The watershed restoration work elements described in this project area, the South Fork Salmon River and Big Creek Watersheds, follow the watershed restoration approach adopted by the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) Department of Fisheries Resource Management (DFRM) - Watershed Division.  The mission of the Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Division (NPT-WD) is to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems using a holistic approach encompassing entire watersheds from ridge-top to ridge-top throughout the Nez Perce Tribe Ceded Territory.   This restoration work has its roots in exercising Tribal sovereignty and protecting rights reserved under the Nez Perce Treaty of 1855 with the United States Federal Government.  Specifically, our mission is to:
•Be a leader in holistic aquatic ecosystem restoration;
•Ensure and facilitate the protection of currently healthy and properly functioning aquatic ecosystems;
•Aggressively restore degraded aquatic ecosystems by any and all means necessary;
•Ensure our efforts focus on restoring the functions that support healthy ecosystems, such as natural stream flows, appropriate sediment loads, floodplain connectivity, and appropriately vegetated riparian corridors;
•Develop clear and quantitatively defined goals and standards for healthy aquatic ecosystems, as well as the protocols to monitor the success and status of recovery efforts and facilitate adaptive management strategies;
•Coordinate and collaborate with appropriate individuals and/or entities with land management authority to ensure plans and activities are protective and respectful of aquatic ecosystems;
•Provide educational opportunities and outreach materials for all age groups, other agencies, and the public on environmental issues and ethics;
•Maintain a workforce which possesses the highest level of integrity and professionalism, and is well organized, passionate, creative, and connected to the land and resources, and;
•Work within and implement the integrated management strategies of the Department of Fisheries Resource Management.
  The NPT DFRM - Watershed Division is working in partnership with the Payette and Boise National Forests; Valley and Idaho Counties; Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality; Idaho's Department of Fish and Game; Idaho's Office of Species Conservation; NOAA; USFWS; and private landowners to achieve restoration goals.    

PROJECT GOAL:
The primary goal of this project is to restore the aquatic ecosystems of Big Creek and the South Fork Salmon River, addressing all limiting factors, so that the physical habitat within these watersheds no longer limits recovery of ESA Threatened summer Chinook and steelhead populations.   Habitat improvement projects proposed by the Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe) in partnership with the Boise and Payette National Forests (Forests), aim to increase the productivity and viability of these threatened fish.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The Tribe proposes a suite of restoration projects to address the primary factors limiting the abundance and productivity of these focal fish species.  The Tribe and Forests prioritized projects based on the Salmon Subbasin Plan, NMFS Draft Recovery Plan, current watershed surveys, and the SFSR and Big Creek Expert Panel process.

Objectives of this proposal include:
OBJ-1: Reduce the number of fish passage barriers so that none exist within the SFSR/BC Watersheds
OBJ-2: Reduce chronic and acute sediment inputs (fines) and reduce road densities within the SFSR/BC Watersheds.  
OBJ-3: Protect and Restore Riparian Habitats through conservations easements, livestock fencing and planting of riparian plants so they can perform critical ecological functions.  
OBJ-4: Reduce the Impact of Mining Activities on Focal Species by reducing road density, restoring vegetation, creating sediment traps and improving water quality so affected streams are no longer 303d listed.    
OBJ-5: Increase Habitat Quality for Focal Species through reduced water temperatures and quality, increased large woody debris and reduced sediment fines.  

Habitat improvement projects in 2014 that will help us of  that address limiting factors include:
1. Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP)- Replace an undersized culvert with a bridge on Big Creek, design a bridge to replace a vehicular ford on Smith Creek (implementation of the actual bridge would be 2015)
2. Road Decommissioning- Decommission 20 miles of road in the SFSR adjacent to ESA listed spawning grounds to reduce sediment delivery.  
3. Road Improvements-Improve existing roads on Lick Creek and Smith Creek Loop Road to reduce sediment delivery to streams.  
4. Enhancing Riparian Habitat-improve and maintain riparian habitat at Wapiti Meadows and Burgdorf Meadows the Tribe has under conservation easement.  
5. Maintaining and Building Livestock Exclusion Fences-maintain the 1.25 miles of riparian fencing that has currently been installed.  Build additional fencing in riparian areas that need protection.  
6. Mine Restoration- explore mine sight restoration opportunities in the Secesh drainage, and Thunder Mountain Mine Sight.  
7. Road Inventory and Assessments- Complete road inventories and assessment in Jakie Creek subwatershed, Warm Lake area, Upper South Fork Salmon River, Lake Creek/Secesh watersheds and Big Creek drainages.