PROJECT/CONTRACT HISTORY:

Our mission is to work proactively within the region’s diverse landscapes to restore and protect the ecological processes of the Lapwai Creek watershed to the greatest extent possible.  We will work to rehabilitate habitat that will support healthy, self-sustaining fish populations and provide clean water for the benefit of all.  We will work within present challenges and opportunities toward achieving a balance whereby all communities can thrive for generations to come.

Hé-yey, Nez Perce for steelhead or rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), are a culturally and ecologically significant resource of the Lapwai Creek watershed and comprise a portion of the federally listed Snake River Basin Steelhead distinct population segment (DPS).  The majority of the Lapwai Creek drainage is federally identified as critical habitat for this DPS while also providing habitat for the federally listed Snake River Nacó’x, or fall chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), evolutionarily significant unit (ESU).  The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (District) and the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management- Watershed (Tribe), in an effort to support the continued existence of these and other aquatic species, have developed the "Strategy for the Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed" document to direct efforts and resources toward the highest priority restoration projects and areas of the Lapwai Creek watershed.  The prioritization framework considered four aspects to determine the relative importance of performing restoration in a certain area: density of critical fish species, physical condition of the AU, water quantity, and water quality.  It was established, through vigorous data analysis within these four areas, that the top three areas to pursue restoration within the Lapwai Creek watershed are Lapwai Creek from stream km 17-34, Sweetwater Creek from the mouth to km 13 and from the mouth of Lapwai Creek to km 17.

SUMMARY OF FY 12 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 12 SOW.  

Implementation projects planned for the 2012 SOW include:

o  Tribal Trust Unit 30 - implementation of noxious weed control and native grass seed establishment of 18.5 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 30 - remeandering of 0.6 miles of Rock Creek.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 30 - riparian planting of 18.5 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3123 - weed control and maintenance of riparian planting on 9.0 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3125 - implementation of noxious weed control of 10.9 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3125 - maintenance of riparian plantings of 0.03 acres .
o  Tribal Trust Unit 348 - implementation of noxious weed control and plant maintenance of 3.0 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 369B - implementation of noxious weed control and native grass seed establishment of 1.0 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 365 - implementation of noxious weed control and native grass seed establishment of 6.0 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 365 - removal of 500 ft of levee and replacement of Bridge XS-15 on Sweetwater Creek.
o  Tribal Allotment 679/681 - implementation of noxious weed control of 2.0 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 342D - implementation of noxious weed control and plant maintenance of 6.0 acres
o  Pilot Project for establishment of wetland sod mats.


Outreach and education to the general public, fellow professionals, and high school and college students will continue. An emphasis is being place on participating in "Steelhead in the Classroom". Partners include the Lapwai School District, Lewiston School District, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.