Contract History:
The Restore McComas Meadows/Meadow Creek Watershed (1996-077-05) has been an ongoing project of the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Watershed Program since 1996.  This project is being completed in cooperation with the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT).  The ultimate goal of the project is to restore the physical and biological characteristics of the watershed to provide quality habitat for anadromous and resident fish species that support the historical, cultural and economic practices of the Nez Perce Tribe.  The Meadow Creek watershed contains proposed critical habitat for listed species steelhead trout, potential critical habitat for bull trout, and has moderate habitat potential for spring Chinook salmon.  Restoration in this watershed focuses on restoring riparian processes by addressing increased water temperatures, increased sedimentation, cattle grazing affects, fish passage issues, and noxious weed infestations.  Previously completed contract work includes 4 culvert replacements, 37 miles of road decommissioning, installation of riparian vegetation cages, over 33,500 native riparian trees planted, installation and maintenance of 5 miles of fence, re-contouring of the McComas Meadow ditch, and continued monitoring and evaluation and revegetation surveys.

Summary of FY 2008 - 2009 Contract:
This project is part of the Nez Perce National Forest-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership with in kind contributions from the Nez Perce National Forest.  Funding for the Meadow Creek project was approved for the Nez Perce Tribe in the amount of $908,156.  $392,634 of that amount is being awarded to the Nez Perce National Forest under this contract of the project for the Meadow Creek Phase II and Whitman Creek road decommissioning.
  
A) Road decommissioning-
Road densities in the Meadow Creek watershed are 4.6 miles per square mile, the highest road density in the South Fork Clearwater subbasin (USDA Forest Service 1998).  In FY 08 up to 20 miles of roads within Meadow Creek will be decommissioned, and in FY 09 up to 20 miles of roads within Whitman Creek and 16 miles in False Creek will be decommissioned.  Road decommissioning includes re-contouring roads back to natural topography, removing all culverts, re-sloping water crossings to natural gradient, the installation of water bars, and de-compacting landing areas and skid trails which will reduce surface erosion and sediment delivery to streams.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project will assist the Nez Perce National Forest with bid package development, bid review, contractor selection, technical oversight during construction, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation.