Our goal is to restore healthy and harvestable salmonid populations through rehabilitation of stream habitat and restoration of ecological function in the riparian corridors of streams upstream of Grand Coulee Dam within the boundaries of the Colville Confederated Tribes reservation. Land use practices including residential and agricultural development, road building and logging have degraded habitat conditions and blocked upstream passage throughout many of the watersheds where historic tribal fishing once occurred. In order to identify and prioritize the appropriate fixes, we first need to inventory and understand the magnitude of the causes of that degradation. With that assessment in hand, we can form a plan to treat the root cause of the habitat degradation, rather than reacting to the symptoms which are observed at any one site. It is our intention to implement a restoration strategy that will restore and be consistent with the ecological processes described in the Upper Columbia Recovery Technical Team (UCRTT) Biological Strategy and the process-based principles outlined in Beechie et al. (2010). To accomplish this, our implementation strategy will follow the basic hierarchical strategy outlined in Roni et al. (2002). This approach begins with an assessment and inventory of the habitat conditions and degradations. Where habitat is degraded, we will seek first to reconnect isolated habitats then restore processes such as riparian condition and floodplain function before implementing actions that build temporary habitat. After three years of baseline inventory we will develop a habitat protection and restoration strategy. We will use empirical observations of habitat conditions and current fish use from our inventory efforts and the Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment (EDT) model to help us evaluate where the highest priority areas are for habitat restoration and protection. EDT is an analytical model relating habitat features and biological performance to support conservation and recovery planning for salmonids (Lichatowich et al. 1995; Lestelle et al. 1996; Mobrand et al. 1997; Mobrand et al. 1998). It acts as an analytical framework that brings together information from empirical observation, local experts, and other models and analyses to determine which reaches and habitat attributes are likely to have the most benefit for improving fish performance.

Inventories:
In 2014, we will implement the third year of a 3-year standardized inventory to determine baseline habitat conditions and identify the human degradations and ecological concerns in the Upper Columbia and Sanpoil Subbasins. The focus in 2014 will be on the Sanpoil River watershed. The inventory follows the methods outlined in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) protocol (ODFW 2011). Natural barriers to upstream movement are identified following the approach outlined by WDFW (1999). As we complete the inventory, we are also document and quantify the human features in the stream corridor and riparian zone that are contributing to the degraded conditions. This procedure includes a barrier inventory and assessment following the National Inventory and Assessment Procedure (NIAP 2005). Other human features such as irrigation diversions and pump intakes, dikes, levees, rip rap, and riparian clearing for agricultural and residential development are being assessed according the WDFW protocols (WDFW 1999).

We are also monitoring water chemistry (dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus), discharge, and assessing macroinvertebrate drift using CHaMP protocols (Bouwes et al. 2011; champmonitoring.org) for site selection and data collection for each parameter. Per the CHaMP protocols, sampling effort is balanced across valley type (source, transport, and response valley segments). Twenty-five sites are being surveyed each year in two strata, the Sanpoil River drainage (n=25) and the east side tributaries (combined into 1 strata, n=25). Within each strata, 15 sites are fixed and surveyed every year while 10 are part of a 3-year rotating panel. Fish distribution is also being monitored at the same sites, using Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program protocols described in (Terraqua Inc. 2009).

EDT Model:
Utilizing the inventory data collected in 2012 and 2013, we will work with a subcontractor to complete an EDT model for the Upper Columbia Subbasin streams - Barnaby, Hall, Stranger, and Nez Perce creeks in 2014. As previously described, EDT modeling is used to predict how fish populations might respond to habitat actions (Lestelle et al. 2004). It is the results of these models that are used to identify and prioritize habitat protection and restoration actions. The model will allow us to assess current production of rainbow trout, estimate what the natural intrinsic population production potential is, and identify and prioritize habitat actions to increase production in streams in the Upper Columbia subbasin.

We will work with a subcontractor to develop EDT Level II ratings for the Upper Columbia Subbasin streams using empirical habitat data collected by the this project during 2012 and 2013 The subcontractor will develop and run the EDT model for the Upper Columbia Subbasin streams, which will include: 1) assigning Level II attribute ratings for the template and current conditions scenarios to all reaches in the EDT reach network for this study area in the EDT3 Attribute Editor; 2) direct internal and client QA/QC review of Level II attribute ratings; 3) building the redband trout species-habitat rule set in the EDT3 Species-Habitat Rules Editor; 4) building the redband trout life history model in the EDT3 Population Editor, generate test trajectories for client review (i.e. confirmation that trajectory movement patterns are representative of the observed and potential range of life history expression); and, 5) running the EDT model, generating estimates of habitat potential at the subbasin and diagnostic unit levels, survival (habitat limiting) factors at the diagnostic unit and reach level, and population and life stage-specific habitat protection and restoration priorities.

Restoration Projects:
In 2014, we also implement habitat restoration actions. These actions include the inventory and maintenance of approximately 15 miles of existing riparian fence, road decommissioning, and restoring fish passage. Over the last decade, fencing projects have been implemented to protect and restore riparian habitat along numerous streams in the Sanpoil River drainage. Successful protection and restoration of riparian habitat by fencing will only be successful if the fencing is regularly monitored and maintained. The project staff will monitor and maintain (repair) approximately 15 miles of existing riparian fencing along the following streams: Lost Creek (1.5 miles), Moses Creek (1.5 miles), Twentythreemile Creek (4.5 miles), North Nanamkin Creek (2.0 miles), Bridge Creek (2.0 miles), Thirtymile Creek (1.0 miles), South Nanamkin Creek (1.0 miles), and Capoose Creek (1.5 miles). They will systematically inspect the entire length of fence repairing it as they encounter damage. They will also revisit sections that are easily accessible following storms.

The US Forest Service (USFS) Tonasket Ranger District will work with the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) to restore hydrologic processes within Sanpoil River watershed with the goal of improving habitat for migratory redband trout. The recently completed West Fork Sanpoil Watershed Action Plan prioritizes aquatic restoration projects on National Forest System Land (NFSL) for the improvement and recovery of water quality, fish habitat, and riparian forest conditions. Priority actions in this plan include removing barrier culverts and reducing sediment related impacts from roads. Watershed processes in the West Fork Sanpoil have been altered by past management practices. Watershed processes most altered on NFSL are flow regimes, sediment production, connectivity, stream channel instability, and channel complexity. Forest Service management activities that continue to degrade aquatic habitat are forest roads and livestock grazing.  There are about 1,255 km of roads within the West Fork Sanpoil River watershed, which results in a road density of approximately 4.8 km per square km. A road density this high is often associated with at risk stream habitat conditions and poor fish production. Field reviews, stream surveys, and sediment monitoring identified fine sediment levels well above suitable conditions for trout habitat. Habitat conditions for redband trout are rated as "functioning - at risk to non-functioning" and the extensive road network in the West Fork Sanpoil River watershed is a major contributor to these conditions. In order to address excessive sedimentation in the watershed, the USFS and CCT will close and decommission approximately 2.1 km of road in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas along Aeneas Creek. In order to provide migratory redband trout access to approximately 7.8 km of habitat for spawning and rearing, the USFS and CCT will replace three existing impassable culverts in Aeneas Creek with culverts that will allow for fish 100% passage.