With the Big Bend Restoration Project, the City of West Jordan will create 70 acres of riparian, wetland and upland habitat and recreational open space. The project site is located along the 50-mile Jordan River, whose corridor is almost entirely bordered by developed and urbanized areas. Recreational open space and quality riparian and wetland habitat area are at a premium along the degraded Jordan River and this project will provide these resources. Restoring a naturally functioning channel and associated riparian corridor and wetlands will improve habitat and water quality and reduce erosion. Numerous studies have identified the need for improved water quality, additional riparian and wetland habitat and additional outdoor recreation opportunities in the Jordan River corridor and the City of West Jordan. In 2013, Utah Department of Environmental Quality issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Jordan River, identifying total organic matter and dissolved oxygen as pollutants and parameters of concern. The site was the subject of a Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Study Report in 2003. Commenting on the current conditions of the site, the author concluded that "This reach of the river was significantly realigned in the 1950s to accommodate the Sharon Steel Site. Agricultural development, urban encroachment, and general human modification have resulted in significant degradation of the natural river ecosystem. Flood management activities and other modifications have greatly impacted the natural mechanics of the Jordon River and decreased its stability. Furthermore, as a result of this channel instability, remaining riparian, wetland, Shaded Riverine Aquatic (SRA) and upland habitat is being lost." A draft Environmental Assessment prepared by the USACE for the site in the late 2000's stated "Historically, the project site was dominated by willow stands, cottonwoods, and species native to the area. These native species contributed to a diversity of habitat types and provided important functions in the river's ecosystem. As a result of channelization, the wetland and riparian vegetation along the Jordan River has continues to deteriorate. The Russian olive has taken the place of Fremont's Cottonwood as the dominant over story species and Kentucky Bluegrass has out-competed many of the native grasses. In the floodplain, the native woody component has been removed and replaced with introduced grasses for pastureland. Currently, most of the site is composed of non-native species. Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis) have invaded large portions of the entire Jordan River corridor." See attached images for photos of the current site conditions. Note the prevalence of Russian olive and the lack of vegetation diversity. The City of West Jordan, Salt Lake County, the National Park Service (NPS) and other local and regional agencies has identified the site as a prime location for recreational and educational opportunities. No less than six studies have highlighted the site's potential as a recreational hub, reconnecting the community to the Jordan River. These studies and report include the Jordan River Natural Corridor Report (2000), the West Jordan City Parks. Recreation and Trails Master Plan (2006), Blueprint Jordan River (2008), the Salt Lake County Jordan River Trail Master Plan (2008) the West Jordan City Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Handbook (2012) and the West Jordan City Comprehensive General Plan (2012). In a 2014 fact sheet, the NPS said that once completed "the Big Bend Restoration Project will become one of the "gems" of the Jordan River Parkway trail system". As a testament to the importance of the project, the City of West Jordan has assembled a stakeholders group of 18 federal, state and local agencies that meet quarterly to discuss the project and continue it progression towards successful completion. The City of West Jordan City Council has unanimously endorsed the project and have pledged to support its continued development and construction. The complete project, including the recreational facilities and Jordan River channel realignment is a huge effort with a substantial amount of fundraising needed. The City was rewarded $60,000 in WRI funding for Phase 3 of the project. This amount will be matched by $145,500 in funds from other grants and in-kind donations. The budget includes development of the urban fishery, trail system, associated recreational facilities, and revegetation for the western half of the site. The project is located across from the Sharon Steel settlement site which was part of a 1990's superfund clean-up effort. When completed, the Big Bend Restoration Project will be the largest wildlife and bird habitat restoration project along the Jordan River. The property was acquired by the City of West Jordan (27 acres) and the Utah Reclamation and Mitigation Conservation Commission (URMCC) (43 acres) for habitat restoration including a river meander following it's alteration by the Sharon Steel slag pile which is now capped and cannot be removed from the river's edge. Construction following completion of the design will be funded in part with $753,000 committed by the USFWS from the Sharon Steel Settlement funds. The City will own the property and maintain facilities constructed, treat and monitor weeds, and work with UDWR on an agreement to manage the urban fishery. The request for funding to UDWR is due to planning and construction funding being permanently cut in 2011 by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers who had the project lead over the past several years, drafted an environmental assessment, obtained cultural clearance, and had produced concepts plans in hopes of providing construction funding. The City is excited to have the property acquired, environmental assessment near completion, and to have a 30% conceptual design completed, allowing the City to expend the Sharon Steel damage settlement. Please see D08, Pg 40 in the documents plan set for more specific details on the urban fishery.

The objective of the overall project is to restore and enhance the 70 acres project site, providing riparian, wetland and upland habitat improvements and recreational opportunities. The phase this funding request addresses will specifically focus on the final design and permitting support for the Phase 3 portion of the project. Completing the design and permitting of this phase with UWRI funding will provide the stakeholders with a "shovel ready" project that will be more attractive to a wider variety of funding sources. This will accelerate the process of getting the construction funded. See the attached PDF for a copy of the project's 30 percent design, the phasing plan, and breakdown of costs and design fees. Specifics objectives of Phase 3 include: - Final design and permitting of 5 acre urban fishery, including water delivery systems, aeration systems, and habitat features. The pond will include the excavation and relocation of 56,300 CY of material. - Final design and permitting of project's support facilities, including the picnic pavilion, flush restrooms, fish cleaning station, fishing pier, benches, and picnic tables and shelters. - Final design and permitting of 2,155 feet of primary trail and 1,280 feet of secondary trail - Final design and permitting of 28 of landscaping and revegetation. The planting plan will include native seed mixes and wood fiber mulch, 640 shrubs, and 285 trees. - Final design and permitting of the irrigation system for approximately 28 acres of revegetation land, including irrigation pump house, and pump system.

Noxious weed encroachment and historical habitat loss for wildlife. Noxious weeds are the dominant vegetation on the current proposed project area (including Scotch Thistle, Dalmatian Toadflax, White top, Russian olive, and tamarisk), and if not contained, will continue to spread into nearby residential areas, as well as downstream, due to seed dispersal, etc. Two years ago, the Department of Interior, Restoration Support Unit completed a noxious weed survey for the 70 acre project area and a Noxious Weed Management Plan was developed in 2015 (see attached). Spraying and other appropriate removal of noxious weeds will be completed this year and next by URMCC on their 43 acres in an effort to reduce the amount of weeds in the years prior to initiating the major habitat improvements. The Jordan River Commission is currently funding some planting of riparian plants and control on invasive plants through the Large Grant Program grant to over the next two years on West Jordan City's 27 acres. The restoration project will incorporate a long term noxious weed treatment plan (refer to monitoring methods). The Department of Interior through the America's Great Outdoor Initiative committed two years of in-kind staff time from the Restoration Support Unit, USFWS, and NPS. Other partners like the Jordan River Commission have also committed two years of in-kind support and resources. The City is striving to have the restoration design completed while there is strong support by stakeholders within two years. This would allow the City to then begin using Sharon Steel Settlement funding for construction.

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - West Jordan Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment (2010) Goals /objectives of the USACE study: 1) Restoring lowland riparian habitat; 2) The restoration provides an opportunity to restore the degraded ecosystem structure, function, and dynamic processes of the river; 3) Restoring both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem functions could improve both aquatic and terrestrial habitat over what presently occurs on-site; 4) Increased the number and diversity of aquatic invertebrates and improved water quality. The current project used the work accomplished in the study as a beginning point for the alternatives analysis and the 30 percent design. From a habitat restoration perspective, the goal and objectives of the current project are identical to those identified by the USACE. -- Utah DEQ -- Jordan River TMDL (2013) Utah Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Jordan River, identifying total organic matter and dissolved oxygen as pollutants and parameters of concern. UDEQ has set a goal of reducing Total Organic Matter (OM) to 3,983 kg/day, which will achieve the target Dissolved Oxygen (DO) of 5.5 mg/L. The project addresses these goals in three general areas. 1) The project will stabilize banks in the project reach, reducing the amount of sediment, including organic topsoil that enters the Jordan River. 2) The project will also include the planting of cottonwoods, willows and other trees that will add shade over the river's surface. 3) The realigned reach will include small drops and riffles, which increase turbulence in the flow. All of these improvements will contribute to the increase of dissolved oxygen in the Jordan River. -- West Jordan City Trail Action Plan (2012) Goals /objectives of the Trail Action Plan: 1) Includes a timeline showing the partners involved since 1991 and identifies settlement funding; 2) Identifies the restoration project adjacent to the trail; 3) Includes a listing of the restoration plans; 4) A goal stated in the plan is, "Create an aesthetic, native, and healthy plant community through restoration and establishment of a natural area." The Restoration Project will directly achieve the goals of the Trail Action Plan by providing habitat and recreational opportunities with easy access from the Jordan River Parkway Trail. Primary and secondary trail planned as part of the project will extend the City's trail system and provide opportunities for less formal/soft surface trails. Big Bend Restoration Environmental Assessment (EA) (2013 and ongoing): Utah Reclamation Mitigation Conservation Commission (URMCC) developed an EA in 2013 as part of the Jordan River Parkway Trail design and construction. Goals /objectives identified by the EA: 1) Restore channel geomorphology, native riparian and wetland habitat, and improve wildlife habitat, 2) Improve water quality by running water through wetland complexes, 3)Reduce risk of flooding due to improved channel capacity, and 4) Restore an estimated 10,000 linear feet of shaded river aquatic habitat. Now that the 30 percent design has been completed for the Restoration Project, URMCC is developing an EA for the redevelopment of the site, including the habitat enhancement and recreational components. The core stakeholder group includes URMCC staff and they have providing guidance and feedback as the design progresses. The Restoration Project meets all of the defined goals, including channel and habitat improvements and enhancements, water quality improvements, flood conveyance improvements and restoration of shad aquatic habitat. -- West Jordan Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Handbook (2012) The goals/objectives of the Handbook: 1) Identifies lands Environmental and Recreational uses; 2) Open land gives permanent protection to natural resources and environmentally sensitive lands including wetlands and wildlife habitats; 3) Restore City open space for the ecological benefit of wildlife and native plant species; and 4) Connect corridors in and around the community that have been legally and permanently preserved to provide for recreation as well as wildlife corridors. The restoration project addresses these goals directly, providing a 70 acre open space sanctuary in the City of West Jordan that includes recreational components such as an urban fishery and treail -- Blueprint Jordan River (2008) Goals /objectives: 1) Restore the river channel and buffers to improve and protect water quality, enhance hydrologic function, and to support vegetation, wildlife, and habitat, 2) Integrate storm water treatment into open lands to naturally filter water runoff, 3) Enhance fish habitat, and 4) Promote the river as a quality-of-life amenity and recreational destination by creating urban fisheries. Habitat restoration, particularly aquatic, wetland and riparian habitat is a primary goal of the project, including 11.1 acres of new wetland habitat and 4.2 acres of new riverine habitat. -- Jordan River Natural Corridor Report (2000) Goals/objectives of the Corridor Report: 1) Provides recommendations for natural conservation corridors specially naming the restoration project; 2) Addresses restoration to "ensure proper grading and stream bed elevation and supplemental irrigation to allow successful habitat restoration away from the immediate riverbank"; 3) Provides a physical and biological assessment; 4) Addresses improving water quality by restoring the river profile to reduce erosion. Habitat restoration, particularly aquatic, wetland and riparian habitat is a primary goal of the project, including 11.1 acres of new wetland habitat and 4.2 acres of new riverine habitat. Water quality in the Jordan River will be improved by: 1) Stabilizing banks in the project reach, reducing the amount of sediment, including organic topsoil that enters the Jordan River. 2) Planting of cottonwoods, willows and other trees that will add shade over the river's surface. 3) Grading of the realigned reach will include small drops and riffles, which increase turbulence in the flow. All of these improvements will contribute to the decrease of sediment input into the river and the increase of dissolved oxygen. -- Sharon Steel Damage Settlement Restoration Plan (1997) Goals/objectives of the Sharon Steel Damage Settlement Restoration Plan: 1) Restoring, replacing, and enhancing natural functioning habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, 2) Addresses settlement funds to provide maximum benefits for resources damaged, 3) Identifies migratory birds and endangered species and their habitat and outlines restoration of their habitat, and 4) Addresses restoring, enhancing, and replacing natural function. The project team has been working closely with Tracy Aviary to ensure that the project's habitat restoration components meet the needs of migratory song birds and other wildlife species . A total of 40+ acres of habitat improvements are proposed, 16+ acres of which will be isolated from the general public.

Not applicable to this project phase.

The project will improve water quality in this reach of the Jordan River in a number of ways: 1) Stabilizing banks of the Jordan River in the project reach will reduce the amount of fine sediment, including organic topsoil that enters the Jordan River. This will reduce turbidity, reduce the impact of fine sediment of aquatic species and increase dissolved oxygen through reduction of organic matter in the water. See the attached photo of the heavily eroded banks of the Jordan River surrounding the project. Many of the banks will be rebuilt and replanted. See attached sample cross sections that show bank stabilization plans. 2) The project proposes to plant cottonwoods, willows and other trees that will add shade over the river's surface. This will reduce water temperatures, increasing dissolved oxygen. 3) Grading of the realigned reach will size the channel appropriately to provide sufficient depths and velocities to prevent stagnation and deposition of fine sediment transporting through the reach. It will include small drops and riffles, which increases turbulence in the flow. All of these improvements will increase dissolved oxygen levels in the main channel of the Jordan River. All of these changes will also improve the in-channel habitat along this reach of the Jordan River. It currently is fairly poor habitat, with steep/high banks, uniform flow characteristics and limited bar/thalweg formation. -- The project will improve water quantity in this reach of the Jordan River in two ways: 1) The project will acquire approximately 2 cfs of year round flow from the adjacent North Jordan Irrigation Canal to maintain the urban fishery and revegetation of the site. A portion of this water will make its way to the Jordan River after being used on the site through either groundwater input or surface flow from the pond overflow. This will increase flows in the Jordan River, particularly needed during the summer months. 2) The project is proposed to realign the main channel of the Jordan River. The existing main channel of the river will be maintained as a side channel for habitat. The addition of the channel through the site significantly increases the amount of conveyance available during a flood event. As a result, 100-year water surface elevations in the Jordan River through the project reach and upstream of the 9000 South bridge are lowered. See the attached 30 percent plans for more detail about this realignment.

2 PMArchaeology, No cultural resource impacts will occur, Dec 23 2014 / 6 NEPA, Categorical Exclusion for debris removal, weed control and planting will be completed by URMCC before work begins, Dec 23 2014

A consultant team has been hired to provide design and permitting services for the Phase 3 portion of the project. This includes a wide variety of project components, which are listed in detail in the objectives sub-section above. The consultant team headed the alternatives development and the 30 percent design development and is intimately familiar with the project details and constraints. The team can efficiently complete the design and permitting of Phase 3. The consultant team has also built strong relationships with the project's stakeholder group. Tasks associated with the final design effort includes: site visit and data collection, completion of design details, preparation of construction documents (plans, specs and cost estimate), and assisting the City of West Jordan with bidding. Fees associated with construction monitoring and facilitating water rights acquisition is also included. See the attached PDF of detailed scope and breakdown of fees associated with the Phase 3 final design. The consultant team includes national experts in water rights and water rights acquisition. The team also has strong relationships with the local irrigation company and Rio Tinto Group (the likely source of water rights needed for the project). As part of an ongoing scope of work, the City of West Jordan is currently funding the research and coordination needed to begin acquisition of the water rights. A portion of the current WRI funding request will utilize this coordination and research and purchase the water rights needed for the project. Please see the attached PDF for breakdown of the anticipated water rights costs.

The habitat and wetland improvements will be monitored through vegetation, citizen science, and bird surveys in the future. A series of baseline riparian surveys and bird surveys have been conducted across the site between 2013-2015 (see attached Tracy Aviary bird survey report, Vegetation types, and Veg type data). The vegetation surveys have been used to identify high quality riparian habitat (cottonwood grove) and also where there are opportunities for enhancement of the riparian habitats (see attached vegetation map). The bird surveys will be used as a baseline to assess whether goals for improvement of riparian habitat can be documented through future monitoring of bird species richness and diversity. Citizen science surveys will be conducted in the near future for assessment of citizen use and exposure to the Jordan River trail system that will run directly adjacent to the proposed urban fishery and facilities.

Partners include: West Jordan, Midvale, Sandy, USFWS, National Park Service, DOI Restoration Support Unit, Environmental Protection Agency, North Jordan Irrigation Company, Salt Lake County, Jordan River Commission, Rocky Mountain Power, URMCC, Tracy Aviary, University of Utah, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Utah Governor Office of Planning and Budget, Utah Division of Water Quality, and Utah Sovereign Lands

Property currently owned by URMCC (43 acres) will be deeded to the City following habitat restoration and will be managed by West Jordan City into perpetuity. This has been URMCC's mandate since the property was acquired several years ago. The City has the desire to create an iconic area along the Jordan River. They will determine what facilities to include in the restoration based on input at stakeholder meetings, along with construction and maintenance costs. The City will maintain all facilities and educational components constructed. Management of the urban fishery will be completed through an agreement with UDWR.

There will not be any domestic livestock benefit from this project phase.

07/01/2016

06/30/2017

2017

Utah WRI committed $60,000 in FY2017 funding for the Big Bend Restoration Project. This allocation was used for the final design of the urban fisheries pond, and the bank restoration, and river access enhancements at the downstream end of the project. Implementation of bank stabilization measures and recreational access to the Jordan River at the north end of the project area will be completed in winter of 2017 and implementation of the pond is slated to begin in 2018. Stakeholders including the City of West Jordan, UDWR, UDWQ, Rocky Mountain Power, UFFSL, USFWS, and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission provided comments and design considerations to move the design from concept to "shovel-ready". The City is currently applying for funding from a variety of sources to implement the digging of the pond in order to provide a new angling opportunity for the local and regional citizens. The City of West Jordan is also working with the USFWS to develop an agreement for use of the NRDA funds for implementation of habitat enhancements. Additionally, noxious and invasive weed control and native revegetation has been ongoing under an ISM grant and with funds from Rocky Mountain Power. Community Service events are commonly held on the project and the invasive and noxious weeds have been diminished significantly.

An implementation strategy and phased construction approach for the Urban Fishery, Natural Area, and Recreation Amenities and Facilities has been prepared. The Urban Fishery is "shovel-ready". The Urban Fishery has been phased to implement the base work for excavation and grading of the north pond, the intake structure and irrigation pump station, the irrigation canal, pond inflow and outflow channels, the south pond sedimentation/maintenance pond, and landscape plan. The recreation amenities and landscape features such as boardwalks, fishing pier, picnic shelter, fish cleaning station, drinking fountain and other facilities have been mostly designed to be tied into the Urban Fishery at a future phase. West Jordan City is committed to prioritizing the Urban Fishery for implementation funding over the next 2 years. West Jordan City is actively pursuing grant opportunities and working with existing stakeholders on a funding strategy to get the community out there fishing! The bank restoration and river access enhancements at the downstream end of the project is "shovel-ready" and identified as a "Show Project". The Show Project is planned for implementation November 2017. This Show Project will provide a real-life example of the Big Bend Restoration Project and vision for a community center piece balanced with natural areas. The purpose of implementing a small Show Project is to provide immediate access to the restored Jordan River to get the community engaged. The Show Project provides a gathering place and educational backdrop to gain additional partnerships and public awareness for a successfully completed 70-acre project. Funds secured from DWQ, Jordan River Commission, UFFSL, and the Invasive Species Mitigation program will be used to implement this small but important Show Project. The Show Project includes installing a river access trail that connects to the existing Jordan River Walkway and ties into the future urban fishery. The Show Project plans to reshape the vertical eroding bank with a periodic emergent bench at the OHW elevation, and a 4:1 slope to the top of the bank. Restoration work will include removing elm trees and replacing with native cottonwood, revegetating the bank with native seeding and erosion control fabrics, installing rock and wood structures for toe protection, and installing soft trails from the Jordan pathway to the restored bank. Natural landscape benches and log/boulder features are planned for habitat hiding spaces and visual aesthetics for the Show Project. Rocky Mountain Power, as part of the Salt Lake County Community Connections Grant program, has helped fund a final design for the road access off of 9000S to the Big Bend Parking area (at the south end of the project area). This project component is also "shovel-ready" and phased for implementation as soon as funding becomes available.

There are two parts to the implementation strategy; 1) Identifies different project components and construction phases and 2) Identifies funding partnerships for those components. This implementation strategy is designed to be implemented as new funding sources are identified to install project components. The implementation strategy identifies key construction phases for base components and then partitions out recreation amenities, and landscape improvements that can be installed at a different phase. An Operations, Maintenance, and Monitoring plan was developed during the 30% design phase. Although restoration work has not been completed, monitoring parameters, maintenance budgets, and partnerships have been developed to ensure success and adaptive management of the project in perpetuity. Partnerships between the City of West Jordan and the Jordan River Commission, Invasive Species Management Program, and Utah Conservation Corps have been important for site preparation work. These partnerships have implemented ground efforts to control invasive species, and plant native species. Natural areas have been identified to be undisturbed during the restoration effort. These areas have been targeted for invasive species control, and riparian enhancements to diversify plant composition. RiverRestoration staff regularly maintains these efforts by utilizing existing flood irrigation ditches to water the new plantings. A riparian inventory of existing conditions has been prepared for baseline monitoring. Maintenance of these areas are concurrent with each years efforts to restore these old growth cottonwood forests and natural areas. We are planning to install an irrigation system in 2018 that will be used to enhance and restore riparian habitats and also more managed habitats around and adjacent to the Urban Fishery. The City of West Jordan will eventually be deeded all of the property (from URMCC) and will provide at least one full-time staffer to manage the natural areas and more manicured spaces. The UDWR has pledged to manage the pond (below water). A robust group continues to collaborate on management of the habitats and implementation of the site improvements.