NATURAL RESOURCES

Stream Restoration Design and Construction Oversight, Lower Bridge Creek, Ferry County, Washington, Colville Confederated Tribes

Gene was the project manager of a multidiscipline team for design of the lower 1350 feet of Bridge Creek.  Design of the stream was focused on passage for adfluvial fish to reach new habitat mitigation projects conducted upstream.  The client requested a fast track schedule in order to prepare final design plans within 5 weeks of contract award.  In order to meet the time constraints, the project team met within three days of project award and began the site inspection to locate former stream channel locations within the drainage.  An inspection was conducted in order to determine which path may be the preferred alternative.  An elevation survey was then conducted in order to begin design criteria for the new channel.  Once a preferred alignment was determined, a biologist then visited the site to determine most feasible prescriptions for enhancement of passage and habitat for the adfluvial fish to access the preferred spawning habitat upstream of the project location.  Engineered drawings with prescriptions for habitat improvement were then developed.  The stream design included a more sinuous path with log vanes, log weirs, rock weirs, instream boulders, and root wads prescribed to enhance habitat conditions.  Engineered drawings and specifications were developed for client to use in bidding for construction of the project.  The WNR Group then provided construction oversight for restoration of the lower portion of Bridge Creek.

Buffer Evaluation for Critical Area Ordinance, Stevens County, Washington.

The WNR Group was retained by the Stevens County attorney to develop a team of professionals to review Best Available Science and develop recommendations for buffers on wetlands and streams.  These recommendations were developed on the review of existing scientific documents in order to develop buffer recommendations for the four categories of wetlands and the five classifications of stream type.  Recommendations were used in development of the Title 13 Ordinance for Stevens County.

Avista, Biological Assessment, Power Line Right-of-Way, Montana-Idaho-Washington.

The WNR Group was retained by Avista to conduct a Biological Assessment to assist in the approval to combine and renew three Special Use authorizations on 922 acres of right-of-way through three National Forests (Lolo, Kootenai, and Idaho).  The BA assessment was completed for terrestrial plants on behalf of Avista for the US Forest Service.  The BA was used to reissue Special Use Authorization permits.

Bridge Design and Culvert Replacement, Barnaby Creek, Ferry County, Washington, Colville Confederated Tribes

The WNR Group led a team of scientists and engineers to evaluate the replacement of a culvert on Barnaby Creek which was a identified as a fish barrier.  The project involved the design of removing the culvert and returning the creek to its natural condition.  In addition, a bridge passage was identified down stream, the area surveyed and a single span bridge designed for vehicle traffic to cross Barnaby Creek.

Stream Restoration Implementation, Bridge Creek, Ferry County, Washington, Colville Confederated Tribes

Gene was the Principal in Charge on the implementation phase of approximately 2,550 feet of Bridge Creek located in Ferry County, Washington.  The project included coordinating contractor, providing staff for field documentation of activities, and preparing implementation reports for the installation of weir structures, root wads, and log vanes throughout the reach of the creek for fish habitat and water quality improvements.

Confidential Client, Water Resource Planning

Central Washington

Gene served as the project manager on a large water resource-planning project in north central Washington.  This project included the management of a multi-discipline project team which determined aquifer boundaries, water budgets for several drainages, setting in-stream flows for salmon recovery, conducting an inventory and database construction for water wells throughout the area, creation of a water right database, and assisting in determining appropriate water management for future policy making decisions.

Assessment, Colville Confederated Tribes’ Hydraulic Permitting Act (HPA), Chapter 4-9of the Tribal Law and Order Code, Colville Confederated Tribes

Gene was the Project Manager to evaluate and make recommendations on how to update the Colville Confederated Tribes’ current HPA Code.  Project involved review of existing code and evaluation against other Tribal codes and the Washington State HPA.  Recommendations in regard to changes to the existing code were prepared and presented to the Tribe for consideration.  The Tribe requested their current standards be rewritten to reflect a number of the recommendations presented.  Project involved meetings with tribal representatives and investigating and documenting the differences and similarities with other standards, documenting findings, making recommendations based on findings, and presenting the conclusions to the client.  The Code was then prepared for the Administrative Process on behalf of the Tribe. 

Confidential Client, Hydrologic Evaluation/Erosion and Sediment Control

Oroville, Washington

Assisted in a hydrologic investigation on flows of existing perennial creeks, intermittent drainages, surface drainage divides and adit discharges for evaluation of erosion and sediment control plan.  Investigation used to verify location of sediment traps, drainage channels and BMP design for plan.

Confidential Client, Hydrologic Evaluation

Mullan, Idaho

Project Manager for a surface hydrologic study completed in a valley near the Idaho-Montana border in order to determine surface water flows for design of stream diversion channels.  Project involved monitoring of streams, seeps and water from adits in order to determine water balance throughout the drainage.  Study revealed zones of gaining then losing portions within the valley and delayed fluid input from adit drainage.  Areas of underflow within the drainage determined that diversion may not be most feasible alternative within drainage.

PO Box 28755, Spokane, WA 99228       Ph/Fax: 509-468-4876    Cell: 509-953-9395  Email