Advancing the Partners of the North Santiam

Over the past 5 years, the Partners of the North Santiam (PNS) made significant progress toward formalizing a collaborative, basin-wide approach to strategic restoration planning and implementation. Key accomplishments include developing a comprehensive Theory of Change and aligned Results Chains, clearly articulating the ecological outcomes PNS aims to achieve. These were accompanied by detailed initiative descriptions, strategy and action tables, and a Prioritization Process to guide project selection and resource allocation. To support informed decision-making, PNS developed a project evaluation framework for implementation, monitoring, and engagement/planning efforts, complete with scoring criteria and feedback tools. A robust Monitoring Framework was also created, identifying key metrics and data considerations for both implementation and effectiveness monitoring. Extensive work was also conducted on stakeholder engagement, including mapping stakeholder missions, identifying areas of alignment, and developing a communications strategy and outreach brochure. A Fundraising Plan was completed, identifying both internal and external funding sources, partner alignment, and priority opportunities. The Resiliency Action Plan Supplemental was finalized in December 2024, integrating governance, monitoring, prioritization, and outreach components into a cohesive guiding document. This collaborative effort continues to build momentum for a unified, science-based approach to watershed restoration across the basin. Because the projects scheduled end date is after the PCSRF FFY 2019 award closes, no funds allocated for this project are reported as match to PCSRF funds.

The PNS resiliency action planning efforts are focused on developing a prioritization process and project implementation strategy. The PNS strategy will directly address the physical and biological processes identified as critical to the recovery of the federally listed ESA Upper Willamette Spring Chinook, winter steelhead. Reduced flows and elevated water temperatures are considered key threats to the survival of both species (NMFS Willamette Biological Opinion 2008). In terms of flows and water quality, the Conservation and Recovery notes the following management strategies specific to the North Santiam (ODFW 2011): Both species are considered by NOAA Fisheries to be a top priority for recovery (NMFS Willamette Biological Opinion 2008), and each is addressed in a shared Conservation and Recovery Plan (ODFW 2011).The PNSs strategy will focus on mitigating human impacts on water quantity, quality, and available habitat taking into consideration future climate predictions. Future climate change scenarios show a significant impact on the ecosystems salmon and steelhead rely on in the North Santiam Basin. Further prioritization and focused governance of key initiatives will further direct attention to the evidence already provided for the importance of these projects.