Problems identified in the Salmon Sub-basin Management Plan (May 2004) indicate that the Upper Salmon Watershed encompasses a total of five Chinook species populations, two steelhead populations and one sockeye population. The Upper Main-stem Salmon River from Pahsimeroi confluence to the headwaters has been altered by irrigation with-drawls. The plan addresses improved connectivity of tributaries that are intercepted or impacted by irrigation ditches.

Goat and Meadow Creeks, located in the Upper Salmon River Basin, are tributaries to Valley Creek and are classified as B-list streams under the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) Settlement Term Sheet. Goat and Meadow Creek are classified as B-list, developed streams because of dewatering, passage barriers due to irrigation diversions, unscreened irrigation diversions, impacts due to grazing, and impacts due to residential development. The Valley Creek B List tributaries are relatively small drainages but their hydrological contributions are considered important thermal refugia for Chinook.  Meadow and Goat Creek have both been designated critical habitat for steelhead and Chinook salmon, and juveniles of both species are presently utilizing the streams for rearing habitat.  Goat Creek has also been designated as critical habitat for bull trout and potential habitat for Chinook spawning.  
Goat Falls Ranch, which flood irrigates approximately 300 acres out of Goat and Meadow Creek, was a privately owned working ranch in the Sawtooth Valley.  Goat Falls Ranch encompasses approximately one mile of Meadow Creek stream frontage and approximately 100 feet of Goat Creek stream frontage.  Numerous diversions and chronic livestock grazing have left the creeks in varying degrees of fish habitat, from very impaired to good.  

Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) purchased Goat Falls Ranch in February 2017.   WRC will convey the property (land only) to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) and the water (water rights only) to the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB).  Total amount of water rights associated with the transaction is ~12 cfs. Management of the ranch will thus continue in perpetuity under the SNRA and the water rights will be permanently leased and rented to the Minimum Stream Flow water rights at the mouth of Goat Creek and Meadow Creek.  
The water rights associated with this acquisition are diverted at three points of diversion.  Two of the diversions are on Meadow Creek and both are barriers to fish passage.  Meadow Creek-2B will close entirely, and the second diversion, Meadow Creek-3 will potentially close as well under actions described within this statement of work by working with project partners and two remaining water users on the Meadow Creek-3 diversion to change their source to groundwater and close the diversion. The third diversion, on Goat Creek, has a fish screen and will remain open for remaining water users.  Closure of the Meadow Creek Diversion and rehabilitation of the diversion along with other re-habilitation measures on the Goat Falls property as well working with the water right user on the neighboring property will be contained in this statement of work.

Within this SOW there is a need to revisit fencing contracts installed by the Custer SWCD in order to protect the previous investments by BPA. The district proposes to work with contract holders to repair areas of fence in need of repair and extend the fence contracts for longer period of time if feasible based on repair needs. This district has hired staff to assist with the management of this task and to complete monitoring inventories on these contracts to determine the level of work needed. Monitoring of fencing projects will be accomplished this year by utilizing district staff to conduct monitoring inventories and determine the need and extend of maintenance required to maintain the integrity of the structures.