Long-term goals of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Additions Project (Project) consist of acquiring, restoring, and managing lands within an established refuge boundary for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of habitats that were affected by development of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS).  Project actions are intended to benefit wildlife, aquatic species, including resident and anadromous fish, and threatened and endangered species within the Tualatin River basin.

Established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1992, proposed and existing tracts of land within the approved boundary of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) consist of historical and extant seasonal emergent and forested wetlands, Oregon ash-dominated riparian forest, mixed coniferous/deciduous forest, and Garry oak (Oregon white oak) dominated savanna communities.  Remnant plant community types found within the Refuge are classified as imperiled habitats in the Willamette Valley and provide habitat diversity that support continental wintering populations of high priority waterfowl species, breeding neotropical migratory birds, resident and anadromous fish, as well as resident mammals, amphibians, and reptiles associated with FCRPS habitat losses.

As willing sellers within the approved acquisition boundary of the Refuge come forward, the opportunity exists to credit Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for construction and inundation losses incurred through development of FCRPS and to expedite protection of lands that are threatened with development.  When acquisitions are complete (funding sources include other than BPA), the Refuge will total over 3,000 acres of biologically diverse habitats that will be managed in perpetuity for fish, wildlife, and habitat values, and further improve the flood storage capacity and water quality of the Tualatin River basin.  The completed acquisitions of Oleson tracts 1 & 2 (Additions 1 & 2) provide a unique opportunity to restore and enhance 230 acres of seasonal, scrub-shrub, and forested wetland, riparian forest, ash woodland, and oak savanna uplands.  

While many preliminary activities such as site clean-up, planning, topographic survey, design, and engineering, have been completed; on the ground restoration activities began in earnest in 2004.  Herbicide treatment of 115 acres for oak savanna restoration was initiated during fall 2004.  Restoration of this site continued in 2005, with enhancement of oak savanna uplands and construction of emergent wetlands.  Construction activities included building a fish passable water control structure, installing a low level berm, constructing low-flow and drainage swales, and decommissioning tile drain lines and an irrigation pond.  Enhancement of oak savanna uplands included application of approved herbicide to control non-native invasive species and planting 50 acres with native grass seed.  The remaining 65 acres were planted with native grass seed during 2006.  Approved herbicide was applied to control non-native species.

Additional work accomplished during 2006 included constructing 15,500 feet of three-strand barbed wire fencing to help deter trespassing and provide a barrier to neighboring livestock, mowing and discing a 30-acre seasonal wetland basin to control reed canary grass, mowing and discing a 20-acre wet meadow prairie to control non-native species, pre-treatment of 11-acre shrub/scurb wetland with approved herbicide to control non-native invasive species, pre-treatment of 8-acre mixed hardwood forest by mowing and application of approved herbicide, and planting mixed hardwood site with native grass seed.

FY 2007 activities will include restoration of 11 acres of scrub/shrub wetland and maintenance of 115-acre oak savanna.  Restoration will include plant a variety of native tree and shrub species in a dense planting.  Planting work may be accomplished by a combination of contract and staff personnel.  All trees and shrubs will be from local native stock.  Maintenance of oak savanna will include application of approved herbicide to control non-native invasive plant species.