Wildlife Programs

The Priest Rapids Project is home to a variety of native amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The riparian habitats (green, vegetated areas on each side of streams and rivers) found in the Project vicinity provide a valuable and otherwise scarce resource, much of which would be absent without continued operation of the Project. These habitats are used by more than 61 different animal species documented in the Project area.

Big game species include mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk and California bighorn sheep, which are commonly seen on the west side of the Wanapum reservoir. Several waterfowl migration corridors cross the Columbia Basin, resulting in a large number of bird species using the Columbia River and nearby lakes and ponds in the region as stopover habitat. In addition to common waterfowl such as mergansers and geese, a large number of water birds can also be observed in the Project vicinity, including loons, cormorants and great blue heron. Upland game fowl prevalent in this area include chukar and California quail. Birds of prey common to the Project vicinity are red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and great-horned owls.

Wildlife Habitat Management Plan

Under the Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, Grant PUD works to conserve and enhance wildlife habitat within the borders of the Wanapum and Priest Rapids reservoirs, the tailrace below Priest Rapids Dam, and lower Crab Creek by:

• Restoring, maintaining, or improving ecological quality and diversity
• Restoring, maintaining, or increasing habitat for key indicator wildlife species
• Providing for public use compatible with the ecological quality, diversity and identified habitats for key wildlife species.

Key wildlife species include:

Identified areas for intensive wildlife habitat improvement efforts:
Buckshot Wildlife Area,
Burkett Lake
The Airstrip Site
These areas were chosen due to their potential to provide:

• improved ecological quality and diversity
• increased habitat for wildlife species that act as indicators of the health of wildlife populations
• opportunities for public use that is compatible with the ecological quality, diversity and  identified habitat for key wildlife species

Wildlife Habitat Monitoring, Information and Education

The Wildlife Habitat Monitoring, Information and Education Plan guides and facilitates the monitoring of recreational impacts to wildlife and sensitive wildlife habitat. Utility staff utilizes components of the plan as a way to inform and educate the public about the potential adverse effects of recreation on sensitive habitats.
As part of the monitoring efforts, “sensitive” wildlife habitats will be monitored twice a year. The presence, absence or degree of change in certain critical parameters will be noted and given an impact rating that will guide the implementation of corrective actions to control recreation impacts and rehabilitate wildlife habitats disturbed as a result of recreation.

Included in the plan, Grant PUD is developing and implementing an Information & Education Program that may include:

• educational materials that provide the public information  regarding the potential adverse effects of dispersed recreation on sensitive habitats
• interpretive signs and kiosks (roadside and at key sites), brochures, pamphlets, audio tours, nature trails, newsletters, etc.
• interpretive talks and field trips, reservoir clean-up day events, in-school education lectures, etc.

Raptor Program
Grant PUD is preparing to install, monitor and maintain 12 raptor nesting, roosting and perching structures. Currently, the utility has nine man-made perch and roosting poles within the Priest Rapids Project. Additionally, 23 areas  are identified for riparian planting efforts intended to provide additional perch and roosting trees for eagles and other raptors within the Project.. Grant PUD selected wind-protected, shallow-sloped alluvial areas that entered the Columbia River and should be capable of supporting black cottonwood or ponderosa pine. The utility will protect these areas from beaver damage with measures including relocation and tree wrapping.

Waterfowl Program
Grant PUD is preparing to install, maintain and monitor 48 wood duck nest boxes and 50 waterfowl nesting platforms (40 mallard nest baskets and 10 goose nesting tubs) around the Priest Rapids Project shorelines. Each spring, Grant PUD biologists monitor and maintain these structures to enhance waterfowl nesting within the Priest Rapids Project.

Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plant Monitoring

The goal of the monitoring plan is to observe the distribution and population trends of rare, threatened and endangered plants occurring within the Priest Rapids Project, to inform the state listing process of status, aid potential conservation efforts, enhance ecological knowledge with respect to listed plants, and observe long-term trends of the species. Grant PUD will conduct monitoring surveys of the 14 rare, threatened and endangered plant populations known to exist within the Project.