FY 2015 Continued Dungeness (and ESU) Salmon Recovery and Riparian Habitat Restoration Planning

Our ongoing planning for salmon recovery and habitat restoration included the following tasks for FY2015 allocation:

(a) Planning and coordination of specific riparian habitat restoration and protection projects for streams and tributaries primarily in the Dungeness and Sequim Bay watersheds
Staff engaged in planning and coordination of high priority restoration and protection projects, including: floodplain and riparian restoration, including conceptual plans for purchasing/protecting parcels in the vicinity of the Hurd Creek Hatchery, conceptual planning for Large Woody Debris installations in the upper Dungeness watershed; and planning and due diligence for several property acquisitions along the Dungeness River. [These activities occur under the coordination on implementing a recovery plan].

The Tribe obtained extremely useful annual aerial photography for use in all of its riparian planning efforts (e.g. tracking shoreline development or areas in need of protection, tracking shoreline erosion, tracking land use changes over time, etc.). [These activities occur under the habitat survey/use of remote sensing worktype].

(b) Technical assistance by tribal staff to partners involved with restoration projects benefiting ESA-listed salmonids
The Tribe provided technical assistance and involvement on salmonid habitat improvement or protection projects, or in restoration planning groups (some of them ongoing) such as the Dungeness River Management Team (DRMT) and other local and regional planning or technical groups, such as the North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity and the related Technical Review Group. The Tribe, as a member of the DRMT, scored SRFB project proposals, and, as DRMT coordinator, compiled individual and group scores and comments on behalf of the DRMT. The Tribe stayed informed about the Countys Shoreline Master Planning process and updates to that Plan, as well as continued to consult on the Countys lower floodplain restoration and dike setback project. All of this work targeted key factors limiting salmonid productivity, including low flows, loss of side-channel and estuarine habitats, loss of floodplain function and other habitat impairments. [These activities occur under the coordination on implementing a recovery plan worktype, and evaluation/analysis of restoration plans/projects].

(c) Coordination of activities related to ESA-listed salmonid recovery and watershed restoration, including those appointed by Jamestown to the Point-No-Point Treaty Council (Treaty Council)
Treaty Council efforts continued to assist with: (i) riparian salmonid habitat protection and restoration planning; (ii) furthering development (including technical involvement in drafting the plan) and implementation of an ESA-listed Puget Sound Steelhead Recovery Plan; (iii) design of studies and projects that address factors limiting the productivity and viability of ESA-listed Pacific anadromous salmonids; and, (iv) participation in other forums, processes and initiatives focused on improving salmonid productivity and viability. Efforts are described in semi-annual progress reports.

[With the exception of the PNP tribal staffer’s involvement in the steelhead recovery team- constituting recovery plan development, all activities are considered coordination on implementing a recovery plan worktype].

NOTE: The budget allocated for ongoing coordinating activities under Task (c), for Point No Point Treaty Council, was spent by September 2017. Therefore, FY16 funding was initiated for this task beginning in October 2017. The overlap is also noted in related progress reports.

a) Planning and coordination of riparian habitat restoration and protection projects for streams and tributaries primarily in the Dungeness and Sequim Bay watersheds: This planning work targets critical habitat parcels and stream reaches in efforts to halt or reverse the decline of healthy riparian corridor habitat. Benefits include: eventual riparian and habitat improvements in lower Dungeness River; spawning, rearing and refugia habitat improvements in the lower river diked reach; a better understanding of riparian planning needs and habitat changes by comparing aerial photos over time.

Ongoing lower Dungeness riparian corridor restoration and Dungeness floodplain restoration are among the 10 strategic elements for recovery listed in the Dungeness Chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan. Aerial photography is included in the “summary of Dungeness monitoring program” within the Dungeness Chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan. As noted in APPENDIX A of the Puget Sound Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan, funding for staff capacity is an ongoing need to work on the numerous policies, programs and additional planning and coordination needed to implement recovery plan recommendations, especially with regard to enhancing habitat regulatory protections and incentive programs.

b) Technical assistance by tribal staff to partners involved with restoration projects that benefit ESA-listed salmonids:
The Tribe’s involvement in coordinating recovery projects with the community and local and federal agencies helps sustain partnerships and provide for efficiencies in accomplishing salmon recovery goals. Recommendations in the local watershed plan and the Recovery Plan are intended to improve water quality, in-stream habitat, in-stream flows, and aid in salmon recovery. On a regional scale, our continued participation in activities related to the Puget Sound Partnership, and the many other ongoing planning and salmon management forums, keeps us informed about and gives the Tribe a stronger voice in decision-making related to regional salmon recovery. Instream flow improvement is one of the 10 strategic elements for recovery listed in the Dungeness Chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan, so participation in related forums is essential.

(d) Coordination of activities related to ESA-listed salmonid recovery and watershed restoration, including those appointed by Jamestown to the Point-No-Point Treaty Council (Treaty Council):
The planning and coordination activities conducted by Point-No-Point help protect natural resources and therefore tribal fishing opportunities, which directly address tribal treaty fishing rights. Pass through to the Treaty Council helps the Tribe in its capacity to stay well-informed on a variety of region-wide salmon recovery issues.

These tasks are recommended in several documents, such as: Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan, WRIA 18 Elwha-Dungeness Watershed Plan, Summer Chum Salmon Conservation Initiative, HCCC Summer Chum Salmon Recovery Plan, and NOPLE Three-Year Work Plan.