Project Summary:

Wheeler Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) continues to be the lead agency in the implementation of watershed enhancement and restoration projects focused on improving riparian habitat and overall watershed health within Wheeler County.  Working in a close partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the district is able to work with voluntary private landowners in developing and implementing resource management plans that will have a direct benefit to riparian and watershed health.  This project implements requirements associated with Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPA) 153.

The project will implement riparian buffer systems and address limiting factors identified in the John Day Sub-basin Summary for areas of the lower John Day River sub-basin within Wheeler County.  This project will provide the technical planning support needed to implement riparian buffer contracts for anadromous fish streams.  One full time employee will be dedicated to the outreach and promotion of state and federal riparian programs in addition to the technical planning support needed to implement approximately 5-10 riparian buffer agreements in this contract year.  Program leases will be for 10-15 year periods.  Buffers widths will average 60 feet on each side of the qualifying streams but may also vary in width from 35 to180 feet.  Implementation practices will include fencing, plantings, off stream water systems and other related practices necessary to ensure restoration and enhancement of the riparian area.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) will cover actual implementation costs, lease payments and maintenance costs.  Other funding, sources such as Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) will also be used as needed, based on availability.  This program meets a critical need in conducting assessments and developing plans to address riparian health for the Lower John Day River Sub-basin.  The shortage of technical staff has limited our ability to solicit landowner participation in potential buffer projects.

Wheeler SWCD will continue to provide vehicle liability and collision insurance for the length of this agreement.

Notes:
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) are not required in this project:
Actual O&M is a funded item in the CCRP/CREP contract whereby the landowner receives an additional payment to cover maintenance costs.  The landowner is responsible under the contract for maintenance.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is included as a cost item.  Additionally, records of stream miles, acreage and number of plans completed will be tracked for reporting purposes:
Farm Service Agency (FSA) has programmatic responsibility for contract spot checks to ensure terms are being met.  NRCS has responsibility for technical supervision.  The SWCD will conduct annual inspection of additional items cost shared under this contract.  The SWCD will use the NRCS Stream Visual Assessment Protocol as the principal M&E tool to evaluate and describe both pre- and post-project conditions.