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 communities. Native fish (specifically westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout) have been displaced by non-native species 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 in1995. Based on assessment findings, tributary restoration projects started in1996. 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 removal 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, including the Goose Creek Channel Restoration Project (Project) within Big Meadows.

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.


GOOSE CREEK CHANNEL RESTORATION PROJECT

The Kalispel Tribe acquired the 773 acre Big Meadows property near Priest Lake, Idaho to mitigate for wildlife habitat losses related to the construction and operation of Albeni Falls Dam.  Goose Creek bisects Big Meadows prior to its confluence with the Upper West Branch Priest River.  Previous management of the land included channelizing and dredging portions of Goose Creek in an effort to drain the meadow and create better agricultural land.  Baseline habitat assessments conducted in 2009 documented significantly reduced channel length, lateral and vertical instability, reduced habitat quality, and poor riparian vegetation.  Channelization and subsequent downcutting has lowered the groundwater table and converted the formerly wet meadow into upland pasture. The Kalispel Tribe intends to restore aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitats within Big Meadows by restoring an approximately 2.25 mile long portion of Goose Creek to its historic planform and profile.  In order to prevent further invasion of nonnative fish in the Goose Creek watershed, a barrier was constructed in 2011.  Once the Project is completed in 2018,  piscicide treatments will be conducted in the watershed to remove nonnative species.  Big Meadows will be protected in perpetuity by the Kalispel Tribe through a long term conservation management plan. To date, over $375,000  in cost-share has been contributed to the Project and the Department will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities.  In the event that cost-share funds offset the need for BPA funds, baseline habitat and fish population assessments will be conducted in additional Pend Oreille watershed tributaries.