PROJECT/CONTRACT HISTORY:

The Lapwai Creek Aquatic Ecosystem/Watershed Restoration and Protection Project began in 1999.  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 09 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 09 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 2010.

Implementation projects planned for the 2009 SOW include:
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  Tribal Trust Unit 3125 - design and implementation of 240 feet of bank stabilization, 0.3 acres of weed control and 2 acres of riparian planting.
o  Tribal Allotment 369B- design and implementation of 2.3 acres of riparian enhancement including 0.63 acres of planting and 100 feet of bank stabilization.
o  Tribal Allotment 681- design and implementation of riparian enhancement including 42.2 acres of weed control, 9.5 acres of riparian planting and 496 feet of bank stabilization.
o  Tribal Allotment 679- design and implementation of riparian enhancement including 17 acres of weed control, 6 acres of riparian planting and 173 feet of bank stabilization.


In addition to the development of new projects, it is necessary to continue some specific project maintenance actions through the FY 2009 contract year.  Annual maintenance will be preformed on 14 miles of fence projects that were constructed between 2003 and 2008 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 at Tribal Allotment 365, the Don Herndon property, Spring Creek, Tribal Allotment 350, Tribal Allotment 352, and adjacent private land on mainstem Lapwai Creek.   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.