Federal Agency Measures |
I. Roles of Federal Agencies in Oregon Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative
Commitment
The overall Federal agency commitment to the Oregon Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative (OCSRI) goals is significant. More than 12 federal agencies involved with managing resources within the Pacific Northwest have either a direct or indirect effect on the objectives outlined in the OCSRI. These agencies have pledged their involvement and participation in developing actions for recovery of the salmon. Their various roles includ oversight, regulation development, enforcement, resource management, and technical assistance.
Each participating Federal agency will make contributions to the OCSRI plan consistent with its authorities and mandates. For the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) an important goal is to conserve and restore aquatic ecosystems. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, which does not have land management responsibility, provides resource management assistance to private landowners on a voluntary basis. Other Federal agencies will contribute in ways consistent with their missions and authorities.
Ongoing Cooperative Efforts
Federal agency involvement in development and implementation of a comprehensive conservation and restoration plan for Pacific salmon is being facilitated in part by the Pacific Salmon Task Force, which was formed in 1994 by President Clinton to optimize use of Federal expertise and resources. Guiding the effort is a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the White House Office on Environmental Policy; the Departments of Commerce, Interior, Army, Energy, and Agriculture; and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Agreement states that Federal agencies will work together with non-federal stakeholders in the development and implementation of conservation and restoration plans.
The Agreement also established the Pacific Salmon Coordinating Committee (PSCC) in the Northwest, composed of 12 agency members to coordinate specific activities within these plans. Among the activities are regulatory, research, monitoring, public information, budgetary, and intergovernmental efforts to conserve and restore Pacific salmon stocks. The role of the PSCC is consistent with the principles of intergovernmental and private cooperation required in the OCSRI.
Federal agency commitment to the OCSRI is also demonstrated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently signed by the State of Oregon and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Corps of Engineers. This MOU establishes a common and needed strategy among all entities in the shared basic goal of managing for healthy and sustai nable watersheds. Specifically, the signatories:
Another demonstration of Federal agency commitment is a draft MOU, which is in final development, among the State of Oregon, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The purpose of this MOU is to contribute to the conservation of species of concern and their habitats by facilitating cooperation with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Watershed Councils, Tribes, and non-Federal land users. This facilitation will be accomplished through a voluntary, watershed-based, locally driven approach to address implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on non-Federal lands in Oregon. Specific MOU objectives are to:
The Northwest Forest Plan (NFP), dated April of 1994 and signed by the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior, is another example of interagency cooperation that supports OCSRI objectives. This document set in motion unprecedented action for managing federal lands within Washington and Oregon, with a focus on restoring aquatic ecosystems.
Specific Actions
Several policies and ongoing programs that are underway for development of interagency organizations and initiatives are consistent with achieving the goals and objectives of the OCSRI. These cooperative efforts have resulted in more effective natural resource management.
One of the foremost cooperative efforts is the Northwest Forest Plan, which has established an interagency organization to oversee plan implementation. Regional Directors of the Federal agencies serve on the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) and the Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) to collaboratively develop policy guidance for NFP implementation. These two committees are supported by the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO), a senior-level policy and technical staff group. This framework provides executive oversight of specific actions necessary to meet plan and resource needs.
An objective of the NFP is to restore and maintain the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management within the range of the northern spotted owl. A cornerstone of the NFP is the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS), which was designed to protect salmon and steelhead habitat. Successful implementation of the NFP is essential to attaining long-term goals of protection and restoration of aquatic habitats on public lands. Successful implementation of the OCSRI will allow recovery of species and habitats across whole basins, regardless of ownership.
Among the various actions and programs identified by the federal agencies that support the OCSRI are common research, monitoring and evaluation needs, data sharing and acquisition, watershed restoration efforts, technical and financial assistance, and public outreach and education. The effectiveness of these activities depends on detailed actions, often developed through memorandums and interagency facilitations. The Pacific Salmon Coordinating Committee can serve as the executive interagency forum for sanctioning and promoting agency involvement in the OCSRI. Development of additional and more specific measures will require ongoing and periodic coordination among the executive and technical staffs of federal and key state and county agencies. This compilation of federal measures represents an important outcome in the establishment of federal agencies' cooperation and commitments to the OCSRI goals and objectives.
II. Overview of Individual Federal Agency Roles and Activities for Phases 1 and 2II. Overview of Individual Federal Agency Roles and Activities for Phases 1 and 2
This section summarizes the traditional roles of those federal agencies involved with the management of natural resources in Oregon and explains how their management actions link with the OCSRI. Federal agencies identified as supporting participants at this stage in the Oregon Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative are:
These agencies, through use of existing authorities, contribute to accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the OCSRI. The following text identifies individual agency authorities and their roles and planned activities that can directly serve recovery of aquatic ecosystems. The measures are designated as either Phase 1 or Phase 2:
The lists of activities are estimates only and focus on those activities currently being done or expected to be implemented soon. Additional or future work accomplishments will depend on funding and staffing to be defined through the cooperative interagency process. Long-term commitments identified to date are described in Section III, but their details are still in the formulation process.
Major Public Land ManagersMajor Public Land Managers
The BLM and USFS are major public land managers within the area affected by the OCSRI, together administering over 3.5 million acres of public land there. USFS-administered lands tend to be larger contiguous blocks, while BLM-administered lands are intermingled with private lands. Public lands tend to represent the upper and mid-elevation portions of watersheds, with private lands occupying the lower valleys. Both agencies manage lands under multiple use and sustained yield mandates to provide for production of commodity and non-commodity goods, while maintaining and restoring ecosystems.
Major laws governing BLM and /or USFS actions include: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Management Act (NFMA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA), Oregon and California Lands Acts (O&C), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA).
As described in the previous section, an important planning and management document for both BLM and USFS is the Northwest Forest Plan. A key element of the Northwest Forest Plan is the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, a framework for managing federal lands with an emphasis to restore habitats for stocks at risk, including various salmon and trout. The Strategy has four main elements to achieve its objectives: Riparian reserve identification and management, key watershed delineation, watershed analysis, and watershed restoration.
Riparian Reserves are portions of watersheds where riparian-dependent resources receive primary emphasis and where special management standards and guidelines apply. The reserves are of varied width, depending upon whether or not they are fish bearing, permanently flowing, or intermittent. Specifically, the reserves are designed to maintain ecological function and to protect streams and riparian habitat and water quality.
Key watersheds represent a system to serve as refugia that is critical for maintaining and recovering habitat for at-risk stocks of anadromous fish and resident fish species. These watersheds represent both good and low quality habitat, with good habitat conditions serving as the anchor points for the potential recovery of stocks, and low quality habitat having a high potential for restoration. Two types of key watersheds were identified: Tier 1 were selected for directly contributing to the conservation of at-risk species, and Tier 2 for important sources of high water quality.
Watershed analysis is a systematic procedure for characterizing watershed and ecosystem processes to meet specific management and social objectives. Analysis findings guide planning and help identify restoration strategies. It provides a process for linking federal and non-federal land coordination and planning.
Watershed restoration is the direct linkage of activities that contribute to the recovery of fish and improvement of riparian habitat and water quality. Three important elements include control and prevention of road-related runoff and sediment; improvement of riparian vegetation; and improvement of instream habitat.
These components of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy help in establishing the context and process for defining management actions that are consistent with restoring, protecting, and maintaining aquatic habitat. The use of these tools across whole basins will assist agencies in developing an appropriate timing and sequencing of management and restoration actions.
Both the USFS and the BLM have authority to work cooperatively with other governmental entities and private enterprises to accomplish work consistent with their missions. Activities include long-term ongoing programs and recently established congressional direction. Consistent between the agencies are joint programs such as the "Bring Back the Natives" initiative and Challenge Cost-Share appropriations. These nationally-funded programs promote activities that address whole basin management and restoration, regardless of land ownership. There are also cooperative agreements on transportation management and access, law enforcement, and wildland fire suppression. Professional staff assistance and consultation has typically been available upon request.
The BLM historically has had limited authority to expend federal funds on private lands; however, an amendment to the 1997 appropriations bill increased Federal agency flexibility to respond to resource needs on private lands. Policy and direction on the use of this authority are presently being developed at the national level.
The USFS has a state and private forestry branch that exclusively addresses state and private land interactions. Congress provides an annual appropriation through this program to support natural resource related actions. While this program has historically focused on forestry and reforestation issues, its role has broadened recently to include other resource areas. Funds are typically transferred directly to the State Department of Forestry for distribution to participating private landowners.
BLM and USFS Phase 1 Activities
Both the BLM and USFS annually plan and complete activities that support restoration of aquatic habitat, which can complement work on private lands. BLM and USFS activities planned for 1997 that most directly contribute to the goals and objectives of the OCSRI are listed below by four primary categories: Inventory and Monitoring; Planning and Assessment; Education and Interpretation; and Habitat/Watershed Restoration. The location of activities is identified by river basin name at the 4th field Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC), which is a designation denoted by the U.S. Geological Survey for managing the national water data network. Activities conducted in most or all districts or forests are identified in the category discussions; additional or specific activities are listed by district or forest discussion.
Bureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land Management
Five BLM districts have lands located within the area addressed in the OCSRI: Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Coos Bay, and Medford.
Contact persons for additional information about BLM roles or activities are:
| Oregon State Office: | Karl Stein (503-952-6418) |
| Salem District: | Matt Walker (503-815-1145) Effie Frazier (503-815-5964) Amy Haynes (503-815-5955) |
Eugene District: |
Neil B. Armantrout (541-683-6451) |
Roseburg District: |
Donald T. Rivard (541- 440-4930, ext. 207) |
Coos Bay District: |
Karen Smith (541-756-0100, ext. 420)
Michael S. Kellett (541-756-0100, ext. 465) |
Medford District: |
Jon Raby (541- 770-2364)
Dale Johnson (541- 770-2339) |
Phase 1 Activities
Phase 1 activities identified by the BLM are listed below by district, specific activity, and basin location.
BLM1 - Inventory and Monitoring
Districts conduct the following activities: collect data on relative fish abundance and habitat utilization, monitor stream restoration projects, and establish baseline temperature profiles.
The inventory and monitoring activities will be conducted at known locations where coho salmon and other sensitive anadromous species reside for some period of their life history cycle. The identified locations are 4th field HUCs.
Salem District
| Activity | Basin Location |
|
Stream inventories a |
Nestucca and Alsea |
| Spawning surveys | Nestucca |
| Temperature sampling | Nestucca |
| Smolt trapping* | Alsea (2 sites) |
| Adult fish trapping* | Siletz |
* Cooperative effort with ODFW
Eugene District
Conduct spawning ground counts for coho salmon on about 45 miles of habitat within the Siuslaw River Basin to monitor management activities and to evaluate habitat restoration efforts. Evaluate individual habitat projects at several locations throughout the Siuslaw River Basin. Continue operation of smolt trap on Wolf Creek as part of the evaluation and monitoring of management and restoration activities.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Spawning ground counts | Siuslaw |
| Smolt trapping | Siuslaw |
| Habitat restoration monitoring | Siuslaw |
Roseburg District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Coho spawning surveys * | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (7 sites)
North Umpqua (4 sites) South Umpqua (8 sites) |
| Smolt trapping | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith** (1 site)
North Umpqua *** (1 site) New in 1997 (2 sites, undetermined) |
| Population estimate studies | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith
North Umpqua (1 site) South Umpqua (1 site) |
* Surveys done on BLM-administered lands with BLM personnel in conjunction and coordinated with the ODFW Umpqua basinwide annual surveys.
** Cooperative effort with ODFW (Brush Creek)
*** Cooperative effort with Umpqua National Forest (Little River).
Coos Bay District
Conduct monitoring to provide information on instream structure used by coho salmon adults and juveniles; measure invertebrate population response to aquatic habitat restoration projects; and evaluate the effectiveness of riparian habitat enhancement projects.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Habitat inventories | Coos and Coquille |
| Riparian inventories and monitoring | Coos, Coquille,and Mainstem Umpqua/Smith |
| Instream structure monitoring | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith |
| Spawning surveys (15) | Coquille |
| Water temperature monitoring | Coquille (13 sites) |
| Culvert inventory | Coquille |
| Summer/winter juvenile coho
population surveys (3) |
Coquille |
| Aquatic macro invertebrate monitoring | Coquille |
Medford District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Juvenile out-migrant trapping | Upper Rogue |
| Restoration project monitoring | Upper Rogue |
| Spawning surveys | Upper, Middle and Lower Rogue |
| Stream temperature monitoring | Upper and Middle Rogue |
| Stream habitat inventory | Upper and Middle Rogue |
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BLM2 - Planning and Assessment
Conduct activities including watershed analyses; assessment of stream channel and instream structure damage from the February 1996 flood; late-successional reserve (LSR) assessments where needed; regular, programmatic activities such as identifying, addressing, and analyzing of fish, aquatic habitat, and hydrological issues; and design for future watershed restoration projects. Provide the information and recommendations to managers for use in decision-making.
Salem District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Flood inventory data assessments | Nestucca and Alsea |
| Watershed analyses | Nehalem and Alsea |
| East Fork Lobster habitat improvement design | Alsea |
Eugene District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| LSR Assessments | Siuslaw and Mainstem Umpqua/Smith |
Roseburg District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Analyses | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (1 site)
North Umpqua (1 site) South Umpqua (2 sites) |
| LSR Assessments | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (1 site)
North Umpqua (1 site) South Umpqua (1 site) |
Coos Bay District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed analyses | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (1 site)
Coquille (2 sites) |
| LSR Assessments | South Umpqua, Mainstem Umpqua/Smith, Coos,
Coquille, Sixes/Elk, and Chetco |
| Watershed Restoration Planning | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith, Coos, and Coquille |
Medford District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Analyses | Upper Rogue (1 site)
Middle Rogue (2 sites) |
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BLM3 - Education and Interpretation
Facilitate tours of various projects including stream improvement and silvicultural treatments; participate in annual meetings of professional groups; provide written materials, oral information, and speakers for the public as requested; interact with a variety of groups concerned about salmon and their habitat; provide logistical support in public education and outreach by developing videos, brochures, and slide presentations; and cooperate with watershed councils.
Salem District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Tours | Nestucca |
Eugene District
Continue participation in the Salmon Watch Program. Support two Watchable Wildlife sites established for salmon spawning and pursue a third opportunity.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Salmon Watch
Watchable Wildlife Public Information |
Siuslaw Siuslaw (2 sites) Siuslaw |
Roseburg District
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Campground talks (8) | Entire basin |
| School visits (8) | Entire basin
(elementary to high school) |
| Fishing Derby (2) | Entire basin |
| Free Fishing Day (1) | Entire basin |
| Forestry tour (1) | Entire basin |
Coos Bay District
Avail fisheries staff to work with the Coquille Watershed Association and other Bring Back the Natives cooperators in the design and staffing of a Coos County fair booth to increase public awareness of ongoing aquatic and riparian restoration projects and to encourage public support and volunteers for future projects.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Coos County Fair booth | Coquille |
| Educational materials development | Coquille |
Medford District
Coordinate with the Upper Rogue Watershed Council on project planning and development. Facilitate presentations to elementary school students in the Upper and Middle Rogue River area on the elements of a healthy watershed, including education on fish and their habitat.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Elementary school watershed education | Upper and Middle Rogue |
| Work with watershed council | Upper Rogue |
| Hoover School Shadow Day | Upper and Middle Rogue |
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BLM4 - Habitat and Watershed Restoration
Conduct riparian enhancement project sites at known locations where coho salmon congregate.
Salem District
Plant vegetation in riparian areas where the February 1996 floods have left large sediment deposits and in riparian areas that do not have significant conifer. Specific activities include release of conifers by falling of alder, planting of conifers after removal of blackberries and other brush, and thinning stands of trees. Expected benefits to coho and steelhead include shade, input of organic material, bank stability, and the long-term potential for coarse woody debris.
| Activitity | Basin Location |
| Tree planting and conifer release in riparian areas | Nestucca/Tillamook Bay Tributaries and Alsea |
Eugene District
Improve fish passage at Hult Pond Dam and several road culverts in upper Lake Creek of the Siuslaw River Basin. Complete stream channel and riparian restoration at sites in the mainstem Siuslaw River, Wolf Creek, and selected tributaries.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Salmon Passage | Siuslaw River and Lake Creek |
| Riparian Restoration | Siuslaw |
| Habitat Restoration | Siuslaw |
Roseburg District
Conduct restoration projects utilizing funds from Jobs-in-the-Woods (JITW) and Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) in association with timber sales.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Road decommissioning (basinwide) | As much as possible on BLM-managed lands |
| Culvert replacements, fish-bearing streams | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (14 sites)
North Umpqua (1 site) South Umpqua (2 sites) |
| Riparian Fencing | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (1 site)
South Umpqua (1 site) |
| Instream structures (tree pulling) | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith (1 site) |
Coos Bay District
Replace 13 large culverts to provide for fish and amphibian passage. Design replacement culverts to benefit all life stages of coho salmon. Perform manual maintenance and interplants on eight riparian restoration projects.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Large culvert replacement | Mainstem Umpqua/Smith, Coos, and Coquille |
| Maintenance of riparian silviculture projects | Coquille (8 sites) |
Medford District
Conduct stream and watershed restoration projects such as stabilizing cutbanks and decommissioning roads to improve fish habitat, restore fish passage, and reduce sediment from roads.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Stream restoration | Upper Rogue (1 site) and Lower Rogue (1 site) |
| E. F. Evans Creek Diversion Dam Removal | Middle Rogue (1 site) |
| Culverts replaced for fish passage | Middle Rogue |
| Road stabilization | Upper and Middle Rogue |
| Road decommissioning | Upper and Middle Rogue |
U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Forest Service
Four National Forests are located within the area addressed in the OCSRI: Siuslaw, Umpqua, Rogue River, and Siskiyou.
Contact persons for additional information about USFS roles or activities are:
| USFS Region 6 Office: | Dave Heller (503-326-6637) |
| Siuslaw National Forest: | Michael Clady (541-750-7053) |
| Umpqua National Forest: | Jeff Dose (541-957-3301) |
| Rogue River National Forest: | Melanie Vael Anderson (541-858-2276) |
| Siskiyou National Forest: | Randy Frick (541-471-6533) |
Phase 1 Activities
USFS1 - Inventory and Monitoring
Activities in this category provide basic data that supports other categories, particularly assessing ecological conditions that drive planning and implementation of aquatic restoration activities. Additionally, this information is critical in planning and assessing effects of other Forest activities such as timber sales, road construction, grazing allotments, mining, recreational developments, and wildlife habitat management to eliminate or minimize adverse impacts on fish and their habitat.
Some inventories (such as Level II stream surveys) are general in nature and provide an overall watershed-scale assessment of aquatic conditions. Others, such as out-migrant trapping and spawning surveys, provide stream and site-specific information about production, populations, or distribution of a given species and life-stage.
Inventories are divided into extensive: Level II stream surveys, which include the fish-bearing stream segments; and intensive: surveys of less than a mile in length each. Level II stream surveys use standard regional protocols to characterize stream habitat conditions and fish distribution. Examples of intensive surveys are Level III surveys, productive flat monitoring, microhabitat mapping, structure durability surveys and spawning surveys. Current emphasis for intensive surveys include streams with coho salmon and response areas downstream of focal areas for watershed restoration. Most watershed restoration is being done in Key Watersheds of the Northwest Forest Plan.
There are cooperative efforts with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and various other partners to complete juvenile salmonid census surveys.
Siuslaw National Forest
In the Siuslaw National Forest, there are seven 4th-Field HUCs (Nestucca portion of Wilson/Trask, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Siltcoos, Umpqua, and Coos).
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Level II Stream Survey (98 mi.) | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siltcoos, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Level III Instream Structure Monitoring (5 projects) | Nestucca, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Out-migrant Trapping | Siletz, Alsea, and Siuslaw (5 sites) |
| Spawning/Redd Surveys | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siltcoos, Siuslaw, and Umpqua (10 reaches) |
| Upstream Migrant Trapping | Siletz and Alsea (2 sites) |
| Tenmile Whole-Basin Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring | Alsea |
| Water Temperature Monitoring | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siltcoos, Siuslaw, Coos and Umpqua (about 80 sites) |
Umpqua National Forest
The activities are proposed for both 4th-field HUCs in the Umpqua National Forest.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Level II Stream Survey (90 mi.) | North and South Umpqua |
| Modified Pfankuch Channel Survey (60 mi.) | North and South Umpqua |
| Outmigrant Trapping | North and South Umpqua (4 sites) |
| Spawning/Redd Surveys (6 reaches) | North and South Umpqua |
| Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring | North and South Umpqua (35 sites) |
| Restoration Effective Monitoring | North and South Umpqua (4 sites) |
| Water Temperature Monitoring | North and South Umpqua (about 45 sites) |
Rogue River National Forest
Of concern on the Rogue River National Forest are the N. California/S. Oregon coho and Klamath Mountain Province steelhead, both candidates for Federal listing. Because all anadromous streams on the Forest are in Key Watersheds, they receive highest priority in both baseline inventory and ongoing monitoring projects. Initial coho spawning surveys will be completed in 1997 in selected Key Watershed streams by ODFW crews.
The Rogue Basin Water Temperature Monitoring Project, coordinated through Rogue River National Forest Hydrology Program, is in its fourth year of data gathering and summarization. Annual reports are produced from this effort. This is a mutli-agency effort involving state and federal agencies.
Project effectiveness monitoring utilizes regional protocols (Level III) to produce a more detailed "snapshot" of stream reach condition, both before and after project implementation, than is possible through Level II stream surveys.
The macroinvertebrate monitoring program is in its seventh year on the Forest, with different streams having baseline surveys each year.
The Aquatic Ecology component of the Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Plan (FEMP) is being formulated currently and should be completed along with the FEMP during FY-97.
Two 4th-Field Watersheds contain anadromous habitat on the Rogue River National Forest: Upper Rogue and Applegate.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Level II Stream Survey | Upper Rogue and Applegate |
| Spawning Surveys | Upper Rogue and Applegate |
| Water Temperature Monitoring | All Rogue River National Forest 4th Field HUCs (20 sites) |
| Project Effectiveness Monitoring | Upper Rogue and Applegate (2 sites) |
| Macroinvertebrate Monitoring (4 reaches) | All Rogue River National Forest 4th Field HUCs |
| Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Plan | All Rogue River National Forest 4th Field HUCs |
Siskiyou National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Level II Stream Survey (70-85 miles) | Chetco, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, and Sixes |
| Level III Surveys (8 sites) and structure durability (4 sites) | Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue |
| Smolt Trapping and Juvenile Counts | Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue |
| Temperature Monitoring | Applegate, Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, Sixes, and Smith River (Calif.). (about 50 sites) |
| Spawning Surveys and Macroinvertebrate Sampling | Applegate, Coquille, Illinois, Lower Middle Rogue (12 sites) Illinois and Middle Rogue (6-15 sites) |
USFS2 - Planning and Assessment
Planning and assessment occurs at multiple levels, from specific projects to basinwide assessments. Activities in this category provide context and direction for forest management and restoration. Protection and recovery of aquatic resources, including anadromous fish, through implementation of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) is a major emphasis of the Northwest Forest Plan. An integral part of the ACS is Watershed Analysis. These activities occur at multiple hydrologic scales, the broadest being an entire river basin, such as the Siuslaw and the smallest being a specific project site. The nature of the assessments are also variable, ranging from site-specific direct effects to cumulative watershed effects at many scales. Some activities, such as project planning for habitat restoration or timber sales have well established protocols, others, such as Watershed Analysis at the 20-200 square mile scale, are relatively new, and some, such as River Basin Assessments and Cutthroat Recovery Planning are untried.
Activities associated with the legal requirements of the Endangered Species Act such as consultations, preparation of Biological Assessments, and development of an Analysis Matrix, has caused the Forest to coordinate with numerous other Federal entities within the Coast Range. Although many activities are already initiated, participation in the River Basin Assessments and Cutthroat Trout Recovery Planning is anticipated in 1997. Assessments of existing conditions and planning to help ensure effective protection and restoration of streams inhabited by Umpqua cutthroat trout and coho salmon are the highest priority areas on the Forest.
Siuslaw National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Project Planning (non-restoration) | Nestucca, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Siltcoos, Umpqua, and Coos |
| Restoration Project Planning | Nestucca, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Siltcoos, Umpqua, and Coos |
| Watershed Analysis (7 assessments) | Nestucca, Alsea, Siuslaw, Umpqua |
| River Basin Assessments | Nestucca, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Siltcoos, Umpqua, and Coos |
| Cutthroat Recovery Planning | Umpqua |
| Biological Assessments/Matrix | Nestucca, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Siltcoos, Umpqua, and Coos |
| Late-Successional Reserve Planning | Nestucca, Siletz/Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Adaptive Management Area Planning | Nestucca and Siletz |
| Coordinated Resource Management Planning | Siuslaw and Lower Umpqua |
Umpqua National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Project Planning (non-restoration) | North and South Umpqua |
| Restoration Project Planning | North and South Umpqua |
| Watershed Analysis (20-200 mile sq.) | North and South Umpqua |
| River Basin Assessment | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua |
| National Forest | |
| Cutthroat Recovery Planning | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Biological Assessments/Matrix | North and South Umpqua |
| Interagency Cumulative Effects Analysis | North and South Umpqua |
| Hydropower Relicensing | North Umpqua |
Rogue River National Forest
Includes specific projects to Rogue Basinwide Environmental Assessment for the combined annual programs of the Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests and Medford BLM District. The Watershed Analysis Program is in its final year of baseline documentation for all Forest watersheds. Restoration project planning is programmatically produced by the interdisciplinary Forest Watershed Restoration Team, ensuring that highest priority projects are implemented in a methodical fashion, with Key Watersheds receiving the most attention and funding.
The Aquatic Resources staff provides planning and assessment support for other resource projects to ensure the maximum protection level for aquatic and riparian resources. This includes biological evaluations for all projects planned within Key Watersheds to evaluate specific impacts to coho and steelhead.
Other Rogue River National Forest activities supporting the OCSRI objectives include: the Interagency Biological Assessment involving annual program planning for all Federal lands within the Rogue River Basin; and the Late-Successional Reserve Assessment, which is an interagency effort extending from the Elk Creek drainage northward to the Willamette National Forest.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Analysis | Upper Rogue |
| Restoration Project Planning | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River National Forest |
| Other Project Planning | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Biological Evaluations | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Interagency Biological Assessment | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Late-Successional Reserve Assessment | Upper Rogue |
Siskiyou National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Analysis (7 analyses) | Chetco, Illinois, Lower Rogue, and Sixes |
| Project Planning (non-restoration) | Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, and Sixes |
| Project Planning (watershed restoration) | Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, and Sixes |
| Biological Assessments/Matrix Analysis | Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, and Sixes |
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USFS3 - Education and Interpretation
Information and education is an important part of the overall Forest aquatic resource program. Audiences include internal decision-makers, watershed councils, advocacy groups, college students, schoolchildren, regional and international periodical readers, and other public forums. Major work activities for 1997 include continuing technical assistance to local watershed councils, continuation of the outstanding environmental education programs such as Salmon Watch, and continuation of cooperative law enforcement program. Staff support is also given to technical transfer/professional development, which includes submitting papers and participating in peer reviews.
Siuslaw National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Council-Technical Team | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, and Siuslaw |
| Salmon Watch (20 field trips) | Yaquina, Alsea, and Siuslaw |
| Reedsport Salmon Fest | Umpqua |
| Alsea Forest Camp | Alsea |
| Elderhostel Presentations | Siletz, Alsea, and Umpqua |
| Free Fishing Day (5 sites) | Nestucca, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Siltcoos |
| Cooperative Presentations with the Corvallis Research Community (ODFW, OSU, PNW, COPE) | Nestucca, Alsea, and Siuslaw |
| Media requests, local and regional | All 4th Field HUCs in Siuslaw N.F. |
| Local Schools, various presentations | All 4th Field HUCs in Siuslaw N.F. |
| Local elected officials, briefings | All 4th Field HUCs in Siuslaw N.F |
Umpqua National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Council-Technical Team | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua National Forest |
| Umpqua Fishwatch | North and South Umpqua |
| River Appreciation Day | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Environmental Law Symposium-Lecturer | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Ancient Forest Conference-Workshop Organizer | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Wilderness Appreciation Class-Lecturer | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Restoration Paper in Fisheries (Co-author) | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| National Forests article, National Geographic | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Peer reviewer, several journals | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Peer reviewer, State and local planning | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Media requests, local and regional | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Local Schools, various presentations | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
| Local elected officials, briefings | All 4th Field HUCs in Umpqua N.F. |
Rogue River National Forest
The Rogue River Forest has a Natural Resource Education Group that cooperates with the Aquatic Ecology staff to produce quality educational experiences and information to a broad scope of audiences, both internally and externally. One specific technical assistance is to the Corps of Engineers in designing alternatives to restore unimpeded fish passage upgradient of the unfinished Elk Creek Dam.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Riverkeepers | Upper Rogue |
| National Fishing Week | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Rogue River Water Festival | Upper Rogue |
| Tech. Advice-Watershed Councils | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Salmon Watch | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Wilderness Ethics Course Lecturer | Upper Rogue |
| Salmon in the Classrooms | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Watershed Restoration Workshop | Applegate |
| Watershed Inventory Workshop | Applegate |
| Public Radio Series:Traditional Uses | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Various School Presentations | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Video: What is a Watershed? | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Slideshow: Role of Woody Debris | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Activity | Basin Location |
| American Indian Cultural Center Salmon Festival - Presenters | Applegate |
| Forest Presentation: American Indian Cultural Values of Salmon | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Public Presentations | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Properly Functioning Condition Riparian Workshop | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Elk Creek Dam Passage - Tech. Consultation | Upper Rogue |
| Region 6 American Indian Youth Practicum Resource Specialists | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
Siskiyou National Forest
The Siskiyou National Forest, ODFW, and many other partners collaborate with Rural Outdoor Education (ROE) to provide classroom presentations and assist with community service projects for aquatic and riparian work. The Forest also contributes funds and time to the ROE scholarship program. This effort awards college scholarships to students based on their contribution and enthusiasm for community service projects in streams and riparian zones.
The Forest cooperates with ODFW and numerous partners to present three National Fishing Week events about stream ecology and salmon life-history. District and Forest biologists on the Rogue River and South Coast continue to work closely with 16 watershed councils. Most fisheries biologists are members of watershed councils or serve as technical advisors. A local iteration of the Governor's Salmon Restoration Strategy is being coordinated by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, which works with all watershed council leaders; the Forest is actively involved in this effort.
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Watershed Council Support (10 councils) | Applegate, Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue, and Sixes |
| Rural Outdoor Education (5 schools and 3 scholarship watersheds) | Coquille, Illinois, and Lower and Middle Rogue |
| National Fishing Week (3 events) | Coquille, Illinois, and Lower Rogue |
USFS4 - Habitat and Watershed Restoration
Actual on-the-ground restoration of watershed processes and aquatic habitats needed for recovery of depressed anadromous fish populations is the culmination of the inventories, monitoring, assessments, and planning activities described above. They are requisite elements for the restoration activities to have a high probability of long-term effectiveness. Research and analyses indicate that degraded in-channel conditions are symptoms of past land use practices that have caused substantial alteration of sediment and flow regimes, loss of structural elements, and altered riparian and upslope vegetation.
Timber harvest and associated activities, primarily road construction, have been the major land uses on the Siuslaw National Forest. The current reduction or cessation of those activities is facilitating restoration of sediment and flow regimes that are necessary first steps for effective in-stream habitat restoration. In most cases, treatment of road-related conditions and other upslope and riparian alterations is a key restoration activity. In some cases, restoration of large wood regimes in stream channel is also needed, especially when done in conjunction with other actions and designed to reconnect streams channels within their floodplains.
Streams in Key Watersheds are the highest priority areas for restoration activities. A major activity for 1997 will be repair of damage to riparian and instream habitat done by the February 1996 flood. Exact amounts and locations of restoration activities are undetermined. Total Forest expenditures for watershed restoration on these four Forests will exceed two million dollars.
Siuslaw National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Road Obliteration | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Road Stormproofing (Waterbar) | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Road Sidecast/Landing Pullback | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Riparian Conifer Reestablishment | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Side-channel/Floodplain Reconnection (2 projects) | Alsea and Siuslaw |
| Large Wood Introduction (in-channel; 2 projects) | Alsea and Siuslaw |
| Flood Damage Repairs (13 projects) | Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, and Umpqua |
| Bailey Creek Natural Stream Channel Restoration |
Siuslaw |
Umpqua National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Road Obliteration | North and South Umpqua |
| Road Stormproofing | North and South Umpqua |
| Landslide Stabilization/Prevention | North and South Umpqua |
| Sidecast/Landing Pullback | North and South Umpqua |
| Riparian Vegetation Management | North and South Umpqua |
| Soil Decompaction (ripping) | North and South Umpqua |
| Side-channel/Floodplain Reconnection | North and South Umpqua |
| Large Wood Introduction (in-channel) | North and South Umpqua |
Rogue River National Forest
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Upland Revegetation | Applegate |
| Riparian Revegetation | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Instream Wood Addition | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Side-channel Establishment | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Upland Landslide Restoration | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Road Decommissioning | All 4th Field HUCs in Rogue River N.F. |
| Municipal Water Ditch Repair | Applegate |
Siskiyou National Forest
The Siskiyou National Forest has 15 key watersheds, 14 in the Lower Rogue River and South Coast and the other in Smith River, California, where most watershed restoration activities will occur. Some non-key watersheds that have moderate populations of coho salmon or are identified core production areas will also have some watershed restoration activities. First iterations of watershed analysis are nearly completed on all watersheds on the Forest. Roads, principally in South Coast watersheds, have been identified as limiting salmonid production in many of these analyses.
Most restorative work on the westside of the Forest is related to restoring more natural drainage to road systems either by decommissioning the facility or improving drainage. Riparian areas, in early succession or previously harvested, are being planted or thinned to promote a late-successional age riparian forest. Fish passage problems, mostly associated with road culverts, are also high priority. Instream projects that can provide short-term habitat for spawning and rearing salmonids are concentrated on the eastside of the Forest. There are 33 projects planned for 1997.
Siskiyou National Forest (continued)
| Activity | Basin Location |
| Upslope Erosion Work (1 project; 1% of total $) |
Illinois |
| Road Decommissioning (16 projects; 60% of total $) |
Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, Lower and Middle Rogue |
| Stormproofing/Drainage (1 project; 5% of total $) Work to Roads |
Across the Basin |
| Fish Passage through Road Facilities (3 projects; 9% of total $) |
Coquille |
| Riparian Silviculture (5 projects; 13% of total $) |
Chetco, Coquille, Illinois, and Middle Rogue |
| Instream Fish Habitat (8 projects; 12% of total $) |
Coquille, Illinois, and Middle Rogue |
*******
BLM and USFS Activities - Phase 2
The following measures, which have been identified jointly by the BLM and USFS as Phase 2 actions that can contribute to the successful implementation of the OCSRI, are being developed into detailed action plans by interdisciplinary teams.
Phase 2 Activities
BLM/USFS1 - Watershed/Habitat Restoration
The BLM and USFS will continue implementation of comprehensive watershed restoration programs on coastal systems. This includes the Jobs-in-the Woods program, roads and campground construction and reconstruction, direct fish habitat improvement, riparian area silviculture, and other management programs. Both BLM and USFS will continue to explore ways of better integrating these programs with a wide variety of other ongoing restoration efforts. A coordinated approach is necessary to ensure actions both on private and public lands are consistent with one another, and, in conjunction with protection efforts, result in a net increase of coho production capability.
BLM/USFS2 - Research
The BLM and USFS will work with local watershed councils, ODFW personnel, universities, and the Pacific Northwest Region Experimental Station staffs to improve coordination, integration, and information sharing on key research topics. This includes cooperative long-term studies for coastal watersheds, development of localized habitat capability models, and validation of priority restoration treatments.
BLM/USFS3 - Monitoring and Evaluation
The BLM and USFS will explore expanded coordination with the State and watershed councils on NFP implementation and effectiveness monitoring.
BLM/USFS4 - Inventories
Both BLM and USFS collect data that are compatible with State efforts. This combined data has been used to describe aquatic and hydrologic conditions across whole watersheds, regardless of land ownership. The BLM and USFS will continue to work with the State in filling critical information gaps to ascertain health of aquatic systems. The BLM and USFS will continue to collaborate with the State in improving consistency and accomplishing inventory on priority watersheds and critical lands. Information will be shared and used as a basis for watershed analysis and other assessments.
BLM/USFS5 - Planning and Assessment
The BLM and USFS will seek to expand opportunities for State and watershed council involvement in watershed analysis and will continue to share results of these analyses with all interested and involved parties. The BLM and USFS will also work with the State and watershed councils in testing a large scale assessment process that assesses river basin health and establishes priorities for management and restoration treatments.
BLM/USFS6 - Technical Training
The BLM and USFS will continue to coordinate technical training of resource management personnel to ensure a high level of competency is available in defining restoration and recovery treatments. This training includes modules in: stream inventory techniques, data interpretation, channel classification and fluvial dynamics, watershed restoration, monitoring and evaluation, and Proper Functioning Condition Assessment (PFC) for riparian areas.
BLM/USFS7 - Cooperative Funding
The BLM and USFS will continue to seek opportunities to cost-share resource assessments, restoration prescriptions and treatments across whole watersheds, regardless of ownership, with the State and watershed councils. Funds will be used for coordination, cooperative planning, and project development and implementation.
BLM/USFS8 - Education/Interpretation/Outreach
The BLM and USFS will work with the State and watershed councils in expanding ongoing cooperative outreach and environmental education programs. Some of these cooperative programs include Salmon Watch, Cascade Stream Watch, and National Fishing Week. Agencies will seek development of new cooperative efforts and/or outreach programs to reach and engage all publics, especially school groups.
BLM/USFS9 - Natural Disaster Coordination
The BLM and USFS will continue to work cooperatively with the State and watershed councils in the assessment and prioritization of actions involving natural disturbances and disasters. This includes improved coordination and information sharing in the assessment and implementation of flood damage repair and watershed restoration, effects of wildland fire suppression and rehabilitation prescriptions, and other types of emergency actions.
BLM/USFS10 - Interagency and Tribal Coordination
The BLM and USFS will continue to work with other Federal, State, and County agencies and tribal governments to ensure coordination and sharing of information between the involved entities. Follow-up from previous meetings with OCSRI staff will seek to expand existing efforts and will identify additional opportunities for improved coordination. A process to monitor project-level coordination/implementation and to identify and resolve problems where found will be explored. Improved collaborative management, with the executives, through provincial meetings will help to ensure mutual priorities are accomplished.
BLM/USFS11 - Watershed Council Support and Coordination
The BLM and USFS will work with watershed councils to ensure a high degree of coordination for actions occurring both on public and private lands. The BLM and USFS will continue to support the councils to ensure implementation of the highest priority watershed and basin work. The BLM and USFS will continue to share technical expertise to help the councils effectively plan and implement priority watershed restoration projects.
BLM/USFS12 - Key Aquatic Habitat Acquisition
The BLM and USFS will continue to work within existing policies with willing sellers, to acquire key aquatic habitat. In particular, the USFS will continue to use the Pacific Northwest Streams project of the Land and Water Conservation fund to acquire these lands.
Natural Resources Conservation ServiceNatural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly the Soil Conservation Service, works with private landusers to conserve natural resources. NRCS relies on many partners to help set conservation goals, work with people on the land, and provide technical and financial assistance. Its partners include conservation districts, locally-based groups such as watershed councils, state and federal agencies, agricultural and industry interests, environmental groups, and professional societies.
Conservation districts are the main NRCS delivery systems. These local government units are organized by citizens under state law and operate on the premise that local people are most familiar with their area's needs. The districts link NRCS with their neighbors and with local conservation priorities through agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Chief of NRCS, State Governors, and partners at the local level. NRCS assistance is keyed to priorities established in coordination with districts to the extent that priorities align with NRCS's mission.
NRCS staff offer technical expertise and field-level experience to help land users solve their natural resource challenges and maintain and improve their economic viability. NRCS staff are skilled in many scientific and technical specialties, including soil science and conservation, agronomy, biology, agroecology, range conservation, forestry, engineering, geology, hydrology, cultural resources, and economics.
Much of NRCS technical assistance involves helping farmers and ranchers develop conservation measures and business actions unique to their specific lands and individual businesses. NRCS also assists rural and urban communities to reduce erosion, conserve and protect water, and solve other resource problems.
NRCS is structured in accordance with hydrologic basins. Of the eight basin teams in Oregon, three involve coastal issues: North Coast, Mid-Coast/Upper Willamette, and Southwest Coast Basins. Each basin is comprised of field offices that serve as headquarters for NRCS field staff. The field offices serving the coast are in Tillamook, Tangent, and Coquille. In addition to these NRCS field offices, SWCDs maintain offices in Astoria, Newport, and Florence.
The NRCS is authorized under Public Law 74-46, 16 U.S.C.; 590 (a-f) to plan and implement a national soil and water program, and to provide leadership in conservation, development, and productive use of the Nation's (non-federal) soil, water, and related resources; and, under Public Law 83-566, 68 Stat. 666 (16 U.S.C.; 1001 et seq.), which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with State and local agencies in planning and implementing works of improvement for soil conservation and for other purposes, (in a watershed-based approach); and other laws as applicable.
Although the Endangered Species Act (ESA) does not provide NRCS with any regulatory authority, the NRCS has unique programs and connections to private landusers that provide an opportunity to assist those landusers in complying with ESA requirements.
Contact person for additional information about the roles or activities of NRCS: Russ Collett (503-414-3204)
Phase 1 Activities
The NRCS has identified 10 Phase 1 activities that support the OCSRI.
NRCS1- Conservation Operations
Deliver technical services and programs to private landusers and Tribes, upon request, through cooperative agreements with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). SWCDs are sub-units of State government, with elected directors who provide local leadership in resource management on non-federal lands.
Through cooperative agreements with the NRCS and Oregon Department of Agriculture at the State level, and with the Secretary of Agriculture at the national level, SWCDs provide local landusers access to NRCS technical assistance and various programs authorized under the Farm Bill. NRCS has a traditional role in providing assistance to non-federal landusers who voluntarily plan and apply appropriate conservation measures to maintain or enhance the health of their watershed. NRCS has the flexibility to extend this role to include consideration of species of concern and water quality issues.
The Field Office Technical Guide contains NRCS guidelines, criteria, and standards for planning and applying conservation treatments on a site-specific basis. The guide is localized to reflect the nature of soils, climate, and other resources within a specified geographic region.
NRCS2 - Soil Survey
At request of local state government units, develop soil surveys integrating soil resource information with local resource base and potential land uses. Soil surveys are complete for 59 percent of Oregon. With completion of soil mapping in Tillamook County, all soils of the coastal region will be mapped.
Soil surveys help people understand soils and their responses to various natural and human influences. It accomplishes this through a multi-purpose science based soil survey. Surveys contain information about the distribution and properties of soils and of factors affecting the soil environment, predictions of soil behavior in natural systems, and guidance on how to apply the accumulated knowledge of soil survey for specific questions.
NRCS3 - Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting
NRCS coordinates the snow survey and water supply forecasting program with the assistance of other federal and state agencies. Oregon has 98 snow courses, 34 aerial markers, and 70 SNOTEL sites. SNOTEL is a system sending information on snow water equivalent, total precipitation and ambient air temperature to a computerized center. This data is used to provide a comprehensive picture of water supply conditions for areas dependent on surface runoff, forecast streamflow, and water conditions throughout the state.
NRCS4 - Natural Resources Inventory
Conduct comprehensive inventory assessments of the use, treatment, condition and trends of natural resources on non-federal lands. The NRI provides statistically a statistically accurate overview of the condition of natural resources and use of non-federal lands in Oregon. This information helps Oregonians in the public and private sector make environmental and land-use decisions - including protecting land from erosion, slowing the rate of wetland loss, enhancing wildlife habitat, and protecting prime farmland.
NRCS5 - Plant Materials Program
Assemble, test, and release plant material to help solve natural resource problems; determines techniques for r their successful use; provides for their commercial increase and promotes the use of plant materials needed to meet objectives and priorities of the conservation program, e.g., development of species for riparian recovery, and other habitats. The program works cooperatively with individuals, NRCS field offices, conservation districts, universities, and state and federal agencies.
NRCS6 - Farm Bill Programs
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Establish conservation priority areas as those having significant water, soil, and related natural resource problems. Areas are established in cooperation with State and Federal agencies and with the State Technical Committees. EQIP contracts can be written for cropland, rangeland, pasture, and other agricultural land that poses a serious problem to soil, water, or related resources. To receive technical, financial, and educational assistance for implementation a conservation plan is required.
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP): Provide for USDA to solicit bids for easements from landowners to place cropped hydric soils, noncropped wetlands, riparian corridors, and critical wildlife habitat. Cost-share funds are available for restoration practices on eligible lands. The goal is to work toward a goal of no net loss of wetlands.
Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP): Assists landowners to improve wildlife habitat on private lands through the year 2002. Provides cost-sharing to landowners for developing habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, endangered species, fisheries and other wildlife. Provides for consulting with the State Technical Committee to set priorities for cost-share measures and habitat development projects.
NRCS7 - Resource Conservation and Development (RC& D)
RC&D is an authorized USDA program. All western Oregon counties are included in multi-county RC&D areas. NRCS helps community leaders in these areas develop rural economies by improving and conserving local natural resources.
NRCS8 - State Technical Committees
Help develop technical standards for conservation programs. The State Conservationist chairs the committee comprised of representatives of state and federal agricultural agencies, agricultural producers, nonprofit organizations with expertise in conservation, persons knowledgeable about the economic and environmental impacts of conservation techniques, and agribusiness.
NRCS9 - Hire-The-Fisher Habitat Restoration Programm (Same as NOAA-NMFS1)
Under the Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan (NEAP), the "Hire the Fisher" Program has enabled Pacific states to hire fishers to collect data on salmon and complete priority habitat restoration projects to benefit coastal salmon. In Phase 1, Oregon hired 151 fishers to conduct data collection and habitat restoration projects. A total of $2.2 million was spent on habitat projects in Phase 1, and a total of $2.8 million will be spent in Phase 1 and Phase 2 for data collection in Oregon.
Cooperative arrangements with NMFS, NRCS, and the ODA are used to complete project selection and oversight. NRCS reviews grant applications in coordination with USFWS, EPA, NMFS, DEQ, ODFW and ODA. ODA provides coordination and SWCD provides local administrative oversight of the program.
NRCS10 - Cooperative River Basin and Small Watershed Program
At the request of the SWCDs and local sponsors, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for watershed planning and implementation of projects for designated purposes such as watershed protection, water quality, fish and wildlife, flood protection, and land treatment.
The River Basin Program was used to launch two watershed-based activities on coastal streams. The Kilchis River Basin study was melded into a component of the Tillamook National Estuary Project, in coordination with other federal, state and local groups. A River Basin Study is also underway in the Illinois Valley in the Rogue Basin. This is a multi-agency, interdisciplinary effort to identify specific problems associated with conventional management and to formulate appropriate alternatives. Salmonid habitat is a specific objective.
The Cooperative River Basin Program and Small Watershed Planning programs have recently been merged as a result of changes in NRCS policy. This is intended to provide a smooth transition from a river basin report, which can serve the purpose of a watershed analysis, to a watershed plan. Watershed plans are action documents that key on resolving specific resource issues. These plans are formulated in coordination with local decision makers and stakeholders, with technical guidance from involved agencies. They qualify the problem, analyze the alternatives, and provide documentation for the selected alternatives; evaluate the economic, environmental, social, and cultural effects of the alternatives; and provide a schedule for implementation.
The primary purpose of NRCS watershed plans is to provide land users, stakeholders, and the involved agencies with the best resource data available, coupled with a clear understanding of applicable laws affecting land use. In addition, the plan serves as a guidance document, identifies benchmarks and schedules, and becomes a tremendous marketing tool for requesting outcome-based financial and technical assistance. The completed watershed plan may also be used to compete for implementation funding under Public Law 83-566, although such funds are in limited supply.
Phase 2 Activities
NRCS11 - Memorandum of Understanding Among the State of Oregon, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The MOU streamlines processes for private landusers and NRCS to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and contribute to the conservation of species of concern and their habitats. It will do so by: 1) facilitating our cooperation with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Watershed Councils, Tribes, and non-federal landusers through a voluntary, watershed-based, locally driven approach to pro-actively address implementation of the ESA on non-federal lands in Oregon; and 2) streamlining coordination among signatories to facilitate ESA compliance. MOU also provides mechanism by which funds from a variety of sources may be made available for implementing appropriate management systems on non-federal lands.
Signatories to this MOU seek to support and enhance watershed planning efforts through watershed councils or similar groups that are already underway and increase the likelihood of successful initiation of a planning effort in watersheds where none has yet begun. Watershed Councils and other local groups such as Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CRMP) groups play a key role in public outreach, provide opportunities for local stakeholders to take an active role in the planning process, and leverage opportunities for funding planned conservation measures. NRCS can bring significant technical and funding resources where need is identified by local watershed planning groups and requested by SWCDs. This agreement outlines a framework for those watersheds in which NRCS is requested by SWCDs to provide assistance in the planning and implementation of watershed-based activities.
NRCS12 - Hire-the-Fisher Habitat Restoration Program
Oregon expects to hire an additional 109 fishers in Phase 2 of the Hire-the-Fisher Program, which is described in NRCS9. Program funds expire in 1998.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is located within the Department of the Interior. Its mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the public. Its legal mandates cover migratory birds, endangered and threatened species, certain marine mammals, anadromous fish, and the National Wildlife Refuge System. The USFWS is divided into several divisions: Ecological Services, Refuges and Wildlife, Fisheries and Federal Aid, and Law Enforcement. In Oregon, the USFWS manages 18 National Wildlife Refuges and 2 National Fish Hatcheries.
A major function of the USFWS is the identification and recovery of endangered species. With respect to salmonids, the USFWS is responsible for resident fishes (such as bull trout), while NMFS is responsible for anadromous species (such as coho salmon).
Several USFWS initiatives help provide funding for habitat restoration on private lands. These include the Jobs-in-the-Woods Program, the Partners for Wildlife Program, and the Greenspaces Program. USFWS also provides limited funds to support watershed council coordinators. The USFWS provides technical assistance for restoration planning; watershed groups; local, regional and state planning activities; and for floods such as the one in February 1996.
Contact person for additional information about the agency role or activities of the USFWS: Willa Nehlsen (503-231-6915).
Phase 1 Activities
The USFWS has identified 20 Phase 1 activities that support the OCSRI.
USFWS1 - Jobs-In-The-Woods Program
Continue as cooperating partner in the Jobs-in-the-Woods Program with U.S. Forest Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry, Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board, Economic Development Department, Lane Council of Governments, Rogue Institute, Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, seven Watershed Councils, two confederated tribes, and many individual private landowners. USFWS funding is used to hire displaced workers from timber-dependent communities to implement watershed enhancement projects on non-federal lands to benefit species of Federal significance and their habitats. During FY-97, funding for Jobs-in-the-Woods is expected to be between $1.0 million and $1.2 million.
USFWS2 - Habitat Conservation Plan Development
Work with non-federal applicants, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act, to develop habitat conservation plans (HCPs) to minimize and mitigate for the impacts of land and water management activities on listed species and their ecosystems. Often, these plans also address the needs of affected non-listed species. HCPs are required for proposed non-federal actions having potential to harm or harass species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. USFWS is currently working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to develop an HCP in the Coast Range in northwest Oregon. USFWS is also seeking to develop HCPs with private timber companies throughout Oregon.
USFWS3 - Aquatic Habitat Conservation Agreement Development and Conservation Activities
Establish Conservation Agreements with cooperating private landowners and agencies to conserve endangered, threatened, candidate, and special concern species. This voluntary process allows conservation of species and their habitats in conjunction with a proposed action by a private landowner or agency. Conservation Agreements may conserve enough of a candidate species population or habitat as to reduce or remove threats to a species and possibly preclude the need to list a species. The estimated FY-97 budget for this activity is $40,000.
USFWS4 - 1996 Technical Assistance on the Floods
Provide technical assistance in response to the 1996 Floods to Federal and state agencies in three areas: (1) site-specific damage repairs to minimize habitat and species impacts, often with nonstructural or bio-engineering designs; (2) longer-term rehabilitation efforts that emphasize measures that restore resource values of floodplains and reduce potential for future flood damage; and (3) planning efforts that address floodplain restoration at the watershed level by identifying areas where natural floodplain responses can be a part of habitat recovery.
USFWS5 - Partners for Wildlife (PFW) Program
Through the PFW Program, provide financial and technical assistance to private (primary focus) and non-federal landowners to restore and enhance wetland, riparian, instream, and associated upland habitats in partnership with local watershed councils, SWCDs, COGs, Tribes, NRCS, ODFW, OPRD, or any non-profit or governmental entity willing and fiscally able to participate. Estimated technical assistance and funding is $100,000.
USFWS6 - Greenspaces Program
The USFWS and Metro Regional Center (Metro) developed an Interagency Agreement in 1991 to jointly develop programs to restore and protect natural areas within the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. Demonstration projects, education and restoration challenge grants, public outreach, natural resources inventories and mapping, regional planning, and educational activities make up a large portion of the program. Since 1991, the USFWS has continued to provide financial support and technical assistance to develop and carry out these regional efforts. The FY-97 budget for the Greenspaces Program is expected to be $300,000.
USFWS7 - Assistance to Coastal Watershed Councils
Provide technical assistance to local watershed councils to assist in the development of watershed assessments, regulatory requirements, identification of restoration needs, development of restoration projects, and support for watershed coordinators. Also provide funding to support watershed coordinators whenever the budget allows. The estimated FY-97 budget allocation for this activity is $70,000.
USFWS8 - Northwest Forest Plan Implementation Assistance
Coordinate closely with USFS and BLM staff on all aspects of planning and analysis related to the implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan (NFP). This includes assisting and advising watershed analysis teams, working on adaptive management area planning, advising and reviewing late successional reserve assessments, and providing early input on project-level planning.
The Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the NFP offers opportunities to improve water quality parameters such as water temperatures, turbidity, and sedimentation by assisting in implementation of standards and guidelines that will improve road design, road densities, and fish passage problems related to culverts and road crossings.
USFWS9 - Biological Opinions to Prevent or Reduce Impacts to Listed Species.
Provide consultation technical assistance to Federal agencies trying to meet their obligations under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. Continue to review all Federal agency actions that will have effects on listed species. Through the consultation process, the USFWS can recommend or require minor modifications to projects that reduce impacts to listed species and their habitat.
USFWS10 - Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Reports on Federal Projects
Provide input under authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act into the water development programs of the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report provides recommendations to ensure equal consideration of fish and wildlife resources as part of these projects.
USFWS11 - Comments and Prescriptions on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydropower Projects
Provide comments and prescriptions under the Federal Power Act (FPA), in coordination with other Federal and state natural resource agencies. The USFWS objective is to reduce existing and proposed projects impacts to many natural resources, including anadromous fish.
USFWS12- Acquisition and Restoration of Coastal Wetlands for National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)
Through USFWS realty program, identify and seek purchase of important and biologically valuable coastal wetlands. These habitats are then incorporated into the USFWS NWR system, where careful management to meet ecosystem needs is supported. Implementation of measures to restore wetland values will be beneficial for enhancing habitat for anadromous fish. For example, the Oregon Coastal Refuges is acquiring and restoring coastal wetland habitat in Siletz Bay NWR. The FY-97 budget expectations for this activity are approximately $500,000.
USFWS13 -Review of Dredge and Fill Projects
Review U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits and provide comments and recommendations under authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Projects include road construction and maintenance, construction of homes and businesses, navigational dredging, and gravel dredging. The USFWS objective is to reduce and mitigate the impacts of these actions on aquatic resources, water quality, and physical habitat for anadromous fish. The USFWS also recommends studies, mitigation measures, and alterations to project design or timing to reduce resource impacts.
USFWS14 - Response to Oil and Hazardous Substances Spills
Respond to spills of oil and hazardous substances in order to reduce threats to aquatic resources and protect water quality. Spill response issues are coordinated with various Federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, responsible parties, and clean-up contractors. Efforts by the USFWS and other agencies can reduce the injury to aquatic resources, including anadromous fish, by reducing the amount of material that gets into a waterway and recommending clean-up measures.
USFWS15 - Natural Resource Damage Assessment
Assess damages in dollar amounts for injury to aquatic biota and their habitats from oil and hazardous material spills, at Superfund and other contaminated sites, and for mining activities. Natural resource damage assessment activities are coordinated with our Federal, state, local, and tribal counterparts. Following receipt of damages from responsible parties, restoration actions are undertaken to restore injured resources.
USFWS16 -Technical Assistance for Planning
Provide technical assistance in state-wide, city and county planning actions to encourage use of environmentally sound methods. In providing guidance and recommendations, the USFWS considers the conservation needs of all species, including anadromous fish.
USFWS17 - Adopt-A-River and SalmonWatch Programs
Provide $10,000 annually in funding to the Oregon Adopt-A-River Program. Administered by Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism, this program seeks to encourage and coordinate governments, businesses, states, schools, organizations, and citizens in restoration, enhancement, and protection of waterways, riparian areas, and watersheds throughout the state.
The USFWS also provides $10,000 to support SalmonWatch, an environmental education program coordinated by Oregon Trout. This program educates teachers, students, and volunteers about the importance of wild fish conservation in watershed management.
USFWS18 - Support to Ongoing Educational Programs (Outdoor School and Salmon Camp)
Provide $10,000 annually in funding and occasional staff to support Outdoor School Programs in Multnomah County ($5,000) and the Northwest Regional Educational Service District ($5,000). This program educates sixth-grade students in ecological and environmental concerns, including hands-on aquatic and salmon-related activities.
Also provide $10,000 annually to the Salmon Camp Program, an environmental education project for Native American youth coordinated by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This program focuses on ecological systems and watersheds and uses the life-cycle of the salmon to teach about natural resource management.
USFWS19 - Natural Resource Education and Community Awareness of Aquatic Resources
Develop natural resource education and general information materials, e.g., student fact sheets on endangered aquatic species. Conduct teacher workshops on threatened and endangered species of Oregon, include workshops on aquatic resources and salmon issues. Regularly participate in public events, such as the Salmon Festival, to present informational materials and educational activities that promote natural resource conservation.
USFWS20 - National Estuary Program
Serve on the Science and Technical Advisory Committee for the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project (TBNEP), and on the Science and Technical Advisory and Management committees for the Lower Columbia River Estuary Program. The priority problems for the TBNEP include fish and wildlife habitat and excessive sedimentation. Addressing these problems for the Tillamook Bay system, identified as high priority for the OCSRI, should make a significant contribution to coho salmon recovery. USFWS has contributed $10,000 to help fund a TBNEP study of effects of oyster culture on eelgrass beds. Addressing priority problems for the Lower Columbia River, especially habitat loss and modification, also should assist anadromous and other fishes.
Phase 2 Activities
To date, three Phase 2 activities have been identified by the USFWS.
USFWS21 - Avian Predator Management
Work with ODFW to develop policy on management of avian salmonid predators. USFWS will create or serve on steering committees to oversee ongoing and proposed research, including ongoing research sponsored by BPA, the Corps and ODFW on impacts of predation by avian predators to salmon restoration and effects of predator management such as hazing. Upon completion of necessary research, USFWS will consider recommendations for avian predator management consistent with applicable treaties, statutes and regulations.
USFWS22 - Environmental Contaminant Investigations
Conduct investigations on the impacts of environmental contaminants on aquatic resources. Investigations address various aspects of assessment, monitoring, and research necessary to reduce impacts on resident and anadromous fish. The USFWS is seeking funds to assess the impacts of degraded water quality on anadromous fish.
USFWS23 - Conservation Strategy for Bull Trout
Continue working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in designing and implementing bull trout conservation plans for the Upper Willamette, Deschutes and Hood river basins. The USFWS provides funding to ODFW for support of a biologist to assess resource needs and develop a plan for protecting and restoring bull trout habitat. For Phase 2, existing conservation efforts could be expanded to include the restoration needs of anadromous salmonids.
Corps of EngineersCorps of Engineers
The Corps of Engineers (Corps) is well known for its involvement with water management and development projects. More recently, the Corps has expanded its mission to emphasize ecosystem restoration work. The extended emphasis includes efforts in improving wetland plant communities for waterfowl and other wildlife, relocating levees to increase wetland habitat, providing fish passage, and restoring riparian corridors in areas where past activities have altered habitat.
In pursuit of these restoration actions, the Corps works with local non-federal sponsors such as city, state, or local governments or districts that are capable of pursuing cost-sharing responsibilities of project development.
Programs that accomplish restoration and could contribute to the OCSRI objectives include the General Investigation Authority, the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), the section 404 regulatory authority, and operations.
The following is a summary of the Corps programs that could contribute to the efforts presented in the coastal salmon restoration initiative:
General Investigation Authority: Projects under this authority can look at a broad and complex range of activities and have no cap on funding level. Section 206 authorizes small aquatic ecosystem restoration projects to improve the quality of the environment.
Continuing Authority Program: Projects pursued under the Continuing Authorities Program require non-Federal cost-share obligations of 25-50 percent of the total project cost.
Section 204 expands the Section 1135 program to allow for small environmental restoration projects, either at the project site or off -project site when it is found that the Corps project contributed to the degradation of the environment.
Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act, as amended, provides authority to plan and construct small flood damage reduction projects that have not already, specifically been authorized by Congress. After a State or local agency requests a potential project, the Corps will conduct a feasibility study if the division commander agrees that the problem may have a Federal interest and if funds are available.
Section 107 of the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1960, as amended, is available to plan and construct navigation improvements that have not already specifically been authorized by Congress. After a State or local agency requests a potential project, the Corps conducts a feasibility study if the division commander agrees that the problem may have a Federal interest and if funds are available.
Regulatory Authority: Section 404, a federal program designed and implemented to protect aquatic resources, supports OCSRI. The program ensures a review is completed of project impacts before any work or filling activities occurs in the waters of the State of Oregon. Consideration of potential fishery impacts is inherent in decisions to issue permits.
The Corps initiated development of a collaborative process for addressing unresolved issues associated with regulated activities in the waters of OCSRI concern. This effort is to ensure full communication between parties and seek consensus on permit issuance or denial. Current focus is to address aggregate mining throughout the coastal basins; the initial priority is the Umpqua Basin.
For additional information about current activities involving Section 404, contact Burt Paynter at (503) 326-7146.
Operations: Various ongoing Corps projects and operations include elements designed for salmonid restoration. An example of this is the operation of the Columbia River dams.
Phase 1 Activities
Seven Phase 1 projects have been identified by the Corps of Engineers.
COE1 - Larson Slough Restoration (near North Bend, Oregon)
Remove sediment and sand from the lower 1.5 miles of Larson Slough and modify the existing tide gate to restore channel morphology and increase water volume in the lower slough. This area is degraded due to infilling from upstream sedimentation, which has reduced average water depth to one to four inches during low flow periods. As a result, the degraded water quality has negatively impacted holding and rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids.
Status: Preliminary Restoration Plan completed, and construction scheduled for 1998.
Contact Person: Tyrae Mahan (503-326-6435)
COE2 - Chetco River (Port of Brookings, Oregon)
Place a culvert in the existing Corps breakwater to augment flows in the basin, reduce flushing time, and improve water quality for salmonids, northern anchovy, smelt, and other organisms inhabiting the estuary.
Status: Preliminary Restoration Plan submitted, and construction scheduled for 1998.
Contact Person: Tyrae Mahan (503-326-6435)
COE3 - Elk Creek Lake (Tributary to Rogue River)
Redesign the partially completed Elk Creek Dam, located on a Rogue River tributary, to permit passage of coho salmon and steelhead.
Status: The Corps has obtained funding in FY-97 to remove part of the partially built dam.
Contact Person: Doug Clarke (503-326-7162)
COE4 - Participation in Pacific Northwest Forest Plan Case Study
Evaluate, plan, design, and complete restoration or demonstration projects; also develop coordinated directives for management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The case study area includes the range of the Northern Spotted Owl. The study enables the Corps to coordinate with other federal agencies to restore, sustain, and develop coordinated watershed ecosystem management strategies on all public lands.
Status: In third year of participation. Technical assistance and information has been provided to other agencies in support of watershed analysis, conducting ecosystem management workshops, establishing a remote sensing pilot project on forested wetlands, and preparing GIS maps and data bases of known sites of critical species. Participation anticipated to continue through FY-1998.
Contact Person: Patricia Obradovich (503-326-5268)
National Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Marine Fisheries Service
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is located within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is to conserve and wisely manage the Nation's coastal and marine resources.
The NOAA line office most directly involved in the OCSRI is the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which is charged with stewardship of living marine resources through conservation, management, and promotion of the health of their environment. The principal authorities under which NMFS operates are the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Under the Magnuson Act, NMFS regulates fisheries within the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Under the Endangered Species Act, NMFS is responsible for the conservation of most marine mammals and marine and certain anadromous fish species. Management and conservation plans for the resources under NMFS' authority are developed through extensive discussions with state, tribal, and other Federal government agencies, as well as with fishers, processors, marketers, public interest groups, universities, and international science and management organizations.
The National Ocean Service (NOS), which has contributed some NOAA measures for the OCSRI, is the NOAA office charged with protection, conservation, and restoration of coastal habitats, protection of coastal waters, and for encouraging well-planned and revitalized coastal communities that provide access to coastal resources public use and enjoyment. Major authorities under which NOS operates are the Coastal Zone Management Act; the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act; and the Marine Protection, Restoration, and Sanctuaries Act. In Oregon, NOS oversees the Oregon Coastal Management Program and the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Phase 1 Activities
NOAA-NMFS1- Hire the Fisher Habitat Restoration Program (Same as NRCS9)
Under the Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan (NEAP), the "Hire the Fisher" Program has enabled Pacific states to hire fishers to collect data on salmon and complete priority habitat restoration projects to benefit coastal salmon. Program funds are for Phases 1 and 2. In 1995, in Phase 1, Oregon hired 151 fishers to conduct data collection and habitat restoration projects. Oregon expects to hire an additional 109 fishers in Phase 2.
A total of $2.2 million was spent on habitat projects in Phase 1, and a total of $2.8 million will be spent in Phase 1 and 2 for data collection in Oregon. Oregon will likely be able to hire more fishers before the project funds expire in 1998.
Cooperative arrangements with NMFS, NRCS, and the ODA are used to complete project selection and oversight. NMFS reviews grant applications in coordination with USFWS, EPA, NRCS, DEQ, ODFW and ODA.
NOAA-NMFS2 - Watershed Councils
NMFS biologists will continue working with and providing technical information to local watershed councils. In the Southwest Oregon Province, NMFS will continue working with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments on Rogue Basin restoration.
NMFS has also formed a cooperative agreement with For the Sake of the Salmon (FSOS) to provide funding for scientific, technical, and public involvement assistance to local watershed councils in support of salmon restoration efforts. FY-97 funding has been allocated as follows:
NOAA-NMFS3 - Habitat Conservation Plan
The Endangered Species Act, section 10(a)(1)(b), provides state and local governments and private landowners some assurance that their activities will not be subject to changing requirements if they are issued an incidental take permit under the act. Section 10 (a)(2) of the ESA requires applicants for an incidental take permit to submit to NMFS and/or the USFWS a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that specifies (1) the likely impacts from such taking; (2) the steps the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate the impacts; (3) the alternatives considered and why they were rejected; and (4) other measures that NMFS may require as necessary for purposes of the Habitat Conservation Plan.
HCPs can include conservation measures for currently unlisted species, including Federal candidate and proposed species (e.g., coho salmon).
Since the proposed listing of coho salmon on July 25, 1995, NMFS and USFWS have been and will continue to assist county and state agencies and private landowners in preparing HCPs associated with salmon habitats. In the process of approving a Habitat Conservation Plan and issuing an incidental take permit, NMFS ensures that each HCP adequately addresses the needs of anadromous fish.
At present, NMFS and the USFWS are working with the Oregon Department of Forestry on a multiple-species Habitat Conservation Plan for approximately 600,000 acres in the Santiam, Clatsop, and Tillamook state forests. NMFS and the USFWS are also working with a private landowner on a multiple-species Habitat Conservation Plan to cover approximately 400,000 acres of forest land in the western Cascades and eastern Coast Range.
HCP implementation will improve conditions for anadromous salmonids and give a high assurance of attaining properly functioning riparian areas within 40 to 80 years.
NOAA-NMFS4 - Habitat Matrix
Provide habitat matrix developed by NMFS for use in identifying the environmental baseline of watersheds and to evaluate the potential adverse effects of proposed actions. The matrix evaluates effects through the following six pathways: water quality, habitat access, habitat elements, channel condition and dynamics, flow/hydrology, and watershed conditions. The matrix summarizes recommended conditions and levels of function for these environmental parameters.
The NMFS habitat matrix is designed for use by Federal and state agencies, local governments, watershed councils, and other non-Federal parties to evaluate the potential impact of proposed actions.
NMFS will use the matrix indices to facilitate and standardize effects determinations for ESA consultations and permits. Similarly, the state and local governments may find the matrix useful in evaluating effects on salmonids of proposed actions.
NOAA-NMFS5 - Northwest Forest Plan (NFP)
The Northwest Forest Plan (NFP) was designed to produce predictable and sustainable levels of timber harvest and nontimber resources and to restore and maintain the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems on lands managed by the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the range of the northern spotted owl. The Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS), a cornerstone of the Northwest Forest Plan, was designed to protect salmon and steelhead habitat. Projects proposed by USFS and BLM are evaluated against the four primary ACS components--riparian reserves, key watersheds, watershed analysis, and watershed restoration--and the nine ACS objectives. Successful implementation of these components is essential to attaining long-term goals of protection and restoration of aquatic habitats.
NMFS supports implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan at multiple levels: (1) the NMFS Regional Director serves on the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) and the Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC), bodies that collaboratively develop policy guidance for NFP implementation; (2) NMFS also supports the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO), a senior-level policy and technical staff group that supports the IAC and the RIEC; (3) NMFS scientific staff participate on the Research and Monitoring Committee, which develops and coordinates regional research and monitoring plans and provides science oversight for NFP implementation; (4) NMFS contributes technical staff to participate on many interagency technical work groups; and (5) NMFS staff participate on the Provincial Advisory Committees and Provincial Interagency Executive Committees (these groups--there are 5 in Oregon--coordinate NFP implementation issues at the province scale.
To ensure that Northwest Forest Plan implementation efforts are adequate to meet the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, NMFS is in the process of completing ESA section 7 consultations and conferences on the implementation of the USFS and BLM Land and Resource Management Plans, as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan. In addition to this programmatic-level consultation/conferencing, NMFS participates in the streamlined consultation process that employs biologists with local knowledge of habitat issues ("level 1 teams") to review actions and complete Endangered Species Act reviews at the project level.
NOAA-NMFS6 - Regional Ecosystem Office
The Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) provides senior-level policy and technical staff support to the IAC and the RIEC of the Northwest Forest Plan. NMFS staffs one full-time position (agency representative) in the REO and contributes an equal share ($100,000) of annual funding to the office along with seven other federal agencies.
In the process of performing analyses and developing products essential for implementing the Northwest Forest Plan, as directed by the IAC and RIEC, the Regional Ecosystem Office often convenes standing and ad hoc interagency work groups. NMFS contributes technical staff to these work groups, particularly those that address salmon habitat issues, including the Watershed Analysis Coordination Team, the Riparian Reserve Technical Team, the Fish/Hydro Data Standards Team, and the Interorganizational Resource Information Coordinating Council. Currently NMFS is participating on the Research and Monitoring Committee and the Aquatic/Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Team.
At this time, the Regional Ecosystem Office has not been tasked by the RIEC or IAC to provide staff support on any issues directly linked to salmon conservation planning. Opportunities for such involvement do exist, however, including:
NOAA-NMFS7 - Coastal Terminal Fisheries
Work with Oregon to identify Federal and private funds to build the infrastructure for coastal terminal fisheries. A NMFS/state partnership will build sustainable fisheries while providing weak stock management and protection.
Provide $50,000 in FY-97 to assist Oregon in a reconnaissance-level survey of potential terminal fishery sites in coastal waters. The survey objective is to assess locations for establishing known-stock fisheries on hatchery stocks while providing greater protection to weak, natural stocks.
Through the Mitchell Act program, NMFS continues to fund annual production of approximately 3.5 million coho salmon into Young's Bay and other lower Columbia River terminal fishery sites.
Disaster Relief funds were provided in FY-96 to support these terminal fisheries. NMFS requested FY-98 cost-share funding for additional terminal coastal fisheries.
NOAA-NMFS8 - Selective Fisheries
Selective fisheries allow sport harvest in mixed-stock waters while providing protection to wild stocks. NMFS received funding in FY 96 to support development of analytical models for selective fisheries. Congress provided $655,000 in FY-97 to fund mass-marking of coho at Columbia River hatcheries for selective fisheries.
NMFS has requested FY-98 funding to cost-share a selective fishery pilot project. However, prior to participating with Oregon in a major pilot project with coho salmon, NMFS believes that Oregon must (1) analyze the full costs of the concept relative to the potential benefits; (2) have a reasonable plan for obtaining the funds in all years of the pilot project; (3) be sure co-managers who disagree with the concept are not significantly harmed; and (4) have a high level of certainty that selective fisheries can occur with minimal harm to natural stocks.
NOAA-NMFS9 - NMFS Supplementation Process
NMFS has initiated a process with co-managers to improve understanding of hatchery policies in order to make application in particular watersheds more effective.
The results of this supplementation effort will be integrated into NMFS' Final Snake River Recovery Plan and be useful for guidance in coastal hatcheries.
NMFS has completed an ODFW Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment to be used in development of ODFW's genetic management plans for its coastal hatcheries.
NOAA-NMFS10 - Hatchery Research
NMFS' hatchery research, entitled Natures, is directly applicable to Oregon's coastal hatcheries, and is being used to improve Oregon's coastal hatchery operations. NMFS will continue to assist ODFW in the study of wild and hatchery coho interactions to improve our understanding of how to best achieve self-sustaining coho populations.
NOAA-NMFS11- Section 404/10 Actions
Conduct biological staff reviews and recommend revisions and conditions for Corps of Engineers/ Division of State Lands joint 404/10 permits to alleviate adverse impacts to estuarine and wetland habitats throughout the state of Oregon.
Coordinate with USFWS, COE (Corps), EPA, and ODFW on analysis and development of a Memorandum of Understanding for state assumption of the EPA section 404 program and the COE (Corps) State Programmatic General Permit by the Division of State Lands.
Review and make recommendations for conditioning Section 404/10 permits to ease impacts to estuarine and wetland habitats which are an essential habitat component for the life cycle of anadromous fish.
NOAA-NMFS12- Highway Projects
As part of a proposed programmatic consultation with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on highway projects, NMFS biologists will continue to work with biologists at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on developing impact reduction strategies. Federal agencies and the state of Oregon will continue their merger agreement of the NEPA and section 404 process for Federally funded highway projects. This agreement will expedite permitting for ODOT highway construction efforts while ensuring protection of natural resources. NMFS will continue the review of draft alternatives, environmental impact statement, and environmental assessment documents related to these projects.
NMFS' involvement in strategic planning and document review and recommendations for conditions beneficial to salmonids will reduce highway project impacts to salmonid habitats.
NOAA-NMFS13 - Hydropower Facilities
The Federal Power Act gives NMFS the authority to participate in the hydropower licensing and relicensing process directed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). NMFS biological and engineering staff review activities and provide recommended prescriptions for fish passage at hydropower facilities as part of this process.
NMFS is currently reviewing the relicensing of the North Umpqua project (a system of 8 dams in the upper North Umpqua without fish passage). NMFS is working with FERC and the applicant (PacifiCorp) to ensure that fish passage and instream flows are adequately addressed in the new license.
NOAA-NMFS14 - Non-Hydropower Facilities
Under the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process, the COE (Corps) seeks NMFS recommendations on non-hydropower dams. NMFS is involved with state and other Federal agencies in evaluation of impacts on anadromous fishery resources at three sites at present: Elk Creek, Savage Rapids, and Milltown.
NOAA-NMFS15 - Water Supply Projects
NMFS biologists are involved in reviewing water supply activities throughout the Oregon coast. Specific projects of focus include the North Bend-Coos Bay water supply (affecting Joe Ney Slough on Coos Bay), the Lincoln County water supply (affecting Side Creek, Rock Creek, and Devils Lake), and the Southwest Lincoln County water supply project (affecting Vingie Creek).
NMFS seeks to minimize the harmful effects on anadromous fish caused by the increasing number of water supply projects and expanding urban growth on the coast.
NOAA-NMFS16 - Oregon Heritage Stocks Program
Oregon Trout has proposed the "Oregon Heritage Stocks" program to identify and recognize healthy native salmon and steelhead stocks. The Oregon Heritage Stocks Program would be administered by the ODFW. The five components of the program include: (1) healthy stock criteria; (2) the Oregon Wild Fish Heritage Council; (3) designation of the Oregon Heritage Stocks and Rivers; (4) technical and financial support to local watershed councils and other groups to protect healthy native stocks; and (5) five-year wild stock reviews. The program will build local awareness and support for recovery and management goals for native fish.
NMFS is providing $40,000 to Oregon Trout to support program implementation in FY-97. The funds will assist program design, promotion, and management of the Heritage Stocks Advisory Committee and the Heritage Stocks Technical Team.
NOAA-NMFS17 - National Estuary Program
NMFS is a member of the policy, technical, and science committees for the Columbia River National Estuary Program (NEP). NMFS hopes to assist the Columbia NEP with development of management plans for anadromous fish resources in the Columbia River estuary. NMFS' involvement with the NEP is important for conservation efforts since a component of salmonid life history is spent in estuarine habitats.
NOAA-NOS18 - Coastal Change Analysis Program
NOAA's Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) is managed out of NMFS' Beaufort, North Carolina lab. This satellite imagery program is designed to monitor the extent and change in location and acreage of coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands on a 1- to 5-year cycle. The imagery, aerial photos, and field data can be analyzed and integrated with other digital data in a GIS. C-CAP is a monitoring tool that NMFS or the state could use to detect coastal landscape change and the relative impact of habitat alterations on anadromous fish over relatively long periods of time.
NOAA-NOS19 - Coastal Management and Nonpoint Source Programs
Through NOAA, two programs assist Oregon in managing coastal resources:
NOAA-NOS20 - South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is one of a system of federally designated and supported, state-owned and managed, coastal protected areas. Goals of the NERR system include mobilizing partnerships of federal, state, and community resources, improving scientific understanding through research, and improving public understanding through education. The South Slough site includes uplands of coniferous forest and shrub draining to freshwater and saltwater tidal wetlands, and subtidal habitats. The site has ongoing educational and research activities, including monitoring, inventory, restoration and rehabilitation, and study of ecological relationships and physical and biotic functions of estuarine habitats.
Several prior and ongoing activities carried out by the South Slough NERR can contribute to the OCSRI. These include contributions to all four primary focus areas of the OCSRI: habitat restoration (including numerous restoration, mitigation, reconstruction and reforestation projects that are part of ongoing, cooperative multi-agency programs); assessment, monitoring, and research (e.g., a habitat monitoring program, research related to estuarine and anadromous fish, and coastal nonpoint source pollution abatement); leadership and institutional change (e.g., active participation in the Coos Watershed Association, Port of Coos Bay Technical Advisory Committee, and Tillamook Bay National Estuary Program); and outreach and education (e.g., publications and technical reports, school programs, and other public presentations).
NOAA-NOS21 - Charleston Coastal Service Center
The NOAA Coastal Service Center (Charleston, South Carolina) has provided funding to DLCD for an intern for 20 months. The intern will develop a pilot GIS project for the Coos Bay estuary. The system is being designed for use by local and state planners and permit reviewers. The steering committee for the project includes representatives from USFWS, COE, South Slough NERR, DLCD, DEQ, ODA, and various local planning groups.
NOAA-OAR22 - Oregon Sea Grant Program
The national Sea Grant Colleg