Project title:  Improvement of Anadromous Fish Habitat and Passage in Omak Creek
Project number:  2000-001-00

Technical Contact:  Rhonda Dasher, Anadromous Fisheries Biologist 1
Colville Confederated Tribes, Fish and Wildlife Department
P.O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155
(509) 422-7439
rhonda.dasher@colvilletribes.com

Contracting Contact:  Colette Adolph, Contracting Specialist
Colville Confederated Tribes, Fish and Wildlife Department
P.O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155
(509) 634-2126
Colette.adolph@colvilletribes.com

Project goal:  Improve habitat conditions in Omak Creek to allow for a self-sustaining steelhead population.

Location: Omak Creek watershed, located wholly within the Colville Reservation boundaries.

Background:  This project is directed towards addressing the resource problems identified in the Omak Creek Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment (NRCS 1995).  The implementation of this project as well as projects funded through a variety of agencies (i.e. Bureau of Indian Affairs – President’s program, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, etc.) were based on recommendations from the watershed plan. Projects that are identified in the Omak Creek Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment have been cost-shared between the Colville Confederated Tribe and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). However, there is a gap in funding available for 2006-07 fiscal year. We are applying for EQUIP money that will be available in 2008-09. Since a federally listed threatened species (summer steelhead) exists within Omak Creek, regulatory approval is required for any and all proposed work that may affect the habitat or the threatened species.

This year, under project 2000-001-00, watershed rehabilitation practices will continue throughout the Omak Creek basin.  The procedure to implement these practices begins by conducting habitat condition inventories within sub-watersheds (i.e. Stapaloop Creek, Camp-seven Creek).  Resource problems are identified during the surveys that may be a result of poor livestock management (loss of riparian vegetation, hoof shear, etc.), damaged or impassable culverts or excessive amounts of sediment delivered from logging roads.  An implementation strategy is developed to address each problem identified during the surveys.  The implementation strategy is developed within a multi-disciplinary team; the Omak Creek Watershed Technical Advisory Group (TAG).  Disciplines represented on this TAG include Range, Fish & Wildlife, Botany, Cultural Resources, and Forestry.  Strategies developed include but are not limited to such techniques as installing instream-structures (i.e. inverted vortex weirs and j-hook veins), planting riparian vegetation, re-contouring vertical cut-banks, installing fences to exclude livestock from sensitive areas, constructing hardened-rock crossings to minimize damage to stream banks from livestock, obliterating road beds near streams to reduce sediment delivered to the stream channel.  Once a “best strategy” is developed for the area, meetings with user groups, primarily ranchers and loggers are conducted to get input and support for the techniques and strategies proposed to be implemented.  Often these meetings provide an opportunity for the user groups to assist in the planning and implementation of restoration practices such as timing of livestock grazing, grazing strategies (rest-rotation, etc.) road obliteration and incorporation of drainage techniques (i.e. waterbars, broad-based dips, out-sloped roads, etc.).

Initially rehabilitation efforts originating from the Omak Creek Watershed Plan have focused on providing access for anadromous fish and reducing water temperatures, particularly in the lower reaches of Omak Creek.  With those factors addressed, the emphasis for restoration activities have been directed towards reducing fine sediment delivered to surface waters.  During this BPA contract year, tasks are directed towards minimizing both acute and chronic sediment inputs to Omak Creek and connected tributaries. While developing strategies for 2007 the TAG group considered ISRP comments made during project review for 2007-09. The strategy for 2006-07 involves concentrated projects in areas identified as chronically disturbed. These areas are considered a substantial risk for contributing high sediment loads to the watershed.

Efforts will include but not be limited to: installation of exclusionary fencing to protect established riparian areas from degradation by livestock, installation of cattle guards to prevent livestock from moving into protected areas, rerouting of roads away from creeks, removing under sized culverts and grading bank, abandoning segments of road next to creeks, recontouring road and adding waterbars/cross-drains when needed. Seeding/mulching areas of disturbed ground, and planting native riparian vegetation along the stream banks of Omak Creek on the newly acquired property at 22 Brooks Tracts Road.  Monitoring and evaluation will continue to assess the effectiveness of habitat rehabilitation efforts and the development of a locally-adapted broodstock.

Results from monitoring and evaluation will direct future efforts towards the most effective rehabilitation techniques in Omak Creek.  It is expected that the results from this project as well as others (i.e. The Presidents Grant, Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, Salmon Recovery Fund, etc.) will result in a self-sustaining population of summer steelhead.  This stock may be utilized to develop a more adapted steelhead stock for the Okanogan River Basin, as described in the BPA 2007-09 proposal #200721200. Current strategies for Omak Creek have been revised due to reduced funding by BPA for 2007-09. Instead of focusing on replacing large culverts that are at risk of failure we have shifted focus to smaller scale projects. We are combining efforts and funds of Range, Forestry, Fish & Wildlife, and NRCS to reduce sediment load in Omak Creek and improve habitat.

Members of the TAG group are working collectively to acquire additional grant money in order to expand existing efforts in the Omak Creek Drainage. As new funds become available, money will be combined with BPA funds and projects will be expanded to include replacement of large culverts, updated watershed assessments, and land acquisition to protect springs and seeps that provide coldwater refugia to fish in Omak Creek.