Le Clerc Creek, a tributary to Box Canyon Reservoir (Pend Oreille R.), is the only known watershed where limited successful reproduction of bull trout occurs, with the exception of the South Fork Salmon River. Lack of spawning & over wintering habitat, high summer water temperatures & competition from eastern brook & brown trout are limiting factors to the persistence of this species. This watershed has been designated as a high priority for habitat restoration by the Colville National Forest. The USFS has already completed construction of 2.5 miles of new road to bypass a segment of county road located adjacent to the East Branch of Le Clerc Cr, the resurfaced approximately 2.2 miles of road adjacent to the Middle Branch of Le Clerc Cr., planted riparian areas & the armored livestock stream crossings on the Middle Branch. Past partners include the USFS, Pend Oreille County Roads Dept., Stimson Lumber Co., Jere Dennis (permittee) & the Kalispel Tribe. The proposed project will continue the fencing of overgrazed riparian areas planting of riparian areas along the Middle Branch. The brook trout population of the Middle Branch will be removed by using antimycin since habitat restoration along would not restore bull trout to areas fully occupied by brook trout. Plant survival & brook trout populations will be monitored for 3 yrs. This the first step in removing brook trout & continuing habitat restoration throughout the Le Clerc watershed.
