Pahsimeroi River P-17 Diversion: Robins Posada Ranch Easement Acquisition

Worksite #1- Robins Ranch: The Nature Conservancy was awarded funds to purchase a conservation easement over the Robins Ranch in 2017 and worked with a buyer that had the property under contract. They were successful in purchasing the property and determined that they were no longer interested in pursuing a conservation easement at this time. Negotiations broke down when the buyer requested additional building envelopes, a second bridge crossing, and other allowances that were not in-line with the intent of the easement. The landowner ended negotiations.

Worksite #2 - Posada Ranch: The Posada property was not meant to be a standalone project, and once the Robins Ranch component of the project was not viable, a path forward that included acceptable outcomes on the Posada Ranch property was not able to be identified.

This project will implement three priority actions identified in the NMFS proposed recovery plan to benefit two populations: Snake River spring/summer Chinook Salmon ESU, upper Salmon MPG, Pahsimeroi River population and the Snake River steelhead DSP, Salmon MPG, Pahsimeroi River population, both of which are ESA-listed as threatened. These actions include the following: 1) Increase stream flows in the mainstem to access historic spawning areas in the upper Pahsimeroi mainstem and its tributaries. 2. Modify passage barriers caused by irrigation diversion structures. 3) Install fish screens.

TNC, in coordination with federal, state, and local partners, will accomplish restoration and protection goals in the following ways:

1. Purchase and secure conservation easements on both Robins and Posada Ranches in order to better coordinate restoration and water conservation activities.
2. Permanently protect all conservation values including spawning habitat for anadromous fish and riparian habitat, and ensure protection of future conservation actions on the properties.
3. Commit landowners to engage in restoration activities to improve habitat in the Pahsimeroi River.
4. Commit landowners to improve water management in order to increase instream flow in the middle Pahsimeroi River.
5. Monitor conservation easement for compliance annually and in perpetuity.