Project 2002-035-00:Riparian Buffers in Gilliam County, Contract 88271:2002-035-00 EXP GILLIAM COUNTY RIPARIAN BUFFERS
Land or Easement Acquisition
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| BPA_2002-035-00_88271 | | - | | 07/01/2021 | | 06/30/2022 | | Completed | | 11/10/2021 | | |
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Description
Project 2002-035-00:
https://www.cbfish.org/Project.mvc/Display/2002-035-00
The mission of the Gilliam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is to conserve, protect, and develop soil, water, and other natural resources for the economic and environmental benefit of the residents of Gilliam County. In partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the district has the ability to develop and implement scientifically sound and economically feasible resource management plans for private landowners at the local level.
This project will implement riparian buffer/herbaceous buffer systems in Gilliam County and address limiting factors identified in the John Day Subbasin Summary. One FTE will be dedicated to the outreach and promotion of state and federal funding programs along with the technical planning support needed to implement approximately 15 riparian buffer agreements in this contract year. Buffer widths will average from 35 to 180 feet on each side of qualifying streams and will include such practices as fencing, riparian plantings and off stream watering facilities to benefit livestock and wildlife. Existing programs, i.e. Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will cover actual implementation costs on a cost-share basis, lease payments, and maintenance costs. Incentive payments are also available to the contract holder. A cost-share incentive amount has been included in the project budget for first year agreements to entice adjoining landowners to participate in the programs when incentives are unavailable from other funding programs. Other funding may also be used as available. Leases will be for 10-15 year periods.
This program meets a critical need in the Lower John Day Basin. Technical staff shortage for conducting assessments and developing plans has created a growing backlog of potential buffer projects. This proje
Contract 88271:
https://www.cbfish.org/Contract.mvc/Summary/88271
Worksites
BPA - BPA_2002-035-00_88271-ws-586550: M: 92. Lease Land
- Worksite Identifier: BPA - BPA_2002-035-00_88271-ws-586550: M: 92. Lease Land
- Start Date: 07/01/2021
- End Date: 09/30/2021
Area Description
Renew CREP Agreement with Landowners, NRCS, SWCD & FSA, Lower Rock Creek
Additional Detail
Work Statement Element 161749:
https://www.cbfish.org/WorkStatementElement.mvc/Summary/161749
A CREP agreement will be renewed and signed resulting in continued riparian protections. BPA funding is utilized only to cover CREP technician time for conducting outreach, preparing the conservation plan, and providing technical assistance prior to and during implementation. Fencing installation and other management actions are by the FSA through a contract with the landowner. The landowner is responsible for all implementation.
A completed water survey form will be uploaded if water rights are associated with the CREP buffer.
Under this CREP Conservation Plan approximately 1.94 miles of stream will be protected on Rock Creek
for 15 years.
Rock Creek represents an important spawning tributary for the summer run Mid-Columbia River
steelhead that utilize the watershed and is the focus of collaborative restoration efforts intended to support fisheries restoration, improve stream habitat, restore natural stream processes, enhance streamflow, and enhance surface water during base flow conditions.
The ecogeomorphic impairments on Rock Creek are the combined result of historic human-induced
impacts that include intensive grazing, intensive agriculture, and the eradication of beaver. Intensive upland grazing has increased surface runoff and reduced rates of precipitation infiltration and aquifer recharge. In addition, grazing has resulted in the reduction of riparian vegetation, which may be slow to reestablish on degraded streams such as Rock Creek.
The project reach is currently enrolled in CREP. Prior restoration activities include riparian fencing, livestock use exclusion, and riparian planting. This buffer contract is eligible to be renewed for an additional 15 years, resulting in continued riparian protections. The process includes assessment of the existing buffer status, updating the conservation plan and CREP agreement, and providing technical assistance to landowners. The landowner is responsible for all implementation activities.
Contract renewals are important because they protect the prior investments made by BPA and partners. CREP contracts can span 10-15 years depending on landowner objectives. The majority of contracts are 15 year commitments and this CREP contract is expected to renew for an additional 15 years.
Location Information
- Basin:
- Subbasin:
- Watershed:
- Subwatershed:
- State:
- Recovery Domain:
- Latitude: 45.575737
- Longitude: -120.329634
ESU
No ESU data was found for this worksite.
Map
Photos
Metrics
Metrics
- C.0
Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
- . . C.10
Land or Easement AcquisitionY (Y/N)
- . . . . C.10.a
Land acquisition funding 779.25
- . . . . C.10.c.1
Acquisition or lease of land, wetland or estuarine area for conservationY (Y/N)
BPA - BPA_2002-035-00_88271-ws-586549: L: 92. Lease Land
- Worksite Identifier: BPA - BPA_2002-035-00_88271-ws-586549: L: 92. Lease Land
- Start Date: 07/01/2021
- End Date: 09/30/2021
Area Description
Renew CREP Agreement with Landowners, NRCS, SWCD & FSA, Lost Valley Creek
Additional Detail
Work Statement Element 161147:
https://www.cbfish.org/WorkStatementElement.mvc/Summary/161147
A CREP agreement will be renewed and signed resulting in continued riparian protections. BPA funding is utilized only to cover CREP technician time for conducting outreach, preparing the conservation plan, and providing technical assistance prior to and during implementation. Fencing installation and other management actions are by the FSA through a contract with the landowner. The landowner is responsible for all implementation.
A completed water survey form will be uploaded if water rights are associated with the CREP buffer.
Under this CREP Conservation Plan approximately .53 miles of stream will be protected on Lost Valley Creek for 15 years.
This riparian protection project is located along Lost Valley Creek, a direct tributary to the East Fork of Thirtymile both are mapped Essential Salmonid Habitat and in the Thirtymile Creek Watershed. Thirtymile Creek represents an important spawning tributary for the summer run Mid-Columbia River steelhead that utilize the watershed and is the focus of collaborative restoration efforts intended to support fisheries restoration, improve stream habitat, restore natural stream processes, enhance streamflow, and enhance surface water during base flow conditions.
The ecogeomorphic impairments on Thirtymile Creek are the combined result of historic human-induced impacts that include intensive grazing, intensive agriculture, and the eradication of beaver. Intensive upland grazing has increased surface runoff and reduced rates of precipitation infiltration and aquifer recharge. In addition, grazing has resulted in the reduction of riparian vegetation, which may be slow to reestablish along degraded streams such as Thirtymile Creek.
The area of the Thirtymile Watershed has been identified by Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)
as a priority through their Strategic Implementation Area (SIA) process and was selected for action in 2018. The Gilliam County SWCD board of directors has committed to assist ODA with the SIA
process in the Thirtymile Watershed. Thirtymile creek provides critical habitat for Mid-Columbia
Steelhead, a species listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1998. The
Mid-C Plan list temperature and sediment load as high restoration priorities for Thirtymile Creek.
Thirtymile Creek is included in Oregon's 303d List for not meeting state water quality standards for temperature and sediment. A TMDL is in place for temperature, a limiting factor for aquatic species present in Thirtymile. The Thirtymile Creek Watershed Assessment states that 70% of streams in Thirtymile have little to no shade. This project is also within the John Day partnership Focus
area and will be implemented along with other conservation projects.
The project reach is currently enrolled in CREP. Prior restoration activities include riparian fencing, livestock use exclusion, and riparian planting. This buffer contract is eligible to be renewed for an additional 15 years, resulting in continued riparian protections. The process includes assessment of the existing buffer status, updating the conservation plan and CREP agreement, and providing technical assistance to landowners. The landowner is responsible for all implementation activities.
Contract renewals are important because they protect the prior investments made by BPA and partners. CREP contracts can span 10-15 years depending on landowner objectives. The majority of contracts are 15 year commitments and this CREP contract is expected to renew for an additional 15 years.
Location Information
- Basin:
- Subbasin:
- Watershed:
- Subwatershed:
- State:
- Recovery Domain:
- Latitude: 45.079105
- Longitude: -119.987815
ESU
No ESU data was found for this worksite.
Map
Photos
Metrics
Metrics
- C.0
Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
- . . C.10
Land or Easement AcquisitionY (Y/N)
- . . . . C.10.a
Land acquisition funding 779.25
- . . . . C.10.c.1
Acquisition or lease of land, wetland or estuarine area for conservationY (Y/N)
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