Primary Deliverables:
The John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program's primary deliverables under this contract include:
1.    Maintenance of past riparian fencing and previously implemented habitat projects.
2.    Installation of one riparian renewal fencing project and rebuild one current fence project:
       -Eight Mile Creek
       -Wind Creek (2024 Wildfire Damage)
Project staff will also oversee and assist in the implementation of large wood and floodplain complexity restoration efforts within protected areas along Johnson Creek, a tributary of the John Day River, and Murderer’s Creek Phase II, a tributary of the South Fork John Day River.

Background:
The John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program is currently undergoing a transitional phase in its long history of conservation work. For the past 40 years, the program has primarily focused on riparian fencing as a method to enhance fish habitats, a strategy that has proven highly effective. However, in the last two years, our focus has expanded to include instream habitat restoration efforts. This transition is not a swift or simple shift; it requires time, dedication, and ongoing development of new skills and tools by our staff to successfully implement these projects. During this transition, we have acquired key equipment necessary for instream restoration, including a mini-excavator, post pounder, water tank, and welder. These tools are vital for the hands-on work required to restore instream fish habitats. While the program will continue its successful riparian fence initiatives, the added focus on instream restoration is a significant growth in our mission.

In 2025, we planned to implement one large-scale instream project and one smaller instream project during the designated instream work window. This involved weeks of on-site work, including camping, moving equipment and materials, and long, physically demanding days in the field. Unfortunately, due to permitting issues, we were only able to complete one smaller instream project in 2025. However, in 2026 we are slated to implement two large instream projects that may add up to 11 weeks of work during the instream work window. The program will continue to collaborate with various partners in the John Day Basin to carry out these restoration projects. However, due to our limited resources and capacity, we were unable to take other large-scale projects.

The John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program was initiated on July 1, 1984. The program began with landowner outreach, agreement development, project design, budgeting, and implementation aimed at improving anadromous fish habitat on privately owned lands in the John Day Basin. The goal is to enhance the production of indigenous wild stocks of spring Chinook salmon and summer steelhead by improving habitat through protection, enhancement, and fish passage improvements.

Historically, the program’s efforts centered around riparian enclosure development. In recent years, however, the focus has expanded to include floodplain restoration projects within protected riparian areas, further improving habitat function. The program collaborates with a variety of agencies and stakeholders, including the South Fork and North Fork Watershed Councils, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Gilliam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Wheeler SWCD, Grant SWCD, Monument SWCD, and the Tribal entities of the Umatilla and Warm Springs Tribes.

Project Prioritization:
The John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program continuously evaluates and prioritizes upcoming projects. Prioritization efforts include:
•    Using the Atlas framework to identify high-priority areas and projects within the John Day Basin.
•    Collaborating closely with the District Fish Biologist for guidance on project selection.
•    Focusing on creating large, contiguous habitat protections by grouping projects in specific focus areas.

Riparian Protection Fence Development:
The program’s initial Riparian Fence Cooperative Agreements are set for a 15-year term. This long duration ensures that riparian vegetation has time to establish and stabilize before domestic livestock are allowed back into the protected areas. The fencing allows stream ecosystems to recover, leading to improved shading, reduced solar input, stabilized banks, and enhanced riparian habitat diversity.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) maintains the riparian fences during this initial agreement period and, in some cases, also installs off-site cattle watering facilities. Based on observations, landowners have maintained the original riparian fences in about 90% of expired agreements. In high-priority areas, the program may renew or rebuild fences for an additional 10 years.
Buffer widths vary, with a typical minimum of 35 feet above the ordinary high-water line. Between 2015 and 2019, the average buffer width increased to 87.2 feet. The program’s goal is to improve as much riparian vegetation as possible within the terms of each signed 15-year agreement.

The program spends considerable time coordinating with landowners on fence alignment, gate placements, and water gap locations. Fish habitat staff stake out structure locations and provide GPS coordinates to the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District (GSWCD), which then maps the fence layout. GSWCD advertises the project, handles bidding, and verifies contractor qualifications. Cultural surveys are arranged in cooperation with BPA environmental compliance personnel.

After a pre-bid tour, contractors submit sealed bids. The lowest qualified bidder is awarded the project. Construction typically allows for 3 weeks per mile of fence, with ODFW personnel overseeing the work’s progress and quality. In some cases, ODFW provides materials for financial efficiency. Once completed, ODFW staff conducts a final inspection and addresses any issues before final payment is processed by GSWCD through a subcontract.

Riparian Protection Fence Maintenance:
The John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program is responsible for maintaining approximately 293 miles of riparian fences, which protect 6,900 acres of riparian buffer and include 27 offsite spring developments. This maintenance spans 11 counties, including Gilliam, Grant, Wheeler, Crook, Harney, Jefferson, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, and Wasco.
To reduce maintenance costs, the program has begun using steel pipe posts instead of wooden ones, which should significantly decrease long-term costs over the 15-year Cooperative Agreement period. Additionally, the program contracts with the Grant County Weed Department to address noxious weeds in the riparian areas. A small budget is allocated to spray approximately 70 acres, helping maintain weed control in high-dispersal areas and demonstrating to landowners that invasive species can be managed effectively.

Floodplain Enhancement:
In recent years, the John Day Fish Habitat Enhancement Program has expanded its efforts to incorporate floodplain restoration components alongside the riparian fencing program. These efforts aim to enhance areas that may or may not have existing riparian fences. The program is currently working on several instream restoration projects within the John Day Basin, with specific project details outlined in individual Work Elements (WEs).