Contract History: The purpose of this project is to protect and enhance habitat for improved natural production of indigenous, Mid-Columbia River (MCR) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), and spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) within the North Fork of the John Day River Basin.  The project entails coordinated, cooperative efforts to protect and improve anadromous fisheries habitat consistent with the strategies and objectives outlined in the John Day Subbasin Plan.

This project originated in 2000 with initial on-the-ground implementations occurring in 2001.  These projects were implemented within lower Camas Creek tributaries (Snipe and Owens Creeks), Deer Creek and the Lower North Fork John Day River and later expanded to areas where the CTUIR did not have a conservation agreement but worked with cooperators.  

To date, all projects have included cost share funding and/or in-kind assistance from various sources including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), U.S. Department of Agriculture' s (USDA) Wildlife Habitat Incentive and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs (WHIP and CREP), U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), North Fork John Day Watershed Council (NFJDWC), Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) Partners for Wildlife Program, Umatilla National Forest (UNF), Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO), and Columbia Power Cooperative Association.  The project has also partnered with other entities, including the UNF and Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to assist them in obtaining NOAA cost share and habitat recovery on additional North and Middle Fork John Day tributaries.  These efforts have resulted in further enhancement of approximately 28 stream miles and 197 acres of floodplain and upland habitat.  Upland fencing associated with this project will be financed by these cost share entities since BPA is reluctant to approve funding for this purpose.

Summary of 2017-2018 Contract Work: Implementation during this project cycle shall include: (1) Identify, prioritize and select habitat project areas within the Lower Camas, Upper Camas, Desolation and Granite Creeks Geographic Areas (GA's), (2) Produce environmental compliance documentation, (3) Outreach and education, (4) Maintain water developments for easements on Lower Camas Creek, Mud Creek, Deer Creek, and the NFJD, (5) Investigate livestock trespass for easements on Lower Camas Creek, Mud Creek, Deer Creek, and the NFJD, (6) Maintain fences for easements on Lower Camas Creek, Mud Creek, Deer Creek, and the NFJD, (7) Maintain vegetation for easements on Lower Camas Creek, Mud Creek, Deer Creek, the NFJD, Desolation Creek, and Granite Creek, (8) Granite Creek Design, (9) Desolation Creek Geomorphic Assessment, (10) Desolation Creek Priority Design, (11) Desolation Creek Priority Implementation, (12) Bull Run Mine Tailing Permitting, (13) NFJD eDNA Collection, (14) NFJD eDNA Analysis, (15) Desolation Creek Gauging Station Installation, (16) Desolation Creek Meadow Storage Feasibility, (17) Collect water temperature and photo point data, 18) Submit Periodic Status Reports, (19) Complete progress reports, and (20) Produce Deliverables.