State Agency Workplans

Ongoing Programs

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (OAR 340-45-005 through 065)

The NPDES permit program, enacted in 1987 under Section 402(p) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), establishes permit requirements for certain municipal and industrial storm water discharges to regulate point sources of water pollution. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers and regulates the NPDES program. This program mandates erosion and sediment control, prohibits non-storm water discharges, prohibits releases in excess of provisions in 40 CFR 117 & 302, requires implementation of a stormwater pollution plan, requires effluent limitations, prescribes monitoring and reporting, and establishes standard permit conditions and records retention.

NPDES permits must be obtained for construction activities that disturb 5 or more acres of land; operation and maintenance activities are not subject to the permit requirements. ODOT receives a variety of permits including industrial wastewater permits for maintenance facilities, industrial construction permits, industrial aggregate permits, and Municipal Separated Storm Sewer System permits. ODOT voluntarily applies NPDES guidelines to operation and maintenance activities as deemed necessary, and voluntarily applies NPDES guidelines to construction projects outside the urban service boundary and to construction projects impacting less than five acres of land. The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan required for construction projects is not applicable to ODOT maintenance and operation activities; however, erosion control measures are implemented on operation and maintenance activities as needed.

ODOT reviewed current operation and maintenance practices and developed a manual of recommendations for improvements to practices to reduce pollutants associated with stormwater (ODOT MMS Water Quality Review 1995). An erosion control team located in the Hydraulics Unit of ODOT has been developed.

In 1997, actions under this program that will benefit fish include:

• The implementation of erosion control measures will reduce sediment input into nearby streams. Coho spawning, rearing and migratory habitat would indirectly benefit from the protection of water quality. Awareness of the importance of adequate erosion control has increased and monitoring of erosion control structures has improved.

• The 1995 Maintenance Management Service (MMS) Guidelines for Water Quality are currently under review. The review considers the life cycle needs of juvenile cutthroat trout. The new standards and BMPs will be designed to be sensitive to juvenile cutthroat. Upon completion of the review, the new standards and BMPs will be implemented.

• An illicit discharge program has been implemented to identify and remove unauthorized connections to ODOT discharge systems.

Responsible Staff: NPDES Coordinator (currently vacant)

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: NPDES permits are administered and regulated by DEQ. New specs and specials, new design standards and the illicit discharge program documentation are available for National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) review. The NPDES Coordinator will monitor this program.

Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 17; 50 CFR 81; 50 CFR 424; 50 CFR 451-2)

This Act was established to conserve species of fish, wildlife, and plants facing extinction. The Act applies to any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species, or result in destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. It establishes criteria for the protection of endangered and threatened species and their habitat. Section 7 of the Act requires federal agencies to consult with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS - for wildlife and resident fish) and the NMFS (for anadromous fish and marine mammals) on any action that may affect endangered or threatened fish, wildlife or plant species, or any action that might result in destruction or modification of critical habitat. The consultation process for interagency cooperation under Section 7 of the Act may include preparation of a Biological Assessment to determine the effect of the proposed action to listed and proposed threatened and endangered species.

As a state agency, ODOT is not required to comply with Section 7 of the Federal ESA unless there is a federal connection. However, on many construction projects, ODOT often acts as an agent for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and must comply with the federal ESA through Section 7 consultation. ODOT must comply with the ESA if any federal permits (e.g., federal Clean Water Act Section 404 removal/fill permit) or federal funding are required for a project. Unless a federal 404 permit is required, compliance with Section 7 of the ESA is generally not necessary for ODOT maintenance and operation activities. As an applicant for a 404 permit or as representative of FHWA, ODOT assures its actions do not jeopardize threatened or endangered species and implements conservation measures, or reasonable and prudent measures identified by the USFWS or NMFS to avoid and minimize potential adverse effects to such species.

Within the last three years, a number of fish species have been proposed for listing (e.g., coastal coho salmon, Umpqua sea-run cutthroat trout, west coast steelhead). ODOT has prepared Biological Assessments on some construction projects that have the potential for adverse effects on proposed fish species. Consequently, conservation measures have been added to projects that have resulted in less sediment in streams (through increased erosion control), a reduction in the amount of in-water work required, appropriate in-water work timing restrictions, less removal of riparian vegetation, and a reduced likelihood of hazardous spills.

In 1997, actions under this program that will benefit fish include:

• Programmatic biological assessments (BA) will be prepared to address impacts to coastal coho and west coast steelhead resulting from ODOT activities. Programmatic BA's consider the effects of individual actions (projects) at the watershed scale, and the grouped effect of numerous actions for a basin. Three BA's will consider impacts from 1997 construction activities in the south coast, mid coast, and north coast. BA's will also be prepared for proposed west coast steelhead trout. In addition, a BA was prepared to address effects of all ODOT actions in the Umpqua River basin on Umpqua cutthroat trout, coastal coho, and coastal steelhead for April 1996 to April 1997; a new BA will be prepared for actions in the Umpqua River basin through 1997.

• A programmatic BA will be prepared to evaluate the impacts from all 1997 ODOT maintenance activities in the coastal area. The new BMPs and standards derived from MMS review for water quality will be included the this BA.

• Programmatic BA's are one tool for educating ODOT construction and maintenance staff and counties about the effects of individual projects, and the cumulative affects of all projects in a basin. Through this process, ODOT biologists will educate counties about their responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act.

Responsible Staff: Rose Owens, Senior Biologist (503) 986-3510

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: Programmatic biological assessments for proposed species are submitted to NMFS for review and comment. NMFS is usually contacted during the preparation of environmental documents for input. The senior biologist will monitor this program.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program

The 1991 Oregon Legislature passed legislation (ORS 634.122) which states that all state agencies with pest control responsibilities will practice Integrated Pest Management principles. ODOT is required to control vegetation on the roadsides to provide safety to the public for sight distance, provide rapid drainage of water from the road surface, provide subsurface road bed drainage to maintain the integrity of the road structure, etc. ODOT uses a variety of integrated pest management methods including: chemical (herbicides), mechanical (mowing), cultural (seeding), physical (pulling), and biological (insects and other biological agents). Action thresholds are developed for road shoulder activities adjacent to streams and/or ditches that may affect fish or fish habitat. ODOT is a participating member of the Interagency Integrated Pest Management Coordinating Committee. In the last several years, Special Management Areas have been signed in ODOT rights-of-way where certain threatened or endangered plant species are located.

District IPM teams are currently updated, through a newly developed newsletter or informational pamphlet called "Solid Green", on vegetation management activities that will protect and enhance salmon and their habitat. Team members will develop IPM goals and objectives plus action thresholds for 20 plus roadside vegetation management and landscape activities. In addition, annual training sessions (applicator recertifications) are held on: non-crop vegetation management, landscaping, and Regional Interagency IPM noxious weed training. Salmon recovery issues will be an integral part of the agenda for each of these upcoming training sessions.

In 1997, actions under this program that will benefit fish include:

• A District interagency stakeholders meeting will be held during the second quarter in 1997 to review the 16 Maintenance District IPM Plans. These plans include aspects of cultural/mechanical activities in use (mowing, cleaning ditches, seeding, etc.), rights of way inventory, activity schedules, and a listing of chemical herbicides for potential use. In addition, these plans may place emphasis on: normal vegetation management, critical habitat areas, sensitive habitat areas, BLM roadsides, and/or USFS roadsides. Any new or revised policies/guidelines will be fully implemented by the third quarter in 1997. Personnel training and implementation of current guidelines is on-going.

• An integrated vegetation management program prototype will be developed for the Upper Rogue Valley during 1997-98. This program will place emphasis on riparian vegetation management in relation to adjacent waterways. Although the program is not scheduled to begin implementation until 1999, tasks will be identified by a committee, comprised of ODOT, Jackson County, Federal Highway, and other personnel, which will begin implementation during 1997.

• Examples of specific prescriptions within IPM plans could include (all of these may not be implemented in 1997):
  • Reduce residual chemical use.
  • No spraying in water courses.
  • More selective spraying.
  • No spray zone near water crossings, size of zone will be appropriate to each location as identified in District IPM.
  • Use of alternate means of brush control (mow more).
  • Use of the new selective spray truck to its maximum; obtain new spray rig; replace obsolete trucks with dual purpose spray trucks.
  • Increased vegetation management
  • Incorporation of vegetation zones for filtration.
  • Modify timing of spraying to avoid sensitive eggs and juveniles, with input from ODFW.
  • Evaluate application of chemical for minimum control.
  • Evaluate use of low-growing grasses that require low maintenance.

Responsible Staff: David Humphrey, ODOT Operations (503) 986-3032

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The "Solid Green" newsletter produced by the ODOT IPM team is available for review; the newsletter educates and updates District team members. Internal annual training materials are available for review.

Hazardous Materials Program

ODOT is not significantly affected by guidelines to prevent the releases of oil and other hazardous materials into the environment since ODOT generally does not handle large quantities of hazardous materials other than fuel. Regulations are more applicable to ODOT's contractors who perform certain operation and maintenance activities (e.g., the cleanup of contaminated ODOT-owned sites). ODOT and their contractors are not required to prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan) except when above-ground fuel or oil tanks over 660 gallons are present and could be a threat to surface waters. ODOT has developed informal spill prevention measures to prevent the release of hazardous materials into the environment during routine activities.

Another pollution control issue during construction and sometimes during maintenance operations is spills of hazardous materials. The contractor or maintenance crew must be prepared to contain any small spills of hazardous materials or call the appropriate response people. Any hazardous material must be stored in areas where potential spills can be contained and will not ultimately end up in water. Every effort should be made to assure that no green concrete or petroleum products be allowed to enter a fish-bearing stream.

In 1997, actions under this program that will benefit fish include:

• New pollutant loading values are being derived for Average Daily Traffic (ADT) rates on a statewide basis. These new loading values will be used to set waste disposal guidelines for street debris collection.

• Statewide maintenance activities are currently under review. This review will result in establishment of new BMPs for all districts.

Responsible Staff: Hector Morales, ODOT HAZMAT Coordinator (503) 986-3064

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The HAZMAT Coordinator will monitor this program.

Clean Water Act - 401 Certification

ODOT provides required information for the 401 Certification program for projects requiring 404 permits. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulates this program and will be reviewing 404 Removal-Fill permits for highway construction projects to assure that water quality impacts are minimized through such measures as sediment basins, adequate runoff filtration in ditches, etc. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is currently staffing for and determining how this program will be coordinated.

In 1997, actions under this program that will benefit fish include:

• All 404 permit applications will be reviewed by a water quality specialist (e.g., William Fletcher) to ensure adequate protection of water quality. Conditions will require better water quality protection for streams on the 303(d) list.

• ODOT NPDES staff and ODOT Environmental will work together to monitor runoff and effectiveness of treatment such as grassy swales, etc.

Responsible Staff: William Fletcher, ODOT Water Quality Specialist (503) 986-3509

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The water quality specialist will monitor this program.

Proposed Enhancement Actions With Implementation In 1997

DOT1 - Salmon Restoration Initiative Program Manager Position

Action: Sue Chase was hired in December 1996 to provide overall coordination and assurance of implementation for ODOT's CSRI. This person provides: regular briefings to the ODOT director and governor's office on action item implementation progress; coordination for watershed council activities; coordination with counties; communication with other agencies; coordination internally and externally (e.g., contractors) for education/communication on fish Goal: To ensure accountability and overall coordination.

Responsible Staff: Sue Chase (Operations Support - 503-731-8309)

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• Development of a documentation plan for all action items listed in ODOT's OCSRI.

• Development of training and monitoring for each of the proposed action items, as appropriate.

• Coordinating implementation of action items.

• Working with the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association to develop and distribute resource maps and a management plan for Highway 38 (see Action Item ODOT3).

• Continuing education of staff to increase understanding of fish needs. The program manager or her representative will attend a communication training workshop on salmon and trout issues at the University of Washington in February 1997 and plans to work with program organizers to adapt the workshop for road issues for presentation to ODOT staff in the fall of 1997.

Cost: 1 FTE

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The Salmon Program Manager coordinate monitoring of implementation of action items. This person will be responsible for internal and external communication of monitoring results of the Initiative.

ODOT2 - Culvert Inventory, Assessment and Remediation

Action: All ODOT and county coastal culverts will be inventoried and evaluated for potential fish passage problems through an Interagency Agreement with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). ODOT will replace or modify problem culverts as appropriate and based on ODFW's recommended priorities and ODOT's authorized funding. ODOT will replace or modify ODOT culverts only.

Goal: Remove or correct ODOT-owned barriers to adult and juvenile fish passage caused by transportation authorities' activities and structures, and based on ODFW's recommended priorities.

Responsible Staff: ODOT, in conjunction with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and watershed councils.

What: ODOT and ODFW have entered into a cooperative improvement agreement with the goal to locate, evaluate and prioritize the need for remediation of ODOT and county culverts in coastal basins. ODFW (with ODOT's funding) will continue to collect and evaluate available information on ODOT and county culverts, and hire, train, and supervise a lead worker and assistants. ODFW has established a survey plan, and develop inventory and assessment protocols. Data is being collected to be input into a database compatible with ODFW's Geographic Information System (GIS) and the information will be distributed to ODOT and the watershed councils. ODFW will provide ODOT with recommended priorities for remediation based on status and number of fish species and populations affected, and on the quantity and quality of habitat blocked. ODOT will remediate culverts based on ODFW's recommended prioritization and as funds are authorized. State law requires that culverts provide passage for fish (ORS 498.268 and 590.605).

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• The inventory prioritization of sites will be completed by June 1997 for coastal coho only. Culvert remediation will begin immediately based on ODFW's recommendations, and will proceed according to recommended priorities when the inventory results are available. Remediation will occur during in-water work

  The following culvert repairs or replacements have been identified. The list includes culverts in need of repair; the timing will depend on placement on the prioritization list, funding, weather (e.g., catastrophic flooding could delay projects), and ongoing construction projects. ODOT culvert remediations will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis to a set limit per year.

  • District 1 (located within Clatsop and Tillamook Counties) has recently replaced the steel tide gates at the Mill Creek - Seaside Bridge site on Highway 101 at Milepost 19.58 with plywood gates. The plywood gates open wider than the steel gates which may allow for better fish passage. The gates have remained open since mid-October with only minor flooding at the Seaside Airport. The gates will remain open as long as no significant flooding occurs. The plywood gates will continue to be monitored during 1997 to assess flood control and the possible benefits for fish passage.

    Five sites are planned for replacement or repairs in District 1 including:

    * Neahkahnie Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 43.81

    * Asbury Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 34.76 - need fish ladder design for ODFW

    * Williamson Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 23.35

    * Dog Creek on Highway 6 at Milepost 26.23

    * Bergsvik Creek on Highway 53 at Milepost 2.24

  • District 4 (located within Lincoln, Polk, Benton and Linn Counties) has identified three culverts in need of repairs:

    * Hill Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 150.1 - will have jump pools built

    * Schoolhouse Creek on Highway 229 at Milepost 37.2 - will have jump pools built

    * Reed Creek on Highway 181 at Milepost 18.2 - will be entirely replaced. These will be repaired after the priority list is developed.

  • District 5 (located within Lane County) has identified four culverts in need of repairs:

    * Montgomery Creek on McKenzie Highway at Milepost 22.79 - will have a 36 inch culvert replaced with a 36 foot slab span bridge.

    * Squaw Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 172.6 - will get a liner for culvert and working with ODFW on baffle design.

    * Berry Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 181.4 - clean and repair baffles

    * Gwynn Creek on Highway 101 at Milepost 168 - construct baffles and jump pool, need ODFW design. Two additional sites (on Highways 62 and 229) will have jump pools created at their culvert outlets to allow fish passage per ODFW's recommendations.

  • District 6 (located within Douglas County and a small portion of Lane County) together with ODFW has prioritized culverts requiring remediation within each of four Source Areas.

    North Umpqua River Drainage Source Area:

    * Haney Creek crossing of Highway 138 (box culvert with baffles in need of repair).

    * Fairview Creek Crossing of Highway 138 (steep culvert providing fish passage from the North Umpqua which plugs on a yearly basis).

    * Williams Creek crossing of Highway 138 (box culvert with baffles on one side in need of repair).

    * Susan Creek crossing of Highway 138 (checking for baffles in box culvert and repairing if necessary).

    Elk Creek Drainage Source Area:

    * Hancock Creek crossing of Highway 38 (to be checked by ODFW for fish passage).

    * Jack Creek crossing of Highway 38 (check).

    * Parker Creek crossing of Highway 38 (to be checked by ODFW for fish passage).

    Cow Creek Drainage Source Area:

    * Woodford Creek crossing of Interstate 5 (check baffles in box culvert and repair if required).

    * McCollum Creek crossing of Interstate 5 (check).

    Interstate 5/South Umpqua River Source Area: No culverts were identified for repair, however, the following crossings on Interstate 5 will be surveyed by ODFW and the results may change prioritization of some of the other creeks:

    * I-5 Curtin to Sutherlin -- Bear Creek, Buck Creek, Wilson Creek, Cabin Creek, Marsh Creek, and Wheeler Canyon Creek;

    * I-5 Roseburg to Myrtle Creek -- Clark Branch Creek and Van Dine Creek. In addition to these four Source Areas, drainage crossings on Highway 42 (Shields Creek and Porter Creek) will be checked by ODFW and the results may change prioritization of some of the other creeks.

  • District 7 (within Coos and Curry Counties) has identified five culverts that require repairs or replacement:

    * King Creek on Highway 42 (MP 29.17) near the community of Bridge/Baffle retrofit.

    * Brush Creek on Highway 101 (MP 309.55) for trashrack and water dam and culvert replacement for flood control.

    * Davis Creek on Highway 101 (MP 284.11) retrofit for fish passage.

    * China Creek on Highway 101 (MP 277.86) for culvert replacement.

    Culverts will continue to be modified, where needed, as part of each construction job within 0.25 miles of the project regardless of priority. In addition, ODOT is working with the City of Coquille, the Coquille Watershed Association, and the Division of State Lands (DSL) to reopen approximately 700 feet of Dutch John Creek. ODOT will replace a 24-inch culvert under the highway (should be done by June 1997), and the city plans to daylight the creek under the old mill site and pay for replacing the culvert under the railroad. The Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) is planning to release coho upstream this year in anticipation of this project being completed by the time the fish need to migrate downstream next year.

  • District 8 (within Josephine and Jackson Counties) will coordinate with ODFW and the watershed councils on prioritization of culverts for remediation and/or repairs. Identified culverts to date include:

    * Clay Creek on Siskiyou Blvd. (99) in Ashland. Replace 38-inch culvert with 48-inch culvert.

    * Ward's Creek on I-5. Clean debris from box culvert. Upon completion of culvert prioritization, District 8 is prepared to modify and/or replace culverts.

  • Districts are responding to flood repairs and sediment input to streams as a result of recent storms. For example, District 8 is re-establishing the creek channel on Dale's Bluff Creek that has failed and deposited a large amount of silt into the stream.

Cost:

• Inventory cost (one time, already appropriated) $42,000 (coastal only).

• Culvert replacement or modification (site-specific for cost and cannot be accurately predicted) ($500,000 has been authorized for Biennium 97-98 for the OCSRI Program, including culverts)

Note: The above costs are for culvert remediation that are not already a part of a currently planned or future construction project.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: Survey information will be available for review by NMFS. ODOT will document culvert modifications as they occur; the Salmon Program Manager will be responsible for compiling the documentation.

ODOT3 - Maintenance Management Plan

Action: Develop Maintenance Management Plans that describe ODOT's maintenance actions for roads in coastal areas. The plans will describe response to landslides, locations for disposal of materials, and potential use of surplus and excess property, and will become an integral component of corridor planning and project development. Once resource areas are identified, maintenance activities will reviewed and modified to protect resources. The plans will include the following:

• Inventory and prioritization for action, based on proximity to ODFW high fishery resource value areas as well as other resources, locations with visible erosion along ODOT rights-of-way.

• Development of contingency plans for placement of materials (e.g., soil, trees) as a result of mass wasting (slides, pop-outs), and erosion. Develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) for reacting to these sediment sources located near water (e.g., directions for placement of erosion control structures).

• A systematic assessment of all ODOT-owned properties including surplus properties for future environmental mitigation and maintenance disposal site usage will be undertaken.

Goal: To develop plans that described ODOT's maintenance actions for ODOT roads and provide direction for maintenance where resource issues are present in the coastal area.

Responsible Staff: ODOT staff and Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association with the Salmon Program Manger (Sue Chase) as the team leader.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• The Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association will develop a prototype of Resource Maps and Maintenance Management Plan for Highway 38. These maps and plan will include all resource data available surrounding waterways such as Wild and Scenic designation, ODFW identified redd locations, wetland locations, right-of-way, disposal sites, and historic maintenance problem sites, etc. Once compiled, these data will be mapped, and checked by field personnel. After the resources are compiled and verified, maintenance activities will be reviewed in each resource area. Once the prototype is completed and proved successful, Maintenance Management Plans will be completed for other coastal highways (in the future).

Cost: The cost of long-term repairs is unknown at this time. The Salmon Program has undertaken the cost of development of the prototype.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The inventory will be available for review by interested agencies.

(Includes ODOT3 - Responding to Sources of Sediment and ODOT5 - Master Plan for Surplus Properties)

ODOT4 - Participation in Watershed Councils

Action: ODOT District Managers will participate in watershed councils and watershed planning. ODOT will provide information and participate in activities germane to ODOT.

Goal: Participate in watershed planning and on-the-ground actions to enhance fish habitat, improve riparian condition and water quality.

Responsible Staff: ODOT District Managers or their representative are participating in watershed councils or coordinating councils. The Salmon Program Manager will be a technical or administrative resource person for district representatives participating in watershed councils. The Salmon Program Manager will also be responsible for overall coordination of ODOT's salmon restoration plan and will provide communication to the districts and areas regarding information coming from the Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• ODOT District Managers (DM) or their representative will work with each watershed council or coordinating council to develop a list of prioritized enhancement activities pertinent to ODOT.

  • District 5 (located within Lane County) coordinators or Area Maintenance Manager's (AMM) will regularly attend watershed council meetings. District 6 (located within Douglas County and a small portion of Lane County)continues to participate in the Umpqua Basin Fisheries Restoration Initiative group which meets once a month.

  • District 7 (located within Coos and Curry Counties) Operations Coordinator has been attending watershed council meetings as well as working with Coos watershed concerning the flooding on the west fork of the Millicoma and removal of drift in the stream. The Maintenance Specialist attends Coquille watershed council meetings and is a member of the technical advisory team. Improvements to Eel Creek culvert are being worked-out with Tenmile watershed, ODFW, and ODOT. Working with each watershed, District 7 hopes to have the information and maps created by Summer of 1997 for an inventory of threatened and endangered Species sites within the district.

  • District 8 (located within Josephine and Jackson Counties) DM or a representative will attend watershed council meetings for Central Point, Prospect and Bear Creek. In addition to DM participation, AMM's will attend local watershed council meetings semi-annually. Watershed councils and ODFW have been given copies of the straight line maps for this District for help in identifying culverts on ODOT right-of-ways. Watershed councils have been told that ODOT is interested in partnering with them in the area of woody debris storage and culvert remediation. In addition, AMM's and the DM will rotate attending Rogue Basin Steering Committee meetings.

Cost: Participation in watershed councils is part of a District Manager's job. The cost of implementation of action items is unknown and will be action dependent.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The Salmon Program Manager will communicate with the GWEB concerning the OCSRI and will provide coordination for watershed council activities. If requested, the Program Manager will provide documentation to regulators of ODOT activities with watershed councils.

ODOT6 - Environmentally Sensitive Design

Action: Integrate environmentally sensitive components into design.

Goal: Develop a knowledgeable design staff that integrate environmentally sensitive designs into project plans. This includes understanding what types of designs to use, and appropriate locations to use them.

Responsible Staff: Project Team Leaders and all technical services staff.

What: Examples of environmentally sensitive design include:

• Redesign bridge drainage on new and upgraded bridges so runoff does not discharge directly into the water.
• Add geometric changes to road design to reduce or redirect runoff.
• Allow more right-of-way for ditches to allow growth of filtering vegetation while maintaining hydraulic capacity.
• Reduce road widths when designing new projects near streams or wetlands, after consultation with road safety experts and consultation with congestion/capacity managers.
• Evaluate and modify structure and ditch designs as appropriate.
• Evaluate road improvements to include fish needs.
• Realign roads away from streams and wetlands when new roads are being planned or designed.
• Design culverts to assure adult and juvenile fish passage.
• Work with regulators on developing design standards acceptable to both parties.
• Coordinate with the Association of General Contractors, as appropriate.
• Use trapezoidal instead of "v" cross sections to minimize ditch bottom erosion and the opportunity to create artificial wetlands.
• Use of bioengineering practices preferentially over riprap where appropriate.

Note: The long-term maintenance component of these different designs will need to be considered.

The Salmon Program Manager will work with ODOT staff to train or organize training for assuring environmentally sensitive designs. Future steps describing implementation and future monitoring are as follows:

• Assure environmentally sensitive designs are in place.
• Develop benchmarks to evaluate success over time.
• Review/monitor as-built plans and construction project sites and compare them to benchmarks to assure effective environmentally sensitive designs.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• Environmentally sensitive design standards will be researched and compiled.
• The Salmon Program Manager or her representative will attend a three day training workshop held by the University of Washington in February. This workshop will address Integrated Pest Management, riparian zones, project design and culverts for salmon and trout issues. The Salmon Program Manager will work with workshop organizers to adapt the contents to ODOT needs (i.e., fish friendly roadway designs). If appropriate, the revised workshop will be presented to ODOT staff in the fall of 1997.

Cost: Project dependent.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: The Project Team Leaders and environmental project managers will compile and make available documentation of this action. Benchmarks will be developed to assure environmental compliance and evaluate success over time. These will be available for review by NMFS.

ODOT7 - Storage and Disposal Plan for Woody Debris

Action: Develop a storage and disposal plan for woody debris materials collected following storm events and during project construction.

Goal: To provide a storage site for woody debris for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Watershed Councils to use to enhance stream habitat.

Responsible Staff: ODOT, in conjunction with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry, Counties, Municipalities, Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association. ODOT District Managers will develop storage and disposal plans.

What: Temporary storage sites for woody debris will be developed within each ODOT District. The woody debris from these sites will be placed in or adjacent to streams/wetlands by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists or Watershed Council representatives. Because of constitutional restrictions, ODOT cannot legally haul materials if the hauling to a specific location results in increased costs. A challenge of this action will be to implement within this restriction. This action will need to be closely coordinated with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Watershed Councils to be effective.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• District 1 (located within Clatsop and Tillamook Counties) is currently storing large stumps at the Seaside stockpile site.

• District 4 (located within Lincoln, Polk, Benton and Linn Counties) will continue to use three previously identified woody debris storage sites:
  * Highway 34 at Milepost 15.5
  * Highway 20 at Milepost 23.0 (Eddyville site)>
  * Highway 229 at Milepost 23.0 (Siletz site)

• District 5 (located within Lane County) has a large supply of woody debris at the storage site on Highway 36 at Milepost 9. This site will continue to be used in 1997.

• District 6 (located within Douglas County and a small portion of Lane County) has two debris storage sites near Scottsburg on Highway 38 where woody debris (specifically stumps) from the landslides will continue to be stored.

• District 7 (located within Coos and Curry County) has several woody debris storage sites for use in 1997 including:
  * Hunter Creek, Sperols (Highway 101 at Milepost 311)
  * Cape Blanco
  * McMullen pit on Highway 42
  * Powers Highway at Milepost 5.39

  A stockpile site east of Myrtle Point is currently being used to stockpile bales and fencing.

Cost: Cost of site identification is minimal, haul costs cannot increase due to this action.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: District Managers will be responsible for monitoring this action item and documentation of storage sites.

ODOT8 - Statewide Erosion Control Handbook

Action: Develop a statewide erosion control handbook.

Goal: Provide an educational tool to ODOT employees and contractors for understanding methods for improving water quality and protecting fish habitat.

Responsible Staff: ODOT Erosion Control Team (currently vacant)

What: A 4-part handbook entitled "Construction Project Pollution Control: Guidelines for Developing, Implementing and Inspecting Pollution Control" has been completed. Enclosed in the document is a consistent list of erosion control best management practices (BMPs) for the entire state.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• Two copies of the handbook were distributed in November 1996 to Regions for use and review for one year. Distribution of this handbook to contractors will not occur until this review has been completed and any modifications have been made.

• A training program will be developed upon final distribution of this handbook.

Cost: (Production of handbook following review is unknown and will be determined in 1998)

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: Region Environmentalists and Project Inspectors will be involved in implementation of guidelines. The handbook will be available for review by NMFS if requested.

ODOT9 - Review And Development of a Geographically-Appropriate Program for Winter Maintenance Activities and Sidecast Sweeping

Action: Review sanding practices, winter maintenance activities and sidecast sweeping activities for western Oregon and develop a geographically-appropriate program for these activities.

ODOT9a - Implement the recommendations of the developed program, as appropriate.

Goal: Identify and minimize transportation impacts of these activities on fisheries habitat and water quality. Reduce the input of sediment and contaminants into streams.

Responsible Staff: Team of ODOT Environmental, District Managers and local governments

What: Winter maintenance activities were reviewed by a team of ODOT Environmental, District Managers, and maintenance staff. The effect of activities on salmonids and their habitat (e.g., spawning gravel) were evaluated. ODOT has developed new BMPs that will minimize the effects of sidecast sweeping and plowing in sensitive areas (as determined by ODFW). These were adopted by District Managers in September 1996.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• Implementation of the BMPs developed for critical habitat areas (as determined by local ODFW District Biologists) can be found in the White Paper "Sidecast Sweeping and Plowing Best Management Plans and Recommendations: September 1996" and include the following Best Management Practices (all are "quick hits"):
  • Use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) on bridges and during freezing fog in lieu of sanding, when optimal conditions exist.
  • Pre-wetting sand with CMA when optimal conditions prevail.
  • Placement of barriers in site specific locations where appropriate and practical, along streams to route materials away form watercourses.
  • No sidecast sweeping within 50 feet of structures over water.
  • When sidecast sweeping next to a body of water, adjust speed to keep material out of waterway.
  • Reduce quantity of sand applied where appropriate.
  • Clean inlets prior to first rain, as appropriate.
  • When plowing next to a body of water, or on a structure that spans water, adjust speed to keep material out of waterway.
  • Distribute and discuss annual winter maintenance level of service plans with local jurisdictions, police, fire, schools, bus companies, etc. as appropriate.
  • Identification of sensitive areas and educate crews on winter maintenance activity expectation.
  • Develop winter maintenance plans for specific, sensitive areas.

Cost: The cost of implementation would vary depending on recommendations resulting from the review. CMA use will require new equipment (expensive). For sidecast BMPs, implementation cost is dependent upon BMPs developed. Federal Highways has verbally authorized additional research on CMA.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: ODOT District Managers will be responsible for implementation of program recommendations and best management practices.

ODOT11 - Refer to Ongoing Programs, Integrated Pest Management Program

ODOT12 - Education

Action: Increased awareness of fish issues through the creation of a training video, participation in public outreach meetings concerning the salmon initiative, involvement in watershed councils and internal and external training information sessions and meetings.

Goal: Increase knowledge of ODOT employees about how their activities effect water quality and fish habitat, and their role in the salmon recovery effort.

Responsible Staff: ODOT staff

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• A training and awareness video developed by ODOT photographer Ted Birney has been distributed to ODOT employees through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The video has also been distributed to County roadmasters. Work groups within ODOT will receive copies of ODOT's Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative.

• A 3-day training workshop will be held by the University of Washington in February 1997 to be attended by the Salmon Program Manager or her representative. This workshop will be addressing Integrated Pest Management, riparian zones, project design and culverts for salmon and trout issues. If appropriate, a similar workshop funded by Technology Transfer will be conducted in the fall for ODOT staff; the workshop will be modified to focus on fish friendly roadways.

• The Salmon Program Manager attended the Transportation Research National Board meeting in January 1997 to talk about the CSRI.

• ODOT Project Leaders will educate ODOT employees (designers, maintenance, etc.) on fish friendly road design, encourage implementation of new practices, communicate to maintenance and construction staff the requirements stipulated in the programmatic biological assessments. District Managers will educate watershed councils about ODOT activities, and employees will be educated about watershed council needs.

• Training will occur for calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) application for winter maintenance activities and on proper installation and troubleshooting for erosion controls.

• Participation in the annual Northwest Transportation Conference for counties and other transportation authorities in February 1997.

• A variety of meetings and courses will occur throughout 1997 that discuss the OCSRI and action item implementation. For example:
  • Construction Project Managers attend an informational meeting in March 1997; this meeting will include local governments.
  • IPM District Team meeting in February 1997.
  • Non-crop vegetation short course.

Cost: Funding will come from a variety of sources including Technology Transfer (T2), ODOT Operations, and Districts.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: Increased awareness of environmental concerns (including fish and water quality) is difficult to quantity. Benchmarks are included in other action items.

ODOT13 - Preferential Use of Bioengineering Solutions (included in ODOT6 - Environmentally Sensitive Design)

ODOT15 - Habitat for Fish in Wetland Mitigation

Action: Include habitat for fish in wetland mitigation in project design as appropriate.

Goal: Enhance fish habitat where and when feasible.

Responsible Staff: ODOT Enhancement Wetland Team within Environmental Services.

What: Wetland mitigation has focused on in-kind replacement of impacted wetland types and functions. This has meant that opportunities for fish habitat have often been neglected. In the future, wetland mitigation efforts will incorporate more measures with benefits for fish such as: the creation of in-channel or off-channel wetlands; restoration of estuarine wetlands; inclusion of large woody debris in the stream; coordination with the STEP for stream enhancement efforts. Features of wetland mitigation will be included in conservation measures for threatened and endangered aquatic species.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• A wetland mitigation bank site is currently under construction at ODOT's Dalton Lake site located adjacent to the lower Columbia River outside of St. Helens. This site is comprised of riparian and forested slopes surrounding an interior lake within a 70 acre area. Habitat enhancement has involved excavation of the lake to provide more suitable fisheries habitat and for removal of reed canary grass.

• Seven new projects will be going to construction in 1997 will include fish friendly designs.

• Stream-side planting, creation of off-channel meanders for fish shelter, and placement of instream woody debris have all been designed for the Eddyville to Cline Hill ODOT project. These designs will go to contract in September 1997.

• The Chrome Plant to Cedar Point ODOT project on the Coquille River will be in the design phase during 1997. This project will involve the local watershed committee in creation of over-wintering habitat and expansion of a small upstream channel for spawning habitat.

Cost: Project dependent.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: ODOT wetland specialists and biologists will provide documentation to the Salmon Program Manager.

ODOT16 - Minimize Potential Impacts of Accident Spills (included in ODOT3 - Maintenance Management Plan)

ODOT19 - Mitigation Banking

Action: A credit/debit banking system for wetland mitigation/fish enhancement will be developed in conjunction with the wetland regulators, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service that will help offset negative impacts that construction projects may have in any particular watershed. ODOT will get credit from a fish enhancement mitigation bank for fish mitigation. This mitigation banking will be particularly helpful when a construction project or group of projects are located in a particularly sensitive watershed where acceptance of the projects would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Goal: Enhance fish habitat where and when feasible. Provide mitigation in high priority areas where construction projects are known to be necessary in the future.

Responsible Staff: ODOT team, planners, and biologists in conjunction with Corps of Engineers, DSL, ODFW, NMFS and USFWS. Mike Shippy will be the team leader.

Phase 1 Actions (1997):

• Development of task and work planning will progress in 1997. Tasks such as creation of a policy for funding banks, strategy for bank development on a watershed level, and a database of suitable mitigation banking sites (possibly from surplus properties) will be addressed. A draft of the policy and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with state and federal agencies will be distributed in 1997. The ODOT wetland team will act as the initial steering committee for this new policy.

Cost: Approximately $90,000 in Wetland Team budget.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: None at this time.

Future Action Items (After 1998)

The action described below would provide benefit to fish or fish habitat but cannot be implemented at this time. Implementation would require a legislative change.

ODOT18 - Retention of Surplus Properties (Part II- Legislative Change)

Action: Allow ODOT to retain ownership of surplus lands that have natural resource value, for the purpose of conserving the resources, rather than sell off the properties. ODOT would attempt to receive mitigation credit from wetland and other resource regulators for the protection of natural resources. ODOT would include sites that would provide enhancement or natural resource protection in the systematic assessment of surplus properties.

Goal: Protect valuable fish and wetland habitat located on ODOT surplus property that very likely will be threatened with development if sold through the surplus property program.

Responsible Staff: ODOT planners, environmental staff, and design engineers.

What: ODOT would retain properties that have high resource value rather than sell these properties as they are surplused. This includes land that has no immediate or foreseeable use as a mitigation site but does provide high resource value to fish and their habitat.

When: Long-term, because this action would require a constitutional amendment and a change in legislative direction. Some possible short-term implementation under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Corps of Engineers and Division of State Lands.

Cost: Not considered an issue at this time.

Proposed Benchmarks/Monitoring: None at this time.

Benefit to Fish for All Action Items

The following tables describe the benefit to fish and fish habitat as a result of ODOT programs and action items, even those without implementation in 1997. Benefit to fish is described qualitatively. Benefit is difficult to quantitatively assess for ODOT programs because both impacts and remediations are frequently indirect. For those actions that can be quantitatively measured (e.g., culvert remediations), amount of benefit will be quantified at the end of 1997.

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