Contract History:  

The Lolo Creek Watershed Restoration project (1996-077-02) has been an on-going project of the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Watershed Program and BPA since 1996.  This unique and successful restoration partnership is implemented through agreements between the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests (NPCNFs), Nez Perce Tribe (NPT), and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The ultimate goal of the project is to restore the physical and biological characteristics of the watershed to provide quality habitat for anadromous and resident fish species that support the historical, cultural, and economic practices of the Nez Perce Tribe.  In 2016,  the Lolo Creek project was combined with the Selway River project, a newly funded BiOp effort initiated in 2011 to perform high priority watershed restoration actions in the Selway River watershed.

The Lolo Creek watershed contains proposed critical habitat for listed species Steelhead trout, potential critical habitat for Bull Trout, and has moderate habitat potential for Spring Chinook Salmon.  Restoration in this watershed focuses on restoring riparian processes by addressing increased water temperatures, increased sedimentation, cattle grazing affects, fish passage barriers, and noxious weed infestations.  Fish passage and habitat connectivity actions are prioritized primarily at road/stream crossings on both private and federal land, and native riparian revegetation and continuous riparian protection are also high priority actions.

The Selway River Watershed contains critical habitat for listed species Steelhead Trout, potential critical habitat for Bull Trout, and has moderate habitat potential for Spring Chinook Salmon.  Restoration follows a ridge top to ridge top approach with implementation focused on restoring riparian processes by addressing increased water temperatures, increased sedimentation, cattle grazing effects, aquatic habitat connectivity, and exotic, invasive plant encroachment.  The cost share for this project has been contributed by the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests who provides approximately 20% match including cash and in-kind contributions. Project planning and implementation responsibilities are also shared with the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests.



Completed contract work in the Lolo Watershed  includes culvert prioritization and assessment, installation of an off-site water source, 29 culvert replacements, 11 culvert removals, 2600 ft. of stream bank stabilization, 14 large wood structures, 101.5 miles of road decommissioning, 23 miles of fence installation and maintenance, and over 24,000 native riparian trees and shrubs planted.  

Completed contract work in the Selway Watershed includes culvert prioritization and assessment, installation of 10 culvert replacements, 41 miles road decommissioning surveys.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Summary of proposed FY 2018 contract implementation:

This project is part of the Nez Perce Tribe, BPA, and Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests Watershed Restoration Partnership with in kind contributions from the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests.  

B, C, & D)  Improve Road
O'hara Creek road improvement and culvert replacement.  Two undersized and failing culverts along the O'hara Creek road will be replaced.
  
E) Increase Aquatic and/or Floodplain Complexity
Construct up to six beaver dam analog structures in Musselshell Creek.

F) Maintain Fence
From 1998 to 2006 fence has been constructed of wooden posts and four-strand barbed wire.  21 miles of previously constructed fence will be thoroughly inspected for loose or weakened posts, and repaired as necessary.

G)  Selway road inventory and decommissioning surveys
Crews will inventory up to 30 miles of road in the lower Selway watershed for future decommissioning projects.  Surveys will prioritize roads based on failure and sediment delivery potential.

H) Riparian Planting
The Lolo Creek watershed has historically experienced significant grazing and road construction which has destroyed riparian areas.  Re-vegetation efforts have been ongoing since 2000 and over 16,000 trees have been planted to date.  Approximately 1,200 native riparian trees and shrubs will be planted in a pattern that emulates the natural conditions.
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I) Exotic, Invasive Species Treatment
The USFS Environmental Assessment completed in 2004 identifies the Musselshell Meadows as a highly used, culturally sensitive area of particular concern to the Nez Perce Tribe.  During the 2007 and 2014  field season, NPT and the NPCNFs completed a non-native, invasive plant inventory in Musselshell Meadows which was utilized to develop a treatment plan for the highest priority areas of the 190 acre meadow area and surrounding areas.  The focus will include corridors of invasion, such as roads, trails, and disturbed areas.