This contract supplements work undertaken by BPA and Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (Latah SWCD) through Project #2002-061-00 and associated contracts.  Consistent with Project #2002-061-00, this contract will undertake practices designed to effectively implement the Latah SWCD's Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan.  The 377,776-acre Potlatch River watershed is located in north-central Idaho and is the largest tributary in the lower Clearwater River.  The Potlatch River is critical to wild Snake River steelhead.

Supported by the Accord between BPA and the State of Idaho, this contract seeks to complement the work currently on-going by the Latah SWCD to restore wild Snake River Steelhead to a robust, self-sustaining population within the Potlatch River through coordinated implementation of best management practices on private agricultural and range lands, coordination of interagency watershed planning efforts, continuation of watershed monitoring and development of outreach programs to landowners and agricultural producers.  Latah SWCD habitat restoration efforts are outlined in the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan.      

This proposal is consistent with the NWPCC Fish and Wildlife Program’s goal to develop habitat-based programs designed to rebuild healthy, naturally producing fish and wildlife populations by protecting, mitigating, and restoring habitats. This project is consistent with the objectives and strategies of the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan.

In an effort to lower stream temperatures, increase summer flows, decrease surface and channel erosion (and associated nutrient loading), and increase riparian habitat complexities, this contract will focus on erosion control and riparian restoration on private agricultural and range lands through the implementation of livestock exclusion fencing, native plantings of riparian areas, and protection of functional riparian areas.  Priority tributaries for restoration work include:  Big Bear Creek, Little Bear Creek, Pine Creek, Cedar Creek and Corral Creek.

Latah SWCD staff will continue implementing riparian restoration and related projects throughout the Potlatch River watershed.  In addition, project staff will continue developing conservation plans with private landowners and seeking additional BPA and non-BPA funds to implement best management practices designed for the improvement of steelhead spawning and rearing habitat.  Project staff will also continue coordination efforts with other watershed planning efforts throughout the region to improve fish habitat.

The primary objectives of this contract include:

- Identify, plan, design, fund and implement best management practices to improve steelhead habitat within the Potlatch River watershed with a focus on riparian restoration within Corral Creek.
- Identify, plan, design and seek funding to implement best management practices to improve steelhead habitat within other priority watersheds as outlined in the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan.