Habitat Enhancement Effectiveness-Biological M&E on Ceded Areas XII

The overall goal of the CTUIR biomonitoring program is to evaluate the effectiveness of CTUIR stream restoration efforts in respect to aquatic biota, particularly spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations. The project seeks to assess the biological outcomes of a wide range of restoration efforts in the ceded territory of the Umatilla, Grande Ronde, John Day, Walla Walla and Tucannon subbasins. The restoration efforts to be evaluated are levee removal and instream wood structures. We expect a reconnection with the floodplain with complex habitat or increase habitat diversity within the bankful channel. CTUIR’s approach to habitat restoration is based in the framework of the Umatilla River Vision where Geomorphology, Hydrology, Connectivity, Riparian Vegetation, and Aquatic Biota are identified as the key touchstones vital to a healthy river ecosystem and essential to the re-naturalization of the tribal First Foods (Jones et al. 2008). CTUIR utilizes this framework to identify and design holistic restoration projects that seek to restore floodplain function as it is described in the River Vision and address the primary limiting habitat factors; temperature, sediment, passage obstructions, habitat complexity, and flow (CTUIR and ODFW 2004, FCRPS BiOp 2008) in association with each of the identified touchstones

To date this project has been predominantly the physical monitoring component complementary of the CTUIR Biomonitoring Plan (Stillwater 2012) with site level fish and macroinvertebrate response monitoring.



Project objectives to guide CTUIR effectiveness monitoring efforts and help inform managers are as follows:

What are the biological effects of habitat restoration actions on biota abundance and distribution?

What are the physical effects of habitat restoration actions on key floodplain health indicators? What specific habitat restoration actions have had a positive effect on species of concern?



The plan seeks to assess the biological outcomes of a wide range of restoration efforts in the ceded territory. The restoration activities to be evaluated for this proposal are levee removal, floodplain activation, and instream wood structures. CTUIR’s approach to habitat restoration is based in the framework of the Umatilla River Vision where Geomorphology, Hydrology, Connectivity, Riparian Vegetation, and Aquatic Biota are identified as the key touchstones vital to a healthy river ecosystem and essential to the re-naturalization of the tribal First Foods (Jones et al. 2008). CTUIR utilizes this framework to identify and design holistic restoration projects that seek to restore floodplain function as it is described in the River Vision and address the primary limiting habitat factors (FCRPS BiOp 2008) in association with each of the identified touchstones (Jones et al. 2008).



Worksite #1: Meacham Creek Treatment and Control



Will continue site level habitat monitoring of three sample locations within Meacham Creek, which will be evaluated using a Before-After-Control-Impact design (BACI) for two treatments and one control, including water temperature data collection. Staff will include One permanent technician funded by BPA; training funded by PCSRF). The technician’s duties will include Juvenile salmonid abundance surveys at each sample site during summer and fall seasons (permanent technicians funded by BPA). The technician will collaborate on redd abundance and carcass count surveys for spring Chinook and summer steelhead conducted throughout the Meacham Creek tributary March-September (permanent technicians funded by BPA). The technician will be involved with the continuation of a Meacham Creek macroinvertebrate study through an OSU subcontract (PCSRF funded). The technician will assist in the continuation of the PHaMS methodology review and metric

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is implementing a habitat restoration program with emphasis on reducing the effects of primary limiting factors (i.e., seasonally high-water temperature, flow, and habitat simplification) and floodplain connectivity. Biomonitoring sample sites have been selected for evaluating biological responses to levee removals, floodplain activation, and instream wood; and the expected benefit is to improve habitat quality for adult holding and spawning, and juvenile rearing of fish species of interest.

Monitoring habitat in parallel with fish surveys can provide valuable information regarding fish/habitat relationships.