Project/Contract history:

This project is a part of the Clearwater National Forest-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership.  In 2007 the three adjacent watersheds in the Upper Lochsa basin, Crooked Fork, Upper Lochsa and Middle Lochsa, were combined to form one integrated project, "Protect and Restore the Upper Lochsa."  This project unification has greatly increased administrative and financial efficiency in order to maximize the direct benefit to fish and wildlife.

Restoration follows a ridge top to ridge top approach with implementation focused on increasing aquatic habitat connectivity, decreasing resource impacts from roads, and exotic invasive plant control. The cost share on this project has been contributed by the Clearwater National Forest who provides an approximate 30% match including cash and in-kind contributions. Project planning and implementation responsibilities are also shared with the Clearwater National Forest.

FY 08 Contract summary:

FY 08 implementation includes the technical oversight and review of several actions that will be implemented by the Clearwater National Forest under the BPA-CNF contract of this project, including the Doe Creek road improvements and culvert replacements, the North Fork of Spruce Creek bridge replacement, and the 7 miles of Saddle Camp Road decommissioning with the corresponding revegetation and erosion control.  In addition to this technical oversight and review, NPT Watershed staff will also conduct the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation.

NPT Watershed personnel will also conduct invasive weed treatment, an invasive weed inventory, and a comprehensive inventory of roads throughout the Upper Lochsa watershed in order to identify fish passage barriers and road associated risks to aquatic species.  

Matching Costs Summary 2008:    
Weed treatment costs are shared between this contract and three North Central Idaho RAC grants (federal Title II funds): $17,650 for Prescribed Grazing, $8,000 for Weed Inventory, and $17,000 for herbicides and weed treatment along the Lochsa.  The RAC funds are contracted through the Clearwater National Forest to the Nez Perce Tribe.

In addition, an environmental non-profit, Wildlands CPR, maintains a volunteer based project monitoring program in this area and the in-kind value of this monitoring is about $15,000.  Wildlands CPR collects monitoring data on roads and road removal, focusing on impacts of road removal to wildlife populations and stream habitat condition in the Upper Lochsa.

In 2008 the Clearwater National Forest will provide approximately 30% of project costs for road removal and culvert replacement, which includes project planning, contract administration, and implementation.