Working towards healthy communities and creeksfrom headwaters to bay.

Action Plan2015-2020

IntroductionMission and VisionWe promote and support a healthy watershed through projects that protect and restore native fish, wildlife, and plants, and by working with the community to educate and encourage participation in enhancing and enjoying their natural surroundings. We envision a healthy, vibrant watershed teeming with native fish, wildlife and plants; a watershed where people can enjoy nature; and a community dedicated to the current and future health of the watershed.

Scappoose Bay WatershedScappoose Bay is a 5th-Field Watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code – HUC), within the Lower Columbia River Drainage. Major sub-basins within Scappoose Bay include Milton Creek, and North and South Scappoose Creeks. Honeyman and McNulty Creeks are smaller sub-basins flowing into the Bay, while Jackson Creek flows through the Scappoose Bay Bottomlands before it drains into the Multnomah Channel. Scappoose Bay flows into the Multnomah Channel just upstream from the Channel’s confluence with the Columbia River. Hydrologically, the watershed is part of the Multnomah Channel, including the Gilbert River and Sauvie Island.

Four salmonid species, including Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead and coho salmon, spawn and rear within the watershed. Numerous other fish and wildlife species frequent Scappoose Bay and connected streamside and wetland habitats.

Despite population growth and proximity to a major metropolitan area, the Watershed includes over 25,000 acres of conifer forests. Remnant oak forests and grassy savannahs at lower elevations offer a reminder of the Watershed’s natural and cultural history. Wetlands rich in wildlife still grace the lowlands, filtering the basin’s runoff and providing a home for native species.

The Watershed is part of the Lower Columbia Middle Tidal Floodplain Basin (Reach F), which is the widest floodplain reach of the upper Columbia River estuary. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Columbia Land Trust, The Wetlands Conservancy, and other State and Federal agencies have identified the Scappoose Bay Watershed as a priority area for habitat conservation and restoration efforts.

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The CouncilThe Scappoose Bay Watershed Council (SBWC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating in Columbia and north Multnomah Counties, Oregon. It was authorized by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in 1997, and is funded by public and private grants and gifts. SBWC volunteers are concerned citizens who take an active role in preserving and enhancing the Watershed. The Council oversees a small, dedicated staff that managed day-to-day Council activities and projects. Augmenting the Council and staff is a large, diverse group of partners, public agencies, advisors and landowners who provide invaluable guidance and assistance.

Partners

The SBWC works with numerous partnership organizations and entities, as well as volunteers and local landowners. Significant partners include:

Columbia SWCD West Multnomah SWCD OR Watershed Enhancement Board OR Department of Fish and Wildlife BLM Port of St. Helens City of St. Helens City of Scappoose Columbia County Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Lower Columbia Watershed Council OR Department of State Lands US Fish and Wildlife Local Schools USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service OSU Extension Services, Master Gardeners The Wetlands Conservancy OR Department of Water Resources Private Timberlands

Accomplishments

The SBWC began with a series of monitoring projects, and three years after the Council was organized, a major Watershed Assessment was completed in 2000. A Fish Passage Barrier Study followed shortly after this, and in the next dozen years the Council coordinated grants and partnerships to correct 46 of the most significant barriers. This opened a significant number of miles of upstream fish habitat.

In 2004 the Council began work on the Bottomlands, completing vegetation surveys and restoration of large tracts of low-lying wetlands by 2010. A Native Plant Nursery was begun in 2006, and now grows and supplies locals with over 3500 plants a year from starts and seedlings. The nursery is supported by many volunteers and provides educational opportunities for local schools.

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More recent restoration projects include in-field riparian work along middle and lower portions of Milton Creek, the reconstruction of stream habitat and off-channel pools at the confluence of North and South Scappoose Creeks, and design of a project to place over 300 pieces of large woody debris along 3.5 miles of Milton Creek. Additional recent accomplishments include a long-term educational grant with local high school and middle school groups, major habitat studies and sub-basin Limiting Factor Analyses, a watershed-wide water quality study, and finally, the 2014 State of the Watershed report detailing many of these projects and outlining the next steps.

Wapato wetland in the Scappoose Bay BottomlandsCouncil File Photo

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Significant Watershed Priority AreasIn previous strategic efforts, the Council identified significant watershed issues where there is a long-term need for planning and implementing large-scale projects – prior to major economic development and population influx that is anticipated from the nearby Portland metropolitan area. The SBWC plans to work closely with communities and landowners to maximize current opportunities, with the following four major long-term goals:

Develop and implement a strategy to protect and enhance important wetlands along the major creeks and in the Scappoose Bay Bottomlands.

Utilize recent investigations of the major changes in the main creek corridors connecting the upper watershed to the bay, in order to undertake large-scale restoration projects.

Implement significant projects to address salmon and multi-species habitat, particularly where limiting factors have been identified.

Identify opportunities and implement projects in the larger Watershed area, particularly the southern portion of the 5th-field – the Gilbert River sub-basin encompassing Sauvie Island and Multnomah Channel.

Action PlanningThis Action Plan is a continuation of on-going planning that began with the first SBWC Action Plan in 2003. Goals and objectives for the next five years (2015-2020) are outlined in this Action Plan, which is divided into two major parts: External Goals and Internal Goals. External goals focus on major types of watershed-enhancement projects, while the Internal goals focus on the governance and maintenance of the Council, including funding. Details of specific projects addressing these goals are in our annual Work Plans (Appendix A to this document is the 2015 Annual Work Plan).

ChallengesThe Council’s goals are ambitious, and there is tremendous potential to move forward with our Priority Areas and Goals. However, the Council will need strong partnerships, skilled staff and advisors, and the help of the community. Implementing the plan will require increases in staff development, stable funding, and Board capacity.

The strength of our Board depends on the strength of the local citizens who dedicate time to the organization. The Council needs insights and expertise from a wide variety of people, who are willing to be advisors, committee members, and serve on the Council Board.

The work of the Council also depends on the volunteers who are willing to get their hands dirty out in the field, as well as help in running events and keep the office organized. Creating a more stable funding base is essential, and will require support from individual donors as well as grant funding agencies and partners.

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Action Plan 2015-2020Watershed Priorities and Limiting FactorsThe following are Priorities and Limiting Factors (LF) affecting the Scappoose Bay Watershed. These have been selected based on technical evaluations of the current resource conditions. Projects selected by the Council should address these priorities and/or limiting factors, but may also address the technical feasibility, cost, and benefits of a particular restoration approach.

Priorities

These priorities have been identified in the 2014 State of the Watershed, and in OWEB, ODFW, and other regional Conservation Plans.

Work to protect and enhance Scappoose Bay Bottomlands Develop larger, more complex habitat restoration projects, in addition to riparian

plantings Manage invasive species and enhance existing native populations Expand Council work to include restoration projects in the southern reaches of the

watershed, including south Scappoose Bay Bottomlands, Multnomah Channel, and Sauvie Island

Track watershed trends through expanded monitoring.

Limiting Factors

As identified in the OWEB 2005 Conservation Plan, these are factors in our local environment that create a limit to the growth of species and their communities.

Habitat Access – Impaired access to habitat Physical Habitat Quality – altered quality of physical habitat – include invasives as part of

this Water Quality – Altered physical, chemical, or biological water characteristics

External Goals and ObjectivesThese goals and objectives reflect the issues and opportunities for changes on-the-ground, and the Council’s commitments to implementing significant enhancement of important natural areas.

External Goals

E1. Protect and enhance Scappoose Bay and adjoining lands.E2. Salmon Habitat Restoration along Creek Corridors.E3. Track watershed trends and project effectiveness.E4. Engage with the community and build stewardship for local natural resources.E5. Develop our Native Plant Nursery as support to community education and Council

projects.E6. Expand Council work into the Gilbert River and Multnomah River channel areas of the

watershed fifth field. E7. Develop Council projects to include a focus on the protection and enhancement of

multiple species.

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Objectives per External Goal

E1. Protect and enhance wetlands and open space within Scappoose Bay Bottomlands.

E1-O1. Identify and restore wetlands and other water bodies within the Bay and in low-lying areas of the watershed, including the McNulty and Honeyman Creek drainages.

E1-O2. Work with the City of St. Helens, the Port of St. Helens, County Parks Department, and private landowners to protect open space within Scappoose Bay between the Scappoose Bay Marina and St. Helens.

E1-O3. Work to remove invasive plant and animal species through coordination with community partners, and public education about current and potential invasive species.

E2. Salmon habitat restoration along the major creek corridors.E2-O1. Complete high priority fish barrier removals; seek funding and partnerships for

additional fish barrier removal projects.E2-O2. Identify and implement enhancement opportunities in salmonid refugia areas,

particularly in the upper portions of the major creek corridors.E2-O3. Work to enhance habitat conditions along both forks of Scappoose Creek. Seek

partnerships with the City of Scappoose and others, and develop funding for specific implementation actions with willing landowners.

E2-O4. Continue restoration work in the middle and upper portions of Milton Creek.

E3. Track Watershed Trends and Project Effectiveness.E3-O1. Establish baseline water quality conditions in Scappoose Bay, and develop and seek

funding for a long-term monitoring program based on water quality results.E3-O2. Support local partners’ monitoring programs, and revisit 2008-2010 water quality

monitoring sites on a regular basis. Use monitoring results to develop restoration projects.

E3-O3. Monitor current restoration projects and adapt project management based on monitoring results.

E3-O4. Incorporate project monitoring into annual reporting, and provide results to granting entities, partners, and the community.

E4. Engage with the community and build stewardship for local natural resources.E4-O1. Ensure the Council has a regular presence in the community through Council

publications and website, articles in the local media, community presentations, and participation in community events.

E4-O2. Provide information, technical assistance, and resources to landowners who live near creeks, wetlands, and significant natural areas in the watershed.

E4-O3. Develop a pool of trained and motivated watershed stewards by providing opportunities for, and working with local volunteers on projects impacting the watershed.

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E4-O4. Participate in local decision-making processes that affect the health of the watershed, through engagement with City Councils, County Commissioners, the Port of St. Helens, the County Planning Commission, and Community Planning Action Committees.

E5. Develop the Native Plant Nursery as support to community education and Council projects.E5-O1. Develop support for, and continue to grow the capabilities of the Nursery, through

promotional and organizational activities. Increase regional knowledge of the availability of the nursery.

E5-O2. Continue encouraging and providing opportunities for volunteers, including the Master Gardeners, to participate in nursery activities; continue and increase educational opportunities for local schools and other organizations.

E5-O3. Continue to develop operation efficiency and consistent high quality of native plants and plant varieties at the nursery.

E6. Expand Council work into the Gilbert River and Multnomah River channel areas of the watershed fifth field.

E6-O1. Work with local and regional entities to define and develop supportive projects within these areas.

E6-O2. Participate in community activities as appropriate to increase an understanding of the natural resource issues and potential opportunities for enhancement projects.

E7. Develop Council projects to include a focus on the protection and enhancement of multiple species.

E7-O1. Seek projects specifically designed to provide habitat for multiple species, including amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds, and mammals.

E7-O2. Work with landowners specifically interested in enhancing their property for the overall health and integrity of the watershed landscape.

Internal Goals and ObjectivesThese goals and objectives are developed to assist the Board and Staff with improving the effectiveness of the Council operations and management.

Internal Goals

I1. Enhance Council developmentI2. Improve Council governance and operationsI3. Enhance Staff developmentI4. Improve regular Planning and Fundraising programs.

Objectives per Internal Goal

I1. Enhance Council Development.I1-O1. Expand Council representation (board, advisors and community members) by

recruiting members with skills not currently represented; include critical stakeholders, and beneficial community connections.

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I1-O2. Provide opportunities for Council representation to participate in subject-specific committees and/or projects of interest, such as the nursery, project development, and special events.

I1-O3. Provide opportunities for Council representation to engage with community members, and to participate in Council-related educational opportunities.

I2. Improve Council governance and operations.I2-O1. Regularly review By-laws and governing documents to assure required Board

activities and actions are being adhered to. Review By-laws with new members.I2-O2. Assure annual Board evaluations, elections, and documentation policies are

appropriately followed.I2-O3. Maintain oversight of the financial condition of the Council, and adjust processes and

policies as necessary to adhere to all obligations and regulations.

I3. Enhance Staff Development.I3-O1. Regularly evaluate Council Staff capabilities with respect to level and type of

projects; adjust Staff as necessary to maintain effective project operations.I3-O2. Continue regular evaluations of individual staff.I3-O3. Provide staff with regular, and appropriate training opportunities.

I4. Improve regular Planning and Fundraising programs.I4-O1. Establish semi-annual project planning meetings to evaluate current Council

projects, and identify watershed enhancement needs and potential Council opportunities.

I4-O2. Identify and seek additional, long-term funding sources, to establish a more stable financial condition.

I4-O3. Develop programs for raising “unrestricted” funds for organization support and transitional operations.

I4-O4. Increase Council communication with partnership entities to develop stronger proposals and additional joint projects.

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History of the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council, 1997-2014

The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council was established on August 13, 1997, by the Columbia county Commissioners (Order No. 187-97) as a citizen advisory group to local decision making bodies and communities of interest. Its stated purpose is to serve as a forum for and about the watershed, and to provide information through which coordination and cooperation among watershed users will be nurtured for the common good. It is non-partisan, non-political, and non-regulatory. Its mission is to promote stewardship and understanding of the watershed resources, deal with issues in advance of resource degradation, and ensure sustainable watershed health, functions, and uses.

1998 Volunteers obtain grants to start Council projects. First education grant obtained to provide local students with hands-on

experience with the watershed. A water quality monitoring program is developed.

1999-2000

Scappoose Bay Watershed Assessment is completed. Watershed-wide temperature monitoring is conducted at key points. Log placement installed at Gourlay Creek. Bonnie Falls fish trap installed. Planting project conducted at the 911 Building.

2001 First Council Support Grant is received from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB).

A Watershed Council Coordinator is hired. A Comprehensive Assessment of Fish Passage Barriers in the Scappoose Bay

Watershed is completed. First culvert grant received from OWEB.

2002 Council moves into the Scappoose Bay Marina office and hires an Office Manager. The Gourlay Creek fish ladder is installed in partnership with the City of

Scappoose. A Watershed Education video and outreach materials are developed. In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the community

native plant distribution is started. Applied for 501(c)(3) status and received initial ruling.

2003-2005

Start of major partnership projects with BLM and Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (LCREP).

Technical assistance grant for designs for 7 fish barrier removals. OWEB grant for 4 fish barrier removals. A dam on Milton Creek is removed. BLM grant for removal of three fish barriers. LCREP grant for Scappoose Bay Bottomlands projects. Second log placement at Gourlay Creek. Plant distribution continues, Council starts collecting local seeds. A new Watershed Council Coordinator is hired in April of 2005.

2006 Major effort to remove remaining 3 fish barriers on Alder Creek. Raymond Creek Tributary Fish Barrier removal. OWEB small grants for the Scappoose Bay Marina natural area project,

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Scappoose High School Native Plant Nursery, and annual plant distributions. Earth Day event at the Marina. Final status as a 501 (c)(3) received. Council establishes new operating policies.

2007 Council moves ahead with new initiatives. Council partners with the Soil and Water Conservation District and OSU

Extension to tackle Japanese Knotweed on 14 miles of creek bank. Council receives funding for work in the Scappoose Bottomlands at Hogan

Ranch and along Scappoose Creek. Council reaches out to 450 landowners along creeks throughout the watershed. In partnership with BLM, a new Native Plant Nursery is set up at Columbia

River Youth Corps. Council develops a 5-year Strategic Plan.

2008-2014

Council implements major portions of its Strategic Plan. Council completes 3-year water quality study throughout watershed. Council completes Limiting Factor Analysis for Milton and Scappoose Creeks,

and Aquatic Inventories. Operations at the Native Plant Nursery continue to expand and Council holds

annual sales, as well as supplies plants for restoration projects. New projects include a restoration project along a mile of Milton Creek, and

start of a design for a reconnection restoration project at Duck Lake. Council completes significant wood installation and restoration at the

confluence of North and South Scappoose Creeks.

Duck Lake WetlandCouncil File Photo

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