MILLER BIRD REFUGE AND NATURE PRESERVE RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT

Salt City Parks and Public Lands Divisionslcparks.com slcgov.com/miller 801.972.7800

The riparian restoration in the Miller Park Bird Refuge will improve a section of degraded riparian habitat into a healthier ecosystem with natural function. This project is part of a publicly-reviewed restoration plan. Work associated with the restoration of Miller Park Bird Refuge will begin this summer following bird nesting season and peak flows associated with runoff. The park will be closed during the restoration work from July through November and will include the following major elements (1) streambed restoration and water velocity reduction, (2) stream bank stabilization, (3) establishment of native trees, shrubs, and plants and invasive species control, (4) and limited trail and signage improvements.After the restoration project is implemented, the Open Space Lands Program will ensure through ongoing main-tenance the project investment is protected and goals are achieved over the coming years.

Project Benefits to Community

Ecological• Cleaner and healthier creek and water

quality• Improved stream stability• Increaseinfloodplaincapacity• Reduction in soil compaction• Reduction in erosion• Increase in habitat for wildlife, birds, and

aquatic life

Historic• Preserve historic structures• Preserve ecologic heritage

Cultural• Increase in public safety• Enhanced opportunities for education• Enhancedparkprofileandvisitorappeal• Decrease in risk of property damage• Improved aesthetics

Recreational• Increase in recreational opportunities• Improved watchable wildlife• Safer trails

• $1,067,612 project budget ($767,612 [Division of Water Quality], $300,000 [SLC-Public Utilities]) subse-quent to the June 2010 Chevron oil spill in Red Butte Creek

• More than 10 Public Meetings were held to develop the project with community input.• The Yalecrest Community Council, Yalecrest community members, mayor, city council, and other governmen-

tal authorities and programs support the project • 4 required permits filed and approved by Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah Division of Water Rights, and

Federal Emergency Management Agency• Bird nest surveys report no active nests, so construction can commence.• Construction starts July 16, 2014 and will finish in the fall.

SLCPARKS.COM PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS DIVISION 801.972.7800

Project PhasesStreambed restoration and water velocity reduction• Stabilizestreambedprofilethroughtheinstallationofgradecontrolelements(rocksandwoodydebris).Stream bank stabilization• Channel width will be expanded where possible.• Banks will be revegetated according to construction documents.• Naturalfibermattingandnativeplantingswillstabilizebanks.Native plant establishment and phased tree removal• Target non-native invasive tree removal follows experts’ recommendations.• Target non-native invasive tree removal will occur in two phases:

1. Phase 1a- The project will remove and replace approximately 194 invasive trees with native trees on stream banks, in irrigated areas, and in project shrub and understory planting areas.

2. Phase 1b- The project will thin or remove 23 trees in other areas outside of the locations de-scribed in phase 1a, where non-native and target invasive trees are crowding out and outcompet-ing existing native trees.

3. Phase 2- The project will postpone for 5-8 years the removal of 145 invasive trees. These trees will be removed no sooner than fall 2019.

• Cut tree stumps will be hand painted with Rodeo, an aquatic safe version of Round-Up.Limited trail alignments and signage improvements• New signs will address site name, interpretive, orientation, and regulations. • The planned trail alignment, which moves a short section of the northeast trail up the slope away from

the immediate creek edge to enhance the riparian area remains part of the project.

CASE STUDY :Streambed Restoration

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SLCPARKS.COM PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS DIVISION 801.972.7800

Channel Preparation Grade Control: Fill

Grade Control: Weirs Revegetation Restoration