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 compose 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 Ecological 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 CY 16 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 CY 16 SOW.  

Implementation projects planned for the 2016 SOW include the following:

A total of 7 sites, treating 27.35 acres.

o  Tribal Trust Unit 3123 Spring Creek Raceway- implementation of noxious weed control and maintenance of riparian planting on 1.0 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3123 Spring Creek Wetlands- implementation of noxious weed control on1.0 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 3125 Fisheries Building -  implementation of noxious weed control and maintenance of riparian planting on 0.4 acres.
o  Tribal Trust Unit 30 - implementation of noxious weed control and maintenance of riparian planting on 9.0 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 365 - implementation of noxious weed control and maintenance of riparian plantings on 6.45 acres.
o  Tribal Allotment 419A - implementation of noxious weed control and seeding of native grasses on 9.0 acres.
o  Lutes Wetland adjacent to Tribal Allotment 350 - implementation of noxious weed control and maintenance of plantings on 0.5 acres.


Bridge Replacement--  A bridge will be replaced on Tribal Allotment 365 over Sweetwater Creek

Design-- An environmental consulting firm will be contracted to develop a final restoration design for a .4 mile section of Sweetwater Creek located in Sweetwater Creek Assessment Unit #1 (the 2nd highest priority Assessment Unit).

Outreach and Education-- Education and outreach will continue to the general public, fellow professionals, high school and college students, and especially elementary school students, e.g. the  "Steelhead in the Classroom" program for 6th graders. Partners include the Lapwai School District, Lewiston School District, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.