This proposal will allow for continuation of salmonid habitat restoration in the Tucannon and Touchet watersheds. The Tucannon, a 208,000-ac. watershed excluding Pataha creek, is currently home to ESA listed spring & fall Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. Numerous inventories completed by NRCS and WDFW concluded there are three main limiting factors to fish production in the Tucannon: * high water temperatures * excess sediment * and poor pool habitat for resting and rearing Watershed scale assessment is currently in progress in the Touchet. Early data indicates similar limiting factors. From these limiting factors, the following goals for in stream salmonid habitat restoration were developed: * increase natural stability and in-stream pool quality and quantity * reduced water temperatures, stream bank erosion and sedimentation rates FY2000 projects will augment past projects toward desired habitat conditions within the Tucannon and Touchet River Watersheds. Individual project sites are evaluated for critical limiting factors and corrective actions identified by an Inter-Disciplinary Team (district, WDFW & NRCS staff, & landowner). This team uses bioengineering methods of structural design applicable to stream type and conditions. Past projects have resulted in active landowner support for watershed salmonid habitat restoration.
