Compliance in the Willamette

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) staff contacted agricultural operators to offer education and assistance where riparian areas do not function properly as a result of agricultural activities. The project restored riparian areas to improve habitat and water quality. ODA staff coordinated with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to offer restoration design and implementation technical support and funding.

This project addressed several limiting factors in the Upper Willamette River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead, including agricultural land management impacts to riparian vegetation, high water temperatures, and runoff of pollutants including nutrients, pesticides, and sediment. Strategies identified in the recovery plan to address limiting factors include: restore riparian condition and large woody debris recruitment, restore degraded water quality, protect unimpaired water quality, and restore degraded upland process to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff.

Goal is to achieve water quality standards to ensure that the Upper Willamette River can support healthy populations of salmonids and other aquatic life. Purpose is to work with agricultural operators, SWCDs, and other stakeholders to improve riparian conditions and water quality. ODA staff contact agricultural operators to review riparian functions, and coordinate with federal, state and local partners to help ensure riparian restoration activities are initiated to meet water quality and fish habitat goals. Expected benefits include reduction in nonpoint source pollution from agricultural land uses, increased riparian shading, and large woody debris recruitment.