In 1995, the CTUIR established the Iskuulpa Watershed Project under the Columbia Basin fish and wildlife mitigation program to provide in-kind mitigation for impacts from construction and operation the John Day and McNary hydroelectric projects.  Habitats within the 24,200 acre watershed provide approximately 3,832 habitat units of protection credits for eight target mitigation species.  HEP species include mule deer, mink, western meadowlark, downy woodpecker, yellow warbler, great-blue heron and blue (dusky) grouse.  Protection and enhancement of habitat within the watershed provides dual benefits to fish and wildlife by 1) providing perpetual protection of watershed resources, 2) enhancing habitats to provide partial mitigation, and 3) improving natural salmonid habitat and production.

Located on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains in Oregon, Iskuulpa (formerly known as Squaw) Creek, drains into the Umatilla River upstream of Mission, Oregon.  The project area contains approximately 958 acres of floodplain riparian habitat, 8,042 acres of grasslands, 4,898 acres of forest environments and 1,409 acres of upland shrub.  The project area also contains 7 miles of anadromous and resident fish habitat.

The 2008 SOW is a continuation of management activities on the Iskuulpa Watershed Project and provides direction for planned actions in the 2008 contract period.  Many of the major tasks are annual in nature, and contribute to on-going protection of the wildlife area.

Project activities include: 1) Planning and Design; 2) Construction and Implementation; 3) Operations and Maintenance; and 4) Monitoring and Evaluation.  Management efforts undertaken under this contract are designed to protect, enhance, and mitigate target wildlife mitigation species, promote watershed health, and nurture self sustaining ecosystems.  

Management activities planned for 2008 focus on the following tasks:

- Administration and operations of the wildlife area
- Monitor and maintain existing fence to control trespass livestock
- Continue weed monitoring and treatment:
     Continue and expand treatment of sulfur cinquefoil
     Continue treatment of Himalayan blackberry, which outcompetes desirable vegetation
- Plant native grasses on 30 acres treated for sulfur cinquefoil on Telephone Ridge
- Maintain seasonal road closure to protect habitat for spawning steelhead
- Renew grazing leases to provide rest from livestock
- Install 3 wildlife watering facilities
- Seek matching funds
- Map distribution of Himalayan blackberry in the floodplain, using remotely sensed data.


A 25,000 budget increase was incorporated into the project in July, 2008.  With the modification, a new work element,  M - produce inventory or assessment, was added.  This work involves using remote sensing products to map distribution of Himalyan blackberry, a noxious weed, in the Iskuulpa Creek floodplain.  The budget for WE F - Control noxious weeds and unwanted vegetation, was increased to accommodate purchase of a new Trimble GPS unit.  The Trimble GPS is used for a variety of tasks including, weed mapping, monumenting and relocating sampling plots, fish habitat surveys, and other work.  The old Trimble GPS unit malfunctioned in June and needs to be replaced.  The budget for WE D - Monitor and Maintain Existing Range Allotment Boundary Fence was also increased.  The north boundary fence of the range unit is in poor condition.  The budget increase funds a temporary employee, to help repair 2.5 miles of fence.  The repair work includes rebuilding rock jacks, repairing gates, and replacing old fence wire at various locations along the fence.