This proposal represents a continuation and expansion of the ongoing Watershed Restoration Program within the John Day basin. The proposed projects are intended to improve water quality and quantity, aquatic habitat, and fish production; reduce bank instability, sedimentation, bed load movement, and summer water temperatures thereby improving water quality, reducing or eliminating migratory delays from passage impediments, and improving riparian condition. The proposal also includes implementing an annual monitoring program to evaluate each of these projects.Habitat issues in the John Day have been extensively studied over the last thirty years and are detailed in numerous reports, watershed assessments, management plans, and other similar documents. The Tribes, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Oregon State University (OSU), and many others have conducted assessments and research, prepared management plans, or implemented restoration activities in response to identified or suspected issues. Managers believe that irrigation system efficiency improvements, along with upland and riparian restoration, would provide the greatest long-term benefits for fish and wildlife while improving late season stream flow for other purposes as well (John Day Subbasin Summary 2001). Where riparian management and watershed restoration activities have occurred, improvements in vegetative structure, density, and diversity, as well as stream temperature, stream flow (i.e.: unimpeded flow), fish activity, wildlife use, and channel structure have been achieved (USDI 2000, Unterwegner and Gray 1998).1. Install off-site watering systems. 2003 2004 $ 42,000 2. Install permanent diversions. 2003 2004 $210,650 3. Install pump stations. 2003 2004 $323,000 4. Install return-flow cooling systems. 2003 2004 $107,000 5. Implement subcontract to conduct juniper removal program.
