Marys River Watershed Council Capacity

Marys River Watershed Council (MRWC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit watershed council based out of Corvallis, Oregon. MRWC has made great strides in restoring the Marys River watershed, as well as in engaging community partners, strategic planning, and ensuring effective governance and management. This project will provide MRWC with the capacity needed to develop and carry out restoration, engage diverse partners, plan for the future, and operate effectively. The Marys River watershed contains 401 miles of stream habitat primarily in Benton County, with parts in Polk, Lincoln, and Lane counties. The watershed is home to at least nineteen native fish species; Coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki) is our primary indicator species, and other high-priority species of interest includes Pacific lamprey, steelhead, and Chinook salmon. The Council Capacity grant will help develop and pursue new on-the-ground restoration projects, catalyze restoration opportunities, carry out the 2024-2028 strategic plan and maintain engagement with partners. Project partners include the wide variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to ODFW, USFWS, USFS, Benton County, the City of Corvallis, the City of Philomath, and numerous others.

The Marys River Watershed Council watershed contains 401 miles of stream habitat for steelhead, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, Pacific lamprey, and many other aquatic species. Limiting factors in the watershed include impaired access to habitat, altered hydrology, knowledge gaps, degraded physical habitat, chemical or biological water characteristics, invasive plant species, and wetland degradation. MRWC develops and implements restoration projects that directly address these limiting factors to benefit salmonids. Projects include instream habitat enhancements, fish passage barrier removal, riparian planting and establishment, invasive species treatment, and beaver-based restoration. MRWC also uses watershed assessments, action plans, and relevant Recovery Plans to develop a prioritized list of future restoration and monitoring projects. Capacity funding enables MRWC to engage landowners, coordinate with partners, and provide the planning and coordination necessary for these projects.