • Yakima County will publish the SEPA checklist for public comment. Following SEPA, the City will prepare an application for a Hydraulic Project Approval, which will be submitted to WDFW in late spring/early summer. • The City will continue to solicit input from BPA and BOR regarding NEPA responsibilities for each agency under the proposed action. It is requested that BPA evaluate if their responsibilities under NEPA can be covered under a Categorical Exclusion, or if project- specific NEPA documentation is required. Similarly, it is requested that BOR determine their NEPA responsibilities and engage with the City towards fulfillment. The project could be delayed if NEPA is required and not fulfilled in a timely manner. • An approach to project effectiveness monitoring will be discussed with the City, County, and BOR in the spring. • The draft Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design Analysis Report and Final Design Criteria Report will be completed by early March. • HDR will continue progress towards 60% design and environmental compliance documentation. 60% design completion is anticipated in early April 2020 which will include updated construction drawings and the 60% Design Documentation Report for the project. • The City of Yakima will be notified by the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board of construction funding proposal status in April 2020. If the project is eligible for the Board's funding, the City will submit a complete application in May 2020. Update #2 February 14, 2020