Response for project 199801800: John Day Watershed Restoration
Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget
With the submission of the subbasin plan to the NWPCC it is quite clear that this program fits all of the top priorities in the basin. Currently we are working primarily in the upper John Day, Middle Fork and South Forks. It is the goal of this program to expand its scope by developing working relationships with the Monument SWCD and the Wheeler County SWCD to proform simmilar construction activies as we curentl subcontract with the Grant SWCD. This would let the program increase resoration activities in the lower mainstem and North Fork John Day River. Upland restoration and education are also high priorities in the subbasin plan and an increase in these activities will also fit with the plan. At this time I would like to ask for an increase in the program budget to $600,000 yearly to alow for more restoration activities throughout the basin. This increas will also be used to offset the rise in fuel and steel prices that are occuring at an alarming rate this year. $477,996 is a number that worked up until 2 years ago but no longer is sufficent for this program to continue the activities required for active restoration within the basin.
Accomplishments since the last review
| # of people reached in each of 3 classes (T/S/G): Teachers, Students, General public | 2000 | |
| # of features | 35 | |
| # of miles of fence (0.01 mi.) | 5 | |
| # of acres of vegetation planted (0.1 ac.) | 20 | |
| # of riparian miles treated (0.01 mi.; count each bank separately) | 12 | |
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 1387 | |
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 1387 | |
| # of miles of habitat accessed (0.1 mi.) | 40 | |
| Is the measuring device portable or fixed (P/F)? | F | |
| Estimated # of miles of total stream reach improvement | 8 | |
| Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation (cfs) | 3cfs | |
| Estimated # of miles of primary stream reach improvement | 2 | |
| Estimated # of miles of total stream reach improvement | 8 | |
| Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation (cfs) | 3 | |
| Estimated # of miles of primary stream reach improvement | 3 |
This progran has currently replaced 59 pushup diversions by installing; 32 lay-flat stanchions, 19 pumping station and 8 infiltration galleries. we have installed 2 pipelines, 3 irrigation conversions, 7 returnflow cooling systems, cleared 1387 acres of juniper encroachment and reseeded with native mixed grasses for errosion control, Fenced 5 miles on mainstem and tributaries for riparian buffers, planted 12 miles of riparian vegetation and established a native plants nursery to assist local landowners with restoration activities. The program has also developed 14 off channel and upland spring developments to reduce impacts to tributaries and mainstem reaches. We have attended 2 county fairs with our information booth and supported High School, 4H and FFA conservation programs. We are active supporters of local conservation groups and work incooperation with many State and local agencies as well as the Federal intities. Currently we are undertaking and installation of an interprative site on the Forrest Conservation Area in Prairie City and working with the local beaver awarness organization to place a interprative site on the Middle FOrk John Day River.
FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments
| # of people reached in each of 3 classes (T/S/G): Teachers, Students, General public | 3000 | |
| # of stream miles treated (0.01 mi.) | 2 | |
| # of structures installed | 6 | |
| # of features | 40 | |
| # of miles of fence (0.01 mi.) | 2 | |
| # of acres of vegetation planted (0.1 ac.) | 5 | |
| # of riparian miles treated (0.01 mi.; count each bank separately) | 6 | |
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 500 | |
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 500 | |
| # of miles of habitat accessed (0.1 mi.) | 17 | |
| Is the measuring device portable or fixed (P/F)? | f | |
| Estimated # of miles of secondary stream reach improvement | 3 | |
| Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation (cfs) | 1 | |
| Estimated # of miles of primary stream reach improvement | 8 |
Increase scope of work to include Monument and Wheeler SWCD's as subcontractors. Continue upland restoration activities. Continue Grant SWCD partnership. Develop riparian fencing program for tributaries and small landowners. Continue public relations and outreach program. Install 5 Diversion replacements 2 return flow cooling returns within the upper John Day. Install diversion replacements in the lower John Day, tributaries and the NorthFork John Day and tributaries. Plant and protect 6 miles of riparian area with instream structures (LWD) and riparian plantings. Develope Native Bunchgrass seed plots for upland restoration activities. Continue effectiveness monitoring program.
Subbasin planning
How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?
This program directly addresses all but the Land Acquisiton stadigies listed in the subbasin plan. Below are just a few examples. Stratigie A: Passage barriers Strategy C: Flow Restoration Strategy D: In-Stream Activities Strategy E: Riparian Habitat Improvements Strategy H: Upland Improvement Projects Strategy I: Education/Outreach The activities included in the program are rated among the highest priorities in the subbasin plan and address all aspects of those stratigies.
How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?
This program addresses priorities set forth in the subbasin plan and is consistant with the prioritization frame work listed. The program can answer yes to all questions listed in Set1 of the prioritization framework. The program can also answer yes to all of Set2, and yes to all of Set3 on page 285 of the subbasin plan.