Implement the Grande Ronde Model Implement the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Administration and Watershed Program Administration and

Habitat Restoration ProjectsHabitat Restoration Projects

Project 199202601

Lyle Kuchenbecker, Project Planner

Grande Ronde Model Grande Ronde Model Watershed ProgramWatershed Program

• Selected by the NPPC in 1992 to be the “Model Watershed” for Oregon

• Mission: “… to develop and oversee the implementation, maintenance and monitoring of coordinated resource management that will enhance the natural resources of the Grande Ronde Basin.”

Forest Service

Wilderness Area

National Recreation Area

Bureau Of Land Mgmt

Indian Reservations

State Lands

Private, Other

Grande Ronde BasinGrande Ronde Basin

Wallowa Subbasin

Lower GrandeRonde Subbasin

Imnaha Subbasin

Upper GrandeRonde Subbasin

Grande Ronde Model Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program GoalsWatershed Program Goals

• Protect and restore riparian and upland habitats.

– Direct BPA F&W Mitigation Funds toward high priority restoration work.

– Coordinate basin-wide restoration activities and programs.

– Increase landowner involvement

• Conduct project effectiveness and basin-wide water quality monitoring.

• Conduct educational outreach to increase public awareness and involvement.

• Protect the customs, culture and economic stability of the citizens of the Basin and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribesof the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Grande Ronde Subbasin AssessmentsGrande Ronde Subbasin Assessments

• Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Operations – Action Plan 1994

• Stream and Riparian Conditions in the Grande Ronde Basin – Clearwater Biostudies 1993

• Lower Grande Ronde Subbasin Review – BLM and USFS 1998

• Historical Changes in Anadromous Fish Habitat in the Upper Grande Ronde River, 1941-1992 McIntosh 1992

• Application of the Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment Method to the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program – Final Report

• Upper Grande Ronde River Sub-Basin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) 2000

• Biological Assessment for Bull Trout, Summer Steelhead, Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon, Upper Grande Ronde Assessment Area, USFS, BLM 1999

• Lower Grande Ronde Subbasin Multi-Species Biological Assessment USFS 2001-2001

• Grande Ronde Cooperative River Basin Study, Union County, Oregon NRCS 1997

• Wallowa County – Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Recovery Plan, 1993 & 1999

• USFS Watershed (Ecosystem Analysis)

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Watershed Assessments

• Stream Surveys ODFW, USFS

Limiting Factors - HabitatLimiting Factors - Habitat

• Stream and Riparian Conditions in the Grande Ronde Basin – Clearwater Biostudies

• Application of the Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment Method to the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program

• Water Quality Limited Streams, DEQ 303(d) List

– Riparian habitat degradation

– Sedimentation

– Low late season stream flows

– Elevated summer water temperatures

– Reduced in-stream habitat complexity

– Loss of wetlands and riparian function

– Passage barriers

ResultsResults• Habitat Restoration Projects (GRMWP 1995-2000,

269 projects)

• Developed a network of “Restoration Partners”

• Established project implementation and effectiveness monitoring program

• Implemented a basin-wide water quality monitoring program

• Maintained a basin-wide restoration project database

• Increased landowner awareness and involvement in watershed restoration

Grande Ronde Model Watershed Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Projects (1995-2000)Program Projects (1995-2000)

Partners:Agencies, Schools, Foundations (56) Individual Landowners (numerous)

Education/Public Involvement

Habitat Restoration

Monitoring/

Survey/Study

Habitat Projects:

• Riparian Zone Improvements(105) 154 miles of stream benefitted, 2,847 acres treated

• Fish Passage Improvement (35) 45 sites

• Irrigation Diversion Improvements (17) 17 sites

• Livestock Fencing projects (105) 327 miles of fence installed

• Livestock water development(62) 316 developments/improvements

• Instream Structure (77) 150 miles of stream treated, 532 structures

• Upland Improvements(54) 200 stream mi. benefitted, 11,456 ac. treated, 134,980 ac. benefitted

• Riparian and Upland Imp.(25) 30 stream miles benefitted, 15,537 acres treated

• Road closure/obliteration(26) 312 miles of road closed/obliterated

• Road improvement(59) 204 miles of road improved

• Education, public involvement(25)

• Monitoring/survey/study (25)

Grande Ronde Basin Watershed Grande Ronde Basin Watershed Restoration ProjectsRestoration Projects

Wallowa Subbasin

GRMWP/BPA Projects

OWEB Projects

Other Projects

Lower GrandeRonde Subbasin

Imnaha Subbasin

Upper GrandeRonde Subbasin

MonitoringMonitoringRestoration Project Implementation and Effectiveness• Site Specific in response to individual project objectives• Annual report – near term – 5 years• Photopoints, vegetation, X-sections

Basin-wide Water Quality Monitoring• Water Quality Advisory Group• Coordinate Various Individual Monitoring Programs (DEQ, ODA,

SWCD’s, USFS)• Avoid Duplicative Efforts or Data Gaps• Comprehensive Annual Report• Baseline Data & Long Term Trend

Basin-Wide Stream Inventories• Prior to 1993 – 925 miles (USFS, ODFW, BLM)• Resurvey Program (10 year cycle)

Project PicturesProject PicturesHabitat RestorationHabitat Restoration

Large Woody Material

Fish PassageFish Passage

Passage Barrier

Removed

Riparian Area

Recovery

Columbia River BasinColumbia River Basin Ecological Provinces Ecological Provinces