Project Objectives:  

The objective is to improve spring/summer chinook habitat, summer steelhead habitat and bull trout habitats, specifically through improving or increasing the following habitat elements.

•   Improve riparian & wetland diversity, vigor and function
•   Improve floodplain function
•   Improve water capture, storage and safe release within the floodplain.
•   Improve stream shade and temperatures

Existing condition

Historic livestock originally removed and suppressed riparian shrub vegetation.  Currently, Sheep Creek, Chicken/West Chicken Creeks and the Upper Grande Ronde River are excluded from livestock grazing within the project areas.  

Currently, most of the riparian shrubs within the above streams are being hedged or browsed by deer and elk.  As a result, there is limited growth and vigor and high mortality of riparian shrubs within the above streams.  

Specific Actions

The project would involve spraying PLANTSKYDD three times a year (April, July, and October) on 7.5 miles of the Upper Grande Ronde River (2.5 miles), Chicken/West Chicken Creeks (2 miles), and Sheep Creek (3 miles).  Refer to the attached map.

PLANTSKYDD is an organic spray developed in Sweden to prevent wild ungulate browse.  The spray lasts three months in the growing season and 6 months over winter.  Dry conditions must persist for 24 hours after treatment.  The proposal is to spray the above streams for two years and establish photo points to track project effectiveness.  Riparian shrubs to be sprayed would include planted seedlings and existing shrubs hedged within riparian areas.  All spraying will be contracted.    

“Plantskydd is the "browse deterrent of choice" for leading North American forest companies who use it to successfully prevent plantation damage to millions of conifer and hardwood trees by deer, rabbits, elk and moose. Nurseries and landscapers find it to be equally effective in protecting flowers, shrubs and ornamentals. It works by emitting an odor that animals associate with predator activity, repelling the animal for up to six months of protection over winter on ornamental shrubs and three months on most other succulent broadleaf plants”.