Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions...Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions Table of...

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions Table of Contents Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions............................................................................ 1

7.1 – Introduction........................................................................................................................ 1 7.2 – Strategic Guidance for Management Actions .................................................................... 1 7.3 – Integrated Approach........................................................................................................... 4 7.4 – Specific Management Actions by Location....................................................................... 6

Middle Fork Willamette........................................................................................................ 11 McKenzie.............................................................................................................................. 28 Calapooia .............................................................................................................................. 51 South Santiam ....................................................................................................................... 72 North Santiam ....................................................................................................................... 97 Molalla ................................................................................................................................ 124 Clackamas ........................................................................................................................... 140 Mainstem Willamette (above the falls) and Westside tributaries ....................................... 141 Estuary ................................................................................................................................ 157 Ocean .................................................................................................................................. 168

7.5 – Statewide Habitat Management Program Suffiencies ................................................... 170


Chapter 7

List of Tables Page Table 1. Integrated approach to address factors limiting recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations. ............................................................................................... 5 Table 2. Relationship between management strategies and habitat limiting factors and threats in the Upper Willamette River Basin.................................................................................................. 7 Table 3. List of general habitat management actions that apply to all populations. Local recovery efforts should continue to implement these types of actions. .......................................... 9 Table 4. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6..................................................................................................................... 12 Table 5. List of specific management actions identified for the Middle Fork Willamette watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6. ................................................................................................................. 13 Table 6. List of the management actions identified in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook. ........................................................ 15 Table 7. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. ... 17 Table 8. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook in the McKenzie watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6. ....................................................................................................................... 29 Table 9. List of specific management actions identified for the McKenzie watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6. . 31 Table 10. List of the management actions identified in the McKenzie watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook. ............................................................................... 34 Table 11. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the McKenzie watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. ....................................... 36 Table 12. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Calapooia watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6..................................................................................................................... 52 Table 13. List of specific management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6. . 54 Table 14. List of the management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. ........................................................ 56 Table 15. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. ....................................... 58 Table 16. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the South Santiam watershed. The factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6. ...................................................................................................... 73 Table 17. List of specific management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6....................................................................................................................................... 75 Table 18. List of the management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. ................................................... 78


Chapter 7

Table 19. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes....................... 81 Table 20. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the North Santiam watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6.............................................................................................. 98 Table 21. List of specific management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6..................................................................................................................................... 100 Table 22. List of the management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. ................................................. 103 Table 23. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes..................... 106 Table 24. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Molalla watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6. .................................................................................................... 125 Table 25. List of specific management actions identified in the Molalla watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6...... 126 Table 26. List of the management actions identified in the Molalla watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. ............................................................ 128 Table 27. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Molalla watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. ..................................... 129 Table 28. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Weside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6. ............................................ 142 Table 29. List of specific management actions identified in the Weside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6. ............................................................................................................... 143 Table 30. List of the management actions identified in the Westside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. ... 145 Table 31. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the mainstem Willamette River describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. ........................... 147 Table 32. Management Strategies, Actions, Priority Areas, and Key Programs to address Habitat Limiting Factors and Threats in the Columbia River Estuary .................................................... 158 Table 33. Table with the management action identified in the ocean. Key entities, and implementation and response timeframes are described. ........................................................... 168 Table 34. Percentage of total basin area by designated land use for Upper Willamette River steelhead populations. ................................................................................................................. 170 Table 35. Percentage of total basin area by designated land use for Upper Willamette River Chinook populations. .................................................................................................................. 170 Table 36. Series of tables describing various statewide programs in Oregon. Tables taken directly from the statewide program review conducted in 2007................................................. 171


Chapter 7 – page 1

7.1 – Introduction This chapter describes the strategies and specific actions proposed for achieving recovery of populations of Chinook and steelhead in the Upper Willamette River ESU. Also described is the strategic guidance used to develop and prioritize these strategies and actions. While fundamentally intended to produce biological results, strategies and actions included in this plan also reflect economic, political, social, and cultural considerations. In particular, they are framed to regain ESU viability as well as make progress toward Broad Sense Recovery Goals. These considerations are critical to the prospects for developing and implementing an effective and equitable plan. It is expected that additional actions will be incorporated over time as part of an adaptive management process.

7.2 – Strategic Guidance for Management Actions Achieving recovery for the Upper Willamette River ESU will depend on restoring the viability of extant populations of Chinook and steelhead described in Chapter 3 of this plan. This will require intensive effort at the regional, watershed and local levels. It is clear that not all of the management actions that should be implemented can be carried out in the near-term due to various constraints.

The purpose of this strategic framework is to provide guidance for developing and prioritizing management actions to recover Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations. Prioritized actions will lead to more timely and effective results. Our strategic vision recognizes that reversing the decline of key populations, life histories, and habitats requires use of well-

Summary of Chapter 7

Oregon has developed 14 overarching management strategies that address the potential suite of limiting factors and threats to salmon and steelhead populations. This Chapter describes specific management actions that were derived on a population by population basis that, if implemented, will likely lead to the recovery of listed salmon and steelhead populations in the Willamette River Basin. Many actions that will help conserve and recover salmon and steelhead populations are already being implemented. These actions need to continue. In addition there are numerous regulatory and non-regulatory programs that will support conservation and recovery of salmon and steelhead populations if they are implemented and enforced as intended. The focus of this Chapter is not on developing new regulations or programs, but on improving upon the implementation of the existing programs.



formulated scientifically sound approaches. Since multiple causes are responsible for impaired population viability and disrupted ecosystem function, specific limiting factors and threats throughout the entire life cycle will need to be addressed in concert. At the same time, potential limiting factors and threats that are not currently concerns for upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations need to be managed so that they do not become problems in the future.

Managing for past, current and future adverse impacts of human activities throughout the life cycle of ESA listed fish is critical to achieving recovery goals. Development and implementation of management activities that lead to recovery will require sound integration of conservation biology principles and ecosystem management with today’s social, cultural, political and economic constraints.

Meffe and Carrol (2002) identified some of the key principles that form the basis for sound salmon recovery efforts, including:

1) Set aside or protect the highest quality habitat

2) Do not let habitat conditions degrade further

3) Maintain or restore critical ecological processes

4) Develop goals and objectives based on deep understanding of ecological properties of the system

5) Evolutionary processes must be conserved or restored

6) Management must be adaptive and minimally intrusive

Conservation of the existing quality habitat that supports core production and primary life history types as well as quality migration habitats within populations and across the ESU is a critical component of recovery. Protecting and restoring the normative natural ecological processes throughout the entire life cycle is essential for conserving the productive capacity of the habitat.

These principles provide general guidance but are difficult to apply specifically for prioritizing a broad list of actions at the population, strata, and ESU levels. Because we have the need for criteria that deal with setting priorities across broad geographic and ecological scales we propose more detailed prioritization considerations that are formulated from the broader conservation principles. In simplistic terms the order of priorities are:

1. Protect and conserve high quality habitats and natural processes that currently support productive capacity.

2. Enhance habitat and restore natural processes that are impaired but are currently important to productive capacity.

3. Restore habitat and natural processes that were historically important but do not currently contribute to productive capacity.

Prioritization of Actions

Setting priorities for management actions is difficult because of the scientific complexity and diverse policy strategies. Although priorities must be science based, they are ultimately policy



choices. We recommend the following guidance to those responsible for implementing management actions intended to support the recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations.

First priority:

• Actions that provide long-term protection of habitat conditions and conservation of natural ecological processes that support the viability of priority extant populations. A population is considered a priority if it is critical for ESU viability.

• Actions that protect or enhance viability of multiple salmon and steelhead populations.

• Actions that support conservation of unique and rare functioning habitats, habitat diversity, life histories and genetic attributes.

• Actions that target the key limiting factors and that contribute the most to closing the gap between current status and desired future status of priority populations.

• Actions that provide critical information needed for assessing success and making adaptive management decisions.

Second priority:

• Actions that enhance the habitat conditions and restore natural ecological processes for priority extant populations.

• Actions that enhance the viability of priority extant populations.

• Actions that are required to protect and enhance habitats for populations that are not critical for ESU viability.

Other things being equal, actions that demonstrate the following have enhanced priority:

• Actions where opportunity for success is high (rather than those of limited feasibility).

• Actions that likely produce a large (rather than small) improvement in viability attributes.

• Actions that support restoration of normative ecological processes rather than short-term substitutions for normative processes.

• Actions that complement to other land management, water quality, environmental management and recreational objectives as specified in fish management, conservation, recovery or other plans developed with and supported by subbasin stakeholders (rather than those that are isolated, stand-alone efforts).

• Actions that have landowner support and generate increased participation.

• Actions that demonstrate cost effectiveness relative to alternative means of achieving the same objectives.

• Actions which have high degree of certainty in effectiveness and outcome.



7.3 – Integrated Approach In previous chapters of this plan we identified delisting goals, broad sense recovery goals, current status and viability gaps as well as limiting factors and threats across the entire life cycle of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead. These elements serve as essential building blocks for identifying the management strategies (long term plans of action designed to achieve a particular goals) and management actions (specific program, project, or change in behavior intended to achieve one or more outcomes) needed to close viability gaps, reach delisting status, and progress towards the broad sense recovery goals.

In this chapter, management strategies and actions are developed to address the key and secondary causes of viability issues currently limiting recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead as well as to insure that factors that are not currently significant threats to Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead do not become so. Our integrated approach is designed to ensure that recovery efforts are developed and implemented in a scientifically sound and systematic manner. We strive to ensure that all recovery actions effectively complement and support each other in achieving the broad sense recovery goals.

The management strategies and actions described in this chapter address threats and limiting factors in each of the nine categories of limiting factors discussed in Chapter 6. Table 1 illustrates the relationships between limiting factor categories, threat categories, strategies, and actions.

This integrated approach is also intended to ensure that the cost and consequences of achieving recovery are equitable across the affected constituencies. Recovery can be achieved with different combinations of actions implemented at different intensities among and on varying timelines. Thus, the plan defines expectations and direction for the various parties who will implement elements of the plan in a broader context of scientific, technical, economic, political, social, and cultural considerations.



Limiting Factor Category Threat Categories Management Strategies Potential Management Actions

-Protect highest quality habitats through acquisition and conservation.-Adopt and manage Cooperative Agreements.-Conserve rare and unique functioning habitats.-Consistently apply Best Management Practices and existing laws to protect and conserve natural ecological processes.-Remove barriers or provide access over barriers blocking passage such as dams, road culverts and irrigation structures.-Regularly inspect potential passage impedments such as existing fish ladders and currently passable culverts.

-Provide screening at 100% of irrigation diversions and replace screens that do not meet criteria.

-Reconnect side channels and off-channel habitats to stream channels.-Continue to enforce existing landuse laws and support volunteer efforts that protect and enhance migration corridors and access to in-channel and off-channel habitats.-Reconnect floodplain to channel.-Continue to enforce existing landuse laws and support volunteer efforts to protect and enhance floodplain connectivity and function.-Restore natural channel form.-Restore natural riparian vegetative communities.-Develop grazing strategies that promote riparian recovery.-Promote volunteer efforts to leave more large conifers in riparian zone after timber harvest-Increase instream habitat complexity by placement of large wood.-Breach or lower dikes and levees.-Remove pile dikes

-Remove dams or drop reservoir levels to run of the river during critical migration/rearing periods.

-Restore natural rates of erosion and landslides to proved inputs of channel roughness elements needed for habitat complexity.

-Restore natural riparian vegetative communities.-Develop grazing strategies that promote riparian recovery.-Identify and reduce sources of pollutants.-Apply BMPs to animal feeding operations.

-Employ BMPs to forest practices, livestock grazing, road management and agricultural practices. -Monitor and restore contaminated sites.-Mitigate/reduce reservoir heating.-Apply actions identified in HMPs targeted at hatchery outflow water quality.-Implement agricultural water conservation measures.-Improve irrigation conveyance and efficiency.-Lease or acquire water rights and convert to instream flows.-Operate dams to provide normative flow regimes.-Relocate caspian tern colonies.-Remove pile dikes.-Reverse alterations to habitat (e.g. dredge spoil islands, pile dikes, delayed migration, non-normative flows) that enhance predator abundance and predation rates.-Prevent introduction of non-native species and reduce or eliminate introduced exotics.-Modify hatchery programs to reduce potential for predation by hatchery fish.-Continue bounty program on northern pikeminnow.-Intensify hazing of marine mammals and eliminate persistant problem animals.-Modify hatchery programs to minimize competition with hatchery fish.-Restore habitat to conditions less favorable to competitors.-Prevent introduction of non-native species and reduce or eliminate introduced exotics.-Implement provisions in HMP's designed to minimize deseases in hatchery fish and transmission to naturally produced salmon and steelhead.-Restore habitat to conditions less favorable to disease propagation.

-All previously listed management actions.-Increase marking of hatchery salmon and steelhead with coded-wire tags.-Require mass marking of all hatchery salmon and steelhead releases with, at a minimum, an adipose fin-clip.-Increase efforts to monitor incidence of hatchery fish on spawning grounds.-Develop plan for reintroduction of chum into historical habitat when other limiting factors have been resolved..-Use selective recreational fisheries to reduce the number of out-of-basin hatchery strays.

-Reduce number of hatchery fish released and/or modify release strategies to minimize straying.

Disease-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

-Implement programs that mininimize conditions leading to enhanced disease in naturally produced salmon and steelhead.

Predation-Reduce or relocate predator populations and prevent new predators from being established. -Restore habitat to conditions that are less favorable to predators.

-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse -Introduced species

Competition-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Introduced species

-Reduce hatchery salmonids and introduced species populations that compete with naturally produced LCR salmon and steelhead. -Restore habitat to conditions that are less favorable to competitors and maintain habitat

-All action for other limiting factor categories. -Supplement nutrient levels with salmon carcasses or carcass analogs.

Water Quality-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

-Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality. -Restore riparian condition and maintain unimpaired condition -Restore altered hydrograph to provide sufficient flow during critical periods

Water Quantity/Hydrograph

-Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

-Restore altered hydrograph to provide sufficient flow during critical periods. -Restore riparian condition and maintain unimpaired condition . -Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes.

Physical habitat quality -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

-Restore floodplain connectivity and function, and maintain unimpaired floodplain connectivity and function -Restore channel structure and complexity, and maintain unimpaired structure and complexity. -Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes. -Restore riparian condition and LWD recruitment, and maintain unimpaired conditions. -Restore normative streamflows through reservoirs.

Food Web All threat categories-Provide adequate salmon carcasses for ecological purposes related to nutrient needs and cycles. - All management strategies for other limiting factor categories.

-All previously listed strategies. -Reduce hatchery related genetic effects on natural populations of salmon and steelhead. -Manage fisheries to reduce harvest-related adverse effects.

-Harvest practices -Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse -Introduced species

Population Traits

All habitat limiting factors

-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history strategies throughout their life cycle.

Habitat access-Hatchery practices -Flood control/hydropower -Landuse

-Restore access to critical habitats where migration is blocked or impaired by artificial barriers, and maintain unimpaired passage to areas currently accessible. -Restore floodplain connectivity and function, and maintain unimpaired floodplain connectivity and function.

Table 1. Integrated approach to address factors limiting recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations.



Building on Current Efforts

Many steps have already been taken or are currently underway that will improve the status of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead. In tributary watersheds, state and federal natural resource managers, local governments, watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, non-profit organizations, land owners and others continue to improve stream conditions to support viable Chinook and steelhead populations. They are also improving land use practices on uplands and floodplains that are allowing natural ecosystem functions and processes to recover. Similar efforts are underway in the Columbia River estuary that will improve estuarine and plume habitats and reduce predation. In the mainstem Columbia River, hydrosystem managers and fish resource mangers continue to refine hydropower system operations to address the needs for survival and recovery of Chinook and steelhead from the Upper Willamette River and other Columbia River ESUs. New and innovative proposals are being developed in the Hydro BiOp remand process. Hatcheries programs operated within the ESU have been modified substantially over the past 10 years to reduce threats and improve contribution to recovery. Release locations have been modified, and considerable emphasis has been placed on assessing the source and potential impacts of strays. As described earlier, extensive harvest management changes in both the mainstem and tributaries have been implemented to reduce the impacts of fisheries.

This plan is designed to build upon past and current efforts that are already improving population viability and habitat conditions. Many of these efforts are described in the plan along with their sufficiency and gaps so that future actions expand from and improve the effectiveness of the efforts. Active participation by a range of parties increases the certainty of success by potentially compounding the benefits of moderate improvements made by individual entities/programs.

Together, the management strategies and actions identified in the following subsections outline an integrated approach that will support the viability of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations throughout their life-cycle. These strategies and actions are designed to address threats to population viability from harvest, hatcheries, flood control/hydropower, land use, and introduced species.

7.4 – Specific Management Actions by Location

Fourteen management strategies that are directly linked to the limiting factors and threats to the recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead were identified by the Planning Team. These strategies and their relation to tributary habitat limiting factors and threats to the recovery of Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead populations are shown in Table 2.



Table 2. Relationship between management strategies and habitat limiting factors and threats in the Upper Willamette River Basin.

Management Strategies Limiting Factors Addressed Threats Addressed

01 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history strategies throughout their life cycle.

All habitat limiting factors See individual limiting factors.

02 - Restore floodplain connectivity and function and maintain unimpaired connectivity and function.

Habitat access, food web, and physical habitat quality

Stream straightening, channelization, diking,, and wetland draining and filling.

03 - Restore riparian condition and large woody debris recruitment and maintain unimpaired conditions.

Water quality, food web, and physical habitat quality

Tree harvest, livestock grazing, and introduction of non-native plants that alter riparian function.

04 - Restore or improve passage and connectivity to habitats where migration is blocked or impaired by artificial barriers and maintain unimpaired passage and connectivity.

Habitat access Dams, tidegates, road crossings, and hatchery weirs.

05 - Restore altered hydrograph to provide sufficient flow during critical periods.

Water quantity/hydrograph, physical habitat quality, habitat access

Municipal water withdrawals, hydropower and flood control dams, tree harvest livestock grazing, and introduction of non-native plants that alter riparian function

06 - Restore degraded channel structure and complexity and maintain unimpaired structure and complexity.

Physical habitat quality and food web

Tree harvest, livestock grazing, and introduction of non-native plants that alter riparian function, stream cleaning, splash damming, straightening, channelization, and diking.

07 - Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality.

Water quality Agricultural, municipal, and industrial effluent and toxins. Fine sediment from roads and other upland disturbances. Tree harvest, livestock grazing, and introduction of non-native plants that alter riparian



function.

08 - Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes.

Water and physical habitat quality

Fine sediment from roads and other upland disturbances. Tree harvest, livestock grazing, and introduction of non-native plants that alter riparian function.

09 - Restore degraded estuarine and near-shore habitat, and maintain unimpaired conditions.

All habitat limiting factors Flow regulation, dikes, reservoir heating, riparian practices, urban and agricultural practices, dredging,

10 - Reduce predation on natural origin Chinook and steelhead exacerbated by habitat changes.

Population traits Introduced species, anthropogenic habitat changes, hatcheries

11 - Implement a fishery management regime that will allow recovery of natural origin Chinook and steelhead.

Population traits Sport and commercial fisheries

12 - Reduce hatchery related genetic effects on natural origin Chinook and steelhead to appropriate levels.

Population traits Hatchery management

13 - Reduce negative impacts (e.g. competition, predation) between hatchery fish or introduced species and natural origin Chinook and steelhead.

Population traits Hatchery management

14 - Reduce disease in natural origin Chinook and steelhead exacerbated by habitat changes and/or hatchery programs.

Population traits Hatcheries, introduced species, anthropogenic habitat change



Table 3. List of general habitat management actions that apply to all populations. Local recovery efforts should continue to implement these types of actions.

Habitat Management Actions Allow landowners to place large wood removed from upstream side of bridges and culverts to downstream side. Continue TMDL development and implementation. Continue to enforce existing landuse laws and support volunteer efforts to protect and enhance floodplain connectivity and function. Continue to implement existing water conservation measures. Develop and implement agricultural practices that allow streams to meander and migrate across their floodplain. Develop and implement grazing strategies that promote riparian recovery. Develop new water conservations measures. Employ best management practices to minimize unnatural sources and rates of erosion. Eradicate invasive plant species from riparian areas. Implement Agricultural Water Quality Management Plans. Increase stream habitat complexity through the placement of large wood. Install and maintain fencing to exclude livestock from riparian areas. Install and maintain off-stream livestock watering. Manage the landscape to allow for natural disturbance regimes that provide inputs of channel roughness elements for instream habitat complexity. Promote and implement effective volunteer efforts to leave more large conifers in riparian zone after timber harvest. Promote reforestation and fuels management. Promote the importance of large wood in stream channels and support and implement volunteer efforts to leave large wood in stream channels. Protect highest quality habitats and conserve rare and unique functioning habitats through acquisition and easements. Provide passage for adult and juvenile Chinook and steelhead at road crossings. Reconnect floodplain to channel. Reconnect side channels and off-channel habitats to stream channels. Reduce inputs of toxins. Remove or replace culverts and other instream impediments to the downstream transport of large wood. Restore natural channel form. Restore natural riparian vegetative communities. Upgrade or remove problem forest roads, and maintain properly functioning roads.



In addition to addressing the specific limiting factors and threats identified for each population, the suite of strategies are designed to protect and improve ecosystem functions and restore normative ecological processes. Together, these strategies call for:

• Protection of existing high quality habitats as one aspect of insuring no net loss in habitat quality and maintenance of normative ecological processes. Many objectives are likely to be met through habitat protection and the associated natural recovery of upland and riparian areas. Land acquisitions, easements, cooperative agreements, and protective land designations facilitate the accomplishment of high quality habitat protection.

• Maintaining improved habitats from further degradation, such as through land use practices or changes in land use laws and ordinances. Comprehensive land-use planning and land-use controls can provide important habitat protection by managing growth and land use so that critical areas and watershed functions are preserved.

• Restoring degraded habitat conditions for Upper Willamette Chinook and steelhead populations. The success of this strategy is enhanced when actions build from existing restoration efforts and incorporate a range of project types that address the many interrelated habitat impairments.

The following tables show the strategies and actions needed to address limiting factors and threats for each Upper Willamette River Chinook and steelhead population in tributaries and the mainstem Willamette. Key and secondary limiting factors and threats are shown along with the viability parameters and life stages that are most affected. Tables also identify priority locations that are stream reaches or areas where actions should be implemented first to achieve the greatest benefit. For each management action, key programs, the status of current efforts, implementation timeframe, expected biophysical response timeframe, influence on VSP parameters, and certainty of action implementation is also outlined. These are defined as follows:

Status - The current state of implementation of the action.

Implementation Timeframe -The length of time needed to implement the action.

Response Timeframe – The length of time before the desired biophysical response is observed.

Influence on VSP Parameters - The relative influence that the action would have (if fully implemented) on influencing VSP parameters that are of concern for the population.

Certainty of Implementation – Relative certainty that this action will be implemented to an extent that makes a significant impact on the limiting factor/threat it is intended to address.

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Middle Fork Willamette


Middle Fork Willamette The Middle Fork Willamette currently supports very little natural production of spring Chinook compared to historic levels. The population is at “very high” risk of extinction (see Chapter 4). Key and secondary limiting factors affecting this population within the Middle Fork Willamette basin are predominately related to habitat access blocked by flood control / hydropower dams and downstream temperature effects of the dams (see Chapter 6 for a full description). The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical in order to recover the Middle Fork Willamette Chinook population:

• Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history strategies throughout their life cycle.

• Restore riparian condition and large woody debris recruitment and maintain unimpaired conditions.

• Restore or improve passage and connectivity to habitats where migration is blocked or impaired by artificial barriers and maintain unimpaired passage and connectivity.

• Restore altered hydrograph to provide sufficient flow during critical periods.

• Restore degraded channel structure and complexity and maintain unimpaired structure and complexity.

• Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality.

• Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes.

• Implement a fishery management regime that will allow recovery of natural origin populations.

• Reduce hatchery related genetic effects on natural origin populations to appropriate levels.

• Reduce negative impacts (e.g. competition, predation) between hatchery fish or introduced species and natural origin populations.



Table 4. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6.

Tributaries (Streams and Rivers within Population Area)

Threats Species Egg Alevin FrySummer

Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult SpawnerHarvest Chinook Hatchery Chinook 3

9f 2e Hydropower/ Flood Control

Chinook 7g

10d 1f 2m

7f

8a Landuse Chinook 8a

9a 8a

Introduced Species Chinook

Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns.

Key threats and limiting factors 1f Mortality at Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams. This mortality is

due to direct mortality in the turbines and/or smolts being trapped in the reservoirs. 2e Impaired access to habitat above Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control

dams. 2m Pre-spawning mortality due to crowding and high water temperatures below Middle Fork

Willamette hydropower/flood control dams. 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression. 7f Lack of gravel recruitment below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control

dams due to gravel capture in upstream reservoirs. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices (tributaries). 9f Elevated water temperatures below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control

dams resulting in premature hatching and emergence. 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat

by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.

Secondary threats and limiting factors 7g Streambed coarsening below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams

due to reduced peak flows. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth.



Table 5. List of specific management actions identified for the Middle Fork Willamette watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factor Category Potential Threats Management Actions Action #


Flood control / hydropower, land use

Protect the highest quality habitats through acquisition or conservation measures.

209

Competition Hatcheries, introduced species

Ensure hatchery summer steelhead and spring Chinook smolts migrate quickly to the ocean.

203

Restore access to habitats upstream of Hills Creek Dam.

23

Implement and evaluate the revised outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams.

98

Modify trapping facilities at Dexter Dam to improve handling of adult Chinook.

99

Provide adequate downstream passage through Hills Creek reservoir and dam.

39

Provide adequate downstream passage through Dexter/Lookout Point reservoirs and dams.

38

Provide adequate downstream passage through Fall Creek reservoir and dam.

33

Improve access to habitats upstream of Fall Creek Dam.

22

Habitat access Flood control / hydropower, land use

Restore access to habitats upstream of Dexter/Lookout Point dams.

21

Restore substrate recruitment downstream of dams.

41

Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

31

Restore natural riparian communities and their function.

310

Physical habitat quality


Identify sites in tributaries below Fall Creek and Dexter dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

46



Evaluate the restoration opportunities identified in the Lower Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Assessment (2002) for riparian and aquatic habitat, with emphasis on spring Chinook.

116

Implement the "high priority actions" that benefit spring Chinook identified under each of the six Goals in Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council's Action Plan.

117

Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

190

Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook. 199

Population traits

Harvest, hatcheries

Manage the Willamette Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for Middle Fork Willamette spring Chinook.

240

Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to Chinook.

Reduce nutrient and pesticide loading in streams from land use activities.

335

Water quality Flood control / hydropower, land use

Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria.

186

Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat

183

Ensure future USBR water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections.

49

Water quantity / Hydrograph


Release flows from dams to meet flow targets in the Middle Fork Willamette River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration.

32



Table 6. List of the management actions identified in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook.

Influence on VSP Parameters Management Action

Action #

High Restore access to habitats upstream of Dexter/Lookout Point Dams.

21

High Improve access to habitats upstream of Fall Creek Dam. 22

High Release flows from dams to meet flow targets in the Middle Fork Willamette River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration.

28

High Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

31

High Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat

32

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Fall Creek reservoir and dam.

33

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Dexter/Lookout Point reservoirs and dams.

38

High Restore substrate recruitment below dam projectsdams. 41

High Ensure future US Bureau of Reclamation water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections.

44

High Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria.

49

High Implement and evaluate outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams.

98

High Modify trapping facilities at Dexter Dam to improve handling of adult Chinook.

99

High Implement the "high priority actions" that benefit spring Chinook identified under each of the six Goals in Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council's Action Plan.

117

High Protect the highest quality habitats through acquisition or conservation measures.

209

High Restore natural riparian communities and their function. 310

Moderate Restore access to habitats upstream of Hills Creek Dam. 23

Moderate Provide adequate downstream passage through Hills Creek reservoir and dam.

39

Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip in fisheries.

190



Moderate Manage Willamette Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for Middle Fork Willamette Chinook.

240

Moderate Reduce nutrient and pesticide loading in streams from land use activities.

335

Low Identify sites in tributaries below Fall Creek and Dexter dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

46

Low Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to Chinook.

186

Low Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook. 199

Low Ensure hatchery summer steelhead and spring Chinook smolts migrate quickly to the ocean.

203

Not ranked Evaluate the restoration opportunities identified in the Lower Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Assessment (2002) for riparian and aquatic habitat, with emphasis on spring Chinook.

116



Table 7. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Middle Fork Willamette watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history

strategies throughout their life cycle.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy

Key: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices

Secondary: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook fry and summer parr from past and/or present landuse practices

Note: Timeframes

Management Action Key Entities Status Implementation Response

Influence on VSP Parameters

Certainty of Implementation

209 - Protect the highest quality habitats through acquisition or conservation measures.

Private landowners, Watershed Council, ODFW, SWCD, land trusts, NGOs

Expansion of existing program

> 10years Immediate High Moderate

Comments:






Secondary: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook fry and summer parr from past and/or present landuse practices.

9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth of Chinook summer parr.

Note: Timeframes




310 – Restore natural riparian communities and their function

USFS, private landowners, local governments


> 10 years > 10 years High Moderate

Comments:





Key: 1f Mortality at MF Willamette hydropower/flood control dams. This mortality is due to direct mortality in the turbines and/or Chinook smolts being trapped in the reservoirs.

2e Impaired access for Chinook adults to habitat above Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams.

2m Pre-spawning mortality of Chinook adults due to crowding and high water temperatures below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




22 - Improve access to habitats upstream of Fall Creek Dam

USACE Expansion of existing program

< 5 years Immediate High Moderate

39 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Hills Creek reservoir and dam


< 10 years Immediate Moderate Low

33 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Fall Creek reservoir and dam



38 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Dexter/Lookout Point reservoirs and dams

USACE New action < 10 years Immediate High Low



21 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Dexter/Lookout Point dams


< 5 years Immediate High High

23 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Hills Creek Dam



99 - Modify trapping facilities at Dexter Dam to improve handling of adult Chinook.

USACE, ODFW Expansion of existing program


98 - Implement and evaluate the revised outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams

ODFW, USACE Expansion of existing program

< 5 years Immediate Moderate Moderate

Comments:





Key: 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth of Chinook summer parr.

Secondary:

Note: Impacts from flood control/hydropower not listed as a limiting factor Timeframes




44 - Ensure future US Bureau of Reclamation water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections

BOR Expansion of existing program


28 - Release flows from dams to meet flow targets in the Middle Fork Willamette for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration

USACE Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High

32 - Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat



Comments:





Key: 7f Lack of gravel recruitment below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams due to gravel capture in upstream reservoirs impacting Chinook spawners.

8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of habitat for Chinook

fry, summer parr and winter parr by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.

Secondary: 7g Streambed coarsening below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams due to reduced peak flows impacts Chinook eggs and alevins.

8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook fry and summer parr from past and/or present landuse practices

Note: Timeframes




31 - Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows

USACE, Nature Conservancy


< 5 years 5 years High Low

46 - Identify sites in tributaries below Fall Creek and Dexter dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor

USACE, MF Watershed Council



41 - Restore substrate USACE New action < 10 years > 10 years High High



recruitment below dams

116 - Evaluate the restoration opportunities identified in the Lower Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Assessment (2002) for riparian and aquatic habitat.

Middle Fork Watershed Council

Ongoing < 5 years Immediate NA High

117 - Implement the "high priority actions" that benefit Chinook identified under each of the six Goals in Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council's Action Plan

Middle Fork Watershed Council

Ongoing < 5 years Immediate High Moderate

310 - Restore natural riparian communities and their function.

Watershed council, private landowners, State Parks, NGOs

Ongoing >10 years Immediate High

Comments:





Key: 9f Elevated water temperatures below Middle Fork Willamette hydropower/flood control dams resulting in premature hatching and emergence of Chinook eggs and alevins.

Secondary: 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth of Chinook summer parr.

Note: Timeframes




335 - Reduce nutrient and pesticide loading in streams from land use activities



186 - Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to Chinook

DEQ, USACE New action < 5 years Immediate Low Moderate

49 - Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria



Comments:



11 - Implement a fishery management regime that will allow recovery of natural origin Chinook and steelhead


Key:

Secondary:

Note: Not identified as a current limiting factor, bit important actions for recovery of listed fish Timeframes




190 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate Low

199 - Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook

OSP Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low Low

Comments:





Key: 3 Hatchery Chinook interbreeding with wild Chinook adults resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




240 - Manage Willamette Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for Middle Fork WillametteChinook

ODFW Expansion of existing program

< 5 years Immediate Moderate High

Comments:





Key:

Secondary:





203 - Ensure hatchery summer steelhead and spring Chinook smolts migrate quickly to the ocean

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low High

Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan McKenzie


McKenzie The McKenzie watershed supports an important population of spring Chinook. The McKenzie population is currently at moderate risk, but is one of the two healthiest populations in the ESU (see Chapter 4). The key and secondary limiting factors affecting the McKenzie population are related predominately related to impacts from land use and flood control / hydropower (see Chapter 6 for a full description). The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical to recovery of the McKenzie Chinook population:


• Restore floodplain connectivity and function and maintain unimpaired connectivity and function.







• Implement a fishery management regime that will allow recovery of natural origin Chinook and steelhead.

• Reduce hatchery related genetic effects on natural origin Chinook and steelhead to appropriate levels.

• Reduce negative impacts (e.g. competition, predation) between hatchery fish or introduced species and natural origin Chinook and steelhead.



Table 8. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook in the McKenzie watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6.



Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult SpawnerHarvest Chinook

4b 6c Hatchery Chinook 6d

3

Hydropower/ Flood Control

Chinook 9g 10d 1b 2d 7e

8a Landuse Chinook 8a

9a 8a

Introduced Species Chinook

Black cells indicate key concerns; Gray cells indicate secondary concerns.

Key threats and limiting factors 2d Impaired access to habitat above McKenzie hydropower/flood control dams. 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat


Secondary threats and limiting factors 1b Mortality at hydropower/flood control dams. This mortality is due to direct mortality in

the turbines and/or smolts being trapped in the reservoirs. 4b Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery spring Chinook. 6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts. 6d Predation by hatchery rainbow. 7e Lack of gravel recruitment below McKenzie hydropower/flood control dams due to

gravel capture in upstream reservoirs. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9g Elevated water temperatures below McKenzie hydropower/flood control dams resulting

in premature hatching and emergence.



10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.



Table 9. List of specific management actions identified for the McKenzie watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6. Limiting Factor Category Potential Threats Management Actions

Action #


272

Protect the McKenzie/Willamette Confluence Area by implementing "Land Use, Flood Control and Habitat Enhancement Guidelines for the Confluence Area of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers" (2001).

114



Continue to implement the "Human Habitat Action Plan" of the McKenzie Watershed Council.

115

Competition Hatcheries, introduced species


202

Discontinue releases of hatchery trout in the McKenzie River upstream of Leaburg Dam.

74

Evaluate predation by hatchery trout in Trail Bridge reservoir.

107

Release hatchery trout in areas and during periods when Chinook are not as susceptible to predation.

81

Reduce the number of hatchery summer steelhead released.

205

Predation Hatcheries, introduced species

Allow retention of fin-clipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts.

226

Provide adequate upstream passage for adult Chinook at Leaburg Dam.

7

Restore access to habitats upstream of Cougar dam.

18

Restore access to habitats upstream of Trail Bridge Dam.

19


79

Ensure the fish screen at the Leaburg Diversion functions appropriately.

101

Ensure the fish screen at the Walterville Diversion functions appropriately.

102

Habitat access Flood control / hydropower

Provide adequate upstream passage for adult Chinook at Walterville tailrace.

52



Provide adequate downstream passage through Cougar reservoir and dam.

27

Provide adequate downstream passage through Trail Bridge reservoir and dam.

50


40

Continue to implement the restoration actions described in "The McKenzie Watershed Conservation Strategy" (2002).

113


337

Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

210

Implement the "Lane County Riparian Development Ordinance."

162

Work with "Friends of the Mohawk" to implement habitat restoration projects.

170

Work with "McKenzie River Trust" to implement habitat restoration projects.

171



Identify sites in the lower McKenzie River where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

222


190

Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook spawning above Leaburg Dam.

85


Population traits Harvest, hatcheries, Flood control / hydropower

Manage McKenzie Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for McKenzie Chinook.

228


134

Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to Chinook

338


336

Water quality Hatcheries, Flood control / hydropower, land use

Operate Cougar dam to mimic natural temperature regime.

47


214 Water quantity / Hydrograph


Release flows from Cougar and Blue River dams to meet flow targets in the McKenzie

25



River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration. Ensure future USBR water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections.

218



Table 10. List of the management actions identified in the McKenzie watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook.


Action #

High Restore access to habitats upstream of Cougar dam. 18

High Release flows from Cougar and Blue River dams to meet flow targets in the McKenzie River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration.

25

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Cougar reservoir and dam.

27

High Restore substrate recruitment downstream of dams in the McKenzie River Basin.

40

High Operate Cougar dam to mimic natural temperature regime. 47

High Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook spawning above Leaburg Dam.

85

High Continue to implement the restoration actions described in "The McKenzie Watershed Conservation Strategy" (2002).

113

High Protect the McKenzie/Willamette Confluence Area by implementing "Land Use, Flood Control and Habitat Enhancement Guidelines for the Confluence Area of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers" (2001).

114

High Continue to implement "Human Habitat Action Plan" in the McKenzie Basin.

115

High Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

190

High Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook. 198


218

High Identify sites in the Lower McKenzie River where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

222

High Manage McKenzie Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for McKenzie Chinook.

228


272


Moderate Provide adequate upstream passage for adult Chinook at Leaburg 7



Dam.

Moderate Provide adequate upstream passage for adult Chinook at the Walterville tailrace.

52

Moderate Implement and evaluate the revised outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams.

79

Moderate Ensure the fish screen at the Leaburg Diversion functions appropriately.

101

Moderate Ensure the fish screen at the Walterville Diversion- functions appropriately.

102

Moderate Implement the "Lane County Riparian Development Ordinance." 162

Moderate Work with "McKenzie River Trust" to implement habitat restoration projects.

171

Moderate Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

210

Moderate Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat

214


336

Low Restore access to habitats upstream of Trail Bridge Dam. 19

Low Operate Trail Bridge Dam to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat.

26

Low Provide adequate downstream passage through Trail Bridge reservoir and dam.

50

Low Discontinue releases of hatchery trout in the McKenzie River upstream of Leaburg Dam.

74

Low Release hatchery trout in areas and during periods when Chinook are not as susceptible to predation.

81

Low Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria below the projects.

134

Low Work with "Friends of the Mohawk" to implement habitat restoration projects.

170


202

Low Reduce the number of hatchery summer steelhead released. 205

Low Allow retention of fin clipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts.

226

Not ranked Evaluate predation by hatchery trout in Trail Bridge reservoir. 107



Table 11. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the McKenzie watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history





Note: Timeframes




114 - Protect the McKenzie/Willamette Confluence Area by implementing "Landuse , Flood control and Habitat Enhancement Guidelines for the Confluence Area of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers " (2001)

McKenzie Watershed Council, private landowners, NGOs


Ongoing Immediate High Low


Private landowners USFS, watershed councils, SWCD, NGOs,


> 10years Immediate High Moderate

115 - Continue to implement "Human Habitat Action Plan"

McKenzie Watershed

Expansion of existing

Ongoing Immediate High Low



in the McKenzie Basin Council, local government, private landowners

program

Comments:





Key: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of habitat for

Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.


Note: Timeframes




222 - Identify sites in the Lower McKenzie River where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

Watershed council, USACE, EWEB, private landowners



Comments:






Secondary:

Note: Timeframes








162 - Implement the "Lane County Riparian Development Ordinance.

Lane County Expansion of existing program

Ongoing > 10 years Moderate Low

Comments:





Key: 2d Impaired access for Chinook adults to habitat above McKenzie hydropower/flood control dams.

Secondary: 1b Mortality at hydropower/flood control dams. This mortality is due to direct mortality in the turbines and/or smolts being trapped in the reservoirs.

Note: Timeframes




27 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Cougar reservoir and dam

USACE New action < 10 years Immediate High Low

50 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Trail Bridge reservoir and dam

EWEB New action < 5 years Immediate Low Moderate

19 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Trail Bridge Dam

EWEB New action < 10 years Immediate Low Moderate

52 - Provide adequate upstream passage for adult Chinook at Walterville tailrace

EWEB New action < 5 years Immediate Moderate High



< 5 years Immediate Moderate High



18 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Cougar dam.



7 - Provide adequate upstream passage of adult Chinook migration at Leaburg Dam

EWEB Ongoing < 5 years Immediate Moderate High

102 - Ensure the fish screen at the Walterville Diversion functions appropriately.

EWEB Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate High

101 - Ensure the fish screen at the Leaburg Diversion functions appropriately..

EWEB Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate High

Comments:






Secondary:

Note: Impacts from flood control/hydropower not listed as a limiting factor Timeframes







25 - Release flows from Cougar and Blue River dams to meet flow targets in the McKenzie River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration

USACE, Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High

214 - Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat



Comments:





Key: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices. 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of habitat for Chinook

fry, summer parr and winter parr by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.

Secondary: 7e Lack of gravel recruitment below hydropower/flood control dams due to gravel capture in upstream reservoirs impacting Chinook spawners.

8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook fry and summer parr from past and/or present landuse practices.

Note: Timeframes








40 - Restore substrate recruitment below dams

USACE, ODFW New action < 10 years > 10 years High Moderate

170 - Work with "Friends of the Mohawk" to implement habitat restoration projects

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low Moderate

113 - Continue to implement the restoration actions described in "The McKenzie Watershed Conservation Strategy"

McKenzie Watershed Council

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High Low



(2002)

171 - Work with "McKenzie River Trust" to implement habitat restoration projects

McKenzie River Trust, Watershed Council, ODFW

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate Moderate

Comments:





Key: 9g Elevated water temperatures below McKenzie hydropower/flood control dams resulting in premature hatching and emergence.

Secondary:

Note: Impacts from nutrients and pesticides, and dissolved gas not listed as a limiting factors. Timeframes







338 - Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to Chinook

DEQ, USACE New action < 5 years Immediate Low Moderate

47 - Operate Cougar Dam to mimic natural temperature regime

USACE Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High



< 5 years Immediate Low High

Comments:






Secondary:


Management Action Key Entities Status Implementation Response Influence on VSP Parameters


198 - Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook.

OSP Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High

191 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High

Comments:






Secondary:

Note: Timeframes



85 - Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook spawning above Leaburg Dam



228 - Manage McKenzie Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for McKenzie Chinook



Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 4b Competition for Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr with naturally produced progeny of hatchery spring Chinook.

6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts on Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr. 6d Predation by hatchery rainbow on Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr.

Note: Timeframes




ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low High

226 - Allow retention of finclipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts

ODFW New action


205 - Reduce number of hatchery summer steelhead released

ODFW New action


107 - Evaluate predation by hatchery trout in Trail Bridge reservoir

ODFW New action

< 5 years NA NA High

74 - Discontinue releases of ODFW New < 5 years Immediate Low High



hatchery trout in the McKenzie River upstream of Leaburg Dam

action

81 - Release hatchery trout in areas and during periods when Chinook are not as susceptible to predation

ODFW New action


Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Calapooia


Calapooia The Calapooia watershed supports both winter steelhead and spring Chinook. The winter steelhead population is currently at a “moderate” risk of extinction and spring Chinook are at “very high” risk of extinction (see Chapter 4). The key and secondary limiting factors affecting these two populations within the Calapooia are related predominately to impacts from land use and impaired passage (see Chapter 6 for a full description). The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical in order to recover Chinook and steelhead in the Calapooia watershed:












Table 12. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Calapooia watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle is found in Chapter 6.



Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult Spawner Kelt

Chinook Harvest

Steelhead Chinook 3

Hatchery Steelhead Chinook Hydropower/

Flood Control Steelhead

9a 8b 8a 9c Chinook 7a 8a

10b

8a

2h

9a 10b

8a 2h Landuse

Steelhead 7a

2a

Chinook Introduced Species Steelhead Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns. Key threats and limiting facto

2h Impaired access to habitat above Calapooia dams. 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 8b Loss of holding pools from past and/or present land use practices resulting in increased

prespawning mortality. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9c Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices leading to

prespawning mortality. Secondary threats and limiting factors

2a Impaired access to habitat due to road crossings and other land use related passage impediments on wadeable sized streams.

2h Impaired access to habitat above Calapooia dams. 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices.



9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth.

10b Insufficient streamflows due to land use related water withdrawals resulting in impaired water quality and reduced habitat availability.



Table 13. List of specific management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factor Category

Potential Threats Management Actions

Action #

Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook while they are holding during the summer.

95


273

Eliminate parking areas near pools where investments in spring chinook holding pools have been made to minimize disturbance to fish.

122

Add multiple large logs with rootwads to deep pools in the upper Calapooia River where water temperature is less than 70 degrees (upstream of Hands Creek).

121


Land use

Conduct watershed education activities for landowners and in schools.

132

Implement eradication programs for non-native fish. 282 Predation Introduced species Maintain liberal bag limits on non-native largemouth

bass and smallmouth bass (no limit on size or number) in the Calapooia Basin.

17

Modify the irrigation water diversion dam near the mouth of West Fork Brush Creek to allow fish passage.

120

Improve upstream fish passage at the dams associated with the Thompson’s Mill site.

119

Improve upstream fish passage at Sodom Dam. 161

Improve upstream fish passage at Sheer Dam. 56

Habitat access Land use

Improve upstream fish passage at Brownsville dam. 88

Plant native conifers at appropriate sites. Focus efforts on the middle portion of the watershed

127

Add large wood jams to cool streams with gradients <4 % to create habitat for salmonids (Brush Creek for example). Focus on streams with year-round flow.

123

Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

126


Land use

Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat

129



for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.

Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.

130

Maintain existing trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead.

287


Population traits Harvest

Maintain current regulations prohibiting angling for Chinook and steelhead in the Calapooia Basin.

189

Improve water quality in headwater areas for over-summering Chinook.

97

Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals

61


152

Increase shading to expand cool water zones and salmonid habitat

125

Water quality Land use

Work with the City of Albany, City of Brownsville, and others to monitor bacteria in streams and rivers and identify sources of bacteria.

131


Land use Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer.

128



Table 14. List of the management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead.


Action #

High Improve upstream fish passage at Sheer Dam. 56

High Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals

61

High Improve upstream fish passage at Brownsville dam. 88

High Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook while they are holding during the summer.

95

High Improve water quality of headwater areas for oversummering Chinook. 97

High Improve upstream fish passage at the dams associated with the Thompson’s Mill site.

119

High Add multiple large logs with rootwads to deep pools in the upper Calapooia River where water temperature is less than 70 degrees (upstream of Hands Creek).

121

High Eliminate parking areas near pools where investments in spring chinook holding pools have been made to minimize disturbance to fish.

122

High Use fencing, weed control, and native plantings to increase shade along stream sections that have maximum temperatures close to 70 degrees to expand the zone of cool water (such as Brush Creek).

124

High Increase shading to expand cool water zones and salmonid habitat 125

High Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

126

High Plant native conifers at appropriate sites. Focus efforts on the middle portion of the watershed

127

High Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer.

128

High Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.

130

High Reduce nutrient and pesticide loading in streams from land use activities.

152

High Improve upstream fish passage at Sodom Dam. 161


273

Moderate Add large wood jams to cool streams with gradients <4 % to create 123



habitat for salmonids (Brush Creek for example). Focus on streams with year-round flow.

Moderate Work with the City of Albany, City of Brownsville, and others to monitor bacteria in streams and rivers and identify sources of bacteria.

131

Moderate Maintain current regulations prohibiting angling for Chinook and steelhead in the Calapooia Basin.

189

Moderate Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook. 197

Moderate Maintain existing trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead.

287

Low Maintain liberal bag limits (no limit on size or number) on non-native largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in the Calapooia Basin.

17

Low Modify the irrigation water diversion dam near the mouth of West Fork Brush Creek to allow fish passage.

120

Low Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.

129

Low Conduct watershed education activities for landowners and in schools. 132

Low Implement eradication programs for non-native fish. 282



Table 15. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Calapooia watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of salmonid populations and their primary life

history strategies throughout their life cycle.


Key: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr and steelhead winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices


Note: Timeframes





Private landowners, Watershed Council, OWEB, ODFW, SWCD


> 10years Immediate High (ChS and StW)

Moderate

132 - Conduct watershed education activities for landowners and in schools

Calapooia Watershed Council


< 5 years > 10years Low (ChS and StW)

High

Comments:





Key: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook winter parr and steelhead winter parr from past and/or present landuse practices.


Note: Timeframes




129 - Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.



> 10years > 10years Low (ChS and StW)

High

130 - Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.



> 10years > 10years High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

Comments:






8b Loss of holding pools for Chinook adults from past and/or present land use practices resulting in increased prespawning mortality.


9c Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices leading to prespawning mortality for Chinook adults.


9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth of steelhead fry and summer parr.

Note: Timeframes




126 - Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

Calapooia Watershed Council, private landowners


> 10 years > 10 years High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

127 - Plant native conifers at appropriate sites. Focus efforts on the middle portion of the watershed




Moderate

Comments:





Key: 2h Impaired access for Chinook adults to habitat above Calapooia dams.

Secondary: 2a Impaired access for steelhead fry, summer parr, winter parr, smolts and adults to habitat due to road crossings and other landuse related passage impediments on wadeable sized streams.

2h Impaired access for steelhead adults to habitat above Calapooia dams.

Note: Timeframes




56 - Improve upstream fish passage at Sheer Dam

Private landowner, Calapooia Watershed Council

New action < 5 years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

88 - Improve upstream fish passage at Brownsville dam

Private landowner, Calapooia Watershed Council


High

161 - Improve upstream fish passage at Sodom Dam

Oregon State Parks

Ongoing < 5 years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

119 - Improve upstream fish passage at the dams associated with the Thompson’s Mill site.

Oregon State Parks, Calapooia Watershed Council


< 5 years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate



120 - Modify the irrigation water diversion dam near the mouth of West Fork Brush Creek to allow fish passage

Calapooia Watershed Council, private landowner

New action < 5 years Immediate Low (StW) High

Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 10b Insufficient stream flows due to land use related water withdrawals resulting in impaired water quality and reduced habitat availability for Chinook summer parr, and steelhead fry and summer parr.

Note: Timeframes




128 - Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer.



< 5 years Immediate High(ChS) High (StW)

Low

Comments:








Note: Timeframes




121 - Place multiple large logs with rootwads in deep pools in the upper Calapooia River where water temperature is less than 70 degrees (upstream of Hands Creek) .



< 5 years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate

122 - Eliminate parking areas near pools where investments in spring chinook holding pools have been made to minimize disturbance to fish.

Watershed Council, private landowners


< 5 years Immediate High (ChS) High

95 - Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook while they are holding during the summer

OSP, ODFW Expansion of existing program




123 - Add large wood jams to cool streams with gradients <4 % to create habitat for salmonids (Brush Creek for example). Focus on streams with year-round flow.

Watershed Council, private landowners


Ongoing Immediate Moderate(ChS) Moderate (StW)

Low

Comments:






9c Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices leading to prespawning mortality for Chinook adults.

Secondary: 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival and/or growth of steelhead fry and summer parr.

Note: Only actions for altered temperature affect identified limiting factors. Timeframes




131 - Work with the City of Albany, City of Brownsville, and others to monitor bacteria in streams and rivers and identify sources of bacteria

Calapooia Watershed Council, local governments

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate(ChS and StW)

High

61 - Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals

Private landowners


Low


Private landowners, local governments



Moderate

97 - Improve water quality in headwater areas,

Private landowners


> 10 years > 10 years High (ChS) Moderate



125 - Increase shading to expand cool water zones and salmonid habitat

Calapooia Watershed Council, private landowners,



Moderate

Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins, and steelhead eggs and alevins.

Note: Timeframes




Comments: No actions specific to the Calapooia watershed are identified. Recovery will rely on statewide programs.





Key:

Secondary:

Note: Not identified as a current limiting factor, but important actions for recovery of listed fish Timeframes




189 – Maintain current regulations prohibiting angling for Chinook in the Calapooia Basin.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (ChS) High

287 - Maintain trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (StW) High

194 - Maintain current regulations prohibiting angling for steelhead in the Calapooia Basin.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (StW) High


OSP Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (ChS) High

Comments:





Key: 3a Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild Chinook adults resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




Comments: No management actions identified for this limiting factor. Chinook from the South Santiam Hatchery are occasionally released in the Calapooia.





Key:

Secondary:

Note: Not identified as a current limiting factor Timeframes




17 - Maintain liberal bag limits (no limit on size or number) on largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Calapooia Basin

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

High

282 - Implement eradication programs for non-native fish.

ODFW New program

Low (ChS) Low (StW)

Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan South Santiam


South Santiam The South Santiam supports both winter steelhead and spring Chinook. The winter steelhead population is currently at a “moderate” risk of extinction and spring Chinook are at “very high” risk of extinction (see Chapter 4). The key and secondary limiting factors affecting these two populations within the South Santiam watershed are related predominately to land use, flood control / hydropower, and hatcheries (see Chapter 6 for a full description). The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical in order to recover Chinook and steelhead in the South Santiam watershed:














Table 16. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the South Santiam watershed. The factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6.



Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult Spawner Kelt

Chinook Harvest

Steelhead

4b Chinook

6c 3

4c Hatchery

Steelhead 4d

3

9e 2c Chinook

7d 10d 1e

2l

10e

9e 10d

Hydropower / Flood Control

Steelhead

7d

1e 2c 2j

8a Chinook 8a

9a 8a 2g

9a

10b 8a

Landuse

Steelhead 7a

2a

Chinook 6b Introduced Species Steelhead 6b Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns.

Key threats and limiting factors 1e Mortality at South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to direct mortality in the

turbines and/or being trapped in the reservoirs. 2c Impaired access to habitat above South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams. 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression. 4c Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery summer steelhead. 4d Competition with residualized hatchery summer steelhead smolts.



6b Predation by non-native largemouth bass in Green Peter reservoir. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9e Altered water temperatures below Foster Dam resulting in premature hatching and

emergence of Chinook. 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat


10e Elevated flows during spawning and dewatering of redds below the South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams.

Secondary threats and limiting factors 2a Impaired access to habitat due to road crossings and other land use related passage

impediments on wadeable sized streams. 2g Impaired access to habitat above Lebanon dam. 2j Impaired downstream passage at South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams. 2l Prespawning mortality due to crowding below South Santiam hydropower/flood control

dams. 4b Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery spring Chinook. 6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts. 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices. 7d Streambed coarsening below Green Peter and Foster dams due to reduced peak flows. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9e Altered water temperatures below Foster Dam resulting in delayed hatching and

emergence of winter steelhead 10b Insufficient streamflows due to land use related water withdrawals resulting in impaired

water quality and reduced habitat availability.



Table 17. List of specific management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factor Category Potential Threats Management Action

Action #




274


225

Reduce natural spawning of non-native summer steelhead.

204

Competition Hatcheries


200

Predation Introduced species, Flood control / hydropower

Maintain liberal bag limits (no limit on size or number) on non-native largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in the Santiam Basin.

16

Evaluate upstream passage through the new fishways at Lebanon Dam.

229

Provide adequate downstream passage through Foster reservoir and dam.

53


78

Determine if the old (breached) Jordan Dam on Thomas Creek is passable to juvenile fish and remedy if necessary.

231

Restore consistent fish passage into Ames Creek. 232

Modify trapping facilities at Foster Dam to improve handling of adult salmonids.

112

Evaluate the new fish screen at the Lebanon-Albany Canal diversion headgate.

230

Replace the Lacomb Irrigation District diversion screen with one that meets current juvenile fish standards.

241


Provide adequate downstream passage through 37



Green Peter reservoir and dam.

Restore access to habitats upstream of Green Peter dam

36

Improve access to habitats upstream of Foster dam.

20

Continue to implement the South Santiam Watershed Council's Work Plan (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2007).

118

Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows

211


51

Add large wood to suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and salmonid productivity. Good candidate streams include Hamilton, McDowell, Noble, Ames, Wiley, and Neal.

233

Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.

245

Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.

239

Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers at appropriate sites to protect and restore riparian areas. Focus restoration efforts on the reaches below Foster Dam.

238

Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

234

Identify sites in tributaries below Foster Dam where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

223



Set up demonstration sites where landowners can view the results of various types of restoration efforts. Focus on demonstration sites where the landowner actively participated in the restoration.

235

Population Harvest, Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter 193



steelhead.

Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to the Foster Dam collection facility.

263

Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead.

314



188

traits hatcheries

Manage the South Santiam Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for South Santiam Chinook.

178

Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook.

185


135

Increase shade along mainstem and tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g. Thomas, Crabtree, Hamilton).

237


154

Water quality Hatcheries, Flood control / hydropower, land use

Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals.

277

Ensure future USBR water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections.

219


215

Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer (Hamilton, McDowell).

242



Release flows from Foster/Green Peter dams to meet flow targets for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration.

24



Table 18. List of the management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead.


Action #

High Improve access to habitats upstream of Foster dam. 20

High Release flows from Foster/Green Peter dams to meet flow targets for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration.

24

High Restore access to habitats upstream of Green Peter Dam 36

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Green Peter reservoir and dam.

37

High Restore substrate recruitment downstream of dams. 51

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Foster reservoir and dam.

53

High Implement and evaluate the revised outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams.

78

High Modify trapping facilities at Foster Dam to improve handling of adult salmonids.

112

High Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows

211

High Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat

215


219

High Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

234

High Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to the Foster Dam collection facility.

263


274

Moderate Continue to implement the South Santiam Watershed Council's Work Plan (July 1, 2005-June 30, 2007).

118


154

Moderate Manage the South Santiam Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for South Santiam Chinook.

178

Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip in sport fisheries.

188



Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead. 193

Moderate Reduce natural spawning of non-native summer steelhead. 204

Moderate Identify sites in tributaries below Foster Dam where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

223

Moderate Allow retention of fin-clipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts.

225

Moderate Restore consistent fish passage into Ames Creek.. 232

Moderate Add large wood to suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and fish productivity. Good candidate streams include Hamilton, McDowell, Noble, Ames, Wiley, and Neal.

233

Moderate Increase shade along mainstem and tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g. Thomas, Crabtree, Hamilton).

237

Moderate Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers at appropriate sites to protect and restore riparian areas. Focus restoration efforts on the reaches below Foster Dam.

238

Moderate Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer. (Hamilton, McDowell)

242

Moderate Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals.

277

Low Maintain liberal bag limits (no limit on size or number) on non-native largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in the Santiam Basin.

16

Low Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria.

135

Low Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook.

185



200

Low Evaluate upstream passage through the new fishways at Lebanon Dam..

229

Low Evaluate the new fish screen at the Lebanon-Albany Canal diversion headgate.

230

Low Determine if the old (breached) Jordan Dam on Thomas Creek is passable to juvenile fish and remedy if necessary.

231

Low Set up demonstration sites where landowners can view the results of various types of restoration efforts. Focus on demonstration

235



sites where the landowner actively participated in the restoration.

Low Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.

239

Low Replace the Lacomb Irrigation District diversion screen with one that meets current juvenile fish standards.

241

Low Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.

245

Low Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead. 314



Table 19. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the South Santiam watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history





Note: Timeframes





USFS, Watershed councils, ODFW, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, private landowners


> 10years Immediate High (ChS and StW)

Moderate

Comments







Note: Timeframes




223 - Identify sites in tributaries downstream of dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor

USACE, Watershed council, private landowners


< 10years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

245 - Encourage landowners to restore nonfunctioning wetlands on marginally productive land through the use of wetland banks or other measures.

Watershed Council, private landowners, ODFW


< 10years Immediate High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

Comments:









Note: Timeframes




234 - Protect riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

Private landowners, Watershed Council



Moderate

238 - Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers at appropriate sites below Foster Dam to protect and restore riparian areas. Focus most of the conifer restoration efforts on the reaches below Foster Dam




Moderate

Comments:





Key: 1e Mortality of juvenile Chinook and Steelhead at South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to direct mortality in the turbines and/or being trapped in the reservoirs.

2c Impaired access for adult Chinook and steelhead to habitat above South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams.

Secondary: 2a Impaired access for juvenile and adult steelhead to habitat due to road crossings and other land use related passage impediments on wadeable sized streams.

2g Impaired access for adult Chinook and steelhead to habitat above Lebanon dam. 2j Impaired downstream passage for kelt steelhead at South Santiam hydropower/flood control

reservoirs and dams.

Note: Timeframes




53 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Foster reservoir and dam


< 10 years Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Low

37 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Green Peter reservoir and dam

USACE New action < 10 years Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Low

20 - Improve access to habitats upstream of Foster dam


< 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

36 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Green Peter dam


High



112 - Modify trapping facilities at Foster Dam to improve handling of adult salmonids.



High



< 5 years Immediate High (ChS) Low (StW)

High

241 - Replace the Lacomb Irrigation District diversion screen with one that meets current juvenile fish standards.

South Santiam Watershed Council


< 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

230 - Evaluate the new fish screen at the Lebanon-Albany Canal diversion headgate.

City of Albany Ongoing Ongoing Immediate NA High

231 – Determine if the old (breached) Jordan Dam on Thomas Creek is passable to juvenile fish and remedy if necessary


New action < 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

High

232 – Restore consistent fish passage into Ames Creek.




High

229 - Evaluate upstream passage through the new fishways at Lebanon Dam.

City of Albany New action Ongoing Immediate NA High

Comments:





Key: 10e Elevated flows during spawning and dewatering of redds below the South Santiam hydropower/flood control dams reduces survival of steelhead eggs and fry.

Secondary: 10b Insufficient stream flows due to landuse related water withdrawals resulting in impaired water quality and reduced habitat availability reducing survival of Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr.

Note: Timeframes







High

24 - Release flows from Foster/Green Peter dams to meet flow targets in the South Santiam River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration

USACE, Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

High

242 - Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer (Hamilton, McDowell).

South Santiam Watershed Council, private landowners



Moderate

215 - Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd



High



desiccation, and loss of habitat

Comments:






10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr, and steelhead fry, summer parr and winter parr habitat.

Secondary: 7d Streambed coarsening below Green Peter and Foster dams due to reduced peak flows that reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins and steelhead eggs and alevins.


Note: Timeframes








Moderate


USACE New action < 10 years > 10 years High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

239 - Provide outreach and education on the importance of channel meandering for maintaining healthy habitat for fish. Work with landowners on alternatives to riprap.


Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

High

118 - Continue to implement the South Santiam Watershed Council's Work Plan (July 1,

South Santiam Watershed

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low (ChS) Moderate

Moderate



2005-June 30, 2007) Council (StW)

235 - Set up demonstration sites where landowners can view the results of various types of restoration efforts. Focus on demonstration sites where the landowner actively participated in the restoration.



High

233 - Add large wood to suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and salmonid productivity. Good candidate streams include Hamilton, McDowell, Noble, Ames, Wiley, and Neal




Moderate

Comments:






9e Altered water temperatures below Foster Dam resulting in premature hatching and emergence of Chinook eggs and alevins.


9e Altered water temperatures below Foster Dam resulting delayed hatching and emergence of winter steelhead winter steelhead eggs and alevins..





185 - Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook

DEQ, USACE, ODFW



High


Private landowners


Moderate


DEQ, private landowners, local governments


< 10 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

Moderate

135 - Operate dams to USACE Expansion < 5 years Immediate Moderate High



minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria

of existing program

(ChS) Low (StW)

237 - Increase shade along mainstem or tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g. Thomas, Crabtree, Hamilton)



> 10 years > 10 years Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Low

Comments:



8 - Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes


Key: 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins, and steelhead eggs and alevins.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




Comments: No actions specific to the South Santiam watershed are identified. Recovery will rely on statewide programs.





Key:

Secondary:





OSP Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Low

188 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) High

193 - Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low (StW) High

314 - Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead.

ODFW New action

< 5 years Immediate Low (StW) High

Comments:





Key: 3a Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild Chinook and steelhead adults resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes



178 - Manage the South Santiam Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for South Santiam Chinook.

ODFW, USACE



263 - Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to the Foster Dam collection facility.


< 5 years Immediate High (ChS)

204 - Reduce natural spawning of non-native summer steelhead


< 5 years Immediate High (StW) High

Comments:





Key: 4c Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery summer steelhead reduces survival of steelhead fry, summer parr and winter parr.

4d Competition with residualized hatchery summer steelhead smolts reduces survival of steelhead summer parr and winter parr.

6b Predation by non-native largemouth bass in Green Peter reservoir on Chinook summer parr and winter parr, and steelhead summer parr and winter parr.

Secondary: 4b Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery Chinook with natural origin Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr.

6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts on Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr. Note:

Timeframes Management Action Key Entities Status Implementation Response



225 - Allow retention of fin-clipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts

ODFW New action


High

16 - Maintain liberal bag limits on non-native sport fish (no limit on size or number) in the Santiam Basin


High



< 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) High (StW)

High




ODFW, USACE


High

Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan North Santiam


North Santiam The North Santiam watershed supports both winter steelhead and spring Chinook. The winter steelhead population is currently at a “moderate” risk of extinction and spring Chinook are at “very high” risk of extinction (see Chapter 4). The key and secondary limiting factors affecting these two populations within the North Santiam are related predominately to land use, dams, and hatcheries (see Chapter 6 for a full description). The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical in order to recover Chinook and steelhead in the North Santiam watershed:














Table 20. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the North Santiam watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6.



Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult Spawner KeltChinook

Harvest Steelhead

4b Chinook

6c 3

4c Hatchery

Steelhead 4d

3

9b 2b Chinook

7b 10d 1d

2k 7c

10a

9d

Hydropower/ Flood Control

Steelhead

7b

10d 1d 2b 7c 2i

8a Chinook 8a

9a 8a 2f

9a

10b 8a

Landuse

Steelhead 7a

2a

Chinook Introduced Species Steelhead Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns.

Key threats and limiting factors 1d Mortality at North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to direct mortality in the

turbines and/or smolts being trapped in the reservoirs. 2b Impaired access to habitat above North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams. 2f Impaired access to habitat above Upper and Lower Bennett dams. 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.



4c Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery summer steelhead. 4d Competition with residualized hatchery summer steelhead smolts. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9b Elevated water temperatures below the North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams

resulting in premature hatching and emergence. 10a Elevated flows during spawning and dewatering of redds below North Santiam

hydropower/flood control dams. 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat


Secondary threats and limiting factors 2a Impaired access to habitat due to road crossings and other land use related passage

impediments on wadeable sized streams. 2i Impaired downstream passage at North Santiam hydropower/flood control reservoirs and

dams. 4b Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery spring Chinook. 6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts. 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices. 7b Streambed coarsening below North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to

reduced peak flows. 7c Lack of gravel recruitment below North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to

gravel capture in upstream reservoirs. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9d Cool water temperatures below North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams impedes

development or growth. 10b Insufficient streamflows due to land use related water withdrawals resulting in impaired




Table 21. List of specific management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factor Category Potential Threats Management Action

Action #




275


111 Competition Hatcheries, introduced species


201

Improve function and efficiency of fishways at Upper and Lower Bennett dams for both juvenile and adult fish.

54

Screen the significant diversion off Rock Creek.

247

Restore access to habitats upstream of Big Cliff/Detroit dams.

89

Screen the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek diversion.

166


76

Provide adequate downstream passage through Big Cliff/Detroit reservoirs and dams.

43

Evaluate the Mill Creek millrace diversion dam for juvenile fish passage efficiency.

257

Reduce fish loss and migration delays of juvenile and adult fish at Santiam Water Control District irrigation canal/hydro projects.

315


Provide upstream passage for adults at the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek headgate structure.

249



Screen the Sidney Ditch. 248

Provide fish passage on a side channel of the North Santiam River (Hatch Airport site).

103

Restore natural function of the North Santiam River at the Stayton Acclimation Pond Site.

250

Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers and other species at appropriate sites below Big Cliff Dam to protect and restore riparian areas.

259


34

Protect intact riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

253

Release flows dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

212

Add large wood to suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and fish productivity. Good candidate streams include Bear Branch, Stout, Rock, Mad, Sinker, Elkhorn.

252

Identify sites in tributaries downstream of dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

224



Increase shade along mainstem or tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g Bear Branch, Valentine)

258

Manage Marion Forks Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for North Santiam Chinook.

63

Reduce natural spawning of non-native summer steelhead.

69


Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead.

313

Population traits Harvest, hatcheries

Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter 192



steelhead.

Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook smolts released.

267

Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to the Minto collection facility.

264


187


136

Operate dams to mimic the natural temperature regime.

73

Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook.

139


153

Water quality Flood control / hydropower, land use


278

Release flows from Big Cliff/Detroit dams to meet flow targets for spawning, rearing and migration.

42

Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat.

216

Ensure adequate streamflows for upstream migration of Chinook during summer low flow periods at Geren/Stayton Island.

316

Ensure future US Bureau of Reclamation water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protection

339



Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer (Rock, Stout).

260



Table 22. List of the management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead. Influence on VSP Parameters Management Action

Action #

High Restore substrate recruitment downstream of dams. 34

High Release flows from Big Cliff/Detroit dams to meet flow targets for spawning, rearing and migration.

42

High Provide adequate downstream passage through Big Cliff/Detroit reservoirs and dams.

43

High Improve function and efficiency of fishways at Upper and Lower Bennett dams for both juvenile and adult fish.

54

High Operate dams to mimic the natural temperature regime. 73

High Implement and evaluate the revised outplanting protocols for trapping, hauling, and releasing adult Chinook above dams.

76

High Restore access to habitats upstream of Big Cliff/Detroit dams. 89

High Operate dams to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat.

216

High Add large wood to suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and fish productivity. Good candidate streams include Bear Branch, Stout, Rock, Mad, Sinker, Elkhorn.

252

High Protect intact riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.

253

High Increase shade along mainstem or tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g Bear Branch, Valentine)

258

High Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer (Rock, Stout).

260

High Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook smolts released. 267


275

High Reduce fish loss and migration delays of juvenile and adult fish at Santiam Water Control District irrigation canal/hydro projects.

315

High Ensure adequate streamflows for upstream migration of Chinook during summer low flow periods at Geren/Stayton Island.

316

Moderate Manage Marion Forks Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for North Santiam Chinook.

63

Moderate Reduce natural spawning of non-native summer steelhead. 69

Moderate Provide fish passage on a side channel of the North Santiam River 103



(Hatch Airport site).


153

Moderate Screen the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek diversion. 166

Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip.

187

Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead.. 192

Moderate Release flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

212

Moderate Identify sites in tributaries downstream of dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

224

Moderate Screen the significant diversion off Rock Creek. 247

Moderate Screen the Sidney Ditch. 248

Moderate Provide upstream passage for adults at the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek headgate structure.

249

Moderate Evaluate the Mill Creek millrace diversion dam for juvenile fish passage efficiency.

257

Moderate Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers and other species at appropriate sites below Big Cliff Dam to protect and restore riparian areas.

259

Moderate Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals

278

Moderate Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead. 313

Low Allow retention of fin-clipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts.

111

Low Operate dams to minimize exceedence of total dissolved gas criteria.

136

Low Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook.

139

Low Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead. 192



201

Low Restore natural function of the North Santiam River at the old Stayton Acclimation Pond Site.

250



Low Conduct watershed education activities. Involve middle school and high school classes in monitoring and restoration efforts within the watershed.

254

Low Conduct watershed education activities. Provide elementary teachers with printed materials about the ecology of fish and wildlife in the watershed. Help arrange field trips to interesting sites along the river, streams, and wetlands.

255

Low Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to Minto collection facility. 264



Table 23. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the North Santiam watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of salmonid populations and their primary life

history strategies throughout their life cycle.




Note: Timeframes





USFS, Watershed councils, OWEB, ODFW, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs, private landowners


Ongoing Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Moderate

Comments:







Note: Timeframes




224 - Identify sites in tributaries downstream of dams where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor

USACE, Watershed council, private landowners



Moderate

Comments:









Note: Timeframes




259 - Use fencing, weed control, and planting of native conifers and other species at appropriate sites below Big Cliff Dam to protect and restore riparian areas.

North Santiam Watershed Council, private landowners



Moderate

258 - Increase shade along mainstem or tributary reaches to expand cool water zones (e.g Bear Branch, Valentine)



> 10 years > 10 years Moderate (ChS) High (StW)

Moderate

253 - Protect intact riparian areas through fencing, proper management and other methods.




Moderate



Comments:





Key: 1d Mortality of juvenile Chinook and steelhead at North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to direct mortality in the turbines and/or being trapped in the reservoirs.

2b Impaired access for adult Chinook and steelhead to habitat above North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams.

2f Impaired access for adult Chinook to habitat above Upper and Lower Bennett dams.

Secondary: 2a Impaired access for juvenile and adult steelhead to habitat due to road crossings and other land use related passage impediments on wadeable sized streams.

2i Impaired downstream passage for kelt steelhead at North Santiam hydropower/flood control reservoirs and dams.

Note: Timeframes




315 - Reduce fish loss and migration delays of juvenile and adult fish at Santiam Water Control District irrigation canal/hydro projects.

Santiam Water Control District



High




54 - Improve fishway City of Salem, Expansion < 5 years Immediate High (ChS) High



function and efficiency at Upper and Lower Bennett dams for both juvenile and adult fish.

ODFW of existing program

s2

43 - Provide adequate downstream passage through Big Cliff/Detroit reservoirs and dams.


Low

89 - Restore access to habitats upstream of Big Cliff/Detroit dams



High

251 - Provide fish passage on a side channel of the North Santiam River (Hatch Airport site).

ODFW New action < 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

High

166 - Screen the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek diversion

City of Salem New action < 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

247 - Screen the significant diversion off Rock Creek

North Santiam Watershed Council

New action < 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

248 - Screen the Sidney Ditch

Sidney Ditch Cooperative

New action < 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

257 - Evaluate the Mill Creek millrace diversion dam for juvenile fish passage efficiency

City of Salem New action < 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate

High



(StW)

249 - Provide upstream passage for adults at the Salem Ditch/Mill Creek headgate structure

Santiam Water Control District



Moderate

Comments:





Key: 2f Impaired access for adult Chinook to habitat above Upper and Lower Bennett dams. 10a Elevated flows during spawning and dewatering of redds below North Santiam hydropower/flood

control dams reduces survival of steelhead eggs and fry.


Note: Timeframes







High

42 - Release flows from Detroit/Big Cliff dams to meet flow targets in the North Santiam River for spawning, incubation, rearing and migration

USACE, Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

High

260 - Explore leasing water rights along selected tributaries to increase water in the stream during the summer (Rock, Stout).

WRD Expansion of existing program


Moderate



216 - Operate dam to minimize adverse effects of ramping on fish stranding, redd desiccation, and loss of habitat



High

316 - Ensure adequate streamflows for upstream migration of Chinook during summer low flow periods at Geren/Stayton Island

WRD, BOR, USACE, local government



High

Comments:






10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr, and steelhead fry, summer parr and winter parr habitat.

Secondary: 7b Streambed coarsening below Big Cliff Dam due to reduced peak flows that reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins and steelhead eggs and alevins.

7c Lack of gravel recruitment below North Santiam hydropower/flood control dams due to gravel capture in upstream reservoirs impacts spawning Chinook and steelhead


Note: Timeframes




212 - Release flows from storage dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows



Moderate


USACE New action < 10 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

250 - Restore natural function of the North Santiam River at the old Stayton Acclimation Pond Site

North Santiam Watershed Council


High

252- Add large wood to North Santiam Expansion < 10 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low



suitable, moderate-gradient streams to increase habitat complexity and fish productivity. Good candidate streams include Bear Branch, Stout, Rock, Mad, Sinker, Elkhorn

Watershed Council

of existing program

High (StW)

Comments:






9e Altered water temperatures below Big Cliff Dam resulting in premature hatching and emergence of Chinook eggs and alevins.


9d Altered water temperatures below Big Cliff Dam resulting delayed hatching and emergence of winter steelhead winter steelhead eggs and alevins.





139 - Resolve potential conflicts between meeting TMDL temperature targets downstream of dams and operating dams to maximize benefits to steelhead and Chinook

DEQ, USACE Expansion of existing program


High


DEQ, private landowners, local governments



Low


Private landowners


Low

73 - Operate dam to mimic USACE New action < 10 years Immediate High (ChS) Low



natural temperature regime downstream of projects to the extent possible

Moderate (StW)


USACE New action < 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

High

Comments:



8 - Restore degraded upland processes to minimize unnatural rates of erosion and runoff, and maintain unimpaired natural upland processes


Key: 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins, and steelhead eggs and alevins.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




Comments: No actions specific to the North Santiam watershed are identified. Recovery will rely on statewide programs.





Key:

Secondary:




313 - Minimize angling impacts on spawning winter steelhead.






OSP, ODFW Ongoing8 Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Hiigh

187 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) High

Comments:





Key: 3a Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild Chinook and steelhead adults resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes



63 - Manage Marion Forks Hatchery as a conservation and supplementation program for North Santiam Chinook.

ODFW, USACE



264 - Increase homing of hatchery Chinook to the Minto collection facility.



267 - Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook smolts released.

ODFW, USACE

New action

< 5 years 1 generation Moderate (ChS)


ODFW, USACE


< 5 years Immediate Moderate (StW) High

Comments:





Key: 4c Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery summer steelhead reduces survival of steelhead fry, summer parr and winter parr.

4d Competition with residualized hatchery summer steelhead smolts reduces survival of steelhead summer parr and winter parr.

Secondary: 4b Competition with naturally produced progeny of hatchery Chinook with natural origin Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr.

6c Predation by hatchery summer steelhead smolts on Chinook fry, summer parr and winter parr. Note:

Timeframes Management Action Key Entities Status Implementation Response



111 - Allow retention of finclipped trout in areas open to angling to reduce residual summer steelhead smolts

ODFW New action





267 - Reduce the number of hatchery Chinook smolts released.

ODFW, USACE

New action

< 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS)





High

Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Molalla


Molalla The Molalla River supports both winter steelhead and spring Chinook. The winter steelhead population is currently at a “moderate” risk of extinction and spring Chinook are at “very high” risk of extinction (see Chapter 4). The key and secondary limiting factors affecting these two populations within the Molalla River Basin are related predominately to land use (see Chapter 6 for a full description). There are also important concerns regarding hatchery effects on spring Chinook. The following management strategies (with the corresponding management actions described below) are critical in order to recover Chinook and steelhead in the Molalla watershed:













Table 24. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Molalla watershed. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6.



Parr Winter

Parr Smolt Adult Spawner KeltChinook Harvest Steelhead Chinook 3 Hatchery Steelhead Chinook Hydropower/

Flood Control Steelhead 9a 8b 8a Chinook 7a 8a

10b 8a 9c

9a 10b 8a

Landuse

Steelhead 7a 2a

Chinook Introduced Species Steelhead Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns.

Key threats and limiting factors 3 Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild fish resulting in a risk of genetic introgression. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 8b Loss of holding pools from past and/or present land use practices resulting in increased

prespawning mortality. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 9c Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices leading to

prespawning mortality. Secondary threats and limiting factors

7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices. 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in

decreased survival and/or growth. 10b Insufficient streamflows due to land use related water withdrawals resulting in impaired




Table 25. List of specific management actions identified in the Molalla watershed. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factors Category Potential Threats All Management Actions

Action #


276 All habitat limiting factors

Land use

Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook while they are holding during the summer.

184

Reconnect floodplains to channels. 303


304

Maintain revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones.

137

Implement habitat improvement projects. 167


Land use

Develop a cooperative agreement or habitat conservation plan with land owners to protect fish habitat.

169

Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals.

279

Improve water quality of headwater areas for oversummering Chinook.

155



151

Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook.

108

Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead.

86

Modify angling regulations to increase protection of adult Chinook holding in the summer.

173

Reform the hatchery Chinook program (non-local stock) to a supplementation/conservation program.

174

Population traits Harvest, hatcheries,

Continue to prohibit harvest of spring 179



Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

Maintain trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead.

287



Table 26. List of the management actions identified in the Molalla watershed prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead.


Action #

High Minimize illegal harvest of adult Chinook. 108


151

High Improve water quality of headwater areas for over-summering Chinook.

155

High Develop a cooperative agreement or habitat conservation plan with land owners to protect fish habitat.

169

High Modify angling regulations to increase protection of adult Chinook holding in the summer.

173

High Reform the hatchery Chinook program (non-local stock) to a supplementation/conservation program.

174

High Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

179


276

High Reconnect floodplains to channels. 303


Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead. 86

Moderate Maintain revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones.

137

Moderate Maintain trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead.

287

Moderate Implement habitat improvement projects. 167

Low Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook while they are holding during the summer.

184

Low Implement Oregon Association of Nurseries agricultural land spraying proposals.

279



Table 27. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the Molalla watershed describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history





Note: Timeframes







> 10years Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Moderate

Comments:







Note: Timeframes




303 - Reconnect floodplains to channels

Private landowners, BLM, Molalla River Watch, Molalla River Stewards, SWCD



Moderate

Comments:








9c Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices leading to prespawning mortality.

Secondary: 8a Impaired physical habitat for Chinook fry and summer parr from past and/or present landuse practices. 9a Elevated water temperatures from past and/or present land use practices resulting in decreased survival

and/or growth of steelhead fry and summer parr. Note:

Timeframes




137 - Maintain existing revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones.

Private landowners, USACE, SWCD


> 10 years > 10 years

Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)


Private landowners, BLM, Molalla River Watch, Molalla River Stewards, OWEB, ODFW, SWCD


> 10 years > 10 years

Moderate (ChS) High (StW)

Moderate

Comments:

Comments:





Key:


Note: Timeframes




Comments: No actions specific to the Molalla Basin are identified. Recover will rely on statewide programs.








Note: Timeframes




137 - Maintain revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones in the future

USACE, private landowners



Moderate

169 - Develop a cooperative agreement or habitat conservation plan with land owners to protect fish habitat

Private landowners, New action < 10 years Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Moderate

167 - Implement habitat improvement projects

Private landowners, BLM, Molalla River Watch, Molalla River Stewards, OWEB, ODFW, SWCD

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Moderate

184 - Reduce harassment of adult spring Chinook

OSP, ODFW, Molalla River Watch,


< 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS)



while they are holding during the summer.

Molalla River Stewards

program

Comments:












Private landowners, BLM, SWCD, local governments


> 10 years > 10 years Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

Moderate


Private landowners Expansion of existing program

< 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

High

155 - Improve water quality of headwater areas for over-summering Chinook

Private landowners, BLM, Molalla River Watch, Molalla River Stewards


> 10 years > 10 years High (ChS) Moderate

Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 7a Fine sediment in spawning gravel from past and/or present land use practices reduces survival of Chinook eggs and alevins, and steelhead eggs and alevins.

Note: Timeframes




Comments: No actions specific to the Calapooia watershed are identified. Recovery will rely on statewide programs.





Key:

Secondary:






OSP Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (ChS)

High


ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (StW)

High

287 - Maintain trout angling restrictions to protect juvenile winter steelhead

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (StW)

173 - Modify angling regulations to increase protection of adult Chinook holding in the summer.

ODFW New action < 5 years Immediate High (ChS) High

179 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Medium (ChS)

Comments:



Molalla - Management Strategy: Reduce hatchery related genetic effects on natural origin Chinook and steelhead to appropriate levels.


Key: 3a Hatchery fish interbreeding with wild Chinook adults resulting in a risk of genetic introgression.

Secondary:

Note: Timeframes




174 - Reform the existing hatchery Chinook program (non-local stock) to conservation and supplementation program

ODFW, Molalla River Stewards, Native Fish Society

New action


Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Mainstem Willamette


Clackamas The Clackamas River watershed contains species from both the Lower Columbia and Upper Willamette ESUs. Winter steelhead, summer steelhead, coho, and fall Chinook are included in the Lower Columbia ESUs and DPSs. However, spring Chinook have been classified as part of the Upper Willamette River Chinook ESU. Spring Chinook management actions are being developed with the other species in the Lower Columbia River Recovery Planning process. Once the management actions for spring Chinook in the Clackamas River have been finalized, the Willamette Recovery Plan will include those actions for Clackamas spring Chinook.



Mainstem Willamette (above the falls) and Westside tributaries The mainstem Willamette River supports both winter steelhead and spring Chinook at various life stages throughout the entire year. Juvenile Chinook and steelhead enter the Westside tributaries to rear. The key and secondary limiting factors in the mainstem Willamette and Westside tributaries are related predominately to land use and dam effects (see and Chapter 6 for a full description).











Table 28. Summary of key and secondary limiting factors and threats for Chinook and steelhead in the Weside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River. The limiting factors and threats assessment for the entire life cycle limiting is found in Chapter 6.

West Side Tributaries

Mainstem Willamette (above falls)

Threats Species Parr Parr Smolt Chinook

Harvest Steelhead

Chinook Hatchery

Steelhead

Chinook 10d

10c Hydropower/ Flood Control

Steelhead 10d

Chinook 8a Landuse

Steelhead 8a

8a Chinook Introduced

Species Steelhead Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns. Key threats and limiting factors

10c Reduced flows during spring reservoir filling result in increased water temperatures that lead to increased disease.

Secondary threats and limiting factors 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices.




Table 29. List of specific management actions identified in the Weside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River. Actions are linked to the specific limiting factor category and potential threats identified in Chapter 6.

Limiting Factor Category Threats Management Action Action #


13 All habitat limiting factors


Protect and restore aquatic habitat function at the mouths of Willamette River tributaries.

57

Ensure safe passage of juvenile Chinook and steelhead through Sullivan Plant at Willamette Falls.

294 Habitat access Flood control / hydropower

Ensure safe passage of adult Chinook and steelhead at Willamette Falls.

NEW

Evaluate releasing flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows.

213

Increase native floodplain forest using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

320

Restore substrate recruitment from tributary areas.

288

Restore natural riparian communities and their function, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

293

Increase channel complexity of the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

319

Identify sites where habitat restoration is desireable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

72

Increase non-structural storage capacity of flood water along the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

133



Maintain revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones.

160



Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead.

341 Population traits Harvest

Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip .

2

Develop outreach and education program for landowners on best management practices to reduce adverse effects on fish and their habitat.

168


340



150

Release flows from storage dams to meet flow targets in mainstem Willamette River for rearing and migration.

30 Water quantity/Hydrograph


Ensure future US Bureau of Reclamation water service contracts do not reduce instream flow protections.

221



Table 30. List of the management actions identified in the Westside tributaries and mainstem Willamette River prioritized by the potential benefits to recovering Chinook and steelhead.

Influence on VSP Parameters Management Action Action

#


13

High Release flows from storage dams to meet flow targets in mainstem Willamette River for rearing and migration.

30

High Protect and restore aquatic habitat function at the mouths of Willamette River tributaries.

57

High Identify sites where habitat restoration is desireable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor.

72

High Increase non-structural storage capacity of flood water along the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the "Willamette Planning Atlas."

133


150

High Work with local governments to improve water withdrawal & discharge practices in the mainstem Willamette

163


221

High Restore substrate recruitment from tributary areas. 288

High Restore natural riparian communities and their function, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

293

High Increase channel complexity of the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

319

High Increase native floodplain forest using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

320

Moderate Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose fin-clip.

2

Moderate Maintain existing revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones in the future.

160

Moderate Ensure safe passage of juvenile and adult Chinook and steelhead at Willamette Falls.

294

Low Maintain liberal bag limits (no limit on size or number) on non-native largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in mainstem Willamette above Albany.

5



Low Continue to prohibit harvest of wild winter steelhead. 341

Not ranked Develop outreach and education program for landowners on best management practices to reduce adverse effects on fish and their habitat.

168

Not ranked Evaluate releasing flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows

213



Table 31. A series of tables with the management actions identified in the mainstem Willamette River describing key entities, and implementation and response timeframes. 1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their primary life history



Key:

Secondary: 8a Impaired physical habitat from past and/or present land use practices reduces survival of Chinook parr and smolts, and steelhead smolts.

Note: Timeframes





Private landowners Watershed councils, OWEB, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs


Ongoing > 10years Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

57 - Protect and restore aquatic habitat function at the mouths of Willamette River tributaries

Private landowners, Watershed councils, OWEB, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs


Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

Comments:





Key:



Note: Timeframes




320 - Increase native floodplain forest using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

Private landowners Watershed councils, OWEB, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs,


> 10years Immediate High (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

133 - Increase non-structural storage capacity of flood water along the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

Private landowners, Watershed councils, USACE, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs

New action > 10years Immediate High (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

Comments:





Key:


Note: Timeframes




293 – Restore natural riparian communities and their function, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

Private landowners, Watershed councils, USACE, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts, NGOs


> 10 years > 10 years High (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

Comments:





Key:

Secondary:

Note: Not identified as a limiting factor but important for recovery. Timeframes




294 - Ensure safe passage of juvenile Chinook and steelhead through Sullivan Plant at Willamette Falls.

Portland General Electric

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

NEW - Ensure safe passage of adult Chinook and steelhead at Willamette Falls.

Odfw

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High (ChS) High (StW)

Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation which reduces survival of Chinook parr and smolt and steelhead smolts. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.

Note: Timeframes






< 5 years Immediate Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

High

30 - Release flows from storage dams to meet flow targets in the mainstem Willamette River for rearing and migration

USACE, Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Moderate (StW)

High

Comments:





Key:

Secondary: 10d Reduced peak flows leading to decreased channel complexity and diversity of fish habitat by reducing channel movement that is important for recruitment of gravel and large wood, and maintaining varying seral stages of riparian vegetation which reduces survival of Chinook parr and smolt and steelhead smolts. Lower peak flows also reduces scour and formation of pools.

Note: Timeframes




213 – Evaluate releasing flows from dams to provide channel forming/restoring flows



< 5 years < 5 years NA Low

72 - Identify sites in the mainstem Willamette where habitat restoration is desirable, design restoration projects, implement work, and monitor

Private landowners, USACE, watershed councils, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts



Low

160 - Maintain existing revetments in a more natural manner and minimize new ones in the future



Ongoing Immediate Moderate (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

288 - Restore substrate recruitment to the




High



mainstem Willamette River from tributary areas.

program

319 - Increase channel complexity of the mainstem Willamette River, using the framework in the Willamette Planning Atlas.

Private landowners, USACE, watershed councils, SWCD, USDA FSA, land trusts


> 10 years High (ChS) Moderate (StW)

Low

Comments:





Key: 10c Reduced flows during spring reservoir filling result in increased water temperatures that lead to increased disease for steelhead smolts.

Secondary:





168 - Develop outreach and education program for landowners on best management practices to reduce adverse effects on fish and their habitat

ODA, ODF, watershed councils, NGOs


< 10 years Immediate Unknown Moderate


Private landowners, local governments


> 10 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

Moderate

30 - Release flows from storage dams to meet flow targets in mainstem Willamette River for rearing and migration.

USACE Ongoing Ongoing Immeadiate Moderate (ChS) High (StW)


Private landowners New action < 5 years Immediate Low (ChS) Low (StW)

Low

Comments:





Key:

Secondary:





2 - Continue to prohibit harvest of spring Chinook without an adipose finclip

ODFW Ongoing Ongoing Immediate Low (ChS) High



Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Estuary


Estuary There are eight management strategies related to habitat limiting factors and threats to Chinook and steelhead populations as they rear and migrate through the Columbia River estuary. These strategies, their relation to estuarine habitat limiting factors and threats to the recovery of LCR Chinook and steelhead populations are shown in Table 7.3. Table 7-3. Relationship between management strategies and habitat limiting factors and threats in the Columbia River estuary.

Management StrategiesLimiting Factors

Addressed Threats Addressed1 - Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their life history strategies throughout their life cycle.

All habitat limiting factors See individual limiting factors.

Climate cycles and global warming

Water withdrawal

Flow regulation

Entrapment of sediment in reservoirs

Impaired sediment transport

Dredging4 - Restore floodplain connectivity and function, and maintain unimpaired floodplain connectivity and function.

Food web, Physical habitat quality, & habitat access Dikes and filling

Pile dikes and navigational structures

Over-water structures6 - Reduce the beach stranding of juvenile salmon and steelhead as they rear and migrate through the estuary. Population traits Ship wakes

Reservoir phytoplankton productionAltered predator/prey relationships exacerbated by changes in estuarine habitat conditionsShip ballast practices

Agricultural practices

Urban and industrial practices

Riparian practices

Reservoir heating

2 - Provide magnitude and timing of flows that support the ecological needs of salmon and steelhead populations as they rear and migrate through the estuary.

Water quantity/hydrograph, Physical habitat quality, &

Habitat Access

3 - Provide magnitude and timing of sediment and protect exsiting sediment resources that support the ecological needs of salmon and steelhead populations as they rear and migrate through the estuary.

Food web & Physical habitat quality

5 - Restore channel structure and complexity, and maintain unimpaired structure and complexity.

Food web & Physical habitat quality

7 - Restore impaired food web dynamics and function, and maintain unimpaired dynamics and function.

Food web, Predation, Competition, & Introduced

species

8 - Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality Food web & Water quality

The Columbia River Estuary Recovery Plan Module (Lower Columbia River Fish Recovery Board 2006) identifies 23 management actions that address the range of threats to salmonids in the estuary. As with the management actions for tributary habitat, these actions are designed to protect and improve ecosystem functions and restore normative ecological processes. The following tables show the strategies and actions needed to address estuarine habitat limiting factors and threats to salmonids in the Columbia River estuary. Key and secondary limiting factors and threats are shown along with the viability parameters and life stages that are most affected. Tables also identify priority locations that are stream reaches or areas where actions should be implemented first to achieve the greatest benefit. For each management action, key programs, the status of current efforts, implementation timeframe, expected biophysical response timeframe, and certainty of action implementation are also outlined.



Key and secondary estuarine habitat limiting factors and hydrosystem related threats, VSP parameters primarily affected, and life stages primarily affected, and priority locations for actions.

Key:5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of dredged

material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 5b - Increased microdetrital inputs as a result of decaying phytoplankton delivered from upstream Columbia River reservoirs that

impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 7b - Altered fine sediment transport as a result of reduced sand discharge into the estuary due to alterations to spring freshet flows

related to the hydropower/flood control system that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 10d - Altered timing and magnitude of spring freshets as a result of flow alterations associated with the hydropower/flood control

system and water withdrawals that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY Secondary: 6d – Predation by marine mammals on spring chinook, winter steelhead and summer steelhead returning adults exacerbated

concentrating and delaying fish as they pass over Bonneville dam. VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: Bonneville Dam 9aa – Impoundment of water above Columbia River basin dams results in solar heating and elevated temperatures of river water

entering the estuary that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY

Fry

Fingerling/Sub-

yearling YearlingReturning

Adults

9aa

5a5b7b10d

9aa

5a5b7b10d

6d5a5b7b10d

Hydro

9aaSummer Steelhead

6d5a5b7b10d

9aa

6d5a5b7b10d

Winter Steelhead

9aa5a5b7b10d

Spring Chinook

9aa

9aa

5a5b7b10dFall Chinook

Chum

Coho

Late Fall Chinook

Threats Population

Estuary (below Bonneville and Willamette Falls)

Table 32. Management Strategies, Actions, Priority Areas, and Key Programs to address Habitat Limiting Factors and Threats in the Columbia River Estuary



Key and secondary estuarine habitat limiting factors and land use related threats, VSP parameters primarily affected, and life stages primarily affected, and priority locations for actions (continued).

Key:5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of

dredged material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY Secondary: 6b – Predation by Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, and a variety of gull species on yearling coho, fall and late

chinook fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead excacerbated by alterations to estuarine habitat.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 8a – Impaired physical habitat condition due to dredging, disposal of sand and gravel, wetland filling, in-water and over-water

structures, dikes, and navigational structures that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 9a – Past and present land management practices that have altered riparian conditions resulting in reduced stream shading and

elevated water temperatures that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 9b – Agricultural practices in the estuary and throughout the Columbia River basin that contribute water-soluble contaminants

and other potentially toxic contaminants that impairs the growth and survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY 9c – Urban and industrial practices that create toxic chemicals that are transported to the estuary that impairs the growth and

survival of yearling coho, chum fry, fall and late chinook fry, fingerling-subyearling, spring chinook fingerling-subyearling and yearling, and fingerling-subyearling and yearling summer and winter steelhead.

VSP Parameters Primarily Effected: Abundance, diversity, productivity Priority Locations: NEED TO IDENTIFY

Fry

Fingerling/Sub-

yearling YearlingReturning

Adults

6b8a9a9b9c

5a

8a9a9b9c

5a

6b

6b

6b8a9a9b9c

5aSummer Steelhead

Black cells indicated key concerns; Gray cells indicated secondary concerns; Cross-hatched

5a

Landuse

6b8a9a9b9cWinter Steelhead

5a6b8a9a9b9c

Spring Chinook

5a8a9a9b9c

Late Fall Chinook

8a9a9b9c

5aFall Chinook

Chum

Coho

Threats Population

Estuary (below Bonneville and Willamette Falls)

Estuary - Management Strategy 1: Protect and conserve natural ecological processes that support the viability of populations and their life history strategies throughout their life cycle.




Key 5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of dredged material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system.

7b - Altered fine sediment transport as a result of reduced sand discharge into the estuary due to alterations to spring freshet flows related to the hydropower/flood control system.

10d - Altered timing and magnitude of spring freshets as a result of flow alterations associated with the hydropower/flood control system and water withdrawals.

Secondary No secondary concerns. Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of

Outcome

Key Management Actions Key

Entities Status Implementation

Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP

ParametersCertainty of

ImplementationProtect highest quality habitats and conserve rare and unique functioning habitats through acquisition and easements. Consistently apply Best Management Practices and existing laws to protect and conserve natural ecological processes. Comments: Estuary- Management Strategy 2: Restore floodplain connectivity and function, and maintain unimpaired floodplain connectivity and function.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy 5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of dredged material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system. Key 10d - Altered timing and magnitude of spring freshets as a result of flow alterations associated with the hydropower/flood control system and water withdrawals.

Secondary 8a – Impaired physical habitat condition due to dredging, disposal of sand and gravel, wetland filling, in-water and over-water structures, dikes, and navigational structures.

Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of Outcome



Timeframe Response

TimeframeInfluence on VSP




ParametersBreach or lower dikes and levees to improve access to off-channel habitats

Adjust the timing, magnitude and frequency of flows (especially spring freshets) entering the estuary and plume to provide better transport of sediments and access to habitats in the estuary, plume, and littoral cell.

Protect remaining high-quality off-channel habitat from degradation through education, regulation, and fee simple and less-than-fee acquisition.

Comments:



Estuary - Management Strategy 3: Provide magnitude and timing of sediment and protect existing sediment resources that support the ecological needs of salmon and steelhead populations as they rear and migrate through the estuary.


Key 7b - Altered fine sediment transport as a result of reduced sand discharge into the estuary due to alterations to spring freshet flows related to the hydropower/flood control system.

Secondary No secondary concerns identified. Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of

Outcome



Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationStudy and mitigate the effects of entrapment of sediment in reservoirs, to improve nourishment of the littoral cell.

Reduce the export of sand and gravels via dredge operations by using dredged materials beneficially.

Reduce entrainment and habitat effects resulting from main- and side-channel dredge activities in the estuary.

Adjust the timing, magnitude and frequency of flows (especially spring freshets) entering the estuary and plume to provide better transport of sediments and access to habitats in the estuary, plume, and littoral cell.

Comments: Estuary - Management Strategy 4: Provide magnitude and timing of flows that support the ecological needs of salmon and steelhead populations as they rear and migrate through the estuary.


Key 5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of dredged material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system.



7b - Altered fine sediment transport as a result of reduced sand discharge into the estuary due to alterations to spring freshet flows related to the hydropower/flood control system. 10d - Altered timing and magnitude of spring freshets as a result of flow alterations associated with the hydropower/flood control system and water withdrawals.

Secondary No secondary concerns. Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of

Outcome



Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationEstablish legal instream flows for the estuary that would help prevent further degradation of the ecosystem. Adjust the timing, magnitude and frequency of flows (especially spring freshets) entering the estuary and plume to provide better transport of sediments and access to habitats in the estuary, plume, and littoral cell. Comments: Estuary- Management Strategy 5: Restore channel structure and complexity, and maintain unimpaired structure and complexity.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy Key No key concerns

Secondary 8a – Impaired physical habitat condition due to dredging, disposal of sand and gravel, wetland filling, in-water and over-water structures, dikes, and navigational structures.



Entites Status Implementation

Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationRemove pile dikes that have low navigational



value but high impact on estuary circulation and/or juvenile predation effects. Reduce the square footage of over-water structures in the estuary. Protect intact riparian areas in the estuary and its tributaries and restore riparian areas that are degraded.

Comments: Estuary - Management Strategy 6: Reduce the beach stranding of juvenile salmon and steelhead as they rear and migrate through the estuary.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy Key No key concerns

Secondary No secondary concerns Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of

Outcome



Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationReduce the effects of vessel wake stranding in the estuary. Comments: Need further research and monitoring to assess the current impact of this threat.



Estuary - Management Strategy 7: Restore impaired food web dynamics and function, and maintain unimpaired dynamics and function.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy 5a - Reduced macrodetrital inputs as a result of construction of revetments along the estuary shorelines, the disposal of dredged material in what formerly were shallow or wetland areas, and reductions in flow due to the hydropower system.5b - Increased microdetrital inputs as a result of decaying phytoplankton delivered from upstream Columbia River reservoirs. 7b - Altered fine sediment transport as a result of reduced sand discharge into the estuary due to alterations to spring freshet flows related to the hydropower/flood control system.

Key 10d - Altered timing and magnitude of spring freshets as a result of flow alterations associated with the hydropower/flood control system and water withdrawals. 6d – Predation by marine mammals exacerbated concentrating and delaying fish as they pass over Bonneville dam.

Secondary 6b – Predation by Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, and a variety of gull species excacerbated by alterations to estuarine habitat.




Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationBreach or lower dikes and levees to improve access to off-channel habitats Adjust the timing, magnitude and frequency of flows (especially spring freshets) entering the estuary and plume to provide better transport of sediments and access to habitats in the estuary, plume, and littoral cell.

Protect remaining high-quality off-channel habitat from degradation through education, regulation, and fee simple and less-than-fee acquisition.

Establish legal instream flows for the estuary that would help prevent further degradation of



the ecosystem. Study and mitigate the effects of entrapment of sediment in reservoirs, to improve nourishment of the littoral cell.

Reduce the export of sand and gravels via dredge operations by using dredged materials beneficially.

Reduce entrainment and habitat effects resulting from main- and side-channel dredge activities in the estuary.

Manage pikeminnow, smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish to prevent increases in abundance.

Identify and implement actions to reduce salmonid predation by pinnipeds. Implement education and monitoring projects and enforce existing laws to reduce the introduction and spread of noxious weeds.

Implement projects to redistribute part of the Caspian tern colony currently nesting on East Sand Island.

Implement projects to reduce double-crested cormorant habitats and encourage dispersal to other locations.

Reduce the abundance of shad entering the estuary. Prevent new invertebrate introductions and reduce the effects of existing infestations. Comments: Estuary - Management Strategy 8: Improve degraded water quality and maintain unimpaired water quality.

Key and Secondary Limiting Factors/Threats Addressed by Strategy Key No key concerns.



9a – Past and present land management practices that have altered riparian conditions resulting in reduced stream shading and elevated water temperatures. 9aa – Impoundment of water above Columbia River basin dams results in solar heating and elevated temperatures of river water entering the estuary. 9b – Agricultural practices in the estuary and throughout the Columbia River basin that contribute water-soluble contaminants and other potentially toxic contaminants.

Secondary

9c – Urban and industrial practices that create toxic chemicals that are transported to the estuary. Key Management Actions, Status of Current Efforts, Implementation Timeframe, Expected Response, and Certainty of

Outcome


Entites Status Implementation

Timeframe Response

Timeframe

Influence on VSP


ImplementationProtect intact riparian areas in the estuary and its tributaries and restore riparian areas that are degraded. Modify hydrosystem operations to reduce the effects of reservoir surface heating, or conduct mitigation measures. Implement pesticide and fertilizer best management practices to reduce estuary and upstream sources of toxic contaminants entering the estuary. Identify and reduce industrial, commercial, and public sources of pollutants. Implement stormwater best management practices in cities and towns. Monitor the estuary for contaminants and restore contaminated sites. Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Ocean


Ocean The ocean environment is vastly important to spring Chinook and winters steelhead survival and recovery. However, only management action that can be directly controlled in this Recovery Plan is harvest in US and Canadian commercial and sport fisheries. Therefore, the only management action stated for the ocean is management of ocean fisheries via the Pacific Salmon Treaty (a harvest agreement between Canada and US). Table 33. Table with the management action identified in the ocean. Key entities, and implementation and response timeframes are described.

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Ocean


Ocean - Management Strategy: Implement a fishery management regime that will allow recovery of natural origin Chinook and steelhead


Key:

Secondary:




62 - Ensure ocean fishery exploitation rates will allow recovery of Chinook Chinook populations (when combined with freshwater fishery impacts).

PFMC, NOAA Fisheries, ODFW

Ongoing Ongoing Immediate High High

Comments:

Chapter 7. Management Strategies and Action August 2007 Upper Willamette Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan Statewide Programs


7.5 – Statewide Habitat Management Program Suffiencies Table 34. Percentage of total basin area by designated land use for Upper Willamette River steelhead populations.

Population Federal Forest

State Forest

Private Forest Agriculture Urban Other

Calapooia 6% 0% 28% 60% 5% 0%

Molalla 10% 4% 32% 49% 6% 0%

North Santiam

62% 6% 13% 14% 3% 2%

South Santiam

32% 1% 39% 25% 3% 1%

Table 35. Percentage of total basin area by designated land use for Upper Willamette River Chinook populations.

Population Federal Forest

State Forest

Private Forest Agriculture Urban Other

Calapooia 6% 0% 28% 60% 5% 0%

McKenzie 66% 0% 24% 4% 3% 4%

Middle Fork Willamette

80% 0% 12% 3% 2% 3%

Molalla 10% 4% 32% 49% 6% 0%

North Santiam 62% 6% 13% 14% 3% 2%

South Santiam 32% 1% 39% 25% 3% 1%



Table 36. Series of tables describing various statewide programs in Oregon. Tables taken directly from the statewide program review conducted in 2007. Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Agriculture Program Name: Agricultural Water Quality Management (SB 1010)

Populations Where Program is Implemented Middle Fork

√ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam √ Molalla √

Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest Agriculture √ Urban or Rural Residential

All agricultural practices and water pollution associated with activities on agricultural and rural lands, excluding federal or tribal trust lands.

Management Strategies Ecologica

l Processes

√

Floodplain

Function

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrogra

ph √

Channel Structure

Water Quality √

Hillslope Processes

√

Management Actions Need Text

Modifications Needed, and Constraints to Implementation Limiting

Factor/Threat:

Agricultural chemicals (organophoshates and other insecticides) that impair growth and survival. :

Rational for Sufficiency

Characterization:

Basin plans and rules are reviewed biennially and modified as necessary to meet deficiencies and new requirements or information. ODA focuses efforts and resources on areas of highest priority and program is enforced. Given more resources (funding), implementation of on-the-ground actions would be accelerated.

Modifications Needed:

Biennial reviews will determine if modifications are needed.

Program Constraints:

Landowner cooperation, capacity for outreach, changing land ownerships and new landowners knowledge of agricultural issues, perception that this is only a complaint driven process, technical assistance, adequate monitoring at meaningful scales.

Limiting Factor/Thre

at:

High water temperatures due to degraded riparian conditions that increase stress and mortality. :


Characterization:








Limiting Factor/Thre

at:

Fine sediment inputs from land management activities that impact the survival of eggs and alevins. :


Characterization:








Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Agriculture Program Name: Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

Populations Where Program is Implemented

Middle Fork √ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam

√ Molalla √

Jurisdictions


All permitted and non-permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Management Strategies

Ecological Processes

Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes

√ Management Actions

Need Text


Factor/Threat: Discharges of animal waste that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

This program limits/controls nutrient impacts on water quality for both surface and ground water. It is consistent with the federal Clean Water Act requirements for CAFOs. Strong regulatory program and funding.

Modifications Needed: None. Exceeds federal requirements.


Economic conditions impede the ability of operators to be more proactive in addressing fish habitat needs.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Agriculture Program Name: Soil and Water Conservation Districts


Middle Fork √ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam

√ Molalla √

Jurisdictions

Federal Forest √ State Forest √ Private Forest √ Agriculture √ Urban or Rural Residential √

All lands within district boundaries. Management Strategies

Ecological Processes √

Floodplain Function √

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text


Factor/Threat: High water temperatures due to degraded riparian conditions that increase stress and mortality. :


Characterization:

Strong local infrastructure provides strong local involvement and action. Districts focus efforts and resources on areas of highest priority. Given more resources (funding) implementation of on-the-ground actions would be accelerated.

Modifications Needed: None at this time.

Program Constraints: Stable and adequate levels of resources (Funding).

Limiting Factor/Threat:

Loss of instream habitat complexity and off channel habitat availability due to past or present land management practices that impairs growth and survival.

:


Characterization:

Strong local infrastructure provides strong local involvement and action. Districts focus efforts and resources on areas of highest priority. However, addressing this issue requires a reduction in productive land which is not a priority for landowners. No monitoring to demonstrate effectiveness.



Stable and adequate levels of resources (Funding). SWCDs focus on keeping maximum land in production.




Characterization:

Strong local infrastructure provides strong local involvement and action. Districts focus efforts and resources on areas of highest priority. Given more resources (funding) implementation of on-the-ground actions would be accelerated.




Program Constraints: Stable and adequate levels of resources (Funding).



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Agriculture Program Name: Weed Control and Invasive Species

Populations Where Program is Implemented Middle Fork √ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam √ Molalla √

Jurisdictions

Federal Forest √ State Forest √ Private Forest √ Agriculture √

Urban or Rural Residential √

Non-regulatory program – weed control statewide (Federal, State, Public and Private lands). Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text


Factor/Threat: Fine sediment inputs from land management activities that impact the survival of eggs and alevins. :


Characterization:

Weed and invasive species negatively affect desired riparian condition and function. ODA focuses efforts and resources on areas of highest priority. This is a voluntary program. Given more resources (funding) implementation of on-the-ground actions would be accelerated.



Adequate technical support, capacity for outreach, perception that this is not doable because it is an ongoing challenge.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: 401 Dredge & Fill Certifications


Middle Fork √ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam √ Molalla √

Jurisdictions


All waters of the State. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on limited monitoring for compliance and lack of cumulative impacts tracking.


A greater number of specific types of projects will be monitored for compliance in the future. This will help in evaluating adequacy of portions of the program but additional monitoring and evaluation is needed.


The state review is primarily fee based. Fees need to be periodically adjusted to cover the cost of the program.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: 401 Hydroelectric Recertification


Jurisdictions





Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Certainty is based on that fact that certifications are based on review that the proposed project will meet water quality standards. Given that most major hydroelectric projects are going through relisencing and that some actions will be based on further monitoring and adaptive management strategies (monitoring and adaptive management needs are specified for each project), additional data will be collected in the future to document program effectiveness.

Modifications Needed: Additional Funding and Staff


The state review is primarily fee based. Fees need to be periodically adjusted to cover the cost of the program.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: Environmental Clean Ups


Jurisdictions





Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes



Factor/Threat: Hazardous waste discharges that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

Clean up/remediation of sites addressed under this program occurs until DEQ determines that they pose no significant threat to human health or the environment and therefore require no further action. Monitoring is required to document the effectiveness of the Clean Up activity.

Modifications Needed: None

Program Constraints: Need for a sustainable programs that matches revenues and expenses.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: Non-Point Source Program


Jurisdictions




Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Some uncertainty exists as the program relies on existing state and local authorities to address non point sources of pollution. Programs to address nonpoint sources, especially in urban and agricultural areas, are relatively recent and additional time and trend monitoring is needed to document results. Additionally, while a schedule for implementation is to be identified, timing of implementation is often dependent on adequate future funding which often is not guaranteed or certain.


Adequate monitoring program needed; see other programs listed in this document for modifications needed as it relies on other existing state and local authorities for implementation. See other programs listed in this document for Modifications Needed.


See other programs listed in this document for constraints as it relies on other existing state and local authorities for implementation.


Reduced instream flows due to water withdrawals that impair growth, survival, or movement. :


Characterization:











Characterization:








Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: Point Source Permits


Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest Agriculture Urban or Rural Residential √



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes



Factor/Threat: High water temperatures due to discharges from industrial and municipal sources that increase stress and mortality. :


Characterization:

Certainty is based on the fact that permits are written to meet water quality standards, sources not in compliance have to come into compliance within the permit cycle (typically, 5 years). Compliance monitoring is required. Permits are reviewed and updated on at least 5-year basis or as needed, based on new requirements. Additionally, the TMDL program can require additional treatment to meet water quality based conditions.



Number of staff is always a limitation. Funding is a blend of federal, state and fee support. Additional funding has recently been provided based on a Blue Ribbon Committee Report which recommended changes to fee structures and additional general funds.


Sewage and industrial waste water discharges that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

Certainty is based on the fact that permits are written to meet water quality standards, sources not in compliance have to come into compliance within the permit cycle (typically, 5 years). Compliance monitoring is required. Permits are reviewed and updated on at least 5-year basis or as needed, based on new requirements. Additionally, the TMDL program can require additional treatment to meet water quality based conditions.






Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: Storm Water Permits


Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest Agriculture Urban or Rural Residential √



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on the fact that the stormwater permitting program is: - a relatively recent program where programs, practices and technology are evolving (e.g. phase 2 permits are being developed by 2007) and therefore there has been limited time to monitor the effectiveness of this program; - In the case of municipal storm water, permits require implementation of best management practices to the maximum extent practicable which may not restore upland processes or may not water quality standards in some areas.


Additional staff for technical assistance and program oversight. Additional Staffing.





Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: TMDLs


Jurisdictions




Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes



Factor/Threat: Sewage and industrial waste water discharges that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

TMDLs set targets to bring waters back into compliance with water quality standards. These targets include waste load allocations for industrial and municipal point sources and load allocation for sector specific (forestry, agricultural and urban) non-point sources of pollution. Typically municipal and industrial waste sources that discharge to waters are regulated under a permit program. Additional requirements can be established based on the TMDLs. The TMDL program is relatively new (TMDLs in Oregon have been established since the late 1980's but work is underway to develop them statewide) and has focused on a limited number of parameters (temperature, bacteria, nutrients, solids and selected toxics). It is likely that TMDLs are effective at addressing these waste sources but further documentation of the program effectiveness is needed. Also, as additional toxic pollutants are monitored and problems are identified, TMDLs or other similar types of programs will need be developed.



Sufficient resources for monitoring and developing TMDLs and time to determine if programs is being made.


Hazardous waste discharges that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

TMDLs set targets to bring waters back into compliance with water quality standards. These targets include waste load allocations for industrial and municipal point sources and load allocation for sector specific (forestry, agricultural and urban) non-point sources of pollution. Typically municipal and industrial waste sources that discharge to waters are regulated under a permit program. Additional requirements can be established based on the TMDLs.



The TMDL program is relatively new (TMDLs in Oregon have been established since the late 1980's but work is underway to develop them statewide) and has focused on a limited number of parameters (temperature, bacteria, nutrients, solids and selected toxics). It is likely that TMDLs are effective at addressing these waste sources but further documentation of the program effectiveness is needed. Also, as additional toxic pollutants are monitored and problems are identified, TMDLs or other similar types of programs will need be developed.



Sufficient resources for monitoring and developing TMDLs and time to determine if programs are being made.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: TMDLs (cont.)

Modifications Needed, and Constraints to Implementation (cont.) Limiting

Factor/Threat: Discharges of animal waste that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on the fact that TMDLs set targets to bring waters back into compliance with water quality standards, most typically targets for bacteria and nutrients that would address concerns from animal wastes. These targets include load allocations for sectors such as agriculture, forestry and urban land uses with animal wastes typically being of concern in agricultural and urban land uses. The agricultural sector has programs that address a portion of animal wastes from Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) and smaller live stock facilities through the CAFO and Agricultural Water Quality Management Plans respectively. However, programs in urban areas to address pet wastes or other sources of animal wastes (birds, etc) that get into streams via storm water runoff are relatively new, in development in many areas (especially the larger cities) or do not exist (especially in smaller cities). There is limited monitoring of the effectiveness of these programs, therefore it is uncertain if TMDLs will be adequate to address animal wastes.



Sufficient resources for monitoring and time to determine if programs to address storm water and agricultural water quality management are sufficient.


Pesticides and other chemicals used on forest lands that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on the fact that TMDLs set targets to bring waters back into compliance with water quality standards. TMDLs can address those pesticides which have numeric standards established and can address excess nutrients which can cause other water quality standard exceedences (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen). However, very few agricultural chemicals (such as pesticides that are currently in use) have numeric water quality standards established for them and would be addressed under this program only if they exceeded a narrative standard (e.g. introducing substances in levels that are harmful to aquatic life or bioaccumulate to levels that adversely affect public health or wildlife). Additionally, the cost for monitoring many of these chemicals is high so they are not routinely monitored, unless a problem is suspected. Given the limitation in monitoring for these chemicals and in having standards established to determine impact on beneficial uses, it is uncertain if the TMDL is adequate to address the universe of Agricultural Chemicals which could cause water quality problems. That is why, since 1999, ODEQ has been using a voluntary, collaborative approach called Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships



(PSPs) to identify problems and improve water quality associated with pesticide use at the local level. The PSP approach uses local expertise in combination with water quality sampling and toxicology expertise of ODEQ to encourage and support voluntary changes that cause measurable environmental improvements.


Additional staffing for this program or for an alternative program, such as the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership, to address this issue (DEQ has a budget request in for the 2007 Legislature to develop a toxics monitoring program).


Sufficient resources for monitoring to identify chemicals of concern (see Water Quality Monitoring) and for developing water quality standards to identify levels that affect beneficial uses.


Agricultural chemicals (organophoshates and other insecticides) that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on the fact that TMDLs set targets to bring waters back into compliance with water quality standards. TMDLs can address those pesticides which have numeric standards established and can address excess nutrients which can cause other water quality standard exceedences (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen). However, very few agricultural chemicals (such as pesticides that are currently in use) have numeric water quality standards established for them and would be addressed under this program only if they exceeded a narrative standard (e.g. introducing substances in levels that are harmful to aquatic life or bioaccumulate to levels that adversely affect public health or wildlife). Additionally, the cost for monitoring many of these chemicals is high so they are not routinely monitored, unless a problem is suspected. Given the limitation in monitoring for these chemicals and in having standards established to determine impact on beneficial uses, it is uncertain if the TMDL is adequate to address the universe of Agricultural Chemicals which could cause water quality problems. That is why, since 1999, ODEQ has been using a voluntary, collaborative approach called Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships (PSPs) to identify problems and improve water quality associated with pesticide use at the local level. The PSP approach uses local expertise in combination with water quality sampling and toxicology expertise of ODEQ to encourage and support voluntary changes that cause measurable environmental improvements.


Additional staffing for this program or for an alternative program, such as the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership, to address this issue (DEQ has a budget request in for the 2007 Legislature to develop a toxics monitoring program).


Sufficient resources for monitoring to identify chemicals of concern (see Water Quality Monitoring) and for developing water quality standards to identify levels that affect beneficial uses.

Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: TMDLs (cont.)

Modifications Needed, and Constraints to Implementation (cont.)






Characterization:

Certainty is based on the fact that TMDLs target bringing waters back into compliance with water quality standards. Oregon entered into a Consent Decree and Memorandum of Agreement with USEPA in 2000 under which it committed to substantially complete TMDLs statewide by 2010 (based on number of waters listed on the 1998 303(d) list). Most of the subbasins in Oregon are listed for temperature with TMDLs developed to address temperature issues for the entire subbasin. Therefore, most of the state should have TMDLs for temperature in the coming years. Implementation follows the TMDLs although there are many programs already in place in much of Oregon. Given that this program is fairly new and it will take years to decades to address degraded riparian conditions, there is limited documentation on the effectiveness of TMDL-related programs to address temperature.

Modifications Needed: Additional Staffing.

Program Constraints: Staffing resources.




Characterization:

TMDLs target bringing waters back into compliance with water quality standards. Oregon entered into a Consent Decree and Memorandum of Agreement with USEPA in 2000 under which it committed to substantially complete TMDLs statewide by 2010 (based on number of waters listed on the 1998 303(d) list). Uncertainty is based on the fact that sedimentation is likely to underlisted and therefore only a few sedimentation TMDLs have been developed in Oregon. Additionally, DEQ has not had much experience in addressing sedimentation under the TMDL program.


The Department is currently working on updating the turbidity standard and has identified that the sedimentation standard needs to be addressed in future triennial standards reviews. The Department is also re-examining its 303(d) listing criteria based on the current narrative standard. Subsequent sedimentation TMDLs will address these concerns. Additional Staffing.

Program Constraints: Staffing resources.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Program Name: Water Quality Standards


Jurisdictions





Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Temperature Standards were recently updated (December 2003) and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (March 2004). The numeric and narrative criteria, when achieved, should protect fish and other aquatic life in all life stages. Given that the criteria were adopted recently, programs that target achieving these criteria have been recently modified or developed, therefore field documentation of the effectiveness of the standard to protect fish is limited.


Additional staffing for this program (DEQ had a preliminary budget request in for the 2007 Legislature, but did receive the Governor’s approval).

Program Constraints: Number of staff.




Characterization:

Uncertainty is based on a growing backlog of standards that need to be updated. At current staffing levels, DEQ cannot update standards on a three year cycle nor undertake complex standard development that would be needed to adequately address complex issues such as sedimentation and turbidity. Without updates, DEQ would rely on current standards or those promulgated by the USEPA. In the case of addressing sedimentation, DEQ relies on use of its current narrative standard.


Additional staffing for this program (DEQ had a preliminary budget request in for the 2007 Legislature, but did receive the Governor’s approval).

Program Constraints: Number of staff.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: Fire Program


Jurisdictions

Federal Forest √ State Forest Private Forest √ Agriculture Urban or Rural Residential

Private forestlands, BLM land on Westside. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

Resources are needed to assist forest landowners to reduce fuels that place forested watersheds at risk. Infrastructure is also needed to support resource enhancement opportunities through biomass conversion projects.


More coordinated efforts by all of Oregon’s agencies and landowners to work collaboratively with federal partners to increase the contribution for recovery from federal forests.


Federal and private forest ‘checker-board’ ownership can place private forestlands at risk for uncharacteristic wildfire when either forest is not managed. There is a need for both ODF and ODF&W, and all landowners to play a role in the management of federal forests located in Oregon. A collaborative relationship between state natural resource agencies and federal forest management agencies may restore the health, diversity, and resilience of federal forests by increasing the information shared and by providing a variety of perspectives on site-specific and landscape level determinations. Wildfire-prone areas are identified in a community wildfire protection plans identifying priority areas for hazardous fuel removal from federal lands.




Characterization:





Federal and private forest ‘checker-board’ ownership can place private forestlands at risk for uncharacteristic wildfire when either forest is not



managed. There is a need for both ODF and ODF&W, and all landowners to play a role in the management of federal forests located in Oregon. A collaborative relationship between state natural resource agencies and federal forest management agencies may restore the health, diversity, and resilience of federal forests by increasing the information shared and by providing a variety of perspectives on site-specific and landscape level determinations. Wildfire-prone areas are identified in a community wildfire protection plans identifying priority areas for hazardous fuel removal from federal lands.



:


Characterization:





Federal and private forest ‘checker-board’ ownership can place private forestlands at risk for uncharacteristic wildfire when either forest is not managed. There is a need for both ODF and ODF&W, and all landowners to play a role in the management of federal forests located in Oregon. A collaborative relationship between state natural resource agencies and federal forest management agencies may restore the health, diversity, and resilience of federal forests by increasing the information shared and by providing a variety of perspectives on site-specific and landscape level determinations. Wildfire-prone areas are identified in a community wildfire protection plans identifying priority areas for hazardous fuel removal from federal lands.

Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: Oregon Forest Practices Act


Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest √ Private Forest √ Agriculture √ Urban or Rural Residential √

Operations on or pertaining to non-federal forestlands regardless of zoning or taxation, with the exception of where local governments (cities) have taken on responsibility of administering regulations within Urban Growth Boundaries that provide protection of forestland resources. Jurisdiction includes limited federal lands such as lands owned by Army Corp of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish and Wildlife. USDA Forest Service and BLM lands are regulated through designation of those two agencies as the designated management agency under agreement with ODEQ. Operation mean any commercial activity relating to the establishment, management or harvest of forest tree species. There are certain exceptions regarding Christmas trees, trees grown as intensive agriculture crops, trees grown to mitigate the effects of agricultural practices, and where approved land use conversions have commenced. See OAR 629-600-0100 (47).

Management Strategies




Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text

Modifications Needed, and Constraints to Implementation



:


Characterization:

The trend should be improving for in-stream habitat complexity and off channel availability. Vegetation retention along streams was not required until FPA rules were first established in 1972. Vegetation retention standards were revised in 1983, 1987, 1994, and 2006. Under the current Forest Practices Act, riparian areas are designed to provide the vegetation necessary for riparian functions including shade, large wood, and nutrients. A monitoring program is in place and an adaptive management process incorporates information. Rules are modified as necessary to meet the goals for riparian function and water quality. The existing vegetation in these riparian management areas will mature and provide these functions; however this will take many decades to occur. In the short term, landowners make voluntary contributions to habitat complexity through the Oregon Plan.


Evaluation of the vegetation retention requirements along western Oregon small and medium fish-bearing streams is underway. If modifications are needed, methods to accomplish these modifications through regulatory and non-regulatory means will be considered.


Lack of production functions for fish populations and habitat conditions is a major constraint. Lack of incentives and technical assistance to provide forest landowners more site-specific options is also a major constraint.




Characterization:

Shade levels for streams on forestlands are consistently measured at high levels. A sufficiency analysis established that on a landscape level and for most streams the water quality standards are being met by the current rules. Areas of concern that were identified were limited and increments of temperature change that might result from the areas of concern are not of the magnitude to result in adverse stress or mortality. The relationships among temperature, sunlight, and fish productivity in some streams is being evaluated in several large research projects including an ODF riparian function study, the Hinkle Creek watershed study, and the Trask River watershed study. An adaptive management process will incorporate monitoring and research results into the Forest Practices Act.


Research and monitoring is currently under way to determine the linkages among forest practices, stream temperature, and sunlight. As this science develops modifications to the Forest Practices Act will be considered.


Funding for existing and planned research and monitoring projects is critical to understanding water temperature, riparian conditions, and stress and mortality



of salmon and steelhead. These studies span multiple years of data collection and take a long-term commitment of funding and resources to provide feedback to inform policy decisions.

Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: Oregon Forest Practices Act (cont.)


Factor/Threat: Road crossings and other land use related passage impediments that impair migration and movement. :


Characterization:

An improving trend for fish passage is clear. Past practices that constrained fish passage have been abandoned and passage will be systematically restored through the regulatory program at the time of normal structure replacement. Fish passage rules under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry were first established in 1973 and last modified in 1994. Prior to 1994, the design standard was for passage of adult fish upstream, without a clear requirement to maintain passage. Current rules require that all roads built since 1994 provide and maintain fish passage (adult and juvenile fish) and as culverts and other crossing structure on roads built prior to 1994 are replaced they will then be required to meet the current standards for fish passage. Landowners voluntarily increase the rate of restoring passage on roads built prior to 1994 as part of the Oregon plan. FPA monitoring shows high levels of fish passage are attained on new and replacement structures.

Modifications Needed: No modifications are currently needed.


Resources and collaboration remain constraining. Current resource needs include the resources necessary to implement Forestry Program for Oregon indicator monitoring for roads and fish passage and the resources necessary to conduct more Private Forests Program compliance and effectiveness monitoring.


Pesticides and other chemicals used on forest lands that impair growth and survival. :


Characterization:

The rules include specific best management practices (BMPs) in addition to label requirements. Spill risks are addressed and reporting of spills is required. ODF Monitoring has shown that the BMPs protect water quality from drift impacts and otherwise protect riparian vegetation. Documented adverse impacts to salmonids from forestland chemical use are not known.

Modifications Needed: None identified.


Lack of monitoring data related to post application runoff. Lack of funding and cooperation for monitoring across land uses.




Characterization:

Current practices under the Act have reduced sediment inputs and will sustain a trend of reducing fine sediment inputs over time. Past activities that have unnecessarily contributed fine sediments have been abandoned or modified. Modifications to practices have been designed to address the key



mechanisms for delivery of fine sediment from forest operations. Legacy issues are addressed over time through the regulatory process when culverts are replaced or roads become part of an active operation. Legacy issues are also addressed in an expedited manner through voluntary measures.


Additional resources for monitoring and program implementation would increase the certainty that the current rules are efficient and effective at delivering desired outcomes. The Board of Forestry has adopted an indicator to address road related risks. The metrics for the indicator are: 1) Percent of road system disconnected from the stream network; 2) Percent of stream crossings on fish streams providing passage; 3) Land area in non-forest condition due to roads (road subgrade plus cutslope). The desired trend is an increasing proportion of sampled Oregon forest roads are determined to pose a low risk to soil and water resources. Additional resources and interagency coordination are needed to implement this indicator.


Resources and collaboration remain constraining. Current resource needs include the resources necessary to implement Forestry Program for Oregon indicator monitoring for roads and fish passage and the resources necessary to conduct more Private Forests Program compliance and effectiveness monitoring.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: Private forestry component of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds

Populations Where Program is Implemented Middle Fork

√ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam √ Molalla √

Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest √ Agriculture Urban or Rural Residential

Voluntary Management Strategies


Floodplain

Function √

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access √

Flow/ Hydrogra

ph √

Channel Structur

e √

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes

√



Factor/Threat:


:


Characterization:

The protection and voluntary measures should result in improving trends for in-stream habitat complexity and off channel availability. Under the Forest Practices Act, riparian areas are designed to provide the vegetation necessary for riparian functions including shade, large wood, and nutrients. A monitoring program is in place and an adaptive management process incorporates information. Rules are modified as necessary to meet the goals for riparian function. The existing vegetation in these riparian management areas will mature and provide these functions; however this will take many decades to occur. In the short term, landowners make voluntary contributions to improve habitat complexity through the Oregon Plan. Through the voluntary measures, the temporal and spatial opportunities for improvements are greatly accelerated. Forest landowners are contributing directly to the habitat complexity and off-channel availability by actively placing large wood during the course of forest operations. While not yet fully systematic, the proportion of operations conducting restoration as part of the operation should increase over time. Prioritization concepts, such as high aquatic potential are being developed.


More information about the needs and priorities would assist landowners in efficiently spending limited resources.


Sufficient incentives are necessary to increase the scope of non-regulatory measures to match the needs. More stewardship foresters and habitat biologists are necessary to support the commitment landowners have willingly made. This would strengthen the educational component and complement the technical



assistance from ODF, ODF&W, and OSU Extension foresters. Limiting

Factor/Threat:



Characterization:

The trend for fine sediment regimes is clearly improving. Past practices that contributed fine sediments have been abandoned or modified. Existing rules regulate practices on current operations. Voluntary investments mitigate legacy sediment problems. The Oregon Plan is designed to address known sources of sediment not addressed as active operations under the Forest Practices Act. The contribution of sediment from these sources is unknown as is the total amount of work that would be needed to address these sources. Considering this uncertainty, adequacy of the program is deemed likely. Reporting and communication indicate that many landowners actively participate in the Oregon Plan and road work on roads built prior to the adoption of the Oregon forest practices act has become routine maintenance for many landowners. OWEB Watershed Restoration Inventory data indicates that landowners are actively participating in the Oregon Plan.


More resources to inventory roads, especially on small, non-industrial private lands, would increase our understanding of legacy roads, fine sediment and the links to listed species.


As always, more resources would increase project accomplishment, education, coordination, and monitoring.

Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: Private forestry component of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds (cont.)




Characterization:

The trend for fish passage at road crossings is clearly improving. Landowners voluntarily increase the rate of restoring passage on roads built prior to 1994 as part of the Oregon plan. FPA monitoring shows high levels of fish passage are attained on new and replacement structures. OWEB reporting indicates high levels of work on forestlands. Reporting indicates many stream crossing structures built prior to 1994, while still functioning as crossing structure, are being replaced on forestland ahead of the normal replacement schedule. This is done to restore fish passage. The number and potential impacts of existing fish barriers and blocked habitat remain unknown, however, most landowners have inventoried and prioritized barriers based upon some type of restoration schedule.


Oregon Plan Measures for Private Forestlands are in the process of being updated. Changes reflect that many landowners have shifted emphasis from a ‘voluntary’ approach and now include legacy road work in routine road & stream crossing maintenance plans.




More resources would increase project accomplishment, education, coordination, and monitoring. For some landowners, the OWEB grant cycle is a disincentive when road work is done on an opportunistic basis.




Characterization:

The trend for water temperature is improving. Oregon Plan measures contribute to developing healthy riparian stand conditions that are presumed necessary for salmonids and water temperature, The Oregon Plan is designed to decrease the time to get to healthy conditions through active management. Where landowners choose not to participate in the Oregon Plan, standard Oregon Forest Practices RMA protections apply that develop healthy riparian conditions through passive management.

Modifications Needed: Modifications should keep pace with best available science.


Funding for existing and planned monitoring projects is critical to understanding water temperature, riparian conditions, and stress and mortality of salmon and steelhead. These studies span multiple years of data collection and take a long term commitment of funding and resources to provide feedback to inform policy decisions. More resources would increase project accomplishment, education, and coordination.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Forestry Program Name: State Forest Program


Jurisdictions

Federal Forest State Forest √ Private Forest Agriculture Urban or Rural Residential

State Forest Land Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

The program is built on a sound theoretical basis. Similar practices to those employed by ODF have been proven to reduce sediment production, transport, and delivery in other studies. While this gives reason to believe that the FMP standards are effective, the degree of effectiveness has not yet been established because monitoring is not yet complete.


The need for modification to the current program is uncertain, pending the results of monitoring.


Staffing and funding are the major constraints to sediment reduction projects. While new roads are built according to current standards, and road maintenance is ongoing, improvements to existing roads are scheduled as time and funding allows.



:


Characterization:

The program is built on a sound theoretical basis. Similar practices to those employed by ODF have been proven to improve fish habitats and populations in other studies. While this gives reason to believe that the FMP standards are effective, the degree of effectiveness has not yet been established because monitoring is not yet complete.




Staffing and funding are the major constraints to habitat restoration projects. Projects are generally conducted opportunistically in connection with timber sales. Additional projects could be conducted with increased staffing and funding.

Limiting High water temperatures due to degraded riparian :



Factor/Threat: conditions that increase stress and mortality.


Characterization:

The program is built on a sound theoretical basis: The FMP provides for shade along fish-bearing streams. While this gives reason to believe that the FMP standards are effective, the degree of effectiveness has not yet been established because monitoring is not yet complete.



Program Constraints: None identified.


Road crossings and other land use related passage impediments that impair migration and movement :


Characterization:

FPA monitoring shows high levels of fish passage are attained on new and replacement structures. Monitoring results and on-the-ground consultation with ODF stewardship foresters and ODFW habitat biologists results in a high level of success. Additionally, the state forests program provides monitoring to ensure that fish passage meets the program’s performance measures.

Modifications Needed: No modifications are currently needed.


New road construction and reconstruction projects are completed to current fish passage standards. Limited funding exists for passage improvement projects not associated with timber harvest. Highest priority projects are completed first, with lower priority projects being completed as funds become available. Some districts work closely with watershed councils to attain funding for non-timber related passage improvement projects.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Program Name: Conservation Strategy for Oregon Populations Where Program is Implemented

Middle Fork √ McKenzie √ Calapooia √ S. Santiam √ N. Santiam √ Molalla √ Jurisdictions


The Conservation Strategy for Oregon is meant to apply to all lands, rivers, streams, and estuaries in Oregon.



Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

The Oregon Conservation Strategy is a new voluntary program. As such, monitoring and evaluation will be necessary to determine the effectiveness of the program.


None at this time. The role of this new program as it pertains specfically to listed salmon and steelhead is still being defined.

Program Constraints: Voluntary measures. No assurance that it will be implemented.




Characterization:






Road crossings and other land use related passage impediments that impair migration and movement. :


Characterization:









:


Characterization:








Program Name: Fish Passage Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




Artificial obstructions located in Oregon waters in which native migratory fish are currently or were historically present.



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Compliance by owners or operators is obligatory, but approval is distributed, reporting mechanisms are not in place, and compliance rates are unknown; availability of funds to implement program.

Modifications Needed: Funding for staff to perform regulatory and outreach role.





Program Name: Fish Screening and Passage Grant Program Populations Where Program is Implemented


Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest √ Agriculture √ Urban or Rural Residential √

Oregon water users including independent agriculture users, private domestic users, municipal water suppliers, irrigation districts and commercial industries.



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Actions dependent on voluntary participation in the program; availability of funds to implement projects.

Modifications Needed: Funding for outreach.





Program Name: Lands Resources Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




All owners of private and public land in Oregon interested in conserving fish and wildlife habitats. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Uncertain of funding status or participation by public and private entities (i.e. Riparian Lands Tax Incentive Program).


Need further promotion of existing programs by I and E, Wildlife Division, and District staff.

Program Constraints: Funding and staff time.




Characterization:







:


Characterization:










Characterization:








Program Name: Restoration and Enhancement Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




All streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries in Oregon. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Funding for this program is through a surcharge imposed on all sport angling licenses and commercial salmon angling licenses and poundage fees. As such, funding is a subject to annual variations in fish abundance, harvest rates, and license sales.


None. The Program will evaluate their ability to shift resources to priorities that emerge from recovery planning. Further changes in program scope and focus would require legislative action.


Broad legal mandates of the program limit the ability of the program to focus solely on the needs of recovery planning, variable funding due to funding mechanism.




Characterization:









Funding for this program is through a surcharge imposed on all sport angling licenses and commercial salmon angling licenses and poundage fees. As such,



Characterization: funding is a subject to annual variations in fish abundance, harvest rates, and license sales.







:


Characterization:









Program Name: Salmon Trout Enhancement Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




All Oregonians eager to contribute time, muscle, money, and perseverance to the restoration of salmon, steelhead and trout in Oregon.



Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Current staffing and the broad scope of the program limits the capacity of the program to address any single program element.

Modifications Needed: Additional funding, additional FTE.

Program Constraints: Funding.



:


Characterization:







Characterization:



Program Funding.



Constraints: Limiting



Characterization:







Program Name: Watershed Council Liaison Populations Where Program is Implemented




All watershed councils in Oregon. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





:


Characterization:

Currently there are only two watershed council liaison positions in ODFW, both in the North Coast Watershed District. There are no positions for other regions of Oregon.

Modifications Needed: New positions.





Characterization:







Characterization:









Characterization:






Managing Entity: Oregon Land Conservation and Development

Program Name: Statewide Comprehensive Land Use Planning Populations Where Program is Implemented




City and county land use plans and ordinances. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

The land use actions taken by local governments can supplement and support other specific restoration activities but are not sufficient in themselves to achieve restoration. Local land use actions will likely not remediate legacy conditions or significantly alter current practices, but will affect future development.


None. The statewide land use program is not intended to be sufficient to recover salmon.


Technical and planning assistance to local governments would be highly beneficial in enlisting local planning efforts in salmon recovery.




Characterization:

The land use actions taken by local governments can supplement and support other specific restoration activities but are not sufficient in themselves to achieve restoration. Local land use actions will likely not remediate legacy conditions or significantly alter current practices, but will affect future development.






Loss of instream habitat complexity and off channel habitat availability due to past or present land management practices that impairs growth and survival

:


Characterization:

The land use actions taken by local governments can supplement and support other specific restoration activities but are not sufficient in themselves to achieve restoration. Local land use actions will likely not remediate legacy



conditions or significantly alter current practices, but will affect future development.







Managing Entity: Oregon Department of Transportation

Program Name: Salmon-Fish Passage Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




ODOT’s Salmon-Fish Passage Program addresses fish passage needs at priority hydraulic facilities located within ODOT rights of way. These rights of way bisect multiple jurisdictions and landuse.



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

ODOT’s Salmon-Fish Passage Program provides adequate technical and institutional capacity to implement the program within its jurisdictional area. The program selects, designs, constructs, monitors, and documents fish passage improvement projects. The program is held in high regards and is effective for improving fish passage at known fish passage impediments; however, it lacks budgetary capacity and a clear timeline for full implementation. Currently, the ODFW statewide artificial obstruction inventory (Inventory) identifies a total of 770 priority structures owned and managed by ODOT that do not provide adequate fish passage (255 or 33%=High Priority, 167 or 22%= Medium Priority, 348 45%=Low Priority for repair). From 1997 to 2006 the ODOT program repaired 109 high priority fish passage culverts (35 high priority culverts with replacements and 74 high priority culverts with retrofits) or 42% of the ODOT managed statewide high priority culvert inventory total. ODOT high priority culvert repairs have made 370 miles of stream habitat accessible to native migratory fish. Post construction effectiveness monitoring and documentation to satisfy federal and state regulatory agencies are complete for these projects. To date, 146 high priority culverts owned and managed by ODOT continue to need repairs. We anticipate the list will grow as more culverts are inventoried. At the current rate of ~4 culvert projects repaired each year it will take approximately 36 years to repair or replace the remaining balance of high priority culverts. Similarly, there are an additional 515 (67% of the statewide total) medium and low priority culverts that will need repairs once the high priority culvert list is complete. Using the projected rate of numbers of projects completed annually (n=4) it will take significantly longer to repair the medium and low priority culverts. At the current funding and repair rate, it will



take decades (over 100 years) to make the appropriate repairs to all ODOT owned and managed culverts (n=661) that currently do not provide adequate fish passage. Given this timeline, and in the context of salmon recovery planning in Oregon, it is uncertain if this program is sufficient to address limiting factors associated with fish passage.


ODOT is working to repair as many high priority fish passage culverts as program funds will allow. Additional funding for project development and construction is necessary to decrease the timeframe this program can repair the remaining high priority culverts owned and managed by ODOT. Another key program management tool that continues to be lacking is an updated and prioritized comprehensive artificial obstruction inventory. The current Inventory is not adequate for managers to make informed planning decisions for future investments of limited fish passage funds. The Inventory aggregates artificial obstructions into three priority categories: (high, medium, and low) and some culverts known to impede fish passage are not included in the Inventory. There is no systematic standardized method or protocol for the aggregation of these culverts into the three priority categories. It would be beneficial if high priority culverts were re-evaluated and re-ranked numerically either statewide and/or basin-wide. A numeric ordering of the high priority culverts will allow ODOT and other owners and operators of substandard culvert facilities to make more informed project selection decisions based on statewide or basin-wide priorities. A comprehensive artificial obstruction inventory and robust prioritization of know fish passage impediments will provide ODOT and other owners the management tools necessary to make informed planning decisions that are consistent with salmon recovery goals.


In addition to the limitations associated with this program’s budget, project development and construction costs continue to escalate. During FY 2006, construction costs increased approximately 10% due to increased costs associated with engineering design, construction materials, fuel, contractor supervision and management, etc. These increased costs continue to burden the program and result in fewer fish passage projects constructed in a given year.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of State Lands

Program Name: Removal-Fill Program Populations Where Program is Implemented


Jurisdictions



Waterways to the ordinary high water mark and wetlands that meet the three wetland indicators described in the Corps of Engineers’ 1987 Wetlands Manual.



Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

DSL’s removal-fill permits include conditions designed to protect water quality, including riparian vegetation removal restrictions and revegetation requirements. The effectiveness of these conditions is uncertain because not enough projects are monitored for compliance.


A greater number of projects need to be monitored for compliance. Additional, permanent compliance staff are needed.


The half-time Compliance Monitoring Specialist position is funded for three years and is subject to reauthorization each year of the three-year period. The status of the position is uncertain after that time.




Characterization:

DSL’s removal-fill permits include conditions designed to protect water quality, including turbidity monitoring and sediment and erosion control requirements. The effectiveness of these conditions is uncertain because not enough projects are monitored for compliance.


A greater number of projects need to be monitored for compliance. Additional, permanent compliance staff are needed.






DSL’s removal-fill permitting process requires that permitted projects maintain or restore fish passage, and encourages removal or replacement of road



Characterization: crossings and other passage impediments. At current staffing levels, DSL does not always have the resources to do the outreach necessary to encourage landowners to remove or replace fish passage impediments. In addition, very few projects are monitored for compliance.


Additional funding would increase the effectiveness of the program. A greater number of projects need to be monitored for compliance. Additional, permanent compliance staff are needed.





:


Characterization:

DSL’s removal-fill permitting process encourages protection and restoration of instream and off channel habitat and wetlands. At current staffing levels, DSL does not always have the resources to do the outreach necessary to encourage landowners to protect and restore water resources.

Modifications Needed: Additional funding would increase the effectiveness of the program.


The fact that DSL does not have jurisdiction over the removal of large wood hinders our ability to protect instream and off-channel habitat.



Managing Entity: Oregon Department of State Lands

Program Name: Voluntary Restoration Initiative Populations Where Program is Implemented




Wetlands that meet the three wetland indicators described in the Corps of Engineers’ 1987 Wetlands Manual.



Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





:


Characterization:

The Initiative provides direct technical assistance to landowners and organizations involved in restoring wetlands that provide off channel habitat. Because the Initiative is only funded for three years, its impact will be too limited to significantly address the threat of off channel habitat loss. The Initiative is too new to document program effectiveness.


Converting this three-year program to a permanent program would increase effectiveness. The Initiative is too new to determine what program modifications might be needed.


The Initiative is funded for three years and is subject to reauthorization each year of the three-year period. The status of the program is uncertain after that time.



Managing Entity: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

Program Name: CREP Program Populations Where Program is Implemented



Agricultural lands Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

Limitation on recruiting private landowners for voluntary water quality restoration projects. Limitation to water quality restoration opportunities due to existing infrastructure. The limitation of CREP technical assistance has been demonstrated to be the single most important factor linked to enrollment.

Modifications Needed: Increased capital and non-capital funds.

Program Constraints: Funding




Characterization:






:


Characterization:


Modifications Increased capital and non-capital funds.



Needed: Program

Constraints: Funding




Program Name: Grant Program Populations Where Program is Implemented




All lands Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

√

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

√

Water Quality

√

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

The primary limitation to effectively addressing fish passage barriers has been lack of complete information on the nature and location of barriers in relation to productive fish habitat. OWEB has funded data gathering on a watershed scale and used information to prioritize barriers for removal. Where this information is available grants have been available to remedy high priority barriers.




Reduced instream flows due to water withdrawals that impair growth, survival, or movement. :


Characterization:

Limitation on willing participation and effective grant process for purchase of water rights.






Characterization:

Limitation on recruiting private landowners for voluntary water quality restoration projects. Limitation to water quality restoration opportunities due to existing infrastructure.


Program Funding



Constraints: Limiting



Characterization:

There is a limitation on local capacity to provide the landowner outreach, project design and facilitate implementation to address agricultural management, forest management and urban runoff that affects sediment delivery to streams.


Increased funds available to support local conservation capacity in watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts. A direct conversation with the industrial forest landowners about identifying ways to further address forest road runoff.


Funding and focus for effort by land use category (forest, urban and agriculture).


Program Name: Grant Program (cont.) Modifications Needed, and Constraints to Implementation (cont.)



:


Characterization:

Limitation on technical assistance to design floodplain restoration and stream complexity projects that can provide benefits through the range of natural flow conditions. Limitation on recruiting private landowners for voluntary floodplain restoration project implementation and protection and restoration of side-channel habitat. Limitation to floodplain and side-channel restoration and protection opportunities due to existing infrastructure.


Increased funding for technical assistance for project design and outreach to engage landowners. Effectiveness monitoring of large wood placement projects to answer questions about the stability and movement of large wood through Oregon streams.




Managing Entity: Oregon Water Resources Department

Program Name: Administration of Water Rights Populations Where Program is Implemented



With few exceptions, all surface and ground waters of the state. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

√

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes



Factor/Threat: Reduced instream flows due to water withdrawals that impair growth, survival, or movement. :


Characterization:

Program design for the review of new permits is sufficient to consider needs of listed fish species.


Provide flow data to support the evaluation of flows and their sufficiency during critical periods, and the adaptive management process to help assure the review and consultation process for new permits remains sufficiently protective.


Funding to support monitoring capabilities has been unstable and declining. Funding for the 2007-2009 biennium will improve statewide monitoring capabilities.




Program Name: Enclosed Livestock Water Delivery Systems Populations Where Program is Implemented



Water rights appurtenant to agricultural lands. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

√

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

When combined with riparian fencing programs, opportunities to protect and restore riparian communities, including filtering of fine sediments, while providing livestock watering capabilities are increased. There is currently no monitoring program in place to evaluate program effectiveness.


No modifications to program design are proposed. The program would benefit from expanded outreach and education.


The program is reliant on landowner interest. Construction and subsequent maintenance of fencing and off-channel watering devices require adequate financial resources.




Characterization:

When combined with riparian fencing programs, opportunities to protect and restore riparian communities, including filtering of fine sediments, while providing livestock watering capabilities are increased. There is currently no monitoring program in place to evaluate program effectiveness.


No modifications to program design are proposed. The program would benefit from expanded outreach and education.


The program is reliant on landowner interest. Construction and subsequent maintenance of fencing and off-channel watering devices require adequate financial resources.




Program Name: Flow Restoration Programs Populations Where Program is Implemented



All interested water right holders. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

These programs are voluntary in nature. Instream leases are limited to a five year period, but leases may be renewed indefinitely. Transfers may be temporary or permanent. Allocations of conserved water are permanent. Participation in Voluntary Flow Restoration programs continues to grow. Based on the best available data, over 287 cfs have been permanently restored and 580 cfs temporarily restored instream as of 12/31/2006. Benefits realized will vary by participation levels, season, stream reach, region, and by the duration of the lease or transfer. Although the benefits of incremental improvements to flow at various times and on various life stages of listed species may not be certain, OWRD encourages incremental improvements to flow through these voluntary programs.


These programs would benefit from increased education and outreach to increase participation levels, and from coordinated follow-up to encourage re-enrollment where possible. Provide available flow restoration data to support the evaluation of flows and their sufficiency during critical periods and the adaptive management process. In September 2006, funding was awarded through the National Fish and Wildlife’s Columbia Transactions Program to migrate instream leasing, transfer and allocations of conserved water data to OWRD’s online Water Rights Information System (WRIS). Access through this OWRD website will provide critical data for evaluating current flow restoration activities and supporting adaptive management.


Programs are constrained by limited funding and resources for outreach and education, lease/transfer follow-up and re-enrollment, and accessibility of lease/transfer data to support monitoring and evaluation of flow restoration efforts and their impacts on listed species.




Program Name: Lease/Transfer Water Rights Associated with CREP Program Populations Where Program is Implemented



Water rights appurtenant to agricultural lands enrolled in CREP. Management Strategies


Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes


Need Text




Characterization:

This program works in conjunction with CREP to benefit both the restoration of riparian function and minimum flows as lands are enrolled and associated water rights are returned instream. Participation in the CREP program and instream leasing or transfer of associated water rights are voluntary. Water rights that are not leased or transferred instream may be used consistent within the terms and conditions of the water right, which may, depending on the nature of the water right, reduce potential benefits to minimum flows and riparian function.


Outreach and education programs could be improved through increased resources and greater coordination. Provide available flow restoration data to support monitoring, evaluation and the adaptive management process.


The program is dependent upon private landowner awareness of the program and voluntary participation levels. Outreach and education are constrained by available resources.




Program Name: Water Distribution and Regulation Populations Where Program is Implemented


Jurisdictions




Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow / Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Instream water rights do not guarantee minimum flows. Rather, they establish a quantity of water for instream beneficial use, regulated by priority date. Many instream water rights have priority dates that are junior to other water rights, reducing opportunities to regulate on their behalf. The resulting impacts to instream flows may vary by stream reach, season and priority date of the instream right. Voluntary compliance with water rights and regulations was approximately 96% statewide in 2005. However, there are over 80,000 surface water rights in Oregon. Efforts to monitor streamflow and protect instream water rights are limited by staff resources and monitoring capabilities.


Increased monitoring capabilities will support water distribution and regulation activities on behalf of water rights, including instream water rights. These additional data may also support evaluation of incremental changes to flow and the sufficiency of those flows during critical periods.


Funding for staff and monitoring capabilities has been unstable and declining. The 2007-2009 budget provides funding to add monitoring and distribution capacity. The junior status of some instream water rights may limit their flow benefit in some areas. In these instances, voluntary restoration measures are key to achieving recovery goals as they relate to flow.




Program Name: Water Supply and Conservation Planning Populations Where Program is Implemented


Federal Forest State Forest Private Forest Agriculture √ Urban or Rural Residential √

Municipal and Agricultural water right holders interested in preparing, or required to prepare, water management and conservation plans.



Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Water Management and Conservation Plans are not designed to directly address flow needs for listed fish species. However, stream flows may benefit from implementation of these plans and identified conservation measures. Plan implementation may delay the need for increased municipal diversions. Stream flows may improve through implementation of agricultural plans. OWRD encourages instream protection for all or a portion of increases to stream flow brought by implementation of agricultural plans. Voluntary enrollment in the Allocation of Conserved Water Program includes incentives for agricultural water suppliers and opportunities to restore instream flows and regulate on their behalf. Potential improvements to flow are dependent upon participation and full implementation of plans. There is currently no OWRD monitoring program in place to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. While stream flows may benefit, for the recovery of listed species, this and other plans are best considered in aggregate. Considered in aggregate, the sufficiency of some programs may change.


The Agricultural Water Management and Conservation Plan program would benefit from expanded outreach and education. OWRD is currently developing a guidebook to assist agricultural water suppliers to prepare plans that meet Oregon and Federal requirements. This guidebook will help agricultural water suppliers describe their water systems and needs, identify their sources of water, and identify ways to manage and conserve those supplies to meet present and future needs. OWRD has also received funding for the majority of requested elements of a statewide Water Supply and Conservation Initiative. This initiative will strive to address statewide water supply needs through a statewide water needs assessment, inventory of potential above and below



ground water storage sites, analyses of water conservation opportunities, investigation of basin yield estimates, and match funding for community-based and regional water supply planning.


Water supply and conservation planning is constrained by limited funding and resources for outreach, education, and program development. The 2007-2009 agency budget includes the majority of funding requested for the Water Supply and Conservation Initiative.




Program Name: Water Use Measurement Strategy Populations Where Program is Implemented





Floodplain Function

Riparian Condition

Habitat Access

Flow/ Hydrograph

√

Channel Structure

Water Quality

Hillslope Processes





Characterization:

Measurement of water use does not directly protect flows, but may support the evaluation of needed flows. On a statewide scale, the Water Use Measurement and Reporting position was eliminated during the last biennium and has been restored for the 2007-2009 biennium. This position is responsible for database maintenance, maintenance of on-line reporting processes and helping to assure compliance with permit reporting conditions. Efforts to promote voluntary actions may be deterred by the cost associated with installation and maintenance of measuring equipment. A cost-share program to promote voluntary water use measurement and reporting is in place, but not currently funded. Ongoing implementation of the significant diversion program is constrained by staffing levels.


No modifications to the design of this program are suggested. Restoration of the Water Use Measurement and Reporting position and funding for the existing cost-share program for voluntary water use measurement and reporting will improve ongoing implementation of the water use measurement strategy. Restoration of county-based Assistant Watermasters would further aid this strategy.


Ongoing implementation of the water use measurement strategy is constrained by available resources and staff.

Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions...Chapter 7: Management Strategies and Actions Table of...

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