Long-term goals of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Additions Project (Project) consist of acquiring, restoring, and managing lands within an established refuge boundary for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of habitats that were affected by development of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS).  Project actions are intended to benefit wildlife, aquatic species, including resident and anadromous fish, and threatened and endangered species within the Tualatin River basin.

Established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1992, proposed and existing tracts of land within the approved boundary of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) consist of historical and extant seasonal emergent and forested wetlands, Oregon ash-dominated riparian forest, mixed coniferous/deciduous forest, and Garry oak (Oregon white oak) dominated savanna communities.  Remnant plant community types found within the Refuge are classified as imperiled habitats in the Willamette Valley and provide habitat diversity that support continental wintering populations of high priority waterfowl species, breeding neotropical migratory birds, resident and anadromous fish, as well as resident mammals, amphibians, and reptiles associated with FCRPS habitat losses.

As willing sellers within the approved acquisition boundary of the Refuge come forward, the opportunity exists to credit Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for construction and inundation losses incurred through development of FCRPS and to expedite protection of lands that are threatened with development.  When acquisitions are complete (funding sources include other than BPA), the Refuge will total over 7,400 acres of biologically diverse habitats that will be managed in perpetuity for fish, wildlife, and habitat values, and further improve the flood storage capacity and water quality of the Tualatin River basin.  The completed acquisitions of Oleson tracts 1 & 2 (Additions 1 & 2) provide a unique opportunity to restore and enhance 230 acres of seasonal, scrub-shrub, and forested wetland, riparian forest, ash woodland, and oak savanna uplands.  

While many preliminary activities such as site clean-up, planning, topographic survey, design, and engineering, have been completed; on the ground restoration activities began in earnest in 2004.  Restoration of 115 acres of oak savanna was initiated during fall 2004, and continued through 2008, with the planting of over 10,000 seedlings as well as seeding with native grasses and forbs.  Construction of emergent wetlands was undertaken during 2005, and included building a fish passable water control structure, installing a low level berm, constructing low-flow and drainage swales, and decommissioning tile drain lines and an irrigation pond.  Enhancement of ash-dominated uplands included application of approved herbicide to control non-native invasive species and planting 4 acres commenced in 2008 and will continue during 2009.  Restoration of 11 acres of scrub shrub wetland was completed during  FY 2007.

Additional work accomplished during 2006 included constructing 15,500 feet of three-strand barbed wire fencing to help deter trespassing and provide a barrier to neighboring livestock.

FY 2008 activities will include restoration of  27 acres of riparian forest, enhancement of 4 acres of hardwood forest; and continued maintenance of 117 acres of Garry oak savanna, 20 acres of wet meadow prairie, and 30 acres of emergent wetland.