John Day Exclusion Fencing

The main tasks of this proposed project will include installing and/or replacing cattle exclusion fencing in two sub-watershed worksites within the John Day River Basin.



Worksite 1: Robertson Riparian Fencing

Worksite 1 is located on Cottonwood Creek approximately 14 miles South of Monument Oregon in the North Fork John Day sub-watershed. Cottonwood Creek is a 303(d) listed stream for temperature that provides spawning and rearing habitat to ESA-listed Mid-Columbia River steelhead. The area within this worksite was affected by the 2024 fire season. The proposed tasks include replacing destroyed riparian fencing sustained by the Courtrock fire on Cottonwood Creek. The fencing will be located on two different landowner properties - Ron Robinson and Roy Vardanega properties. Approximately 7,920 feet (1.5 miles) of riparian fencing along a section of Cottonwood Creek will be replaced to protect the creek from cattle-related damage and disturbance and protect vital steelhead habitat.



The Monument SWCD will use $75,000 PCSRF (subcontract with WST) to replace destroyed wildlife friendly riparian fencing along Cottonwood Creek in the North Fork John Day sub-watershed. This will include roughly 7,920 feet of fencing along the creek in an area where the fence was destroyed by the Courtrock fire. This project will protect Cottonwood Creek from cattle related disturbance and damage. Doing so will help protect the riparian zone providing shade and habitat for ESA-listed Mid-Columbia steelhead. Fence building will be constructed by a contracted crew that will purchase the necessary materials and construct the section of fence. These activities will complement other OWEB funded riparian projects.



Worksite 2: Sunshine Station Riparian Fencing

Within the area of Worksite 2 deteriorated allotment fencing will be replaced between the property boundaries of the Oxbow Conservation Area (OCA) and the Dunstan Conservation Area (DCA) owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Approximately 11,300 feet (2.14 miles) of wildlife friendly cattle fencing will be installed around the Middle Fork John Day River riparian area on Forest Service managed land. The conservation areas surrounding this stretch do not allow for cattle grazing and the current fence is in need of repair. The boundary fence will protect the Tribes’ conservation areas from trespass cattle entering from adjacent public land, as well as protect the rivers riparian area from cattle related-damage. The Middle Fork John Day supports both ESA listed Mid- Columbia River Steelhead and Mid- Columbia Spring Chinook. Both are species of cultural significance to the Warm Springs Tribe.



The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will use $75,000 PCSRF to address insufficient wildlife friendly riparian fencing along the Middle Fork John Day River in the Middle Fork John Day sub-watershed. This will include roughly 11,300 feet (2.14 miles) of barbed wire fencing between the Oxbow Conservation Area (OCA) and the Dunstan Conservation Area (DCA) property boundaries owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The fence will be on the intermediate Forest Service managed riparian area directly south of the Sunshine Guard Station, with some additional fence on the north side of the County Rd 20. The fencing will protect the conservation areas from trespass cattle entering from adjacent public land and protect the riparian area from cattle-related damage. Fencing will be placed on both north and south sides of the Middle Fork with an additional section on the north side of County Rd 20 to tie in existing fencing. This will protect Steelhead and Spring Chinook habitat from cattle-related disturbance. The fence will be constructed by a contracted crew that will purchase the necessary materials and construct the fence sections.

Cattle related disturbance is highly likely due to both Cottonwood Creek and the Middle Fork John Day River’s proximity to lands that are used for cattle grazing. This project will mitigate and prevent damage to fish habitat by keeping cattle out of the riparian areas. This work will benefit both ESA listed Mid- Columbia River Steelhead and Mid-Columbia Spring Chinook that the river supports and are both of cultural significance to the Warm Springs Tribes.