52618

2000-001-00 EXP OMAK CREEK ANADROMOUS FISH HABITAT AND PASSAGE

4/1/2011

3/31/2012

22. Maintain Vegetation

Work Element Usage Report

L: 22 - Maintain existing project site and riparian plantings

Re-establishment of riparian vegetation is critical to promote increased canopy cover, stabilize streambanks, and to address elevated stream temperatures during critical periods in the summer in Omak Creek watershed. Fish & Wildlife propose to evaluate canopy closure, assess the survival of previously planted project sites and to conduct maintenance if applicable in Omak Creek.

In some cases, fire damaged areas were targeted for rehabilitation through riparian and upland plantings to promote post-fire re-establishment. In 2008 a fire went through the Haley Creek drainage within the Omak Creek watershed. The fire burnt a large amount of riparian vegetation. In 2009 the Omak Creek team surveyed this area to determine the types of vegetation needed. This fire-impacted area was planted in the fall of 2010 with ponderosa pine and western larch, as well as a mixture of riparian plants (willow, dogwood, aspen, birch, rose, red osier dogwood, among other species). The affected area included 0.5 miles of the stream. In the fall of 2009 additional fires occurred in the Omak Creek watershed including in the upland sections neighboring Mission Falls. This area was planted in 2010.

Through the 2009 and 2010 BPA and NRCS American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funded project work, other project sites, including the culvert replacements and road decommissions completed, received seeding, mulching and plantings.

In 2011 we will compile a list of project sites for inspection and maintenance. Staff will conduct site visits and assess any site specific challenges and/or site specific maintenance needs in terms of riparian plant re-establishment, canopy closure, and/or bank stabilization. We will maintain plantings either through additional supplementation of native grass seeding, plantings of cuttings from neighboring riparian plant stock, and/or weed-free certified mulching. Cultivated cuttings from native stock will be obtained from neighboring sections of healthy riparian vegetation for use as needed, to supplement prior plantings in targeted project areas, including decommissioned roads, culvert and bridge project sites and/or in previously burned areas.

We will conduct site visits to inspect and maintain previous plantings completed at project sites. Maintenance may include additional supplementation through native grass seeding, plantings of cuttings from neighboring riparian plant stock, and/or weed-free certified mulching.

$3,000

0.56%

04/01/2011

11/30/2011

09/30/2011

Concluded

[Unassigned]

[Unassigned]

Finite