Aquatic habitat degradation/alteration and widespread stocking of non-native species in the Pend Oreille subbasin have resulted in aquatic communities that differ from pre-development native fish communities. Native fish (specifically Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout) have been displaced by non-native species stocking and by alteration and degradation of habitat. Dams on the Pend Oreille River prevent fish passage and create habitat more suitable for warmwater species. The Kalispel Natural Resources Department (Department) initiated stream habitat and fish assessments in 1995. Based on assessment findings, tributary restoration projects started in 1996. In 2002, overall fish densities in restored tributary sites had increased 47%; however, nonnative species, such as Eastern Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout accounted for much of the increase. Therefore, tributary restoration efforts began to focus more on nonnative species removal in headwater streams and large scale bank restoration in the lower portions of watersheds where channel stability is impaired. Non-native Brook Trout suppression has been conducted in the Upper West Branch LeClerc Creek watershed in Washington since 2002. In 2009, Brook Trout removals were included in the new Kalispel/BPA Nonnative Fish Suppression Project (Project No. 2007-149-00). With nonnative removals now included in the Nonnative Suppression Project, the Resident Fish Habitat project is now able to focus on stream and riparian habitat improvements in Washington and Idaho.

In summary, activities aimed at recovering native Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout being undertaken by the Department include:

1. Performing baseline stream habitat and fish population assessments to determine current distribution and abundance and identifying core watersheds for focused recovery efforts;
2. Working to protect existing native populations and functioning habitat through participation in regional policy setting groups and consultation with area land, fish, and wildlife management agencies and property owners;
3. Pursuing funding from various sources and partners and partnering with other agencies in watershed restoration projects;
4. Implementing instream, riparian, and upland restoration projects in core watersheds; and
5. Monitoring restoration projects and adaptively managing plans and actions to maximize conservation outcomes.