Ceded Basins Habitat Support I

This Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) project provided support for the Habitat Program Supervisor. This position provided project oversight and coordination for the development, design and implementation of a number of anadromous fish habitat restoration projects across the Umatilla Tribes ceded area.
Umatilla Sub-basin: The work-sites changed under this portion of the project in 2007 from those originally proposed. The funds for the Umatilla Subbasin were shifted and combined to complete the Cunningham Sheep Bridge Fish Passage Barrier on West Birch Creek. During 2007 the fish passage barrier at Cunningham Sheep Bridge was improved through the design and implementation of a roughened channel. Noxious weeds were treated under subcontract with McLain Spraying at the West Birch Creek site.
Walla Walla River: The proposed site at RM 49 was shifted upstream to RM 50 on the Walla Walla River and was used to complete the in-stream habitat enhancement at the McKain property. This project was completed along 0.25 miles of the Walla Walla River and included the construction of 2 boulder clusters, 2 boulder weirs, and 4 boulder j-vanes. A total of 8 conifer trees were added to channel and incorporated into these structures and the channel was shaped to enhance the development of a meander and point-bar. Using additional and matching funds, noxious weeds were treated in the riparian area along this reach and riparian vegetation is being managed and monitored to assure health and success.
Work at the Kentch site included the collection and planting of native grass seed over approximately 10 acres of historic floodplain as well as the treatment of noxious weeds. The grass seed planting was completed under subcontract by Bullock Ranches and the noxious weed treatment was completed by McLain Spraying. During 2008, funds originally proposed for use in the Grande Ronde Sub-basin and John Day Sub-basin were shifted to an in-stream habitat enhancement project in the Walla Walla Subbasin on Couse Creek. The Couse Creek project involved the realignment and construction of approximately 300 feet of natural channel form, construction of 3 boulder cross vanes and 2 J-hook vanes, construction of point-bars, and addition of 30 whole conifer trees in constructed jams for floodplain roughness. Willow cuttings were placed in trenches that were created on the newly constructed point-bars.
John Day River: Work in the John Day Basin was completed at the Rhinehart site described in the original proposal, but the extent and scope was modified due to delays in private landowner negotiations. The work completed under this grant included the treatment of noxious weeds along 0.65 miles of Camas Creek and spot treatment across the adjoining 1900 acres of pasture. In preparation for the development of offsite watering and construction of a livestock well, a geologic sounding for groundwater was completed through subcontract with Hydro Meadows, Inc.

Proposed efforts conducted under this proposal will focus on the habitat needs of ESA listed summer steelhead, ESA listed bull trout, spring chinook salmon, and native redband/rainbow trout. Spring chinook salmon are ESA listed in the Grande Ronde River Subbasin, but are reintroduced in the Umatilla and Walla Walla Subbasins. Non-game fish and wildlife species will also benefit indirectly.
Short-term project effects resulting from these projects shall include native plant community recovery, increased stream bank stability and increased stream channel shading. Long-term project effects include improved stream geomorphic features, vegetative succession, cooler stream temperatures, reduced sediment deposition, increased large woody debris recruitment, greater habitat diversity, increased juvenile and adult salmonid freshwater survival, greater salmonid offspring out-migration and increased bird, mammal and invertebrate populations.
The portion of the proposed projects in the Umatilla and John Day Subbasins addressing passage are part of larger, holistic efforts to restore and protect anadromous spring chinook salmon, ESA listed steelhead, resident rainbow trout, and ESA listed bull trout. In most all cases CTUIR is working cooperatively with the USFS, ODFW, NRCS, SWCD, and local land owners to improve passage access and corresponding habitat conditions. The improvement of passage proposed under this project will allow adult and juvenile salmonids to access several miles of important spawning and rearing habitat during key times of the year.