Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

Budget acceptable. Project should wrap up by August 31, 2006.

Accomplishments since the last review

No-till implemented in the year 2004 was 2,935 acres; 2003:1,515 acres; 2002:3,559 acres; 2001:2,474; 2000:1,388 acres; 1999:1,176 acres. Conservation Tillage Systems implemented: 2004:1,471 acres; 2003:2,458 acres Grass Seeding: 17.2 acres in 2002; 275 acres in 2000. Sediment Basins: installed 2 basins in 2002; 2 in 2001; 9 in 2000; and 2 in 1999. Grade stabilization structures: installed 3 in 2004; 6 in 2003; 12 in 2002; 4 in 2001; 2 in 2000; 1 in 1999. Grassed waterways: installed 6 in 2000; 5 in 1999. Culvert outlets: installed 1 in 2002; 10 in 2001; 2 in 2000; and 6 in 1999. Water and Sediment Control Structures: 3 in 2001; 9 in 2000. Chaff spreaders/chopers: cost shared 4 units. Off-site watering facilities: installed 2 in 2004; 2 in 2003; 1 in 2001; 2 in 2000.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

With another year of funding we expect to: Construct 2 grade stabilization structures; implement 4,500 acres of fall direct seeding (no-till); 2,850 acres of spring direct seeding (no-till); cost share 3 chaff chopper/spreader units; and plant 3,500 trees and shrubs in riparian areas.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

According to the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan (Ecovista 2003), high stream temperatures, sedimentation, and low summer stream flows are fisheries habitat concerns that have been associated with nonpoint source pollution from agricultural land uses in the Little Canyon Creek watershed. Problem 2 (Managment Plan page 18): Anadromous fish production is limited by habitat quantity, quality and connectivity. Problem 7 (Management Plan page 31): Water quantity and quality, connectivity, and habitat complexity are key environmental factors that limit the production of anadromous and resident fish species and aquatic wildlife. Steelhead trout were federally listed as a threatened species in the Snake River Basin evolutionarily significant unit (EFU) on October 17, 1997, which includes the Clearwater River subbasin. Little Canyon Creek is the principal tributary to Big Canyon Creek. The Big Canyon Creek watershed has been identified as one of the top steelhead producing streams within the Nez Perce Reservation and in particular, the A-run steelhead trout.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan Prioritized Aquatic Issues: · Water Temperature – High water temperatures inhibiting the distribution or survival of focal fish species; often related to watershed-scale disturbance or land uses, but may be due to natural factors in some areas. · Instream - in channel habitat work/improvements; Priority may be listed as "Undefined" since the need for such work is generally site specific and not definable at broader scales · Riparian/Wetland - Protection of existing resources is first priority. Restoration of additional riparian/wetland areas may improve fish habitat, hydrology/flows, wildlife habitats or other factors. Priorities are addressed by Problem 2 (Managment Plan page 18): Anadromous fish production is limited by habitat quantity, quality and connectivity; and Problem 7 (Management Plan page 31): Water quantity and quality, connectivity, and habitat complexity are key environmental factors that limit the production of anadromous and resident fish species and aquatic wildlife. This project is consistent with the problem's objectives and strategies.

Other comments

This project lists the wrong project sponsor/organization; the correct sponsor is the Lewis Soil Conservation District. The project's contract period begins September 1, 2005 and continues 12 months through August 31, 2006. We have had a lot of confusion over the start of the project in FY2005 while the remainder is in FY2006. We assumed up until today that this contract period (Sept. 1, 2005 through Aug.31, 2006) was funded entirely with FY2005 funds. We do not expect the project to continue another funding cycle beyon August 31, 2006.