Project/Contract History:

This project is a component of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership.  This project represents a combination of two ongoing BPA and NPT restoration projects, Project 1996-077-03, Project 2002-074-00, and an extension of the project area to include the entire Lochsa Watershed rather than just the upper watersheds.  This project unification has significantly increased administrative and financial efficiency in order to maximize the direct benefit to fish and wildlife.

Restoration follows a ridge top to ridge top approach with implementation focused on decreasing sediment inputs into area streams, increasing aquatic habitat connectivity, decreasing resource impacts from roads, and eradicating exotic, invasive plants. The cost share for this project has been contributed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests who provides an approximate 20% match including cash and in-kind contributions. Project planning and implementation responsibilities are also shared with the Forest.

To date, the partnership has re-opened access to 88.95 miles of habitat, removed 503 miles of road through decommissioning or abandonment, improved 35.4 miles of road, planted 784.4 acres of vegetation, and treated over 2,234 acres of invasive, non-native plants. Major activities proposed for the 2014-18 funding cycle include over 18 miles of habitat re-opened through barrier removal/replacement, 119 miles of road decommissioning, 35 miles of road improvement or relocation, 250 acres of planting, 5,000 acres of weed treatment, approximately 1,500 feet of channel reconstruction, a vehicle wash station at Lolo Pass, investigating the potential to reconnect 3-5 major meanders in the Lochsa River, and the addition of large wood into streams.


FY 2016 Contract Implementation:

FY 16 implementation includes the removal of up to 7 miles of roads (to reduce sediment inputs to streams), up to 3 culvert replacements (to improve hydrologic capacity and reduce potential sediment delivery, as well as  provide habitat connectivity), planting up to 2,000 native riparian shrubs, installing large wood into Wawa’aalamnime  Creek to provide habitat complexity, and continued planning and coordination for future habitat improvement projects.

NPT Watershed personnel will also conduct invasive plant treatment, continued invasive inventory, and continue an inventory of roads and culverts throughout the Lochsa watershed in order to identify fish passage barriers and road associated risks to aquatic species.  

Matching Costs Summary 2015: In 2015 the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will provide approximately 20% of project costs for road decommissioning/improvement and culvert replacement, which includes project planning, contract administration, and implementation as described in the existing MOU with BPA.    

In addition, the project will seek outside matching funds for the invasive species wash station at Lolo Pass and the project to reconnect one of the five meanders that are currently disconnected from the Lochsa River by Highway 12.