Contract History:

This project was originally proposed during the 2007 NPCC/BPA Provincial Review.  While it did not receive funding during that process, it was recommended for funding as a FCRPS BiOp project.  This comprehensive watershed restoration effort focuses on mitigating and restoring limiting factors to fisheries production.  The primary limiting factors are excessive sedimentation into the spawning and rearing areas of streams, and the lack of available habitat and habitat connectivity.  These limiting factors result from past land management activities, including road construction, logging, and mining.  

The Nez Perce National Forest (NPNF) has completed several surveys, assessments, and NEPA decision documents.  The first assessment, the South Fork Landscape Assessment, was completed in 1999.  This document provided the baseline conditions for each subwatershed as well as general recommendations for future restoration efforts.  The Crooked/American Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluated a complex system of watersheds using a multidisciplinary approach.  The final product included a proposed list of specific watershed restoration projects, including the Crooked/American Watershed Restoration project.

This project is a part of the Nez Perce National Forest (NPNF) - Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) Watershed Restoration Partnership.  Since the NPT program’s inception, we have shared project planning, costs, and implementation responsibilities.  


Summary of FY 2011 Contract Implementation:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
FY 2011 contract implementation will include the marking, staking and design of 5 miles of road decommissioning in the American River watershed as well as field verification and prioritization of remaining watershed restoration projects within the Crooked/American Record of Decision (ROD).