Coquille Watershed Association 223 N Alder, Suite D Coquille , 97423 541-396-2541 www.coquillewatershed.org

Coquille Watershed Association 2011-2013 Biennium Report

North Fork Salmon Habitat Restoration, 2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Organizational Background of Coquille Watershed Association

Current Board of Operating Officers, Executive Council Members and Key Staff

Completed & In-Progress Projects

Summary

In Memoriam – Kristle Volin, Rick Rowe

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Organizational Background of Coquille Watershed Association:

Founded in 1994, the Coquille Watershed Association (CWA) was formed by a small group of local citizens who were concerned about the health of their watershed and its fish and wildlife resources. Since that humble beginning, the CWA has established a well-organized restoration program that is valued and supported throughout the watershed. The CWA operates on a budget of approximately $500,000 a year, and 95% of the funding remains in the watershed in the form of jobs through on-the- ground restoration projects, private contracting opportunities and locally-purchased supplies & materials. Our mission at the CWA is to provide the structured framework to coordinate the assessment of the watershed’s conditions, and to implement and monitor proven management practices that are designed to support environmental integrity and economic stability for the communities of the Coquille watershed.

Our work includes facilitating communication between landowners, citizens, civic organizations, private foundations and governmental agencies to enhance and restore aquatic and wildlife resources in the Coquille watershed. We seek to sustain comprehensive programs for the collaborative and strategic management of local resources by securing funding for ecological activities that represent long-term resource conservation in the Coquille watershed. The CWA works in every facet of watershed health; fish and wildlife habitats, water quality, forest health, invasive species, riparian restoration and wetland enhancement, in addition to many other diverse areas. The CWA’s current Action Plan v.2 was written in 1997, and remained the leading guidance document for restoration in the Coquille watershed up to 2007, when the Coquille Indian Tribe published the “Coquille River Sub- basin Plan” for NOAA. The Sub-basin Plan was written as a planning tool for those involved in the conservation of native fish within the Coquille Sub-basin and it is used by agencies and natural resource groups in conjunction with the CWA Action Plan to determine priority areas for restoration.

Our partners and biological advisors are our most valuable resource, and all of the project development and technical writing we perform must go through a rigorous collaborative process which includes obtaining consensus and approval from our Technical Advisory Team, Board and Executive Council, state and federal agency personnel, local government officials and natural resource groups.

The CWA’S core priorities and restoration program are able to balance biological integrity with market- based approaches to conservation by utilizing local labor and resources to implement our “Headlands to Ocean” restoration program. This whole-watershed methodology allows us to work across a broad spectrum and forge solid alliances while providing family wage jobs, contracting opportunities and locally-sourced materials and supplies to support economic growth. We work to create and sustain vibrant fishing communities through implementation of projects that enhance aquatic habitats and improve water quality, and we support family farms by assisting with irrigation, erosion and management practices that will improve their lands and the health of the watershed. A 2011 report from the University of Oregon’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment titled “The Economic Impacts of Oregon’s South Coast Restoration Industry”, stated that investments in restoration have benefited the South Coast economy by providing an average of 73 direct & indirect jobs per year over the last decade, and we have also seen increased productivity of forest and agricultural lands and healthier sport and sustenance fisheries. The report also states that fostering a resilient restoration industry will be a key economic driver for future growth, noting that ODFW estimates the total economic impact of the recent wild coho salmon sport fishing season on the Coquille River in 2011 brought in more than $2.1 million.

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Current Board of Operating Officers & Executive Council Members:

Ernie Newton President - City of Myrtle Point Julie Huff Vice President - Education Cassie Bouska Treasurer - Business John Jones Secretary - Middle Fork Landowner Bruce Follansbee Technical Resource Advisor, Past-President - North Fork Landowner Paul Heikkila Technical Resource Advisor, At-Large Advisor - Commercial Fisheries Ron Steiner Plum Creek Timber, Technical Advisory Team Nathan James Coquille Indian Tribe, Technical Advisory Team Tom Hoesly The Campbell Group, Technical Advisory Team Jamie Doyle OSU Extension, Resource Advisor Bob Main Coos County Commissioner Jim Nielson Small Woodland Owners/Forestry Rick Rowe North Fork Landowner/Conservation Chip Boggs Coquille/Mainstem Landowner/Forestry Pat Quinn Camas Valley/Middle Fork Landowner Jim Lawson Bandon/Bridge Landowner Jim Cottom Powers/South Fork Landowner Caley Sowers Coos Soil & Water Conservation District Reg Pullen Port of Bandon Fran Capehart/Ben Marchant City of Coquille Tom Jefferson Industry/Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Roger Doll Remote/Middle Fork Landowner/Conservation Open Port of Coquille Open STEP Open East Fork Landowner Open ODA/Cattlemen's/Organic Farmers Amy Wilson NRCS* Jeff Jackson ODFW, Technical Advisory Team* Christopher Claire ODFW, Technical Advisor* Madeleine VanderHeyden USFWS, Technical Advisory Team* Karla Cottom US Forest Service, Technical Advisory Team* Jen Feola BLM, Technical Advisory Team* Dan Van Slyke (retiring) BLM, Technical Advisory Team* Stephanie Messerle BLM, Technical Advisory Team* *Unable to hold voting position - USFS/BLM/ODFW/NRCS federal restrictions

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Key Staff and Contact Information:

Kelly Miles Director Kurt Evanow Restoration Crew Leader Dawn Weekly Program Manager Liz Allen Office Manager Anthony Evanow Restoration Crew Member Jake Cochran Restoration Crew Member

Coquille Watershed Association 223 N. Alder, Suite D Coquille, OR 97423 Office: (541) 396-2541 Fax: (541) 396-2545 [email protected] www.coquillewatershed.org 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization EIN: 93-1171301

Completed Projects:

1. North Fork Coquille River Restoration Phase II

Partners: OWEB, NFWF, BLM-Coos Bay, USFWS, ODFW, The Campbell Group, Plum Creek Timber Total Costs: Cash $298,881 – Matching Funds $79,067

The CWA and partners restored and improved 13.72 miles of instream habitat in the North Fork Coquille River watershed (Middle Creek, Cherry Creek, Little Cherry Creek and Alder Creek) through the placement of large wood to replicate natural structures found in properly functioning streams. Completed in 2012, this successful project placed 734 logs in 91 sites by Vertol helicopter and excavator, building natural structures that will provide secondary channels and off-channel habitat, create pools, and recruit gravel and woody debris necessary for spawning and rearing salmonids and other native species in the Coquille River watershed.

Pictures: North Fork Restoration Phase II

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2. Elk Creek Instream Restoration Phase II

Partners: OWEB, Coquille Indian Tribe, BLM-Coos Bay, ODFW, Plum Creek Timber Total Costs: Cash $198,123 – Matching Funds $287,924 (Phase I & II)

Phase I of the project was implemented in 2010, when the CWA, along with local partners, placed 481 logs by Vertol helicopter and excavator within 5.08 miles of Elk Creek, South Fork Elk Creek and an unnamed tributary. Phase II took place in 2011 with additional large wood and log structures placed by helicopter on sites within the summer 2010 placements. Placement sites were selected when winter visual surveys showed that additional logs could also be placed on existing structures to ensure longevity, and we were able to place 186 logs over 1.5 miles on Plum Creek and BLM lands for a total of 667 logs in 71 structures in over 5 miles of stream. The LWD restoration activities in Elk Creek addressed past practices that have removed or degraded the key natural components necessary for the survival of coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout, and other species present in the East Fork Coquille River. The benefits to the watershed from this project are numerous and vital, and include restored large structure components in the stream system, increased pool & habitat complexity, enhanced off-channel and over-wintering habitat, supplemented and increased retention of spawning substrate, improved pool/riffle ratios and refuge for juveniles.

Pictures: Elk Creek Instream

3. BLM RAC Projects – Big Creek LWD, Honcho & Alder Creeks LWD, North Fork Boulder Weirs

Partners: OWEB, BLM-Coos Bay, USFWS, ODFW, Plum Creek Timber, Lone Rock Timber, The Campbell Group Big Creek Total Costs: Cash $208,260 – Matching Funds $18,465 Honcho/Alder Creeks Total Costs: Cash $46,051 – Matching Funds $15,450 North Fork Boulder Weirs Total Costs: Cash $40,073 – Matching Funds $7,570

Big Creek - This restoration project took place in Big Creek and its tributaries within the Middle Fork Coquille River east of Myrtle Point. Big Creek and its tributaries are important spawning and rearing areas within the Middle Fork Coquille Watershed for Chinook, coho, steelhead, cutthroat, and Pacific lamprey. To restore instream complexity for anadromous and resident fish species, 459 trees/logs were placed in 89 sites over 4.5 miles of stream.

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Pictures: Big Creek Instream

Honcho & Alder Creeks - The main objective of this project was to place large wood within Honcho and Alder Creeks to replicate natural structures found in properly functioning streams. This project continued the intensive, ongoing 2008-2011 fish habitat restoration efforts in the North Fork Coquille River basin. These tributaries were targeted for restoration through analysis of instream habitat inventories which identified stream reaches that are known to provide important spawning and rearing habitat. 173 logs in 28 sites were placed over 1.3 miles of stream.

Pictures: Honcho & Alder Creeks Instream

North Fork Boulder Weirs - The main objective of this project was to build boulder weirs to collect spawning gravel in the project area which is currently 85-90% bedrock. We installed eight boulder weirs within a mile long stretch of the North Fork Coquille River owned by The Campbell Group (Menasha Forest Products Corporation).

Pictures: North Fork Boulder Weirs & juvenile coho

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4. Restoring Salmonid Habitat & Stream Dynamics in Rock Creek, Phase II

Partners: Ecotrust, OWEB, US Forest Service, ODFW, Powers High School Native Species Center, Coquille River STEP Total Costs: Cash $49,808 – Matching Funds $65,559

The intent of this project was to specifically target the restoration of fresh water salmonid habitat, with a special emphasis on coho salmon, by restoring stream complexity and riparian health in the South Fork Coquille Watershed in southern coastal Oregon. To restore this section of Rock Creek to its historical habitat, over 0.5 mile was enhanced with 159 logs and boulders, a side channel was created to form an area of refuge for juvenile coho, and over 4.5 acres of riparian planting took place.

Pictures: Rock Creek LWD, boulders and side channel

5. North Fork/Bear Creek Riparian Restoration

Partners: OWEB, BLM-Coos Bay, Coos County, ODFW, The Campbell Group, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $186,751 – Matching Funds $53,975

The goals of this project were to exclude livestock from the streams and re-establish the riparian corridor on four different private properties along Bear Creek and the North Fork Coquille River. The restoration and enhancement activities resulted in 7,705’ of invasive species removed/treated, 6,215 native trees & shrubs planted on over 14.4 acres, 2.65 miles of livestock-exclusion fencing, two off- channel watering systems and a blown culvert removed with livestock-crossing bridge installed for nearly 5.5 miles of stream improvement.

Pictures: Bear Creek/North Fork Riparian Fencing

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6. Gage Wetland & Riparian Restoration

Partners: Coquille Indian Tribe, ODFW Restoration & Enhancement, Private Landowner Total Costs: Cash $111,858 – Matching Funds $12,800

The primary objective of this wetland enhancement project was to address the degradation of coho winter rearing habitat through the development of a wetland complex. Specific project objectives were; to re-connect side-channels, wetland and floodplain on the lower Coquille River; to create complex native vegetative habitats over 2 acres; to create 0.5 miles of slow-water refugia for coho; and to enhance fish passage through replacement of 2 failing culverts. The 5 acre wetland complex will provide a variety of habitat types dependent on tidal flows for coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout, and brook and Pacific lamprey, along with macroinvertebrates, small mammals, and beavers (a keystone species within the Coquille Watershed).

Pictures: Gage fencing, culvert and wetland

7. East Fork/North Fork Riparian Restoration

Partners: OWEB, USFWS, Powers High School Natives Species Center, Private Landowner Total Costs: Cash $42,484 – Matching Funds $16,874

The entire project took place on one private property, and the landowner cleared massive amounts of blackberries from the riparian zone and installed off-channel watering using his own equipment & supplies before the project was underway. The CWA installed 1.06 miles of livestock-exclusion fencing and a total of 1050 2-gallon container trees were planted over 2.29 acres using a 70/30 mix of conifers and hardwood. 1000 willow whips were also planted along the riparian zone. The property maintains healthy, native myrtle trees that were considered in the planting placements. Species that will benefit from this restoration activity are coho and Chinook salmon, winter steelhead and cutthroat trout. The improved riparian areas will also be utilized by many species of birds and wildlife. These restoration activities address past practices that have degraded the key natural components necessary for the survival of salmonids present in the East Fork watershed, including water temperature and quality, sediment/nutrient reduction, livestock exclusion and lack of riparian diversity. The project will increase the riparian shade canopy to reduce high summer stream temperatures, improve the filtering function of the riparian area to reduce bacteria contributions, and limit livestock contributions to streambank erosion and bacteria loading of the stream.

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Pictures: East Fork blackberry removal and fencing

8. Swamp Creek Large Wood Placement

Partners: OWEB Small Grant, BLM-Coos Bay, Plum Creek Timber Total Costs: Cash $23,099 – Matching Funds $1,742

This large-wood habitat restoration project was implemented to improve spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids and lamprey in Swamp Creek, a tributary that feeds into the Middle Fork Coquille River. The CWA built nine log jams with 41 logs over 0.7 stream miles extending 7 miles of previous restoration work. The project will improve spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids and lamprey.

Pictures: Swamp Creek LWD

9. Ferry Creek Gravel Augmentation

Partners: OWEB Small Grant, ODFW, Bandon Hatchery Total Costs: Cash $7,073 – Matching Funds $5,272

This purpose of this project was to restore and replace lost spawning gravels in a section of Ferry Creek that historically would have been expected to have abundant spawning gravel. The CWA and partners placed 140 cubic yards of washed river rock (0.75” to 1.5” in diameter) into the Ferry Creek stream channel, using a variety of methods depending on access to the stream, careful to cause the least amount of disturbance to the streambanks and vegetation. Volunteers and staff from Coos Bay, CWA, ODFW, STEP and the Bandon Hatchery used a tractor and skidloader to transport the stockpiled gravel to two designated sites nearer the stream, and then wheelbarrows were used to transport the gravel to the streambank. The gravel was then either hand-shoveled into the stream or in the case with a higher bank, an ingenious “slide” was conceived to cause less disturbance. At completion of the project, local gravel was placed in 3 sites over .16 stream miles in Ferry Creek, at an average depth 10 2011-2013 Biennium Report, Coquille Watershed Association between 6”-8”, and the result is the restoration of vital natural spawning grounds. This project is expected to have notable and substantial benefits for production of both coho and fall Chinook salmon in Ferry Creek.

Pictures: Ferry Creek Gravel Augmentation

10. Camas Valley High School Fencing & Riparian Enhancement

Partners: OWEB Small Grant, Camas Valley School District, CWA Volunteers Total Costs: Cash $4,285 – Matching Funds $9,069

This project was a successful example of students, teachers, volunteers, natural resource staff and landowners working together to improve riparian processes and functions in Camas Valley. The students did an excellent job removing blackberries and building a .30 mile fence, community planting events saw 929 trees planted over 0.5 mile of riparian zone on 3 acres. With the fence excluding livestock from the stream, the riparian areas will have the time to recover, and once free-to-grow, will maintain the riparian shade canopy and improve the filtering function of the riparian area to reduce bacterial contributions.

Pictures: Camas Valley fence and students and volunteers planting trees

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11. Baker Creek Feasibility Analysis Partners: OWEB, BLM-Coos Bay, Plum Creek Timber, ODFW Total Costs: Cash $41,099 – Matching Funds $14,462

This project conducted a feasibility and geotechnical analysis on Baker Creek for removal of a culvert that is currently in disrepair and hinders fish passage. The study assessed removing the 12’x 250’ rusted steel culvert and adjacent fish ladder to restore Baker Creek to its natural state and provide adequate fish passage. The culvert was built in the 1950's to replace a rail-line trestle and resulted in a barrier to upstream migration. A Denil fish ladder was added to the culvert in the 1980's, and removal of this massive, perched culvert will require engineered grade control to prevent down-cutting and to avoid bridge and road failures. The consulting firm provided a Technical Memorandum to address the findings of the geotechnical analysis and made recommendations for restoration. Restoring Baker Creek to its natural state and allowing for successful fish passage will open 2 miles of critical spawning and rearing habitat.

12. Myrtle Point Drinking Water Protection Partners: ODEQ, Coos SWCD, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $15,246 – Matching Funds $11,094

The objective of this project was to; Identify geographic priority areas for drinking water protection and to develop and conduct outreach & education in priority areas. Working with Eric Himmelreich (Coos SWCD), the first product generated for this project was a database of eighty landowners on the North and East Fork Coquille River. The database was generated using county tax lot data and queried for landowners who own property next to waterways fifteen miles upstream of the City of Myrtle Point water intake. Once the geographic priority areas were chosen, we developed an outreach and education plan centered on reaching affected landowners and the community as a whole and opening up a dialogue as to how better land management will mean clean water for everyone. The plan strategies included press articles, mailings to residents, public discussion forums, public school activities and guided tours to restoration projects.

13. Eden Valley Planting Partners: US Forest Service, Powers High School Native Species Center Total Costs: Cash $11,999 – Matching Funds $23,827

The U.S. Forest Service and CWA planted approximately 3,000 3-6’ trees in the Eden Valley South Fork riparian area along a steep, bare slope. The activities support the original intent of the challenge cost- share agreement to accomplish mutually beneficial objectives related to restoring fisheries habitat within the Coquille Basin and the South Fork. The CWA crew and students from the Powers High School Native Species Center complete planting activities with assistance and oversight from U.S.F.S. Trees were provided by the U.S. Forest Service and Powers High School Native Species Center.

Pictures: Eden Valley slope re-planting 12 2011-2013 Biennium Report, Coquille Watershed Association

14. Grey Creek Riparian Restoration

Partners: PacifiCorp, The Nature Conservancy, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $18,962 – Matching Funds $13,775

This project was undertaken to increase the off-channel habitat that is available to fish by removing a barrier and enabling access to 2+ stream miles directly connected to the mainstem Coquille River. The main objectives of this project were to replace an undersized, failing culvert within Grey Creek that was blocking fish passage and frequently flooding the surrounding agricultural land, to remove aquatic invasives that were choking the culvert and creek, and to plant native trees in the riparian zones. The CWA and partners installed an appropriately sized & armored culvert, cleared the channel of invasives to provide better fish habitat and to lessen the flooding effects, thereby keeping the field contaminants from draining into the river and planted 310 2-gal container trees and rehabilitated areas with native weed-free grass seed.

Pictures: Before & after pictures of Grey Creek culvert and aquatic weeds removal/planting

15. Bandon High School “Go Native!” Nursery Program

Partners: ODFW STAC mini-grant, WRCA, Bandon High School, Powers High School Native Species Center Total Costs: Cash $1,410 – Matching Funds $35,197

ODFW STAC funds were used specifically to purchase items needed for the propagation of native plant & tree species as the Bandon High School “Go Native!” program received grant funds from WRCA to build a large permanent greenhouse in the fall of 2013. Under the guidance of Coquille Watershed Association Program Manager, Kristle Volin, and Technical Advisor, Dr. Bruce Follansbee, supplies were purchased to enable the students and educators to prepare ahead of time and get their seedlings started and assist in outfitting the greenhouse.

Pictures: Bandon students at City Council, site of future greenhouse, elderberry starts

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16. Coquille Watershed Stream Trailer

Partners: US Forest Service, Powers High School Native Species Center, Bandon High School, Coos SWCD, OSU Extension, Blue Ridge Timber Cutting, ODFW Total Costs: Cash $6,165 – Matching Funds $18,300

This has been a multi-year, collaborative effort to build a model of the Coquille watershed on a 4’ x 15’ trailer for educational and outreach purposes. The brainchild of our close working partner, the Powers Ranger District, we started off with a trailer and welded aluminum box and over the years, through generous donations of time and money, we built a complete working model of the Coquille watershed replete with the 4 forks of the mainstem and highlighting each major town with a representation of their high school – Powers, Camas Valley, Myrtle Point, Coquille & Bandon. There are log jams and boulder weirs, farms and cranberry bogs, just about everything you’ll find in the watershed as water is pumped through the uplands down to the Pacific. Without the huge amount of volunteers and the tireless dedication of our Program Manager, Kristle Volin, we couldn’t have accomplished this feat. After an inaugural run at the 2013 Coos County Fair, we have some minor fixes and additions to make and plan on the model being available to all interested parties for events starting in 2014.

Pictures: Coquille Watershed Stream Trailer from bare trailer to working model

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17. South Fork Coquille River Pier Removal

Partners: Plum Creek Timber, Port of Coquille, ODFW, Knife River, Coquille Indian Tribe, ACOE, NOAA, USFWS, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $75,000 – Matching Funds $23,800

Objects such as concrete piers, riprap and bridge abutments are unnatural features in rivers as they can deflect flows and cause bank erosion. There has been a railroad crossing at this location for approximately 100 years, and the piers were rebuilt after the 1964 flood. The CWA, Plum Creek Timber and the Port of Coquille were interested in identifying the ecological concerns facing this project, and this site was selected due to several special considerations; the piers are a primary contributing factor to a major erosion issue, and the sedimentation impacts fall Chinook and lamprey spawning directly. Indirectly, sedimentation can substantially fill gravel space and reduce food production for salmon. The piers are also a boating safety issue, and since they are no longer needed as a crossing and access to them was possible, the large alliance was able to get the required permits and funding to have them removed. The South Fork Coquille is a federally designated Key Watershed, so this project will benefit coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout, Pacific lamprey and other native fish. The removal of the piers will also allow safer & easier access for recreational boating and fishing.

Pictures: South Fork Piers pre-photos:

Pictures: South Fork Piers implementation photos:

Pictures: South Fork Piers post-photos:

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In Progress Projects:

1. Myrtle Point Wetland Restoration & Enhancement

Partners: OWEB, ODFW Restoration & Enhancement, USFWS, ODFW, Private Landowner, NRCS, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, Cape Arago Audubon Society, Powers High School Native Species Center, Myrtle Point High School Total Expected Costs: Cash $130,886 – Matching Funds $170,455

The primary project objective of the Myrtle Point Wetland Enhancement is to improve and enhance juvenile over-wintering and migratory bird habitats. By the fall of 2013, and over the next 5 years of additional planting activities and maintenance, we will have accomplished our primary objective by; restoring 60 acres of wetland conservation easement habitat back to a diverse and complex native plant community in the planting of 6,300 conifers & hardwoods along with over 2500 willows in 23 acres of wetland habitat; by protecting approximately 60 acres of wetland habitat through the installation of 2.5 mile of livestock exclusion fencing; by improving fish passage and access to 2 stream miles in the replacement of two undersized and perched culverts and the installation of bridges to meet ODFW Fish Passage Guidelines; and by reducing reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry within the wetland by mechanical removal and scalping.

Pictures: Myrtle Point Wetland fencing and planting

2. South Fork Coquille River Action Plan

Partners: OWEB, ODEQ, USFS, USFWS, ODFW, NRCS, Plum Creek, BLM-Coos Bay, ACOE, NOAA, Coos SWCD, Private Landowners Total Expected Costs: $64,755 – Matching Funds $24,834

The Coquille Watershed Association has embarked on the monumental challenge of studying the South Fork Coquille River with funding from OWEB and ODEQ plus partnerships with stakeholders to prioritize the systemic problems and identify the areas needing restoration. This comprehensive study will produce a guiding technical document similar to the Coquille Tribe’s Sub-basin Plan (2007) and the CWA Action Plan v.2 (1997), which are used as references by all local natural resource personnel to direct restoration efforts to maximize benefits. It is our hope that the South Fork Action Plan will be utilized in a similar vein and be a respected, useful document that addresses the issues facing landowners along the South Fork and to enhance & restore critical fish habitat. Representatives of all pertinent agencies and local stakeholders are serving on the Technical Advisory Team.

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3. Daphne & Kelly Creeks/South Fork Large Wood

Partners: Ecotrust, US Forest Service, ODFW, Blue Ridge Timber Cutting, Powers High School Native Species Center Total Expected Costs: Cash $85,633 – Matching Funds $40,306

The primary purpose of this project is to improve degraded instream habitat for steelhead trout, coho and chinook salmon, and other native species within the South Fork Coquille River. The project area is considered a high priority and was chosen because it lacks instream complexity, which has resulted in reduced bank stability, cover, sinuosity, pools and gravel recruitment, all necessary for a healthy habitat and the recovery of ESA listed coho salmon. In addition, there are hazardous trees that are causing landslides adjacent to the Forest Road 33 and the South Fork Coquille River, and the intent is to remove the weight from the hill slope to reduce bank failure, which is creating a constant source of sediment into the project area which is filling in pools and widening the stream channel (ODEQ 303(d) limiting factor for the South Fork Coquille River). We plan to utilize the large wood sources from the two slide areas to build instream complexes at four sites within the Daphne Grove and Kelly Creek areas to increase habitat complexity.

Pictures: South Fork/Daphne Creek hazard work and LWD complex

4. Wild Rivers Coast Alliance Organizational Support for the Development of Restoration Projects and General Operating Funds

Partners: WRCA, OWEB Total Costs: Cash $30,240 – Matching Funds $26,300

This project is funding project development and general operating funds for the Coquille Watershed Association. The overall size and complexity of a restoration project and the number of landowners and partners involved will affect the amount of time it takes to develop a project, and funding for staff to do the on-the-ground work of contacting and visiting with potential landowners, working with state & federal agencies to assess feasibility and permitting issues, along with collaborative grant writing, is difficult to find, and this generous grant will enable the CWA to develop of a minimum of 3 restoration proposals that include 3-5 landowners each, and the additional operating funds will be used to assist with expenses such as tax preparation, accounting services, rent, utilities & landowner communications. As of December 2013, we have developed a large wood project on Yankee Run and Right Fork Yankee Run and submitted two applications to OWEB and WNTI for $77,808 with $74,165 in secured matching funds from the BLM, USFWS, ODFW, The Campbell Group, Plum Creek and others. We also developed a large wood project on China Flat and submitted an application to WWRI for

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$42,717 with $31,865 in secured matching funds from the USFS, Plum Creek, ODFW, the Powers Native Species Center and others. We are developing a large wood project on Woodward Creek for submission to OWEB in April and have secured $50,000 from the BLM towards the project, with potential partners Roseburg Lumber, The Campbell Group, Coos County, ODFW, USFWS and private landowners. We are also developing a large riparian restoration project with multiple landowners and we are researching tidegate projects with Coos County and private landowners utilizing the WRCA funding. The funding has allowed for the Director & Program Manager to greatly expand their ability to reach out to landowners, research new technologies and bring more projects to the table. The four project applications above with secured matching funds have the potential to bring in more than $324,000 to the watershed, a 10:1 ratio in leveraged dollars for our WRCA funding with 100% of funds remaining in the watershed, and we are only hallway through! Many thanks to the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance. 5. Lower Coquille River Wetland and Stream Enhancement

Partners: Coquille Indian Tribe, ODFW, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $324,000 – Matching Funds $46,949

This project will restore & enhance 2 sites on a property directly on the mainstem Coquille River. Site 1: Lower Wetland – We will restore 1.3 stream miles of HIP coho over-wintering habitat by re- channelizing & re-meandering the channel footprint to increase sinuosity, and by replacing a culvert and installing a fish-friendly tide gate. After the significant instream work is completed, approximately 4 acres will be planted with a variety of native species. Wildlife friendly livestock-exclusion fencing will be installed along both sides of the 1.3 stream miles. Site 2: Elk Habitat/Wetland Complex – The elk habitat/wetland complex site will restore approximately 0.7 stream miles of HIP coho over-wintering habitat. A 5-acre wetland will be enhanced and approximately 0.3 stream miles will be re-channelized and meandered to restore function. Large rootwad structures will be placed within the created wetland to add complexity, immediate shade, and cover. After the instream work is completed, approximately 6 acres will be planted with a variety of native species. Wildlife friendly livestock exclusion fencing will be installed along both sides of the 0.7 stream miles. The most important aspect for this fence to be wildlife friendly is the barbed wire spacing, which allows for small mammal passage under the fence and a maximum height of 42” for deer and elk to jump over the fence without risk of entanglement.

Pictures: Lower Coquille Wetland and Stream Enhancement conceptual designs

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6. Council Support Partners: OWEB, ODEQ, USFS, Private Landowners Total Costs: Cash $170,600 – Matching Funds $107,848

This project funds a large portion of the Council Coordinator’s salary, operating costs and fiscal administration, which enables the CWA to exist as an organization and allows for us to continue the work of the restoration and enhancement of the Coquille Watershed.

Summary:

The Coquille Watershed Association is grateful for the support and financial assistance we received in the 2011-2013 biennium from our sponsors and partners, as the substantial amount of work completed could have not been done without them. We have worked on small projects such as spawning gravel augmentation to large, multi-year projects building log jams using a Vertol helicopter. Below is data gathered by the Oregon Watershed Restoration Inventory since our inception, and the numbers will grow exponentially after 2012-2013 projects have been completed. We consider this an impressive amount of work with every dollar spent on the restoration and enhancement of the Coquille Watershed, and we are pleased to report that 95% of the funding we received remained in the watershed going to wages, contracting and materials/supplies, and once the student-run nurseries are able to handle our riparian planting needs we will be at 100%. OWRI Restoration Accomplishments in Coquille Population Unit (1995-2012) Restoration Accomplishments 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Instream habitat: # miles of stream treated 0.50 3.51 4.04 3.26 6.38 3.40 1.15 2.21 0.55 0.55 0.90 2.90 2.00 12.10 9.38 0.50 0.28 19.42 73.03 Riparian habitat: # linear stream miles treated 15.22 29.91 29.20 14.20 21.98 18.55 16.64 17.02 18.76 43.14 15.08 7.46 6.83 9.27 9.48 2.99 8.10 8.11 291.94 Wetland: # acres treated 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.20 66.00 0.00 58.00 0.00 0.00 220.00 0.00 0.25 90.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 440.45 Fish Passage: # stream crossings improved 616 81021 6 7 3 4 8 7 3 3 0 2 1 1 2 108 Fish Passage: # miles made accessible to fish due to stream crossing improvements 1.77 4.50 7.80 1.95 21.45 1.46 8.75 4.00 12.00 5.00 6.30 4.25 3.50 0.00 2.25 0.40 1.00 0.05 86.43 Activity Type Summaries for Coquille Population Unit (1995-2012) OWRI Project Summary for Coquille Population Unit (1995-2012) Fish Passage activities Culverts Bridges Structures Fish Ladders Tidegates Crossing improvement 94 22 Projects may include one or multiple types of activities Non-crossing improvement 2 3 1 activity_type Count of Projects with a certain activity type Fish Passage 78 Riparian activities Miles Acres Riparian fencing 124.54 535.75 Fish Screening 10 Riparian invasive plant control 6.02 16.34 Instream 119 Riparian tree planting 157.38 685.62 Riparian 471 Riparian vegetation management 30.79 133.4 Road 251 Riparian vegetation planting 6.58 16.45 Upland 70 Riparian conifer restoration (hardwood conversion) 6.8 9.63 Wetland 12 Voluntary riparian tree retention 103.75 1191.34 OWRI Project Summary for Coquille Population Unit (1995-2012) Prepared by Bobbi Riggers, OWRI Coordinator, 5/2/13 Wetland activities Acres Wetland creation 0.75 Wetland improvement* 128.7 Year Sum of Total Cash Sum of Total Inkind Count of Projects Wetland invasive plant control 2 1995 $625,566 $4,906 59 Wetland restoration 310 1996 $826,270 $7,674 81 Wetland vegetation planting** 213.75 1997 $736,851 $38,399 94 1998 $863,752 $118,655 82 Watering 1999 $1,711,704 $135,671 93 Upland activities Miles Acres Crossings Locations 2000 $1,239,243 $84,443 83 Conservation Buffers 0.1 0.5 2001 $1,250,013 $54,220 68 Grazing management 6 2002 $753,839 $120,099 55 Irrigation system improvement 536.11 2003 $712,153 $56,833 41 Livestock stream access/crossing created or improved 3 2004 $1,329,258 $210,106 40 Nutrient/manure management 35 2005 $331,420 $35,102 47 Off-channel livestock or wildlife watering 73 2006 $595,057 $103,136 38 Upland erosion control 65 2007 $562,798 $107,658 28 Upland fencing 46 2008 $431,573 $52,504 15 Upland invasive plant control 16 2009 $948,092 $197,238 30 Upland tree planting 35 2010 $55,264 $4,850 9 Upland vegetation management 12 2011 $353,077 $55,321 30 Upland vegetation planting 1 2012 $1,195,174 $312,646 14 Fish Screening activities Fish Screens Total $14,521,104 $1,699,461 907 Fish screening 10 19 2011-2013 Biennium Report, Coquille Watershed Association

In 2011, The Coquille Watershed Association, Coos Bay District Bureau of Land Management and local partners received the 2010 Riparian Challenge Award from the Western Division American Fisheries Society (AFS) for their extensive on-the-ground accomplishments in riparian habitat management within the western region. The CWA works with partners to restore aquatic habitat for the recovery of native fish in the Coquille Basin. This is the second Award of Excellence in Riparian Management that the CWA and local partners have received from the Western Division AFS. Funding for the projects was received from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, BLM, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and significant in-kind contributions from the partners. We would like to extend our gratitude to of our local partners, as their sizable contributions led to this accomplishment.

20 2011-2013 Biennium Report, Coquille Watershed Association

IN MEMORIAM

2013 - Kristle Volin

2014 – Rick Rowe

21 2011-2013 Biennium Report, Coquille Watershed Association