Satus Creek, contained entirely within the Yakama Indian Reservation, is the most productive steelhead stream in Yakima subbasin, in recent years accounting for more than 1/3 of returning adults. The Satus watershed, comprising approximately 10% of the Yakima subbasin, is largely undeveloped and has no irrigation diversions. This setting offers a unique opportunity to proceed with the landscape-scale restoration and monitoring undertaken by the Yakama Nation Satus Watershed Project. Several major complementary projects, funded by six state and federal agencies, are also underway in the Satus watershed. The Satus Watershed Project was conceived as a long-term, large-scale watershed restoration and monitoring effort designed to develop, apply, and evaluate cost-effective methods for restoring fish habitat degraded by impaired watershed functioning. This approach was accepted by the BPA, and the project was initiated in June 1996. We are increasing the productivity of anadromous fish habitat by restoring ecological function of the Satus Creek watershed (Brooks et al. 1991; FWP 1995). Restoration activities will also favor riparian dependent wildlife species and reestablishment of coho and spring chinook Coordinated projects are addressing stream channel stability and complexity, riparian structure, diversity and productivity, and upland source areas This proposal outlines specific restoration and monitoring tasks which will effect improvements in ecological function. Project staff work closely with BIA and Tribal programs to assure that management activities in the watershed will be complementary. An extensive monitoring system is in place, quantifying the value of coordinated watershed-scale restoration.
