ODFW Grande Ronde Basin Fish Habitat Improvement Project, FY2012 Summary

This project continues the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's efforts to restore riparian and instream habitats in the Blue Mountain Province as mitigation for fisheries losses resulting from development of the federal Columbia River Power System.  The project focuses on the restoration of the habitats utilized by the ESA listed Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake River Summer Steelhead, but benefits many other species of fish and wildlife.

Since the initiation of this project in 1984, a total of 61 projects have been completed along 90.3 miles of stream, restoring 3639 acres of riparian and instream habitat.  Restoration efforts have focused on the Joseph Creek, Wallowa River and Upper Grande Ronde River systems based on recommendations of agencies, tribes and the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program (GRMWP).  Staff of this project works closely with the GRMWP who provide additional basin-wide funding, and project review and prioritization of individual projects.  This project frequently works in partnership with other agencies including BOR, CTUIR, ODOT, ODF, NOAA, NRCS, USFWS, USFS,  USWCD and others. The results of these restoration efforts have shown improving conditions in project areas for salmon, steelhead and other native fishes.  An in depth summary of the project history, goals and objectives, summaries of individual project accomplishments, and overall results was recently completed by project staff.  The summary report for 1984-2007 can be found at:

https://pisces.bpa.gov/release/documents/documentviewer.aspx?doc=P107898

New project activities planned for this contract period include project planning, design, permitting, and construction.  Specifically, ODFW will be lead technical designers on 4 projects: 1) Willow Creek/McKenzie;  2) Wallowa River/Baker;  3) Catherine Creek/Yeargain; and  4) Catherine Creek/RM-44 projects.  Work in 2012 will include completing the designs for the Willow Creek/McKenzie and Catherine Creek/Yeargain projects, and initiating construction in the fall.  We will also work with ODOT to secure funding for design and construction of a new bridge that will be required to connect the Ladd Creek Channel Reconstruction and Wetland Restoration project underneath Highway 203.  We will continue work closely with the GRMWP, BOR and SWCD on new BiOp projects, including the Catherine Creek/Hefner-Yeargain project.  Construction of additional riparian fences will occur if time, opportunity and funding allow.

Ongoing project activities include maintenance and monitoring of existing projects.  ODFW staff will inspect 61 habitat projects built earlier, conduct maintenance (i.e. repair fences and water gaps, stream banks, etc.) as necessary to ensure habitat treated by these projects continues to improve.   Monitoring to track progress toward meeting project objectives will continue throughout this fiscal year.  Administration, reporting and outreach activities will be conducted as well.