Contract History:

The Protect and Restore Mill Creek Watershed, 2000-036-00, has been an on-going project since 2000.  This project is being completed in cooperation with the Nez Perce National Forest (NPNF).  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 Mill Creek watershed contains high habitat potential for steelhead trout and 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, cattle grazing degradation, fish passage issues, and noxious weed infestations.  Previously completed contract work includes culvert assessment and prioritization, 4 culvert replacements, over 10,700 riparian trees planted, installation of 3.0 miles of fence, and continued monitoring and evaluation.

Summary of FY 2009 - 2010 Contract Work:

This project is part of the Nez Perce National Forest-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership with in kind contributions from the Nez Perce National Forest.  Funding for the Mill Creek project was approved for the Nez Perce Tribe in the amount of $600,000.  $275,000 of that amount is being awarded to the Nez Perce National Forest under this contract of the project to accomplish the following work:

A)  Big Canyon Creek culvert replacement-
This project will replace an existing 36" round culvert that failed in the spring of 2008 with a larger culvert. This replacement  will increase the hydraulic capacity of the culvert and reduce the chances of failure in the future, preventing excess sediment from entering Mill Creek and impacting all life stages of aquatic species, including juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project will assist the Nez Perce National Forest with bid package development, bid review, contractor selection, technical oversight during construction, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation.

B) Mill Creek slide restoration-
The culvert on Road 309 at Big Canyon Creek failed in the spring of 2008 resulting in a massive landslide that temporarily plugged Mill Creek at milepost 2.0.  The landslide resulted in severe erosion and mass failure greatly adding to the sediment in Mill Creek and significantly damaging the road adjacent to the stream.  The surveying and designs required to restore this section of Mill Creek will be completed in 2009 and implementation will begin in late 2009 and 2010.   Implementation will include repairing the damaged sections of road and protecting the road to prevent further erosion into Mill Creek, relocating a diverted section of Mill Creek back to its original location, removing some of the slide material to restore floodplain capacity to prevent further erosion, and replanting, armoring, and using bio-engineering techniques to revegetate and protect the riparian zone in the area of the slide.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project will assist the Nez Perce National Forest with the design review, bid package development, bid review, contractor selection, technical oversight during construction, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation.

C) Replacement of Bridge #3 (Road 309) on Mill Creek-
Bridge #3 on Mill Creek was evaluated in 2008 and critical members of the wooden structure show degradation and the beginning signs of failure.  Additionally, the current alignment of the structure encroaches on the natural stream channel which negatively impacts stream velocities and hydrologic capacity.  Replacement and realigning the bridge will eliminate the possibility of adding sediment to the stream due to failure, and will reduce stream velocities that currently impede the migration and habitat of certain life stages of aquatic species, including juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead.  The design for the new bridge will be completed in 2009, and construction and installation will be implemented in 2010.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under a separate BPA-NPT contract of this project will assist the Nez Perce National Forest with the design review, bid package development, bid review, contractor selection, technical oversight during construction, final inspection, and the associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation.