This project was initiated on July 1, 1984 under the BPA contract and allows for initial landowner contacts, agreement development, project design, budgeting, and implementation for anadromous fish habitat improvement on privately owned lands within the John Day Basin.  

The purpose of the John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program is to enhance production of indigenous wild stocks of spring chinook and summer steelhead within the sub basin through habitat protection, enhancement and fish passage improvements.

In work period 3-1-2014 thru 2-29-2015 the fish habitat program will construct approximately 18.8 miles of riparian protection fence, 217 acres and 11.00 miles of creeks protected, coordination with 7 landowners (Matt Langer, Doug Emmel, Jim Bob Collins, Rattray , Ricco, Hensley, and O'Rorke).  The actual number of stream miles protected is probably higher, do to sinuosity and ground truthing this summer will correct any missed judgments.  Construction will include approximately 10.00 miles of riparian fence on Bear Creek/Langer property tributary to the Lower Mainstem John Day River, 0.5 miles riparian fence on Dads Creek/Emmel property tributary to the Upper Mainstem John Day River, 1.5 miles of riparian fence on Collins property on Mountain Creek tributary of the Lower John Day River, 1.5 miles riparian fence on Thirtymile Creek on Rattray property tributary of the Lower Mainstem John Day River, and 2.0 miles riparian fence on the Upper Mainstem John Day River on Russell Ricco property.  There will be 1.7 miles of riparian renewal fence on Hensley property on Fox Creek and also 1.6 miles of renewal riparian fence on Camp Creek O'Rorke property.  Both of these projects will be renewed for an additional 10 years into the John Day Fish Habitat Program.  There will be approximately 45 gates and 20 watergaps constructed on riparian fence project sites.