Nooksack/NSEA/KC3 Kendall Creek Riparian Restoration - WDFW Property JITW01-NS-NSEA-KC3/WWO01-055 Kendall Creek flows into the N. Fork of the Nooksack River. The confluence is the site of the WDFW Kendall Creek salmon hatchery. The existing instream salmon habitat is approximately 4,000 feet of stream channel and 4,000 feet of North Fork Nooksack River channel. The stream contains a gravel/cobble substrate and has good year round flows. The vegetation adjacent to the stream channel is a mixture of maintained lawn, pasture grasses, small stands of coniferous and deciduous trees, shrubs with some patches of reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry. NSEA has 2 ongoing riparian restoration projects with upstream landowners involving approximately 1,500 feet of stream channel, and is also submitting a project in this application for the immediate upstream property. Between the projects, the creek flows through a well-vegetated corridor of mixed coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs. The vegetation along the river consists of a 10 - 20 foot buffer of sparse 5-10 year old alder with some larger stands of cottonwood. Virtually no conifers are present. Large numbers of bald eagles return to this reach each winter to feed on spawning chum salmon. Over 50 eagles were counted on this and the adjacent upstream property in December 2001. Project activities consist of the following: The JITW crew will accomplish the following to establish a minimum average 60 foot buffer on the east side of the stream for approximately 300 feet and a minimum average 80 foot buffer on the west side of the river for approximately 800 feet. Reed canary grass will be cut and areas tarped with black plastic to kill off the remaining roots. Physical or mechanical means will be used to remove all sod, competing plants and roots from a minimum 3 foot diameter planting spot for larger deciduous and conifer tree species. Minimum 2 foot diameter planting spots will be prepared for smaller shrubs or several plants may be combined in a larger prepared area. Revegetation of the riparian buffer with mixed indigenous conifer and deciduous tree and shrub species. Trees will be planted on approximately 8 foot centers. Shrubs will be clumped with approximately 5 feet between clumps. Willow cutting will be planted along the lower bank in cluster of 3-4 cuttings approximately every 4 feet. Areas with existing hardwood overstory will be interplanted with conifers on approximate 15 foot centers. Trees will be wrapped for protection against vole and mice predation. Tree species prone to beaver predation will be caged using 3 foot field fencing. Ground cloth or mulch will be used to reduce competition from exotic invasive species. Larger trees may be staked and strapped for initial support. The site will be maintained and monitored for approximately 3 years, until the plantings are free to grow. Watershed benefits include the improvement of existing stream and wetland habitat by reestablishing riparian cover and creating a source of LWD recruitment. Coho and chum salmon, cutthroat trout, birds, amphibians,mammals, bald eagles, great blue herons, wood ducks and beavers will benefit from the restoration of these riparian areas. The site will be monitored by NSEA using the vegetation monitoring protocols developed by the LNR, UW-CSS and the Nooksack Recovery Team. Effectiveness of plant protection devices will be noted and tracked as well as the survival of plants by species, site location area, planting time, and general plant health. Photo monitoring will be accomplished using established photo points. Accomplishment calculations are the following: Riparian area length = 300 + 800 feet = 1,100 feet average width = 60 = 80 = 140/2 = 70 feet 1,100 x 70 = 77000/43560 = 1.77 acres. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Grant Number 134100011
