PROJECT/CONTRACT HISTORY:

The Lapwai Creek Watershed Rehabilitation Project was originally funded by BPA in 1999 to complete a watershed analysis.  Since that time, the NPT Watershed Division has been working on resource assessments and project implementation throughout the Lapwai Creek watershed.  Restoration and protection activities have included native revegetation, riparian protection fencing, road decommissioning, and other Best Management Practices (BMPs).  Prior to the initiation of this project, a massive data gap existed on fish, the condition of fish habitat, and limiting factors within the watershed.  Only a minimal amount of baseline data collection had occurred.  We felt it was of utmost importance to address this issue prior to any large-scale implementation of restoration activities.  Thus, the early years of the project (1999-2001) were focused on watershed assessment and subbasin planning.  Unfortunately, these efforts were very broad in scope, and the watershed assessment was based on what minimal data existed on the watershed at that time.  This proved to be much too coarse to provide any substantial direction or to guide our restoration efforts. Under the FY 2007 Contract, we focused primarily on the analysis and compilation of the fish presence and abundance data, and stream habitat data collected annually since 2003.  The data was analyzed and converted into a GIS-compatible format and then combined with other available, watershed-wide data sets developed by the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District and the NPT Water Resources Division.  The synergistic effect of these combined data sets came together in the development of the "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," a document intended to direct efforts and resources toward the highest priority restoration projects and areas of the Lapwai Creek Watershed.  This document provides an accurate assessment of the status and health of the aquatic resources within the watershed, and will allow us to spatially prioritize the implementation of future watershed protection and restoration projects for the Lapwai Creek Watershed.
                                                                                                                                                                          

SUMMARY OF FY 08 CONTRACT:

The "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," which was completed under the FY 07 contract, was the main reference for prioritizing implementation and developing the FY 08 SOW.  

The NRAMP inventory and project selection will continue on tribal properties within the areas identified as priority assessment units in the "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed."  The NRAMP protocol will complete an inventory, assessment, and management plans to identify stream/watershed restoration projects on 10 properties within the top three prioritized assessment units in the Lapwai Creek watershed.  Restoration projects identified and selected through the NRAMP process will be prioritized for implementation in FY 2009.

New Implementation projects planned for the 2008 SOW include:
o  Tribal Allotment 350, Tribal Allotment 352, and adjacent private land on mainstem Lapwai Creek - design and implementation of 500 ft of riparian fencing to exclude livestock from aquatic and riparian areas coupled with 0.84 acres of wetland and 2.5 acres of riparian restoration within the newly established riparian buffer.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3123 - design and implementation of 2,000 feet of riparian fencing to exclude livestock from aquatic and riparian areas coupled with 100 feet of bank stabilization and 13.5 acres of wetland and riparian restoration within the newly established riparian buffer.
o  Don Herndon Private Land - The bridge replacement work element is an integrated component of the restoration and protection project planned for the Don Herndon property.  The current bridge is the highest priority fish barrier in the Lapwai Creek Watershed because it has concrete sills in the stream that are scoured on the downstream side of the bridge, creating a fish barrier and blocking approximately 9.27 miles of spawning and rearing habitat.  NPT staff will assist in the removal of the old bridge, and the planting of the bridge replacement site with native vegetation.

In addition to the development of new projects, it is necessary to continue some specific project maintenance actions through the FY 2008 contract year.  Annual maintenance will be preformed on 14 miles of fence projects that were constructed between 2003 and 2007 to exclude livestock from aquatic and riparian areas on parcels throughout the Lapwai Creek Watershed.  Weed control, plant maintenance, and occasional adjustments of project components will continue on 20 acres at Tribal Allotment 365.   Weed control, plant maintenance, operation of a temporary irrigation system, and occasional adjustments of project components will also continue on 40 acres on Tribal Trust Unit 3125.

Outreach and education to the general public, fellow professionals, and high school and college students will continue.  This will include providing opportunities for local student and community volunteers to actively participate in the implementation of our restoration projects. Partners include the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District and the Nez Perce Tribe Water Resources and Land Services Departments.