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OWEB Board to Meet in Medford and Consider 17 Projects in Southwest Oregon as Part of $11.7 Million in Requests for Watershed Restoration Projects, Research and Education Across the State.
March 18, 2008
Media Contacts:
• Carolyn Devine, OWEB Communications Coordinator, 503-986-0195
• Mark Grenbemer, OWEB Regional Program Representative, 541-776-6010 ext. 231
• Jeannell Wyntergreen, Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council, 541-899-9982
Note to editors/reporters: Following the board meeting, we welcome you contacting us for information on specific projects in your region.
Huge on-the-ground results will come from OWEB’s investments should Board approve.
On March 19 and 20 2008, The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) will consider proposals to award more than $11.7 million for projects and programs that will benefit rivers and water quality across the state. The meetings will be held in Medford at the Red Lion Hotel, 200 N. Riverside Avenue. The first day begins at 8 a.m.; the second at 10:15. For more information and the agenda, visit the OWEB Web site at www.oregon.gov/OWEB or call 503-986-0178.
The Board will consider 141 investments in on-the-ground restoration projects across the state. An example of a top priority project in Southwest Oregon is a native tree and shrub planting that will occur on the Applegate River.
"With our fisheries facing such difficult times, we need to do everything we can to bring the salmon populations back," said Jeannell Wyntergreen, Executive Director of the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council (APWC). When streams and rivers lack adequate shade from trees and shrubs, water temperature rises, making it a less healthy habitat for fish and other animals. With their proposal, the APWC will remove invasive weeds from streambanks and plant trees and shrubs with the aim of restoring the Applegate River to a more natural state. Volunteers in the community, including local fishing groups and landowners, have demonstrated a strong desire and commitment to improve habitat and river health.
With board approval, the 17 proposals from Southwest Oregon will have a sizeable impact in the region. Approximately 45 miles of stream will receive large wood placement (with an average of 60 tree plantings per mile). Large trees across streams increase stream complexity and provide safe places for fish and other wildlife. Nine barriers to fish passage will be removed, which will open up 16 miles of stream to fish. 177 acres of trees will be planted, 37 acres will be treated for invasive weeds, one mile of streambank will be stabilized and 17 acres of estuarine wetland will be enhanced with native plantings and large wood placement.
These are only the projects in Southwestern Oregon. The board will consider projects located across the entire state. For a complete list, please visit OWEB’s website, www.oregon.gov/OWEB.
OWEB is a state agency led by a 17-member citizen board. OWEB provides grants and services to landowners, citizen groups, organizations and agencies working to restore healthy streams, lakes and rivers in Oregon. Funding comes from the Oregon Lottery as a result of a citizen initiative in 1998, sales of salmon license plates, federal salmon funds and other sources.
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