The Umatilla Anadromous Fish Habitat Program (UAFHP) is responsible for the protection, enhancement, and rehabilitation of stream ecosystems on private lands within the Umatilla River Subbasin. Project activities are implemented under long-term agreements with landowners.  Past activities include the construction of grazing control fences and off-channel watering facilities, fish passage barrier remediation, channel rehabilitation, native plant enhancement on riparian areas and management of noxious weeds. Due to a lack of funding to directly implement major habitat restoration and passage remediation projects, the UAFHP will continue to partner with other local agencies including the Umatilla Basin Watershed Council (UBWC) and Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District (USWCD), along with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and other ODFW projects to secure funding to implement habitat and passage projects. These other partners have the ability to secure grant funds which ODFW does not qualify for or have budgets which allow for direct project implementation.

For the Fiscal Year of 2017, the program has several tasks scheduled which will aid in identifying and selecting future implementation projects. Program staff will utilize the Birch Creek Assessment and Action Plan sponsored by the CTUIR to identify and prioritize critical locations for future implementation actions within the Birch Creek drainage. Project staff will also continue to make landowner contacts and develop future projects in Meacham Creek and the Umatilla River, the project is currently working with Conrad Wyss on a potential dam removal and habitat restoration project and with the City of Pendleton on removal of several unused pipelines which cross the Umatilla River and are fish passage obstructions.

The UAFHP will continue to coordinate and provide technical assistance to other agencies throughout the basin to complete fish habitat restoration projects.  Permitting and technical assistance will be provided for the Dillon Dam and Brownell Dam Removal projects, both to be completed in the summer of FY 2017. Project staff will work with and gain permission from landowners and Water Rights holders to access property for pre-dam removal site inspections. Data collected from preliminary site inspections will be used in completion of permit applications. Project staff will also work closely with CTUIR, Umatilla Basin Watershed Council and the ODFW John Day fish screening and passage program (BPA contract #1993-066-00) in providing insight throughout construction and ensuring that permitting requirements are met.

Planting of riparian vegetation will continue in to 2017 and will include the implementation, watering and regular maintenance of a variety of species at number of project sites. Trees planted during the FY of 2016 at the Low and Hamby sites along Birch Creek will be monitored for growth and overall success. Observations made in the Spring of 2017 will be used to determine methods for planting additional sites in Fall of that year. Maintenance will be conducted on the 267.7 acres of riparian and stream habitat within the Umatilla River Sub-basin.  Specifically, 19.28 miles of fence, 12 off-channel watering facilities, and 130 acres of native vegetation will be maintained to meet program objectives.  Two temperature probes will be operated and maintained throughout the contract period to monitor status and trends of water temperature in Meacham Creek.

The UAFHP will continue education through participation in academic programs including career days and Watershed Field days. Program members will continue to seek out landowners for future projects and renewing cooperative agreements, and will also actively investigate for trespass cattle on all riparian fencing projects.