Contract History:  

The Lolo Creek Watershed Restoration project (1996-077-02) has been an on-going project of the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Watershed Program and BPA since 1996.  The ultimate goal of the project is to restore the physical and biological characteristics of the watershed to provide quality habitat for anadromous and resident fish species that support the historical, cultural and economic practices of the Nez Perce Tribe.  The Lolo Creek watershed contains proposed critical habitat for listed species steelhead trout, potential critical habitat for bull trout, and has moderate habitat potential for spring Chinook salmon.  Restoration in this watershed focuses on restoring riparian processes by addressing increased water temperatures, increased sedimentation, cattle grazing affects, fish passage issues, and noxious weed infestations.  The project addresses passage problems, primarily at road/stream crossings, on both private and federal land, and addresses riparian planting and riparian protection program management. Completed contract work includes culvert prioritization and assessment, installation of an off-site watering development, 19 culvert replacements, 8 culvert removals, 1600 ft. of stream bank stabilization, 75 miles of road decommissioning, 16 miles of fence installation, over 16,000 riparian trees planted, and continued monitoring and evaluation.                                                                                                                      

Summary of FY 09 contract work:

This project is a part of the Clearwater National Forest-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership with in-kind contributions from the Clearwater National Forest.  Since the project's inception, we have shared project planning, costs, and implementation responsibilities.  There are two contracts under this project.  The primary contract is with the Nez Perce Tribe.  This contract with the Clearwater National Forest includes only the funding for the White-White II road decommissioning, the Yakus Creek Road decommissioning, and the Mox Creek culvert replacement and removal, and the Musselshell Creek culvert removal.

A) White-White II road decommissioning
Road densities in the Lolo Creek watershed are 4.8 miles per square mile, the target for road densities is 1.0 miles per square mile.  Up to 10 miles of road decommissioning will be completed under the proposed White-White II road decommissioning project.  This work will include re-contouring roads back to natural topography and de-compacting skid trails and landing areas which will reduce surface erosion and sediment delivery to streams.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project, will assist in bid package preparation, contractor selection, technical oversight, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring.

B) Yakus Creek road decommissioning
Road densities in the Lolo Creek watershed are 4.8 miles per square mile, the target for road densities is 1.0 miles per square mile.  Up to 10 miles of road decommissioning will be completed under the proposed Yakus Creek road decommissioning project.  This work will include re-contouring roads back to natural topography and de-compacting skid trails and landing areas which will reduce surface erosion and sediment delivery to streams.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project, will assist in bid package preparation, contractor selection, technical oversight, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring.

A) Replacement and removal of three culverts
The Mox Creek culverts have been identified as a high priority for replacement and removal as they are undersized and do not pass all life stages of fish.  These culverts will be replaced and removed by the Forest Service (Clearwater National Forest) under this BPA-CNF contract, and the Nez Perce Tribe will assist in bid package preparation, contractor selection, technical oversight and final inspection under the BPA-NPT contract of this project.

The Musselshell Creek culvert has also been identified as a high priority for removal as it is undersized and does not pass all life stages of fish.  This culvert will be removed by the Forest Service (Clearwater National Forest) under this BPA-CNF contract, and the Nez Perce Tribe will assist in bid package preparation, contractor selection, technical oversight and final inspection under the BPA-NPT contract of this project.