Workplan:
The following work plan outlines the series of activities, including methods, products, timeline and cost, to be implemented as part of the Pine Hollow / Jackknife Watershed Project by the Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005.

Partners:
Sherman County SWCD
Pine Hollow / Jackknife Watershed Council
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife, John Day Basin
Bureau of Land Management
Wasco County SWCD
PG & E Gas Transmission Northwest
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Landowners

Background:
One major source of water quality impairment is runoff originating from uplands.  In extreme runoff events, upland and riparian vegetation has been removed by flooding, resulting in undesirable plants and nonfunctioning riparian areas.  Riparian areas have been over grazed and damaged due to a lack of available livestock drinking water outside the streams.  Implementation of best management practices began to reduce erosion in the 1960's.  Erosion continues to be a factor affecting water quality and agricultural stability within the watershed and surrounding areas.  Many landowners see the need to tighten their conservation plans and practices, but lack the funds to do so because market prices for wheat and livestock have been below the cost of production for most of the past 25 years.

Location of Project Work:
Watershed enhancement projects are planned on 7 ranching operations in the Pine Hollow / Jackknife watershed, which is located in the southeastern corner of Sherman County.  Projects will include off-stream water systems (pipeline, trough, and protective fencing), spring developments, water and sediment control basins (WASCBs), and pasture cross fencing.

ESA and Cultural Resources Coverage Documentation:
All projects sponsored by the Sherman County Soil & Water Conservation District are planned and implemented using the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and specifications.  All projects are subjected to literature surveys for Threatened and Endangered Species and Cultural Resources.  Surveys that show a possible or known presence of T & E Species or Cultural Resources will not be implemented until documentation is completed stating that projects are in compliance with federal NEPA and SHPO requirements.  All documentation will be submitted for approval by NEPA specialists at BPA before groundbreaking begins.

Project Goals:
To implement Fish Habitat Improvement Projects with landowners in the Pine Hollow and Jackknife watersheds.  This will be accomplished through practices that reduce the impact of peak flow events, enhance summer flows, and reduce summer stream temperatures, while reducing soil erosion and sediment delivery to streams.  Projects will be implemented using NRCS standards and specifications that provide design, technical, and engineering assistance for project implementation.  Maps will be created for project management and for T&E and Cultural Resource Surveys.  Funds for technical assistance and maps come out of BPA project 2002-015-00, through in kind work by the Sherman County SWCD and Watershed Councils, and through cost share funding provided by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB).