The Omak Creek Anadromous Fish Habitat and Passage Project is directed toward improving habitat conditions to allow for a self-sustaining steelhead population in the Omak Creek watershed -- a key goal for recovery of Upper Columbia River steelhead under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) -- and addresses the resource problems identified in the Omak Creek Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment (Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, 1995).  The implementation of this project as well as projects funded through a variety of agencies (i.e. Bureau of Indian Affairs – President’s program, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, etc.) were based on recommendations from the Omak Creek Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment. Omak Creek watershed is located entirely within the Colville Reservation boundaries.  Since a federally-listed threatened species (summer steelhead) inhabits Omak Creek, regulatory approval is required for any and all proposed work that may affect steelhead or their habitat.  Results from monitoring and evaluation will direct future efforts toward the most effective rehabilitation techniques in Omak Creek.  It is expected that the results from this project and other efforts will result in a self-sustaining population of summer steelhead.  This stock may be utilized to develop a locally adapted steelhead stock for the Okanogan River Basin, as described in the Bonneville Power Administration, BPA, 2007-09 proposal #200721200.  Some of the work in this Statement of Work (SOW) is described in the narrative in the proposal to Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC).  Some of the action items are also listed in the Okanogan Watershed Limiting Factors Analysis and in the Okanogan Subbasin Management Plan.  Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) reviews by the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and Manager have determined that these actions fit the intent and purpose of the original proposal.

The goals of this project are to allow upstream passage of summer steelhead at Mission Falls which will provide access to additional spawning and rearing habitat, to reduce peak water temperatures, and to reduce sediment yield from the watershed.  These improvements to the watershed will lead to increased egg incubation and parr production.  Funding from the NRCS through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provided cost share for some of the actions proposed in the 2011 and 2012 Statements of Work and will be carried over for completion into the 2013 Statement of Work.

In the 2013 BPA contract year, watershed rehabilitation practices and habitat condition inventories will continue throughout the Omak Creek basin and its sub-watersheds.  The 2013 Statement of Work will include completion of the remainder of the work in Mission Falls to address fish passage constraints to summer steelhead along with an assessment of fish passage success through PIT-tag protocol in collaboration with the Okanogan Basin Monitoring & Evaluation Program (OBMEP) and the Summer Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Program.  There will be project administration to complete an assessment to address channel incision and loss of floodplain connectivity along the Disautel reach of Omak Creek.  Maintaining plantings existing native plantings and cattle exclusion fencing will prevent sediment loading to Omak Creek.  

In the 2013 contract period we will continue to evaluate watershed conditions, identify resource concerns, and develop implementation strategies.  Some of the coordination, exchange of information and strategies will continue to be developed through meetings of the Colville Tribes Natural Resources Project Proposal Process (3P).  This multi-disciplinary team is represented by Colville Tribes Range, Fish & Wildlife, History & Archaeology, and Forestry departments.  Work will continue in collaboration with the BIA Range Department and BIA Forestry Department, in the planning and implementation of restoration practices such as timing of livestock grazing, grazing strategies (i.e.. rest-rotation), and in road obliteration and incorporation of drainage techniques (i.e. water-bars, broad-based dips, out-sloped roads, etc.).