The Restoring Anadromous Fish Habitat in the Lapwai Creek Watershed, project 2002-070-00, began in 2003.  This multi-year project focuses on restoring and improving fish habitat within the Lapwai Creek watershed.  The limiting factors addressed include low summer flows, wide fluctuation in annual stream flows, connectivity, loss of all or partial floodplain, sedimentation of spawning and rearing habitat, high summer stream temperatures, and lack of in-stream cover.  Past accomplishments have entailed the installation of land improvement projects to address these limiting factors, including 7.8 miles of riparian fencing, 6.21 miles of upland fencing, 160 acres of weed control, two livestock waste systems, 9,000 LF of riparian plantings, one low flow stream crossing, 10.5 miles of road improvements, 1.5 miles of streambank bioengineering restoration, 4.5 acres of wetland enhancement, 15,209 acres of direct seeding, 12 alternative watering systems for livestock, 13 water and sediment control structures, and the development of 34 habitat conservation plans, 9.27 miles of access restored, 3.1 miles of floodplain reconnected, 80 acres of tree planting, and 200 acres of grass seeding.  

Prior to the initiation of this project, a massive data gap existed on fish, the condition of fish habitat, and limiting factors within the watershed.  Under the FY 2007 contract, we focused primarily on the analysis and compilation of the fish presence and abundance data, and stream habitat data collected annually since 2003.  The data was analyzed and converted into a GIS-compatible format and then combined with other available, watershed-wide data sets developed by the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District, the Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Division (NPT) and the NPT Water Resources Division.  The synergistic effect of these combined data sets came together in the development of the "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," a document intended to direct efforts and resources toward the highest priority restoration projects and areas of the Lapwai Creek Watershed.  This document provides an accurate assessment of the status and health of the aquatic resources within the watershed, and will allow us to spatially prioritize the implementation of future watershed protection and restoration projects for the Lapwai Creek Watershed. This plan was updated in FY08 to incorporate information identified by the ISRP review.
                                                                                                                                                                          
FY 09 Contract Summary:

The "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," which was completed under the FY 07 contract and revised in FY08, was the main reference for prioritizing implementation and developing the FY 09 SOW.  

Under this contract the NPSWCD plans to install 2,500 LF of fence, control 80 acres of noxious weeds, plant 15 acres with native trees and shrubs, install 2 water developments, install 6 erosion control structures, maintain vegetation at 33 sites (160 acres), develop 10 habitat restoration plans and remove one passage barrier.

Status and Trend and Implementation/Effectiveness monitoring under this contract is coordinated with the Nex Perce Tribe.  The Nez Perce Tribe conducts the monitoring and evaluation required to determine population status and trends, as well as the physical and biological response to the habitat/watershed restoration efforts.  The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (NPSWCD) utilizes the Nez Perce Tribe's monitoring data to prioritize habitat improvement and site specific project areas.  Since the majority of the land within the watershed is privately owned, the District also coordinates with the landowners to obtain project approval for both the NPT and the NPSWCD to continue habitat restoration actions throughout the Lapwai Creek watershed. The Districts efforts focus on non-tribal properties, while the NPT efforts focus on Tribal properties.

UPDATE for FY10 Contract Amendment:

NEED:  The contract is amended to include a second performance period from 5/1/10 through 4/30/11.  The amendment is needed to allow for completion of NHPA section 106 requirements for items in FY09 as well as FY10.  This amendment specifically provides for NPSWCD to re-organize the schedule of Work Elements (WE) initially planned for completion in the first year of the contract to carry into the second year of performance.  There were significant delays in completing environmental and cultural surveys (E/CS) for work scheduled during the first year - these delayed  E/CS will be completed in adequate time for first year WE to be completed within the extended performance period.  Additionally, this amendment includes new WE's that are planned for completion within the performance period (4-30-11).   The new  Work Elements for the extended (second year) work period are WE's Z - AY.   Additionally, WE's  A, C, D, E, F, K, G, H, J, Q, R and V  were also adjusted as part of this amendment.