The Grande Ronde and Umatilla Fish Habitat Improvement Program (GRUFH) supports the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's (ODFW) efforts to restore riparian and instream habitats in the Grande Ronde and Umatilla basins as mitigation for fisheries losses resulting from development of the Federal Columbia River Power System. GRUFH's focus is on the protection, enhancement, and restoration of habitats utilized by Federal Endangered Species Act listed Umatilla River summer steelhead, Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon and Snake River summer steelhead, while benefiting many other species of fish and wildlife. These activities are guided, in part, by Recovery Plans, Subbasin Plans, Oregon plans and policies, and current research. Restoration activities are implemented under both short and long-term cooperative agreements with landowners. Past work includes: construction and maintenance of grazing control fences and off-channel livestock watering facilities; construction of main stem channels, side channels, alcoves, and large wood structures to increase habitat diversity; planting native plant species to restore riparian ecosystems; management of noxious weeds; restoring fish passage; and improving stream and floodplain connectivity.

The primary goal of "The Grande Ronde and Umatilla Basin Fish Habitat Enhancement Project” is to create, protect, and restore riparian and instream habitat ecosystems for anadromous salmonids, including flow restoration and passage improvement.  Ensuring the continued persistence and conservation of native fish and wildlife species on private lands within the Grande Ronde and Umatilla Basins, thereby maximizing opportunities for natural fish production within the basins.  Since 1984, more than 78 projects have been completed on over 100 miles of streams restoring 3,820 acres of riparian and instream habitat.

2026 will be the GRUFH’s forth year since reorganization of staffing. While reorganization of the program was intended to address funding short falls, current funding is not keeping up with inflation and resulting salary increases. The program has flatlined S&S and the C&S annual budgets in order to fund the programs two positions. Despite the decrease in capacity, the program lead and an assistant project biologist will continue to develop and implement projects. Similar to last year, maintenance activities will either be contracted or eliminated. Habitat work will be focused in the Upper Grande Ronde River and tributaries, as well as the Wallowa River and tributaries. Project activities planned for this contract period include coordination with Grande Ronde and Umatilla basin partners, project planning, design review, permitting and construction of new projects, and inspection and maintenance of projects with current ODFW agreements. Continued coordination with landowners, and pursuit of additional projects, project design, and project implementation funding will also occur.

For this contract year, the program will be focusing on the following projects:  

Catherine Creek Hall Ranch, Project Development:

Program staff will continue leading the design phase of relocating Hwy 203 out of the floodplain and the associated habitat restoration of Catherine Creek, it's floodplain and riparian areas on OSU's Hall Ranch property during this contract period.  This process will include working with the EC lead to ensure EC related requirements are completed in a timely fashion. The project sponsor will continue as the technical lead for this project. Staff will assist and work with BPA and others for Section 106 cultural resource evaluation, reporting, and mitigation as necessary. Staff will also work with BPA to complete an EA required for NEPA coverage. Road and habitat restoration design will proceed when cultural resource evaluations are completed.  Design iterations will be reviewed by the design team, the RRT and the GRMW IT. Staff will work closely with BPA, GRMW, and OWEB on funding strategies.

Wa’wáanma-Bear Creek, Wallowa County, Project Implementation:

At the beginning of this contract cycle it will be assumed that the 80% design was submitted in the fall of 2025 requesting funding for implementation for 2026 and it has been awarded. Program staff will have initiated permitting with the regulatory agencies and the hiring of a contractor will be in process. Implementation will be phased with the bridge in the middle of the project and the surrounding restoration elements being implemented following completion of the bridge design which is underway. Project currently is Tier I designated and includes  ~3.0 miles of stream and approximately 150 acres of floodplain and associated wetlands.

Minam Wildlife Area Stream Restoration Project, Project Development:

With the recent acquisition of 9.09 miles of the Minam River from the USFS Wilderness Boundary to the confluence with the Wallowa River at the town of Minam, GRUFH will continue planning for restoration efforts for the entire reach. GRUFH will continue project scoping with field inventory, site reconnaissance and conceptual development. Staff will continue to involve Implementation Team members seeking input on conceptual development. Sponsors will also be proactive with the Section 106 consultation by initiating dialogue and planning for field inventories.

Qapqápa Wildlife Area-Beaver Creek/Upper Grande Ronde, Project Development:

GRUFH, CTUIR, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are currently working together to purchase ~11,500 acre parcel of land in the Upper Grande Ronde Watershed. This property will become a state wildlife area co-managed by ODFW and CTUIR. It contains over six miles of Beaver Creek and 5.6 miles of the Upper Grande Ronde River. Upon completion of purchase, ODFW and CTUIR as co-sponsors will begin to scope restoration opportunities.

General annual program activities will include:
As a collaborator, staff will continue to participate in the GRMW coordinated Science Technical Advisory Committees and Implementation Teams for the Upper Grande Ronde and Wallowa subbasins. A particular focus during this contract will be assisting the Wallowa IT in developing a proposal for an OWEB FIP grant for areas in Wallowa County. Staff will assist with identifying high priority project opportunities, selection of opportunity leads, opportunity development, and will review design and funding proposals. Staff will attend monthly coordination meetings and other project tours as required. Staff will continue to coordinate and provide technical assistance to other agencies throughout the Grande Ronde and Umatilla basins to complete fish habitat restoration projects. Coordination with basin partners will remain a priority.

Staff will continue to work with landowners on future projects in a limited capacity due to staff reductions and current workload.

Education and outreach activities will occur as time allows. Anticipated activities include participation in academic programs, career days, and Watershed Field days.