Kentuck Creek Habitat Complexity and Stream Remeander Project

This project will restore watershed function through riparian planting/fencing, development of off-channel habitat, and addressing fish passage crossings. The Kentuck Creek sub-basin is a DEQ 303(d) listed tributary that drains to the Coos Estuary, situated along a narrow agricultural valley thats been heavily impacted by past land management practices, resulting in stream channelization and removal The project proposes to remeander over one mile of stream in addition to installing large wood structures throughout and addressing three failing and drastically undersized stream crossings. These actions will improve hydrologic connectivity between mainstem and tributary habitats and provide access to critical spawning and rearing habitat (key limiting factors) in Kentuck Creek. All crossings will meet NOAA fish passage criteria. Three freshwater wetland ponds will be excavated and hydrologically connected to perennial freshwater sources to provide year-round access to fish species. Additionally, livestock exclusion fencing along both the stream channels and wetland area will provide riparian buffers These buffers will be planted with a variety of native tree and shrub species according to existing planting plans. Prior to planting, small patches of invasive blackberry will be addressed throughout the project area. Plant stewardship activities (reported as C.11 - Site Maintenance) will be conducted for up to five years after the plantings are completed. The stewardship activities will ensure the success of the project plantings by helping plants achieve free-to-grow status.

Because the projects scheduled end date is after the PCSRF FFY 2021 award closes, no funds allocated for this project are reported as match to PCSRF funds.

Installing riparian fencing will exclude livestock from high intrinsic potential stream habitat. These stream adjacent fences will create riparian buffers,where we plan to plant trees/shrubs and cuttings within a 35-180 setback along both sides of these streams. The project will remove/ upgrade undersized crossings with 1 bridge and 3culverts. Additionally, we plan to remeander sections of the stream to promote and enhance hydrologic connectivity between critical primary and secondary habitat types that will restore these streams back to their historic channels and improve water quality. Finally, the development of freshwater wetland ponds will provide cold water summer rearing habitat and off channel refugia

during peak winter flow events for juvenile salmonids. These restoration treatments will allow us to address the primary coho limiting factors within the Kentuck Creek sub-basin. Once the crossings are installed and the riparianbuffers have time to establish, this project has the potential to drastically improve both spawning availability ansummer/winter rearing potential in this sub-basin, with the hope of increased juvenile survival/abundance that results in a more robust and healthy annual out migrating for the smolt population. Furthermore, riparian plantings will improve bank stability helping to reduce chronic sediment delivery, which is critical to improving water quality for salmon survival. Other long-term benefits from riparian plantings include toxin filtration, an increase in shade to help cool the water and out compete noxious weeds and future recruitment of organic and woody debris for macroinvertebrates as an essential part of the salmonid diet. Fencing the channel will cut off livestock access which will improve water quality and bank stability, therefore improving instream habitat and decreasing sediment loads. Upgrading undersized culverts will prevent future issues that may occur such as plugging and velocity barriers to improve access to spawning and rearing habitat. Connecting existing drainage features and redirecting flows through existing drainage will provide off-channel habitat for juveniles and establish a connection to these cold-water tributaries during the summer months.