Clackamas River Basin CouncilLower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan

Implementer’s PerspectiveAugust 19, 2013

Clackamas WatershedOur Mission: To foster partnerships for clean water, to improve fish and wildlife habitat , and enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and recreate within the Clackamas River Basin

•Size•Fish species•Fish populations•Limiting factors

Why We Do What We Do: The Clackamas Is an Ecological Gem

• Recognized as a Salmon Stronghold with Coho, Chinook, and Steelhead species

• Clackamas River is a high priority area and federally-recognized critical habitat for salmon recovery

• Important to the Greater Willamette and Lower Columbia Systems

• Clackamas River is the source of water for over 400,000 people

• “Wild and Scenic Designation” and a valuable recreation resource close to the Metro population center

Our Council Activities

• Participate on Community Advisory Committees where planning for future benefits to the watershed occurs

• In-stream and stream-side restoration projects for improved fish habitat and protections for our water quality

• Monitor stream health

• Outreach to landowners, community members, and school programs and engage volunteers

What We Do: OutreachOutreach, Education and Stewardship•11th Annual Down the River Clean Up - September 8, 2013•Tour de Clack- watershed restoration project bike tour•Community work parties and events•Student education •Landowner outreach, education, and assistance•Watershed hikes•Restoration site tours

What We Do: Monitoring

Water Quality •Monitoring and reporting - nutrient levels and macro-invertebrates•Pesticide factsheets, education and Pesticide Round-Up •Stream channel (DEQ monitoring)

What We Do: In-Stream

Fish Passage Restoration•Remove culverts, fords, and weirs•Over 150 miles of habitat opened/60 crossings addressed since 1997

2006 Spring Creek

Culvert removal

2011 Little Clear Creek

Fish passage

2010 Spring Creek

Culvert removal

2011 Delph Creek Culvert removal

What We Do: In-Stream

Habitat Enhancement•Install large wood debris (LWD) jams•Alcove and off-channel habitats•Complexity riffles and pools

2012Lower Clear Creek,

LWD/Alcove Enhancement

2010Upper Clear Creek, LWD 2012

Eagle Creek, LWD

What We Do: Riparian

Vegetation Restoration•Invasive species treatments, maintenance and monitoring•Native plantings- over 100,000 planted in 2013

Upcoming Projects

Rock Creek Confluence Habitat Restoration: LWD, floodplain connectivity, 12 AC riparian revegetation

Fisherman’s Bend Side-Channel Habitat Enhancement: historic off-channel rearing habitat

Challenges

• Funding!!- general, technical assistance, maintenance & monitoring

• Clackamas ‘urban watershed’ misconception• Compounding limiting factors- where to start?• Evolving priorities- geographic, Action Plan• Long term project planning• Taking advantage of opportunistic priorities• Landowner outreach and support

Next Steps

• Involve partners in the PIP Team (CRBC Project Implementation and Planning Team)

• Technical assistance grant to update Basin Action Plan, identify anchor habitats, prioritize geographic areas and identify projects

• Involvement with OWEB Willamette SIP (Special Investment Partnership)

• Diversify funding to support restoration projects• Continue project implementation to support and

contribute to LCRCRP

Clackamas River Basin Council Partners

Questions?