Protecting Outstanding River Ecosystems in the Western United States RIVERLANDS News from Western Rivers Conservancy Issue 11 Fall 2006 WRC Will Conserve Property on Winchuck River GLEN CROUCH n 2005, the U.S. Forest OREGON COASTAL SALMON STREAM Service asked Western Rivers East Fork Winchuck River. This in-holding within IConservancy (WRC) to take the Siskiyou National Forest is adjacent to the on a project along the Winchuck historic Ludlum House, which offers interpretive River in the Klamath-Siskiyou experiences and overnight stays. bioregion. The Winchuck valley The property boasts old-growth stands of coast on Oregon’s South Coast is redwood and Douglas fir, key wetland habitat and home to most of the state’s last the lower reach of an important tributary, Wheeler ancient redwoods. Though small Creek. Chinook and steelhead favor the property’s Flowing from the Siskiyou by Oregon standards, the Winchuck’s 71-square-mile mile-long stretch of stream for spawning. The land Mountains, the East watershed is an important coastal fishery, with is also critical habitat for northern river otter, osprey, Fork Winchuck River healthy runs of steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout, bald eagle, Del Norte’s salamander, yellow-legged supports an important chinook and coho salmon. frog and four sensitive bat species. WRC is securing coastal fishery. Western Rivers Conservancy is now near closing funding to convey the land to the Siskiyou National on a 43-acre property that includes critical habitat Forest, which is committed to preserving this for marbled murrelets and spotted owls along the beautiful example of an intact forest. J PETER MARBACH Dam Removal Signals New Beginning For Hood River n June 6, 2003, nine entities – COLUMBIA RIVER SALMON STRONGHOLD the utility PacifiCorp, American O comprehensive effort to restore the Hood River to Rivers, the Warm Springs Tribes, the health. Under the aegis of the Hood River Hood River Watershed Group and Watershed Group, a multitude of efforts are under several state and federal agencies – way to conserve irrigation water, restore wetlands, gathered to sign the Settlement remove small dams, close roads, replace culverts and Agreement for removal of the only improve fish passage. The irrigation districts that dam on the main stem of the Hood serve the famous fruit orchards of the Hood River River. When the Powerdale valley play a major role in making the Hood and its Hydroelectric Project (just upstream tributary streams better habitat for salmon, steelhead from the city of Hood River, and other creatures. Oregon) is removed in 2010, the river Western Rivers Conservancy has begun an will be free-flowing from the glaciers initiative to acquire and conserve high-quality of Mount Hood to its confluence Hood River riparian lands in the Hood River basin. Our goal is with the mighty Columbia. to establish permanent sanctuaries for salmon and The signing, concluding a long process of other at-risk species. We believe there is only a brief analysis and negotiation, signaled the rebirth of the opportunity to protect riverlands before residential Hood as a great western salmon and steelhead development encroaches on the riparian zone stream. After 2010, life will be easier for struggling throughout the basin. Working with landowners 71 SW Oak Street populations of native salmonids, including spring and the many organizations already involved in Portland, OR 97204 and fall chinook, summer and winter steelhead, Hood River restoration, we hope to accomplish (503) 241-0151 coho and Pacific lamprey. results that will benefit not only salmon, but www.westernrivers.org Dam removal is only one element in a landowners and the general public as well. J 2 Riverlands A Globally Important Bioregion JOSH KLING FOCUS ON KLAMATH SISKIYOU RIVERS f Western Rivers Conservancy’s five current Opriority areas, the Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion is exceptional for its tremendous botanical diversity and abundance of wild, rushing salmon rivers. Straddling the California-Oregon border, the Klamath-Siskiyou is home to Wild and Scenic Rivers like the Smith, Chetco and Illinois that are critical refuges for wild fish populations at risk of extinction elsewhere in the CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED Pacific Northwest. Congratulations to the Here are some hightlights of WRC’s 2006 winners of a rafting accomplishments in the Klamath-Siskiyou region: trip on the Sandy AVI HESTERMAN In a huge achievement for California’s wild fishery, River! Paul Cummings, WRC protected 5,100 acres along Goose Creek, a Michael Gallon and Tyler McKay won vital tributary to the free-flowing Smith River. The Western Rivers Conservancy’s contest at land – over half of the total project area – is now New Seasons Markets. part of the Smith River National Recreation Area. Thanks to All Star Rafting for generously donating these guided whitewater trips. WRC launched an ambitious new project on the www.asrk.com lower Klamath River to conserve the watershed of Blue Creek, working with the Yurok Tribe to re-establish their homeland. On Oregon’s Deer Creek, WRC purchased an 871- WRC protected 5,100 acre ranch to create a first-rate research and education center in partnership with the Siskiyou Field Institute acres along Goose Creek, We appreciate our supporters who tributary to the free- and Southern Oregon University. Deer Creek is a purchased Sierra Nevada Beer at New flowing Smith River on tributary to the Wild and Scenic Illinois River. Seasons Markets in August. Sierra Nevada California’s North Coast. On California’s Trinity River, WRC signed an Brewing Co. demonstrated their support agreement to purchase 160 acres along the South for river conservation by donating a Fork Trinity’s most productive spawning reach for portion of sales to WRC. winter steelhead and spring chinook. Thanks, Sierra Nevada and New Seasons! More Habitat Protected on Little Sandy Little Sandy River BARRIE KOVISH HISTORIC STEELHEAD STRONGHOLD RC has signed a purchase agreement to Wconserve 160 acres in the Little Sandy River sub-basin. The land is located a few miles upstream JOSH KLING With habitat protected from the soon-to-be decommissioned Little Sandy and flows restored, the Dam, and it includes over one-half mile along both Little Sandy can be a Since 2000, WRC has been acquiring land along sides of Sievers Creek, a tributary to the Little Sandy. great salmon and the Little Sandy ahead of the dam decommissioning. steelhead stream once It is projected that more than ten miles of high- Of the Little Sandy’s sixteen-mile length, only four again. quality salmon and steelhead habitat will become miles were not already in federal ownership and accessible to fish again once the Little Sandy Dam is protected through wilderness designation. WRC has removed in 2008. The Little Sandy Dam has purchased over three miles of this reach, thereby completely blocked upstream access since 1912, and ensuring that high-quality habitat will be awaiting the dam totally de-waters the river below it, the fish as they return to the Little Sandy for the first preventing fish from accessing the lower river. time in nearly a century. J Fall 2006 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROFILE JON ROUSH SISKIYOU FIELD INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION on Roush is a conservationist Jwho thinks big and helps others to do the same. He has stocked the toolboxes of environmental organizations across the country, sharpening their strategies and Above: Partners from the Jon Roush helping them plan for the future. Partners Join to Celebrate Kendeda Fund, the He now brings his energy and talent to Western Rivers Siskiyou Field Institute, Conservancy’s Board of Directors. Deer Creek Center’s Success Southern Oregon Jon has been at the forefront of the conservation RESEARCH FACILITY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT University and Western movement since the 1970s, when he rose to executive he land is purchased, the field courses Rivers Conservancy stand leadership at The Nature Conservancy. As a director on Thave started and the future is bright for on the expansive Deer several conservation boards in the 1980s, including The the Deer Creek Center (DCC). Creek Center property. Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund, Jon Partners gathered in September to was drawn into “big-picture” planning for organizational celebrate the success of the DCC, culminating development and strategic marketing. His success in this the first summer of courses put on by the LOU GOLD area led him to start his own consulting practice, Canyon Siskiyou Field Institute at the Center. Consulting. Working with a few clients at a time, Jon Hosting the celebration was the Kendeda and his wife and partner, Joyce Chinn, have advised more Fund, the generous donor behind a than 100 nonprofits, agenciesandphilanthropies involved $3 million grant that allowed Western Rivers in natural resource conservation. In 2004, Jon and Joyce Conservancy to purchase the 871-acre Deer guided Western Rivers Conservancy in developing its Creek Ranch in January 2006. After a guided Newly dubbed the five-year strategic plan, Great Rivers of the West. nature tour of the property on September 19, Kendeda House, a large Jon says that Western Rivers Conservancy partners from WRC, the Siskiyou Field ranch house serves as distinguishes itself with its focus and immense leverage. Institute (SFI), Southern Oregon University headquarters for the People from all walks (SOU) and the Kendeda Fund celebrated Deer Creek Center. of life are drawn to ivers offer a with lunch on the porch of the impressive old rivers, and a river can ranch house that is the DCC’s nerve center. be the rallying point convenient nexus Situated on the largest tributary to the SISKIYOU FIELD INSTITUTE for conserving an for a whole lot of Illinois River, the Deer Creek Center is the entire landscape. new headquarters for courses offered by the “Rivers offer a environmental issues.” Siskiyou Field Institute and Southern convenient nexus for Oregon University.