Asotin Creek, a 325 square mile tributary to the Snake River in WRIA 35 is home to ESA listed stocks of summer steelhead, spring chinook salmon and bull trout. It is managed as a Wild Steelhead Reserve by WDFW. Lack of suitable resting and rearing pool habitat and in-stream cover were identified as primary limiting factors in the 1995 Asotin Creek Model Watershed Plan (Plan). The Plan was the first completed in WA dealing specifically with watershed restoration and protection for fish habitat and was developed by BPA, NRCS, WDFW, USFS, DOE, and local landowners. Proposed projects will compliment in-stream and riparian projects already completed in these streams. Overall goals are to improve habitat to reduce pre-spawner adult mortality and increase juvenile salmonid survival. The Asotin Co. Cons. Dist. (ACCD) will work with landowners, BPA, NRCS, WDFW, USFS, NMFS, USFWS, DOE, Nez Perce Tribe and citizens to ensure proper planning, cost effectiveness and in-stream structure placement. This proposal is for continuing prioritized in-stream habitat projects in upper Asotin Creek (Rm. 8-15), South Fork of Asotin Creek and Charley Creek during FY 2000 in-stream work window. Approx. 40 structures will be installed to form pools and create complex habitat with the addition of large woody debris to attain the Plans goal of 9 high quality pools/mile. ACCD will implement and monitor projects and WDFW will conduct pre- and post-project monitoring for project effectiveness.
