Phase II of the Big Spring Creek watershed project will focus on expanding the inventory and assessment of NPS water quality problems in Casino, Beaver, and Cottonwood subwatersheds and completing the necessary planning and implementation of resource management plans. Castle Creek, which has already had an inventory completed, will be included in the project. These subwatersheds have been identified as being the major tributaries that contribute high levels of sediment to the mainstem of Big Spring Creek. The project incorporates two priorities, the first being to plan and implement BMPs on Castle Creek, along with the continual planning on Big Spring Creek; and secondly, to expand resource inventories and planning into other major tributaries in the watershed, such as Casino, Beaver, and Cottonwood creeks. Specifically, the project intends to : 1. Rehabilitate deteriorated riparian vegetation. 2. Rehabilitate unstable banks to reduce sediment loads. 3. Protect and improve degraded aquatic habitat. 4. Improve the condition of the upland range and pasture. 5. Improve stream channel equilibrium.
