Coordination in Southern Oregon

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) staff coordinated activities and provided coordination functions. ODA staff administered and coordinated the technical support component of the state-federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP provides riparian exclosures planted with desired native vegetation to achieve recovery plan goals. ODA staff developed outreach tools on riparian management and water quality issues. In coordination with strategic partners, staff developed a statewide riparian management message map as part of continuing water quality communication strategy. Staff directed the use of state funds provided to SWCDs for implementation of the Oregon Plan. Coordination functions included: coordinating Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), participating in recovery plan implementation, and helping lead the state’s Clean Water Act (CWA) toxics standards implementation. Staff also assisted in Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) project grant reviews to help ensure monies are effectively targeted to high priority restoration projects in agricultural areas.

ODA addressed limiting factors in the draft Southern Oregon Northern California Coastal Coho Recovery Plan, including riparian vegetation, high stream temperatures, high sediment levels, and low dissolved oxygen levels. In addition to reviewing the draft recovery plan developed for this ESU, ODA coordinated with local professionals familiar with limiting factors or existing watershed assessments to address water quality impairments such as riparian vegetation, stream temperature and sedimentation. Strategies to address these issues included riparian restoration and large woody debris recruitment, degraded water quality improvement and unimpaired water quality protection, and identification of and acting upon sources of elevated sediment levels.

The coordination activities and functions proposed as part of this project will encourage broader adoption of healthy riparian management and water quality protection activities while helping direct restoration funds and activities to priority areas.

Goal is to achieve water quality standards to ensure that the Oregon Coast ESU can support healthy populations of salmonids and other aquatic life. Purpose is to work with SWCDs, watershed councils and other strategic partners to ensure broader adoption of healthy riparian management and water quality protection activities and targeting restoration efforts at highest priority restoration needs to improve riparian conditions and water quality. ODA staff coordinate with federal, state and local partners to help ensure riparian restoration activities are coordinated with in-stream habitat restoration to make effective use of restoration resources and to restore stream function to meet water quality and fish management goals. Expected benefits include reduced stream temperature, reduced inputs of fine sediment from the project reach, increased habitat quantity and improved habitat quality.