Hancock Springs Technician 3

Technician 3 accomplished field duties associated with the Hancock Springs Restoration Projects I & II (PCSRF #2003-4-12 & 2005-4-01). This project funded one seasonal full-time employee and he worked under the supervision of the YN biologists Rick Alford and John Jorgensen.

Technician III was responsible for assisting in monitoring activities conducted for the Hancock Springs Restoration Project. These included water quality sampling, downloading thermographs and compiling data, staff gauge monitoring, benthic invertebrate collection and identification, flow measurements, transect cross-section measurements, and vegetation monitoring.

The Technician III was also responsible for intensive in-stream work. These tasks included construction, placement and transport of root bundles and log /rock weirs within all 3 sections of the springs. These activities provided for the beginnings of bank stabilization and channel reconfiguration, and will facilitate riparian zone expansion as well as channel constriction that will procure increased velocity and sediment scouring.

Collecting and planting cuttings of riparian vegetation as well as eradication of invasive species including Canary Grass were some of the tasks required and completed. One and one-half stream miles are to be assessed and stabilized and .75 miles of riparian area treated. One-half miles of riparian area treated except for invasive species treatment and 2 acres of riparian area treated for invasive plant species.

The project addressed the following limiting factors: physical habitat/channel conditions,
barriers to passage/ loss of access to spawning and rearing habitat, flows/water quality, sediment/streambed conditions, riparian conditions, trophic interactions (e.g. nutrient cycling), exotic species and predator/competitor interactions.

Project Objectives:
The primary objective of this position is to provide assistance for the Hancock Springs Restoration project. In addition, it provides assistance in site-surveys and data collection for identified habitats in need of restoration or enhancement

Project Summary:
The position facilitated assistance in data collection, and in-stream restoration activities within an existing Restoration Plan (Hancock Springs PCSRF # 2003-4-12 &2005-4-01).

This position will benefit all species of ESA listed salmonids, which include Spring Chinook, Steelhead, and Bull Trout within the Upper Methow basin. It will provide pertinent data collection and analysis for a restoration effort that will increase spawning and rearing habitat. These duties will have both direct and indirect effects on salmonid population health and abundance.