The Scotch Creek Wildlife Area is a complex of 6 separate management units located in Okanogan county in North Central Washington State.  The project is located within the Columbia Cascade Province (Okanogan sub-basin) and partially addresses adverse impacts caused by the construction of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee hydroelectric dams.  With the addition of the Eder acquisition, the total size of all wildlife area units is 19,860 acres.  The Scotch Creek Wildlife Area was approved as a wildlife mitigation project in 1996 and habitat enhancement efforts to meet mitigation objectives have been underway since the spring of 1997 on Scotch Creek.  Population estimates of Sharp-tailed grouse on the Scotch Creek unit show a dramatic increase since initial acquisition in 1991.  Habitat enhancements and genetic supplementation through augmentation appear to be having a positive effect.  

Maintenance of BPA funded enhancements are necessary to protect and enhance shrub-steppe and riparian habitats to recover and sustain populations of Sharp-tailed grouse and other obligate species.  This contract will maintain shrub and tree plantings to ensure continued growth and survival, and the benefit of Sharp tailed grouse winter habitat.  Boundary fence repair will be performed to prevent trespass livestock on all wildlife area units.  Weed control on all acres of the wildlife area will be performed to restore quality habitat as well as protection from new invaders and maintain existing HU's.  Maintenance of signs, physical improvements, roads and parking areas will protect habitat by directing and informing the public.  Funding of administrative duties will keep project staff informed of new procedures and developments, BPA and DFW personnel informed of on-going projects, keep planning and project reporting on track, and insure smooth operations between all interested parties.

In addition to on-going maintenance and protection of the area, we will remove 20 acres of Russian Olive trees and restore the area to native shrub-steppe habitat on the Eder unit.  Also on the Eder unit, we will build approximately 1 mile of new fence, with two water gaps, to protect one mile of riparian habitat along Tonasket Creek, and still allow a small access to water for stock.  1,000 trees and shrubs will be planted in strategic locations to improve winter habitat for Sharp-tailed grouse on the Tunk Valley unit, and enhancements to Scotch Creek riparian plantings by raising the water table in the area below the corrals.  We will restore shrub-steppe or meadow habitat in the area of the Scotch Creek channel construction.  After removal of non-native grasses on this 40 acres we will seed to a native grass/forb seed mix.  This is a critical habitat area for wintering Sharp-tailed grouse.  Future Riparian plantings along this channel will restore riparian habitat units.  We will also attempt to develop a pond within the shrub-steppe restoration field to provide diversity and open water.