Contract History: The purpose of this project is to protect and enhance habitat for improved natural production of indigenous, Mid-Columbia River (MCR) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), and spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) within the North Fork of the John Day River Basin. The project entails coordinated, cooperative efforts to protect and improve anadromous fisheries habitat consistent with the strategies and objectives outlined in the John Day Subbasin Plan.

This project originated in 2000 with initial on-the-ground implementations occurring in 2001. These projects were implemented within lower Camas Creek tributaries (Snipe and Owens Creeks), Deer Creek and the Lower North Fork John Day River. Approximately 16.8 miles of riparian fencing and 20 off-stream water developments have been constructed and two wells reactivated under the project. These improvements have resulted in enhancement of approximately ten stream miles and 708 acres of riparian and floodplain habitat on private properties.

To date, all projects have included cost share funding and/or in-kind assistance from various sources including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Wildlife Habitat Incentive and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (WHIP and CREP), U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), North Fork John Day Watershed Council (NFJDWC), Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) Partners for Wildlife Program, Umatilla National Forest (UNF), Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO), and Columbia Power Cooperative Association. The project has also partnered with other entities, including the UNF and Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to assist them in obtaining NOAA cost share and habitat recovery on additional North and Middle Fork John Day tributaries. These efforts have resulted in further enhancement of approximately 2.7 stream miles and 97 acres of floodplain and upland habitat.  Upland fencing associated with this project will be financed by these cost share entities since BPA is reluctant to approve funding for this purpose.

Summary of 2008-2009 Contract Work: Implementation during this project cycle shall include: (1) coordination with landowners, resource agencies and the NFJDWC to identify and select FY 2008/09 passive and active habitat enhancement projects within the Lower Camas, Upper Camas, Desolation and Granite Creeks Geographic Areas (GA's), (2) Provide outreach and educational opportunities through meetings with private and public agencies, the Ukiah Schools, NF John Day Watershed Council within the Lower Camas, Upper Camas, Desolation and Granite Creek GA's for FY 2008/09 (3) Maintain water developments for easements on Lower and Upper Camas Creek, Snipe Creek, Deer Creek, and NF John Day, (4) Investigate livestock trespass for easements on Lower and Upper Camas Creek, Snipe Creek, Deer Creek, and NF John Day, (5) Maintain fences for easements on Lower and Upper Camas Creek, Snipe Creek, Deer Creek, and NF John Day, (6) Maintain vegetation for easements on Lower and Upper Camas Creek, Snipe Creek, Deer Creek, and NF John Day, (7) Collect monitoring data to identify the effectiveness of restoration projects and provide an adequate base for future efforts, (8) Obtain funding to cross fence a 275 acre upland pasture and develop a well on Upper Camas Creek, (9) Improve ponds developed during 2007 on Lower Camas Creek, (10) Expand an existing pond on Lower Camas Creek to supplement an underdeveloped pond created in 2007, (11) Install a riparian exclusion fence along a one mile reach of Upper Kelsay Creek, (12) Plant native trees and shrubs on Lower Camas Creek, (13) Plant native trees and shrubs on the NF John Day River, (14) Conduct stream channel surveys on Granite, Battle, Howard, and Sponge Creeks in support of 2009 and beyond culvert replacements, (15) Obtain Cultural Resource Surveys for culvert replacements on Granite and Battle Creeks, (16) Obtain stream temperatures for submission to NOAA, (17) Create SOW and budget for project year 2009 and quarterly and final reports for 2008. These projects include partnerships and cost share with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Services Agency (FSA), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), NOAA, NFJDWC and potentially OWEB.

Changes in the SOW due to a budget increase of $173,478.00 (total budget of $373,478.00) are noted for each Work Element. Much of this funding will be used to cover short falls introduced by the initial $200,000.00 funding level which did not adequately cover salaries, travel (vehicles and associated costs), permits, and repair & maintenance, and materials. With respect to on the ground efforts during 2008 the additional funding will primarily support pond improvements on Camas Creek, culvert surveys on Desolation and Granite Creeks, and consulting by licensed engineers and other professionals CTUIR or their cooperators do not have on staff. Funding will also allow the project to purchase an ATV and trailer to reduce long term costs associated with hauling an ATV to and from Pendleton and coordinating their use with other projects as well as moving materials between project sites. In addition, $15,000.00 provided by this project and matched by the Walla Walla Habitat Project (BPA Project #199604601), Umatilla Habitat Project (BPA Project #198710001), and Grande Rhonde Habitat Project (BPA Project #199608300) will be used to purchase of a Total Station and GPS Base Station to facilitate future restoration projects.