BACKGROUND

Habitat degradation/alteration and widespread stocking of non-native species have resulted in fish assemblages in the Pend Oreille subbasin that are drastically different from pre-development native communities. Native fish have been displaced throughout much of their historic habitat by non-natives. Dams on the Pend Oreille River have created habitat suitable for warm-water species. The objectives of this project focus on implementing measures incorporated into the Council's 1995 Program: 1) restoring tributary populations of native cutthroat and bull trout, and 2) enhancing the largemouth bass population to provide a quality sport and subsistence fishery in Box Canyon reservoir. Stream habitat and fish assessments were initiated in 1995. Based on recommendations from these assessments, tributary restoration projects started in 1996. In 2002, overall fish densities in the restored tributary sites increased 47%; however, non-native species accounted for much of the increase. Therefore, tributary restoration efforts were more focused on non-native species removals in headwater streams and large scale bank restoration in the lower portions of watersheds where channel stability is impaired.. Non-native brook trout removal has been conducted in the upper West Branch LeClerc Creek watershed since 2002.  From 2002 to 2008, over 15,000 brook trout have been removed from streams in the upper West Branch LeClerc Creek watershed.  In 1997, artificial structures were placed in four reservoir sloughs to provide overwinter cover for juvenile largemouth bass. Largemouth bass habitat enhancement has resulted in a significant increase in juvenile relative abundance. Therefore, additional largemouth bass habitat enhancement structures were placed in sloughs in 2007.

In summary, the Kalispel Natural Resource Department's plan for recovering native salmonid populations is:

1. Perform baseline stream habitat and fish population assessments to determine current distribution and abundance and identify core watersheds where recovery efforts will be focused.
2. Work to protect existing native populations and good habitat through participation in regional policy setting groups and consultation with area land, fish, and wildlife management agencies.
3. Pursue funding from various sources and participate jointly with other agencies in watershed restoration projects.
4. Implement instream and riparian restoration in identified recovery areas.
5. In recovery areas with non-native populations, relocate native species, treat streams to remove non-native species, and translocate genetically identical or similar native fish from sister watersheds.
6. Monitor restoration and adapt management plans if needed.

OBJECTIVES

1.  Conduct fish population and habitat assessments in tributaries of the Pend Oreille River watershed that are third order or larger.
2.  Develop recommendations for and implement restoration actions where necessary.
3.  Monitor and evaluate restoration efforts.
4.  Maintain habitat enhancement structures.



APPROACH

Baseline fish surveys are completed to provide information on fish species distribution and relative abundance.  Fish habitat surveys are conducted to collect information used to assess what habitat attributes may be limiting fish abundance.  Habitat assessments also provide the information needed to identify reaches where restoration activities are needed, prioritize those stream reaches, and which habitat restoration techniques are appropriate.   Attributes (e.g. LWD size and frequency, channel dimensions, substrate size distribution, residual pool volume) are measured in a reference (relatively unimpacted) reach to provide a model for the restoration reach.  Bankfull depth and water surface slope required to move the largest particle size, and shear stress are calculated to validate the restoration design.  Prior to placement of instream structures, channel cross sections are measured to establish pre-implementation profile; each site is benchmarked and effectivness monitoring will be conducted at these same sites.  Additonally, habitat surveys are conducted  to provide information for the Priority Watershed Assessment funded primarily with SRFB funds.  The Priority Assessment will result in a restoration plan for the 13 watersheds in the Lower Pend Oreille and Priest River (west side) watersheds where bull trout are present or have been recently documented.

The Kalispel Tribe has continued to mitigate for wildlife habitat losses as part of the Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation Project by acquiring the Big Meadows area (Priest Lake) over several years to include a total of 773 acres.  Goose Creek bisects Big Meadows prior to its confluence with the Upper West Branch of the Priest River.  Previous management of the land included channelizing and dredging portions of Goose Creek in an effort to drain the meadow and create better agricultural land.  Baseline habitat assessments conducted in 2009 documented significantly reduced channel length, lateral and vertical instability, reduced habitat quality, and poor riparian vegetation.  Channelization and subsequent vertical erosion have lowered the groundwater table and converted the formerly wet meadow into upland pasture.  

The Kalispel Tribe has established a goal of restoring aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitats within Big Meadows by restoring Goose Creek to its historic bed elevation prior to anthropegenic alterations through complete channel reconstruction (3.65 km).  In order to prevent further invasion of nonative fish in the watershed, a barrier has been constructed at the downstream extent of the project area in 2011.  After the new channel has been activated and all the stream flow is conveyed through the barrier, piscicide treatments will be conducted in the watershed to remove non-native species.  Big Meadows will be protected in perpetuity by the Kalispel Tribe through a long term conservation management plan.  The restoration of Goose Creek will be the primary objective of the Kalispel Resident Fish Project- Habitat for the next 5 years.

Due to the magnitude of the project area, the Conceptual Design Plan for the Restoration of Goose Creek and Big Meadows (Confluence 2010) has been broken into five phases, each of which can be accomplished in a calendar year.  The proposed project phases were developed based on constructability.   The Kalispel Resident Fish Project-Habitat scope of work for the next five years will be to implement the Goose Creek Channel Reconstruction.  To date, $275,000 cost-share dollars have been contributed to the project.  KNRD will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities for the Goose Creek Channel Restoration.  In the event that cost-share funds offset the need for BPA funds for this project, baseline habitat and fish population assessments will be conducted in additional Pend Oreille tributary subbasins.