Letsinger Barrier Removal & Channel Re-meander II

The Pacific Conservation District has worked with the Letsinger family designing solutions to a variety of issues and restoration opportunities on their property in the upper North River watershed. On their property Redfield and Raimie creeks join to form the North River. Howard Creek is tributary to Redfield Creek just upstream of the North River confluence. The Howard Creek channel was historically shortened and straightened and two high priority fish passage barriers occur at a farm road crossing and the driveway crossing just upstream. This project proposes to implement the first phase of several phases to implement restoration actions on the property. Permanent removal of the farm crossing barrier and fixing the other by installing a bridge will restore salmonid access to 2.1 miles of habitat in Howard Creek and its tributary, Grief Creek. The project will also reestablish Howard Creek into its former channel adding 600ft of stream length and improving floodplain connection. The project will complete final design, permitting and implementation of all aspects of this phase of restoration. Restoration actions include planting 1.2 acres, placing 25 LWD structures, reconfiguring .9 miles of stream to reconnect .9 acres, and replacing the culvert.

Increase the length of Howard Creek available to spawning and rearing coho and winter steelhead. Improve habitat conditions in lower Howard Creek for rearing coho and steelhead juveniles.