Our project 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 that originate within or flow through the boundaries of the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) Reservation and Traditional Territories.  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 inventoried approximately 70 miles of stream habitat in the Upper Columbia River Subbasin and over 80 miles in the Sanpoil River Subbasin to help understand the magnitude of causes of that degradation.  With that assessment in hand, we plan to treat the root cause of the habitat degradation, rather than r... eact 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 Biological Strategy and the process-based principles outlined in Beechie et al. (2010).  To accomplish this, our implementation strategy followed the basic hierarchical strategy outlined in Roni et al. (2002).  This approach began 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.  We have developed a habitat protection and restoration strategy using empirical observations of habitat conditions and the Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment model that includes a multi-criteria prioritization strategy.  We will begin working toward implementation of actions identified in the plan, as well as complete and maintain restoration identified in previous years.

Habitat restoration actions implemented in 2020 will include the status, inventory, and maintenance of approximately 16.72 miles of existing riparian fence, maintenance of riparian plantings/rehabilitation, pre-project planning and design work for habitat restoration activities to be implemented in subsequent funding cycles.

Fencing:
Beginning in 1993, fencing projects have been implemented of the Colville Confederated Tribes reservation to protect and restore riparian habitat along several tributaries to the Sanpoil River. 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 16.72 miles of existing riparian fencing at the following locations (miles): Lost Creek-1 (0.94), Lost Creek-2 (0.59), Lost Creek-3 (1.09), Loony Creek (0.31), Moses Creek-1 (0.80), Moses Creek-2 (1.36), Moses Spring (0.43), N. Nanamkin Creek-1 (1.45), N. Nanamkin Creek-2 (0.75), S. Nanamkin Creek (0.93), Capoose Creek-1 (1.40), Capoose Creek-2 (1.93), Twentythreemile Creek-1 (2.40), Twentythreemile Creek-2 (2.13), and Bridge Creek (0.21). They will systematically inspect the entire length of fence; repairing it as they encounter damage. They will also revisit sections following storms.

Planting Maintenance:
Existing fencing units were also evaluated for response of the riparian community in 2017 and 2018.  Fencing units containing areas which have not responded to livestock exclusion were planted with riparian vegetation in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.  These areas include sections of the existing fencing units on South Nanamkin (8.0 acres), Lost (5.0 acres), and Twentythreemile creeks (8.0 acres).  In 2020, CCT staff will continue to maintain the plantings at these sites by controlling (mowing and spraying) non-native vegetation and watering plantings during dry months.

Habitat Improvement:
Increase stream channel complexity and floodplain connectivity by installing Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) and/or Post Assisted Log Structures (PALS). These large and small woody debris placement activities will occur within existing livestock exclusion fencing units at Moses Creek (3-5 structures) and Lost Creek (3-6 structures). The exact number and type will be determined during the design phase.

Project Planning and Development:
Evaluation and development of selected projects from those identified in the Upper Columbia and Sanpoil Habitat Restoration Plan (Contract #73548 Rel 21) will occur in FY2020. Of the top 25 priority reaches evaluated within the plan, 15 are located in the Sanpoil River and its tributaries.  Much of the habitat within the Sanpoil River and tributaries is characterized by a lack of large woody debris.  From the 15 Sanpoil Watershed priority reaches, 13 reaches totaling 39.4 river-km are recommended for large wood addition including 12 engineered log jams. A subcontract will be developed for design and engineering work for large woody debris placement in the Sanpoil River watershed.

Additional development and design work will be conducted for work in Cedar Creek where priority reach "Cedar 1" is a 3.35 km portion of Cedar Creek a tributary to Barnaby Creek, which is a direct tributary to Lake Roosevelt.  Cedar 1 is primarily impacted by an earthen dam impounding a small pond (1,490 m^2).  The outlet of the dam is a complete barrier to fish passage. A preliminary feasibility study to determine the potential to breach the dam will be conducted and depending on the results, a subcontract will be developed for the design and engineering work required to breach the dam and mitigate the impacts of impounded sediment.   Show More