Trout Unlimited

PURPOSE: TROUT UNLIMITED WILL DESIGN AND INSTALL ENGINEERED LOG JAMS IN REACHES OF THE QUEETS-CLEARWATER WATERSHED AND PERFORM RIPARIAN RESTORATION TREATMENTS THAT INCLUDE THINNING AND PLANTING TO PROVIDE FUTURE SHADE, WOOD RECRUITMENT AND RESTORE OLD FOREST CHARACTERISTICS. THE LACK OF STABLE WOOD AND HEALTHY RIPARIAN FORESTS THROUGHOUT THE BASIN HAS CAUSED EXTREME CHANNEL INCISION, DISCONNECTING CRITICAL FLOODPLAIN AND SIDE CHANNEL REARING HABITAT. THIS IS A TARGETED EFFORT TO INCREASE WILD COHO SALMON OUTPUT, WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A DECLARED FISHERIES DISASTER AND MET THE CRITERIA FOR OVERFISHED STATUS IN 2018, AND IT WILL BENEFIT NATIVE CHINOOK, CHUM, AND STEELHEAD.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: L23AS00308GOALS:DEVELOP AND PRIORITIZE AN INITIAL LIST OF WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESTORATION PROJECTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE IN COORDINATION WITH THE BLM.ESTABLISH AN INITIAL WORK PLAN FOR 2023, INCORPORATING THE INITIAL LIST OF WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESTORATION PROJECTS.ESTABLISH ANNUAL WORK PLANS FOR THIS INITIATIVE. EACH WINTER, TU AND THE BLM WILL COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL WORK PLAN THAT IDENTIFIES WORK TO BE COMPLETED THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE DURING THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ESTABLISHES A BUDGET AND TIMELINE FOR EACH PROJECT, AND SPECIFIES KEY PERSONNEL FOR TU AND THE BLM INVOLVED IN EACH PROJECT.CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT PLAN TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION AND ENGAGE STAKEHOLDER IN RESTORATION EFFORTS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE. THIS COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT PLAN WOULD BE DEVELOPED IN COORDINATION WITH THE BLM, INCORPORATE THE VARIOUS ON-THE-GROUND PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE ANNUAL WORK PLANS, AND ESTABLISH SPECIFIC MILESTONES AND OUTPUTS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE CONSIDERING THE PROJECTS.PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS HIGHLIGHTING THE RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF TU, THE BLM, AND OTHER PARTNERS THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE.

PURPOSE: OLYMPIC PENINSULA COLDWATER CONNECTION CAMPAIGN FISH PASSAGE PROJECT PHASE 2 RECIPIENT: TROUT UNLIMITED RECOMMENDED FEDERAL FUNDING*: $8.36 MILLION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(S): WA-008 SUMMARY: TROUT UNLIMITED WILL RESTORE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY SPAWNING AND REARING HABITAT WITHIN THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA BY ADDRESSING 6 FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS IN THE HOH, QUEETS-QUINAULT, AND QUILLAYUTE WATERSHEDS. THE BARRIERS WERE IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITIES UNDER THE COLDWATER CONNECTION CAMPAIGN, A PARTNERSHIP THAT AIMS TO RECONNECT 125 RIVER MILES BY REMOVING 50 OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS ON THE WESTERN OLYMPIC PENINSULA.

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL BE AWARDED $7,071,627 TO REPLACE EIGHT FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS AS PART OF THE COLDWATER CONNECTION CAMPAIGN, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NON-PROFITS; STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL AGENCIES; AND STAKEHOLDERS TO RECONNECT 125 MILES OF HIGH QUALITY SALMON AND STEELHEAD STREAMS IN WASHINGTON'S COASTAL AREAS. THE FIVE BARRIERS WERE PRIORITIZED USING A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL THAT EVALUATED THE POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF REMOVING MORE THAN 500 ANADROMOUS BARRIERS IN THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA. THE CULVERTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH FISH PASSABLE STRUCTURES TO IMPROVE BOTH THE RESILIENCY OF SALMONID POPULATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE. THE EFFORT WILL OPEN MORE THAN 7 MILES OF SPAWNING AND REARING HABITAT FOR COMMERCIALLY AND RECREATIONALLY IMPORTANT SALMON SPECIES. FUNDING WILL ALSO SUPPORT HIRING STAFF AND INCREASING HOH TRIBAL COMMUNITY CAPACITY FOCUSED ON SALMON RESTORATION. PROJECT PARTNERS: COLD WATER CONNECTION CAMPAIGN MEMBERS (WILD SALMON CENTER, COAST SALMON PARTNERSHI

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL BE AWARDED $6,222,830 TO SUPPORT REMOVAL OF NINE HIGH PRIORITY BARRIERS IN THE EEL, NOYO, NAVARRO, AND BIG RIVERS OF COASTAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. FUNDING WILL SUPPORT THE DESIGN OF TWO PROJECTS AND CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN PROJECTS. THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED IN MULTIPLE REGIONAL AND RECOVERY-BASED PLANNING EFFORTS, AND ARE TARGETED TO BENEFIT ENDANGERED CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COAST COHO SALMON (A NOAA SPECIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT), AND THREATENED SOUTHERN OREGON/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST COHO, CALIFORNIA COASTAL CHINOOK, AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STEELHEAD. THE EFFORT WILL FOSTER A LONG-TERM DIALOGUE WITH LOCAL TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, COUNCILS, AND COMMUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT AND INCORPORATE THEIR PRIORITIES INTO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROJECT WORK. THE PROJECTS ARE LOCATED WITHIN CALIFORNIA-RATED DISADVANTAGED AND SEVERELY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND WILL PROVIDE JOBS AND PUBLIC OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES IN THOSE AREAS. ROADWAY FLOODING AND POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILUR

THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION AND TROUT UNLIMITED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE UPPER AND LOWER SIMILKAMEEN INDIAN BANDS WILL COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF REMOVING ENLOE DAM ON THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER IN WASHINGTON STATE. FUNDING FROM THE USFWS WILL SUPPORT THE COLLECTION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO COMPLETE THE FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT AND ADVANCE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN OF DAM REMOVAL TO 60 PERCENT. ADDITIONAL DELIVERABLES INCLUDE GENERATING A REFINED COST ESTIMATE FOR DAM REMOVAL AND PREPARATION OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF A PROJECT SPONSOR TO ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP OF THE DAM FROM OKANOGAN PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT AND EXECUTE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE AN INSURANCE PACKAGE THAT PROTECTS THE OPUD FROM LIABILITY. COMPLETING THESE STRATEGIC ACTIONS WILL PREPARE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENLOE DAM DURING THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PROJECT TO RECONNECT THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER WITH HABITAT DOWNSTREAM AND ALLOW ACCESS TO 1520 MILES OF SPAWNING AND REARING HABITAT TO INCREASE CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE AND PREVENT THE EXTIRPATION OF UPPER COLUMBIA STEELHEAD IN THE OKANOGAN BASIN. AS TRIBUTARIES IN THE LOWER OKANOGAN RIVER CONTINUE TO SEE WARMER WATER TEMPERATURES THAT APPROACH LETHAL LEVELS FOR STEELHEAD AND SALMON RECONNECTING THE SIMILKAMEENS EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF COLD WATER HABITAT COULD BE THE LAST BEST CHANCE TO PREVENT EXTIRPATION OF THESE FISH IN THE OKANOGAN BASIN. THE OKANOGAN RIVER STEELHEAD POPULATION IS AT RISK DUE TO LIMITED DIVERSITY AND SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND HAS A GREATER THAN 25 PERCENT CHANCE OF EXTINCTION WITHIN THE NEXT CENTURY. TRIBAL FISHERIES OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE HISTORICALLY OCCURRED ON THE OKANOGAN RIVER AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS DOWNSTREAM FROM RAPIDS OR FALLS. FROM JUNE TO OCTOBER SALMON FISHING WAS A PRIMARY FOCUS OF TRIBAL SUBSISTENCE ACTIVITIES AND SALMON CEREMONIES WERE HELD DURING THE INITIAL DAYS OF FISHING AT EACH CAMP. SUBSISTENCE OF NATIVE AMERICANS ALONG THE OKANOGAN RIVER CONSISTED OF 25 PERCENT FISH. HOWEVER THESE IMPORTANT FISHERIES NO LONGER EXIST DUE TO HABITAT FRAGMENTATION BY HYDROELECTRIC DAMS OR INCREASED WATER TEMPERATURE DUE TO LOSS OF COLD WATER INPUTS AND HEATING BY SOLAR ABSORPTION AT ENLARGED SURFACE AREAS OF RESERVOIRS. THE REMOVAL OF ENLOE DAM WILL NOT FULLY REPLACE THE LOST TRIBAL FISHERIES OF BOTH THE KETTLE AND OKANOGAN RIVERS BUT IT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE POPULATIONS OF THESE ICONIC SPECIES AND PROVIDE A CULTURAL FISHERY. THE REMOVAL OF ENLOE DAM ALSO IS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED AS A PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTION IN NOAAS RECENT DRAFT REPORT TITLED REBUILDING INTERIOR COLUMBIA BASIN SALMON AND STEELHEAD.

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL BE AWARDED $4,784,222 TO REMOVE OR REPLACE EIGHT FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS AND OPEN 55 MILES OF SPAWNING, REARING, AND REFUGE HABITAT ON HIGH-QUALITY GREAT LAKES COLD WATER STREAMS. THESE PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO YIELD SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS FOR NATIVE MIGRATORY AND NON-MIGRATORY FISH POPULATIONS OF THE GREAT LAKES AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES, INCLUDING BROOK TROUT, STURGEON, AND WHITE SUCKERS. THE REPLACEMENT OF UNDERSIZED CULVERTS WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS, BUT WILL ALSO HELP TRIBAL, RURAL, AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE BY REDUCING FLOODING AND IMPROVING THREATENED INFRASTRUCTURE. TROUT UNLIMITED AND PARTNERS WILL ALSO INVENTORY ROAD-STREAM CROSSINGS TO ASSESS POTENTIAL BARRIERS AND DEVELOP SEVEN PROJECT DESIGNS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. PROJECT PARTNERS: U.S. FOREST SERVICE - HURON MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST; LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS; MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES; MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENER

PURPOSE: PATHWAYS HOME: REMOVING BARRIERS TO SALMON MIGRATION AND INCREASING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN THE TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST RECIPIENT: TROUT UNLIMITED RECOMMENDED FEDERAL FUNDING*: $4.2 MILLION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT(S): AK-001 SUMMARY: TROUT UNLIMITED WILL ADDRESS SEVERAL STREAM CROSSING BARRIERS IN THE TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA, WHERE THOUSANDS OF STREAMS SUPPORT ONE OF THE WORLD?S GREATEST SALMON‐PRODUCING REGIONS. LOGGING AND ROAD BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE FOREST HAVE CREATED BARRIERS THAT AFFECT SALMON MIGRATION, SPAWNING, AND REARING. THIS PROJECT WILL RESTORE ACCESS TO NEARLY 20 MILES OF STREAM HABITAT AND 52 ACRES OF LAKE AND WETLAND HABITAT FOR COHO AND OTHER SALMON SPECIES.

PURPOSE: TROUT UNLIMITED WILL REMOVE 7 FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS AS PART OF THE ONGOING SALMON SUPERHIGHWAY EFFORT, CONTRIBUTING TO THE INITIATIVE?S OVERALL 180-MILE GOAL. COLLECTIVELY, THE INITIATIVE WILL SUPPORT SALMON, STEELHEAD, AND OTHER SPECIES BY ADDRESSING PRIORITY FISH PASSAGE CONCERNS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO A DIVERSITY OF HABITATS. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND FLOOD RESILIENCE BENEFITS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS INITIATIVE IS TO IMPROVE DROUGHT RESILIENCY, PROMOTE AQUATIC CONNECTIVITY, AND CONSERVE ECOSYSTEMS, HABITATS, AND THE SPECIES THAT DEPEND UPON THEM. THIS INITIATIVE WOULD UTILIZE PROCESS-BASED AND LOW-TECH RESTORATION TECHNIQUES, AMONG OTHER METHODS TO INCREASE AQUATIC FUNCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY, AND PROMOTING DROUGHT AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. TROUT UNLIMITED AND THE BLM WOULD COLLABORATIVELY IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE, AND IMPLEMENT RESTORATION PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CONSERVATION BENEFITS TO PRIORITY WATERS AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE AND COORDINATE ADDITIONAL RESTORATION INVESTMENTS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED:IF AWARDED, THE FUNDING WILL BE USED TO DESIGN AND INSTALL LOW-TECH PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION TREATMENTS SUCH AS BEAVER DAM ANALOGUES (BDA) AND POST-ASSISTED LOG STRUCTURES (PALS), AS WELL AS OTHER BANK STABILIZATION EFFORTS INCLUDING INSTILLATION OF RIPARIAN FENCING. THE FUNDING MAY ALSO BE USED FOR DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE (AOP) PROJECTS WHERE CONNECTIVITY OF STREAMS IS BEING DISRUPTED. IN THE EASTERN IDAHO RIVERS AND PLAINS (EIRP), THESE PROJECTS WILL BE FOCUSED IN THE WILLOW CREEK AND BLACKFOOT RIVER SUBBASINS, BOTH HOME FOR SPAWNING YCT POPULATIONS. IN THE UPPER SALMON RIVER (USR) AND ADJACENT GEOGRAPHIES, PROJECTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON PRIORITY STREAMS IDENTIFIED COLLABORATIVELY BY THE BLM, WITH FOCUS ON NEW AND ONGOING AQUATIC RESTORATION AND OCCUPIED BY ANADROMOUS AND NATIVE TROUT SPECIES. AS PART OF OUR EFFORTS, TU WILL WORK WITH BLM TO HIRE ENGINEERS TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP PLANS, APPLY FOR PERMITTING, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS. EACH INDIVIDUAL PROJECT WILL BE MANAGED BY AN EXPERIENCED TU STAFF MEMBER WHO WILL CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT, APPROPRIATE MONITORING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AS NEEDED.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES:THE BLM IDAHO FALLS DISTRICT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE WITH FISH AND WILDLIFE SPECIES UNIQUE TO THIS AREA. THE OUTCOME OF THE AQUATIC RESTORATION PROJECTS INCLUDES IMPROVED HABITAT FOR MORE RESILIENT NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS, IN ADDITION TO OTHER AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL SPECIES. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVE THESE HABITATS FOR CONTINUED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

RECIPIENT AND THE MIDDLE COLORADO AGRICULTURE COLLABORATIVE WILL UPGRADE, RELOCATE, OR COMBINE SIX (6) DIVERSION STRUCTURES TO REMOVE INSTREAM BARRIERS TO FISH PASSAGE IN THE ELK CREEK WEST OF GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO. THESE UPGRADES WILL OPEN APPROXIMATELY FIVE (5) MILES OF AQUATIC HABITAT IN ELK CREEK TO FISH PASSAGE. THE PROJECT IS ALSO ANTICIPATED TO IMPROVE STREAM MORPHOLOGY, INCREASE INSTREAM FLOWS, AND BENEFIT IRRIGATORS BY INCREASING THE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE DIVERSIONS AND REDUCING TRANSMISSION LOSSES OF VITAL IRRIGATION WATER. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE GOALS OF THE 2020 MIDDLE COLORADO INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD, COLORADO BASIN ROUNDTABLE, COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, THE GARPIT CONSERVATION DISTRICT, AND THE MIDDLE COLORADO WATERSHED COUNCIL.

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL BE AWARDED $2,314,610 FOR THE PLANNING AND FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENLOE DAM ON THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER, A TRIBUTARY TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER. THE DAM HAS BLOCKED ANADROMOUS FISH PASSAGE FOR 100 YEARS AND HAS NOT GENERATED POWER FOR 64 YEARS. IF COMPLETED, REMOVING THE ENLOE DAM WOULD BE THE LARGEST HABITAT RESTORATION ACTION IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON COMPLETING PLANNING AND FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR A FULL DAM REMOVAL, WHICH ARE CRITICAL STEPS IN THE PATH TO GAIN SUPPORT FROM THE DAM OWNER FOR REMOVAL. IT INCLUDES COORDINATION WITH AND OUTREACH TO THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION, THE SIMILKAMEEN INDIAN BAND, AND THE OKANAGAN NATION ALLIANCE. THE EFFORT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO OPENING ACCESS TO HIGH ELEVATION COLDWATER HABITAT FOR CLIMATE REFUGIA, IMPROVING TRIBAL FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, REDUCING THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TO DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES, AND ALLEVIATING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE DAM. PROJ

TROUT UNLIMITED (TU) AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY TO RESTORE, ENHANCE AND RECONNECT BROOK TROUT HABITAT WITHIN THE UPPER HOOSIC RIVER WATERSHED. TU WILL WORK TO REMOVE TWO FAILING DAMS TO RESTORE AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE, NATURAL STREAM FUNCTION AND IMPROVE FLOOD RESILIENCY. TU WILL PROVIDE PROJECT ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OVERSIGHT IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, LANDOWNERS AND USFWS BIOLOGISTS. FOLLOWING THIS COOPERATIVE PROJECT, TU WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH PARTNERS AND LANDOWNERS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED TO ACHIEVE RESTORATION OUTCOMES DEVELOPED THROUGH THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN AND OTHER SHARED OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED BY USFWS.

TROUT UNLIMITED, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WEBER BASIN WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, WILL IMPROVE THE NATURAL RIVER SYSTEM WITHIN THE WEBER RIVER BASIN IN NORTHERN UTAH BY IMPLEMENTING KEY RESILIENCE ACTIVITIES. THE CONDITION OF THE WEBER RIVER HAS DRAMATICALLY DECLINED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS DUE TO WIDESPREAD HABITAT FRAGMENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER DIVERSIONS, ROAD AND UTILITY CROSSINGS, AND HABITAT LOSS DUE TO CHANNELIZATION, FLOOD CONTROL, AND CHANNEL DOWNCUTTING. THE RIVER, WHICH PROVIDES CRITICAL DRINKING AND IRRIGATION WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 21 OF UTAHS POPULATION, IS IMPACTED BY SEVERE EROSION, BANK INSTABILITY, AND DEGRADED WATER QUALITY. THE PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT 17 BEAVER DAM ANALOG PROJECTS ALONG NINE MILES OF DEGRADED STREAMS, MODERNIZE A DIVERSION HEADGATE, AND CONDUCT SIDE-CHANNEL RESTORATION AND FLOODPLAIN RECONNECTION IN 1.5 MILES OF THE MAINSTEM OF THE WEBER RIVER. THESE RESTORATION EFFORTS WILL HELP RESTORE FLOODPLAIN RESILIENCY, IMPROVE DISTRIBUTED NATURAL STORAGE SYSTEMS, CREATE WIDER RIPARIAN CORRIDORS, AND ENHANCE AQUATIC AND RIPARIAN HABITATS, PARTICULARLY FOR NATIVE BLUEHEAD SUCKER AND BONNEVILLE CUTTHROAT TROUT. IMPROVING CHANNEL CONDITIONS AND FLOODPLAIN DYNAMICS WILL ALSO IMPROVE RECREATIONAL ACCESS AND REDUCE SEDIMENTATION ENTERING ECHO AND ROCKPORT RESERVOIRS. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DIVERSION STRUCTURE THAT SUPPLIES WATER TO THE DINSDALE IRRIGATION COMPANY WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCESS FOR WATER DELIVERIES AND IMPROVE LOCAL WATER SECURITY. THE WEBER RIVER WATERSHED PLAN SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROJECT. THE PROJECT HAS SUPPORT FROM THE SUMMIT CONSERVATION DISTRICT, PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AND RANCHERS, STATE AGENCIES, AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

CO AQUATIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS

SALT RIVER AND LITTLE COLORADO RIVER BASINS FISH PASSAGE PROJECT

PURPOSE: THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) IS PROVIDING $1,638,102 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO TROUT UNLIMITED THROUGH THE FY2023 BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT HABITAT RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION COMPETITION. THIS FUNDING WILL INCREASE CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN COASTAL COUNTIES THROUGH HABITAT RESTORATION PLANNING, ENGINEERING AND DESIGN PROJECTS, HABITAT RESTORATION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS, AND LAND CONSERVATION PROJECTS. SPECIFICALLY, TROUT UNLIMITED WILL USE THESE FUNDS TO RESTORE OVER A MILE OF OWL CREEK AND FLOODPLAIN, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING SPAWNING AND REARING HABITATS FOR SALMONIDS. RESTORATION ACTIONS INCLUDE LARGE WOOD PLACEMENT, FLOODPLAIN RECONNECTION, RIPARIAN PLANTING, AND INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT. THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORT COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AND BENEFIT SPRING/SUMMER CHINOOK, FALL CHINOOK, COHO, STEELHEAD, AND RESIDENT TROUT SPECIES.

AWARD PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO IMPROVE INSTREAM FLOWS AND HABITAT CONDITIONS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA) DESIGNATED COLUMBIA/SNAKE RIVER STEELHEAD AND SALMONACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE:1) ENSURING ALL ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECTS ARE PROGRESSING THROUGHOUT PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES; 2) DEVELOPING, APPLYING FOR, AND OBTAINING COST-SHARING FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL SOURCES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS OF EACH PROJECT AND ADMINISTERING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS DURING IMPLANTATION; AND 3) POST-CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION.EXPECTED DELIVERABLES OR OUTCOMES: THE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVED HABITAT FOR ESA LISTED SALMON AND STEELHEAD, INCREASING THE NUMBER AND SURVIVABILITY FOR THESE POPULATIONS OF FISH. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE RECREATING PUBLIC WHO WILL HAVE INCREASED ACCESS TO THESE FISH SPECIES AS WELL AS FUTURE GENERATIONS AS THESE POPULATIONS OF FISH ARE FURTHER PROTECTED FOR THE FUTURE.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES (IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT TIME OF AWARD): ANABRANCH SOLUTIONS FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. ANDERSON & PERRY FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK AND ENGINEERING.

PURPOSE: THE SAGE CREEK WATERSHED RESTORATION FOR DROUGHT RESILIENCE AND SEDIMENT CONTROL (PROJECT) ACHIEVES THE PUBLIC PURPOSE BY COMPLETING AN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT OR ACTIVITY THAT WILL ADVANCE ONE OR MORE COMPONENTS OF AN ESTABLISHED STRATEGY OR PLAN TO INCREASE THE RELIABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY FOR ECOLOGICAL VALUES AND WATERSHED HEALTH.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: TASK 1: CONSTRUCTION OF 50 NEW BEAVER DAM ANALOGS, EXPANSION OF 20 EXISTING BEAVER DAM ANALOGS, AND MATERIAL SUPPLEMENTS TO APPROXIMATELY 15 NATURALLY OCCURRING BEAVER DAMS ON 2 MILES OF TROUT CREEK.TASK 2: CONSTRUCTION OF 160 AGGRADATION STRUCTURES ON 5.7 MILES OF SAGE CREEK.TASK 3: CONSTRUCTION OF AN AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES BARRIER ALONG A 5.6 MILE STRETCH OF SAGE CREEK.TASK 4: INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL AND NATIVE RIPARIAN RESEEDING ALONG BOTH BANKS OF 7.6 MILES OF SAGE AND TROUT CREEKS.DELIVERABLE(S) AND EXPECTED OUTCOME(S):AN ESTIMATED 1428 ACRE FEET (AF) OF GROUNDWATER IS EXPECTED TO BE RESTORED TO FLOODPLAIN AQUIFERS VIA RESTORED CHANNEL GRADES AND AQUIFER RECHARGE PROCESSES, INCREASING THE DROUGHT RESILIENCE OF PLANT COMMUNITIES COMPRISINGCRITICAL TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC HABITAT. THE ENTIRE SAGE CREEK WATERSHED 79.5 LINEAR MILES OF AQUATIC HABITAT WILL BE PROTECTED FROM INVASIVE RAINBOW TROUT IN FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR THAT THREATEN NATIVE COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT.BENEFICIARIES: THE PUBLIC

THE HELPER RIVER REVITALIZATION PROJECT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT ON THE PRICE RIVER WITH ITS MAIN ASPECTS TO IMPROVE FISH PASSAGE AND RECREATION ACCESS ALONG THE PRICE RIVER. IT PRIORITIZES CONSTRUCTION OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR 2.5 MILES OF WATERWAY AND HAS BEEN ADOPTED INTO THE PRICE RIVER WATERSHED PLAN. THE PROJECT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO RESTORE STREAM AND RIPARIAN HEALTH FUNCTIONS, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESS AND SAFETY, AND BUILD COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP OF THE RIVER. THERE WERE SIX MAJOR FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS WITHIN THE PROJECT REACH BEFORE THE HELPER RIVER REVITALIZATION PROJECT BEGAN. FIVE OF THE SIX BARRIERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED WITH THE LAST ONE THE GIGLIOTTI DIVERSION. THIS PROJECT WILL REMOVE THIS LAST BARRIER AND CREATE A CORRIDOR FOR NATIVE AND RECREATIONAL SPECIES. FUNDING THROUGH THE USFWS NATIONAL FISH PASSAGE PROGRAM WILL BE USED TO REMOVE PART OR ALL OF THE GIGLIOTTI DIVERSION, CREATE FISH PASSAGE FOR ALL SPECIES AND RESTORE THE CHANNEL AND BANKS TO A MORE NATURAL FORM THAT IS FRIENDLY TO FISH MOVEMENT, THE LOCAL RIPARIAN ECOLOGY AND FLOODPLAIN FUNCTION, AND USE BY LOCAL RECREATION.

TROUT UNLIMITED, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE SAN MATEO RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, WILL CONSTRUCT A 600,000-GALLON WATER STORAGE TANK, A DIVERSION INTAKE, PUMP SYSTEM, PRE-TREATMENT SYSTEM, AND IN-TANK AERATION SYSTEM IN PORTOLA REDWOODS STATE PARK TO DIVERT AND STORE WATER IN THE WINTER DURING HIGH FLOWS FOR USE IN THE SUMMER AND TIMES OF DROUGHT. THE NEW STORAGE WILL IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY FOR SUMMERTIME VISITORS WHILE DECREASING DIVERSIONS FROM PETERS CREEK IN THE SUMMER. THE DECREASED DIVERSIONS WILL IMPROVE CRITICAL IN-STREAM FLOWS AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS, BENEFITING COHO SALMON AND STEELHEAD WHICH ARE PROTECTED SPECIES UNDER BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACTS. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY OF WATER SUPPLIES AND RESTORATION OF IMPORTANT HABITAT AND SPECIES.

THE UPPER BEAR RIVER DRAINAGE IN UTAH AND WYOMING IS A FISHERIES CONSERVATION PRIORITY FOR NATIVE FISHES SUCH AS BONNEVILLE CUTTHROAT TROUT, BLUEHEAD SUCKERS, AND NORTHERN LEATHERSIDE CHUB IN THE MAINSTEM BEAR RIVER AND BEAR LAKE THE CUTTHROAT TROUT MIGRATE TO TRIBUTARIES TO SPAWN REMOVING FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS ALONG THESE MIGRATORY ROUTES WILL ALLOW THE FISH TO ACCESS THE HABITAT THEY NEED TO COMPLETE THEIR LIFE CYCLES THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS FOUR WATER DIVERSIONS THAT ARE FISH PASSAGE BARRIERS ON THE MAINSTEM BEAR RIVER OR TRIBUTARIES TO RECONNECT 44 7 MILES OF RIVERINE HABITAT ALSO, AN IMPASSABLE CULVERT WILL BE REBUILT OR REPLACED TO ALSO FACILITATE STREAM RECONNECTION ON ONE OF THESE TRIBUTARIES THIS WORK WILL ALSO IMPROVE HABITAT FOR 6,800 FEET OF THE BEAR RIVER AND RESTORE INSTREAM FLOWS DURING THE IRRIGATION SEASON ON 1 6 MILES OF A TRIBUTARY ALL THESE ACTIONS ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF CUTTHROAT TROUT, WHICH WILL BENEFIT THE LONG TERM CONSERVATION OF THE SPECIES AND PROVIDE ENHANCED ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES THE REBUILDING OR REPLACEMENT OF IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE WILL ALSO BENEFIT WATER RIGHTS HOLDERS

TROUT UNLIMITED - RESTORING HIGH PRIORITY HABITAT TO RECOVER LISTED SALMONID POPULATIONS IN COASTAL MENDOCINO, COUNTY, CA.

RESTORE AQUATIC HABITAT

UPPER SALMON BASIN STREAM REHABILITATION PROJECT PLANNING

THE NORWALK RIVER FLOWS 23 MILES FROM ITS HEADWATERS IN RIDGEFIELD CT TO LONG ISLAND SOUND. THE NORWALK RIVER DAM REMOVAL PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE FULL REMOVAL OF THE BREACHED CANNONDALE DAM RECONNECTING THE RIVER FOR PRIORITY SPECIES OF SEA LAMPREY ALEWIFE BLUEBACK HERRING AMERICAN EEL AMERICAN SHAD AND GIZZARD SHAD. THE DAM REMOVAL WILL ADDRESS HUMAN AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS BY IMPROVING RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE REDUCING FLOODING AND IMPROVING WATER QUALITY. ADDITIONAL WORK WITH TARGET THE NEXT BARRIERS UPSTREAM AND INCLUDE FINAL DESIGNS AND PERMITTING FOR AN UNREGISTERED DAM UPSTREAM AND FINALIZING THE ASSESSMENT AND INITIAL DESIGN PLANS FOR REMOVAL OF TWO ADDITIONAL DAMS AT THE FACTORY POND COMPLEX. WHEN COMPLETED THESE FOUR REMOVALS WILL RECONNECT OVER SIX MILES OF STREAM. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A CITIZEN SCIENCE COMPONENT WHERE VOLUNTEERS WILL MAP ASSESS AND ENGAGE LANDOWNERS ALONG THE REMAINING 38 MILES OF WATERSHED.

TROUT UNLIMITED, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MONTANA NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE PROGRAM AND THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, WILL RESTORE HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEM RESILIENCY ON FLINT CREEK IN WESTERN MONTANA. THIS REACH OF FLINT CREEK HAS HEAVILY ERODED BANKS, LIMITED RIPARIAN VEGETATION, AND AN OVER-WIDE AND SHALLOW CHANNEL. THE LACK OF STRUCTURAL DIVERSITY, OVERHEAD COVER, AND SHALLOW CHANNEL CONTRIBUTE TO LIMITED AQUATIC AND RIPARIAN HABITAT AND HIGH STREAM TEMPERATURES. PROJECT PARTNERS WILL RESTORE 10,500 FEET OF STREAMBANKS, RESTORE 5-ACRES OF FLOODPLAINS, INSTALL LIVESTOCK EXCLUSION FENCING, AND PLANT NATIVE RIPARIAN VEGETATION. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL RESTORE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION AND AQUATIC AND RIPARIAN HABITAT, INCREASE WATER RETENTION AND PASSIVE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE, AND CREATE A RIPARIAN BUFFER TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND REDUCE FUTURE EROSION. THE RESTORED RIPARIAN AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS WILL INCLUDE DIVERSE HABITATS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, AND ACTIVITIES WILL INCREASE THE WATERSHEDS ABILITY TO WITHSTAND STRESSORS FROM DROUGHT. THIS PROJECT IS PART OF A LONG-TERM PLANNING EFFORT BY A DIVERSE SET OF STAKEHOLDERS, AND SUPPORTS THE GOALS OF SEVERAL REGIONAL PLANNING DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE FLINT CREEK WATERSHED RESTORATION PLAN, AND UPPER CLARK FORK RIVER BASIN AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES RESTORATION PLAN.

MULTIPLE IRRIGATION DIVERSION DAMS ON THE UPPER CLARK FORK BETWEEN WARM SPRINGS AND DEER LODGE WESTERN MONTANA ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTING AQUATIC RESOURCES RIVER FUNCTION AND RECREATIONAL USE OF THE RIVER. THESE DIVERSIONS WHICH RANGE FROM SMALL PUSH UP DAMS TO FULL SPANNING PIN AND PLANK STYLE STRUCTURES FRAGMENT FISHERIES HABITAT ENTRAIN FISH IN IRRIGATION DITCHES REDUCE STREAM FLOW CREATE HAZARDS FOR BOAT PASSAGE AND POSE SAFETY RISKS TO WADERS AND FLOATERS. FOUR DIVERSIONS ALVI BECK HELEN JOHNSON BROKEN CIRCLE AND SAGER LANE HAVE BEEN REMOVED BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024. FOUR MAJOR MAINSTEM DIVERSIONS REMAIN WHALEN WESTSIDE VALITON AND KOHRS MANNING.THE UPPER CLARK FORK FISH PASSAGE PROJECT WILL RECONNECT CRITICAL BULL TROUT HABITAT AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE CLARK FORK RIVER THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND THE INSTALLATION OF FISH SCREENS AT THE FOUR REMAINING IRRIGATION DIVERSIONS ON THE CLARK FORK RIVER THAT IMPEDE UPSTREAM PASSAGE AND ENTRAIN MIGRATORY FISH. OBJECTIVES AT EACH SITE INCLUDE PROVIDING YEAR ROUND FISH PASSAGE FOR ALL FISH SPECIES AND LIFE STAGES PREVENTING ENTRAINMENT OF MIGRATORY FISH IN IRRIGATION DITCHES MAINTAINING IRRIGATION WATER DELIVERY AND IMPROVING RECREATIONAL FLOAT PASSAGE. IN TOTAL THE PROJECT WILL RECONNECT THE UPPERMOST 27 MILES OF MAINSTEM CLARK FORK RIVER HABITAT OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS COMPLEMENTING ONGOING EFFORTS IN WARM SPRINGS CREEK TO RECONNECT AN ADDITIONAL 64 MILES OF HABITAT.THIS PROJECT TARGETS IRRIGATION DIVERSIONS PRIORITIZED FOR IMPROVEMENT BY TROUT UNLIMITED (TU) AND PROJECT PARTNERS CLARK FORK COALITION (CFC) AND THE NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE PROGRAM (NRDP) IN 2017 THROUGH AN ASSESSMENT OF FISH PASSAGE AND STREAMFLOW RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES ON THE MAINSTEM RIVER. SINCE THEN PROJECT PARTNERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPROVED FISH PASSAGE AND INSTREAM FLOW AT FOUR OF THE EIGHT DAM SITES TARGETED IN THE 27 MILE PROJECT REACH WHILE SUCCESSFULLY GAINING SUPPORT FROM IRRIGATORS AND LANDOWNERS FOR IMPROVING THE REMAINING FOUR DIVERSIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROPOSAL. NRDP HAS PRIORITIZED ADDRESSING FISH PASSAGE ISSUES AT THESE DIVERSIONS UNDER THEIR 2023 UPPER CLARK FORK AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES RESTORATION PLANS SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATING MATCHING FUNDS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT.THIS PROJECT WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO PHASES. PHASE 1 WILL PRIORITIZE THE KOHRS MANNING DIVERSION. PHASE 2 CONSISTS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE REMAINING DIVERSION SITES WITH THE VALITON DITCH AS THE SECOND HIGHEST PRIORITY.ON THE GROUND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION FOR KOHRS MANNING IS PROJECTED TO BEGIN IN THE LATE FALL OF 2025. THE REMAINING PROJECTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SUCCESSIVE YEARS WITH PERMITTING AND PROCUREMENT PRECEDING CONSTRUCTION AT EACH SITE.

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL UPGRADE MULTIPLE DIVERSION STRUCTURES AND IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE ON DELL AND JACK CREEKS IN THE UPPER HOBACK RIVER WATERSHED IN WESTERN WY. THESE CREEKS PROVIDE IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR NATIVE SNAKE RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT AND OTHER NATIVE FISH, BUT DIVERSIONS STRUCTURES HAVE REDUCED PASSAGE FOR MIGRATORY FISH SINCE THE DIVERSIONS WERE INSTALLED IN THE 1950S. INCREASING STREAM CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN DELL AND JACK CREEKS AND THE HOBACK RIVER WILL INCREASE THE RESILIENCE OF NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS IN THE FACE OF A CHANGING CLIMATE BY ALLOWING THEM TO ACCESS QUALITY HABITAT. THIS PROJECT WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO HABITAT WITHIN THE GREATER SNAKE RIVER WATERSHED, WHERE IT IS LIMITED BY RECLAMATION PROJECTS UPSTREAM AT JACKSON DAM AND DOWNSTREAM AT PALISADES DAM. TROUT UNLIMITED WILL UPGRADE EIGHT DIVERSION STRUCTURES TO ALLOW FOR FISH PASSAGE, RECONNECTING 12 MILES OF FISH HABITAT ON DELL CREEK AND SIX MILES ON JACK CREEK. IN ADDITION TO RECONNECTING QUALITY NATIVE FISH HABITAT, THE PROJECT WILL REDUCE SEDIMENT INPUT FROM THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DIVERSION STRUCTURES, IMPROVE ADJACENT INSTREAM HABITAT, AND IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF WATER DIVERSIONS FOR ADJACENT RANCHING OPERATIONS. THE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY THE WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT, BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST, SUBLETTE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, LITTLE JENNIE RANCH, AND OTHER FUNDING PARTNERS

SALMON SUPERHWY AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE AND STREAM RESTORATION

TROUT UNLIMITED NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO RESTORE COASTAL WATERSHEDS

F22AC01890

MILL CREEK DAM FISH PASSAGE PROJECT

IN THE MUDDY CREEK DRAINAGE- TROUT UNLIMITED (TU) HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM) AND MANY OTHER PROJECT PARTNERS. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS RESULTED IN EXCITING PROJECT COMPLETIONS WITHIN THE DRAINAGE- BUT THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS AND OVERARCHING GOALS FOR ALL PROJECT PARTNERS IN THE WATERSHED. THESE PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL BUILD ON PAST EFFORTS THAT HAVE SET THE STAGE FOR A GREAT NATIVE FISH RESTORATION SUCCESS STORY. TO GET THIS RESTORATION AND REINTRODUCTION PROJECT TO THE FINISH LINE- PROJECT FUNDING FOR CRITICAL PROJECT PIECES IS NEEDED. WITH THE FUNDS FROM THIS AWARD- TU WILL HIRE CONTRACTORS TO DESIGN AND REMOVE BARRIERS THAT ARE NO LONGER NEEDED IN THE DRAINAGE FOR NON-NATIVE FISH REMOVAL- IMPROVE SPAWNING HABITAT- INSTALL RIPARIAN FENCING- AND SET UP AN EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM. THE NATIVE FISH THAT HAVE BEEN REINTRODUCED WILL BENEFIT FROM EACH OF THESE PROJECTS. THE 4 BARRIER REMOVAL PROJECTS WILL ALLOW ACCESS TO UPSTREAM HABITAT FOR COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT (CRCT)- ROUNDTAIL CHUB- BLUEHEAD SUCKER AND FLANNELMOUTH SUCKER. THESE PROJECTS WILL ENSURE ALL NATIVE SPECIES HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL HABITAT DURING DIFFERENT LIFE STAGES- WHICH WILL INCREASE RESILIENCE OF THE POPULATIONS. MUDDY CREEK AND LITTLEFIELD CREEK ARE LACKING IN SPAWNING GRAVELS FOR COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT. TU AND PARTNERS WILL IMPLEMENT A SPAWNING GRAVEL AUGMENTATION PROJECT THAT WILL INCREASE THE AVAILABLE SPAWNING HABITAT SIGNIFICANTLY FOR CRCT. TROUT UNLIMITED- THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE SAVERY CREEK TAILWATER PROJECT FOR OVER 5 YEARS. THE PROJECT IS A LARGE-SCALE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT BELOW THE HIGH SAVERY DAM. THE PROJECT IS ON 4 STREAM MILES IN A MIX OF STATE AND BLM LANDS. TWO PROJECT PHASES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS AND ONE MORE WILL BE IN 2024. THE REMAINING 2 PHASES OF THE PROJECT ARE DESIGNED AND PERMITTED. FUNDS FROM THIS AWARD WILL GO DIRECTLY TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE FINAL 2 PHASES OF THE PROJECT.

TROUT UNLIMITED IS WORKING WITH AN IRRIGATION DISTRICT, PRIVATE LANDOWNER, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO IMPROVE STREAMFLOWS IN SWAUK CREEK TO INCREASE HABITAT AND PASSAGE FOR SWAUK CREEK FISH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY IMPROVING LANDOWNER WATER RELIABILITY (IRRIGATION AND EMERGENCY FIRE PROTECTION). THE PROJECT WILL REPLACE AN EXISTING WATER DELIVERY PIPELINE USED FOR IRRIGATION DELIVERY WITH A LARGER PIPELINE THAT WILL DELIVER WATER TO THE LANDOWNER (UP TO TWO CUBIC-FEET-PER-SECOND) AND UP TO FIFTEEN CUBIC-FEET-PER-SECOND OF SUPPLEMENTAL STREAMFLOW TO SWAUK CREEK. SUPPLEMENTAL WATER WILL IMPROVE STREAMFLOW IN UP TO ONE MILE THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE PASSAGE TO OVER TWENTY MILES OF HABITAT IN SWAUK CREEK AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, AND WATER DELIVERED TO THE LANDOWNER WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY AND FIRE PROTECTION. REQUESTED FUNDS WILL SUPPORT PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION, AND PIPELINE DESIGN, PERMITTING, AND IMPLEMENTATION.

THE UPPER FLINT ROCK FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN TROUT UNLIMITED AND THE MONTANA NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE PROGRAM AND OTHER PROJECT PARTNERS AND AIMS TO IMPLEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ENHANCE FISH PASSAGE, INSTALL FISH SCREENS ON IRRIGATION DITCHES, AND IMPROVE WATER DELIVERY AT SIX IRRIGATION DIVERSION SITES IN THE FLINT ROCK WATERSHED WITHIN THE UPPER CLARK FORK RIVER BASIN IN WESTERN MONTANA. FLINT CREEK AND ROCK CREEK ARE CRITICAL HABITATS FOR IMPERILED POPULATIONS OF NATIVE BULL TROUT AND WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT. IRRIGATION DIVERSION STRUCTURES NEGATIVELY IMPACT FISHERIES HEALTH BY FRAGMENTING HABITATS AND ENTRAINING MIGRATORY FISH. ADDITIONALLY, OUTDATED DIVERSION INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRIBUTES TO INEFFICIENT IRRIGATION WITHDRAWALS, WHICH FURTHER REDUCE STREAMFLOWS AND STRESS THREATENED POPULATIONS OF BULL TROUT AND OTHER NATIVE AND WILD FISH. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, THE PROJECT TEAM WILL COLLABORATE WITH WATER USERS AND LANDOWNERS TO MODERNIZE IRRIGATION DIVERSION INFRASTRUCTURE BY IMPLEMENTING PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED DESIGNS THAT WILL IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY FOR NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS. THIS PROJECT WILL RECONNECT 36 MILES OF CRITICAL BULL TROUT HABITAT, BENEFITING WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT AND SUPPORTING THE RECOVERY OF FEDERALLY THREATENED BULL TROUT POPULATIONS UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT WITHIN THE GREATER UPPER CLARK FORK RIVER BASIN. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL IMPLEMENT DESIGN PLANS TO UPGRADE IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE ON PUBLIC WATERWAYS PRIMARILY LOCATED ON PRIVATE LANDS IN WESTERN MONTANA. KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SECURING NECESSARY PERMITS AND CONTRACTING QUALIFIED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTING SIX IRRIGATION DIVERSION UPGRADES AND FISH SCREENING PROJECTS IN TWO PHASES. PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN 2025, WITH COMPLETION OF ALL SIX PROJECTS EXPECTED WITHIN FOUR YEARS, BY DECEMBER 2029.

THE UPPER GREENBRIER RIVER WATERSHED FISH PASSAGE PROJECT WILL ALLOW THE TU, USFWS, AND FOREST SERVICE PARTNERSHIP TO REMOVE 7 CULVERTS THAT ACT AS BARRIERS IN THE UPPER GREENBRIER WATERSHED AND REPLACE THEM WITH STREAM SIMULATION DESIGNED SPAN STRUCTURES TO RECONNECT 25 MILES OF HABITAT FOR BROOK TROUT (REGIONAL PRIORITY SPECIES), GREEN FLOATER (CANDIDATE SPECIES), EASTERN HELLBENDER (NRCS WORKING LANDS FOR WILDLIFE PRIORITY SPECIES), AND CANDY DARTER (FEDERALLY ENDANGERED). THIS PROJECT IS PART OF A LARGER 10 YEAR EFFORT TO REMOVE ALL BARRIERS IN THE WEST FORK AND EAST FORK GREENBRIER WATERSHEDS TO CREATE A NETWORK OF 105 MILES OF CONNECTED COLDWATER HABITAT ACROSS A 132 SQUARE MILE AREA. THE PROJECT WILL OPEN HABITAT IN TRIBUTARIES AS WELL AS PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY ALONG THE MAINSTEM, ENHANCING ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS BY PROVIDING A NETWORK OF HIGH ELEVATION, COLDWATER MAINSTEMS AND TRIBUTARIES LARGE ENOUGH TO HELP SUSTAIN THIS LANDSCAPE AND SPECIES. THE INTERCONNECTED WATERSHEDS ALLOW FOR RECOVERY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANCE AND RESILIENCE AGAINST CHANGING CLIMATE SCENARIOS. THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE FLOOD RESILIENCY AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST AND PROVIDE MULTIPLE BENEFITS FOR CENSUS TRACTS IDENTIFIED AS DISADVANTAGED. PARTNERS INCLUDE USFS, WV DNR, WV DOH, WV DEP, FWS. MATCHING FUNDS FROM WVDOH AND USFS BIL LEGACY ROADS AND TRAILS PROGRAM WILL BE LEVERAGED AS PART OF THIS WATERSHED EFFORT. THIS FUNDING REQUEST WILL FILL THE FUNDING GAPS AND MOVE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS TO CONSTRUCTION. THIS PROJECT IS IN A SWIM PRIORITY WATERSHED FOR THE NORTHEAST REGION OF THE SERVICE.

RESTORING COHO SALMON HABITAT AND POPULATIONS WITHIN THE LOST-COAST DIVERSITY STRATA

TROUT UNLIMITED, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PACIFICORP AND THE BEAR RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE, WILL RESTORE STREAM FLOWS TO FOUR MILES OF THE HEADWATERS OF PARIS CREEK, LOCATED IN SOUTH-EAST IDAHO. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE DECLINE OF THE BONNEVILLE CUTTHROAT TROUT IN A PORTION OF THE BEAR RIVER WATERSHED WHERE BASE FLOWS IN THE CREEK ARE CURRENTLY BEING DIVERTED FOR NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. THE PROJECT PARTNERS WILL DECOMMISSION AND REMOVE THE PARIS HYDROPOWER PLANT AND ASSOCIATED FEATURES, RESTORING A NORMATIVE HYDROGRAPH TO THIS REACH OF PARIS CREEK AND IMPROVING FISH PASSAGE AND HABITAT. IN ADDITION, THE PARTNERS WILL REDUCE WATER LOSS IN A SINK HOLE AND CONSTRUCT A NEW IRRIGATION DIVERSION WITH A FISH SCREEN AND TWO STOCK WATER SYSTEMS TO MEET WATER DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS. THE PROJECT IS A COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOR AMONG PACIFICORP, THE BEAR RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE (COMPRISED OF FEDERAL, STATE, NON-PROFIT, AND TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVES), CANAL COMPANIES, AND STOCK-WATER INTERESTS AND IS OUTLINED IN THE PARIS CREEK RESTORATION AGREEMENT AND A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING PARIS CREEK PROJECT DECOMMISSIONING.

BIG BLACKFOOT CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED IS PROPOSING TO COLLABORATE WITH THE BLM AND OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO IMPROVE STREAM HABITAT, RIPARIAN CORRIDORS, WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY CONDITIONS IN THE BLACKFOOT RIVER NEVADA CREEK WATERSHEDS. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE AQUATIC HABITATS IMPORTANT TO WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT, OTHER NATIVE NON-SALMONIDS AND THE THREATENED BULL TROUT THAT INHABIT THE STREAM BASIN, INCLUDING PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY WATER TO THE BLACKFOOT RIVER, THE LIFELINE OF THE IMMEDIATE REGION THROUGH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, FOLLOWING A SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH. PROPOSED WORK WILL INCLUDE PROJECTS THAT RESTORE FISH PASSAGE, RIPARIAN FUNCTION, FLOODPLAIN CONNECTION, INSTREAM HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS WITHIN THE OVERALL BLACKFOOT RIVER AND NEVADA CREEK WATERSHEDS. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE SEVERAL STREAM CROSSING UPGRADES, ROAD DECOMMISSIONING, STREAM, AND RIPARIAN RESTORATION, GRAZING MANAGEMENT, FISH SCREENS AND OTHER LOW-TECH PROJECTS AIMED TO RESTORE FLOODPLAIN CONNECTION. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE NATIVE TROUT POPULATIONS, MACROINVERTEBRATES, AND OTHER SPECIES DEPENDENT ON HEALTHY RIPARIAN AREAS INCLUDING MIGRATORY SONG BIRDS, SANDHILL CRANES, WATERFOWL, GRIZZLY BEARS, AND AMPHIBIANS. BANK STORAGE THROUGH FLOODPLAIN CONNECTION, WATER TEMPERATURE DECREASES, AND THE REJUVENATION OF A HEALTHY, SELF-SUSTAINING, NATIVE RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM WILL ALL CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

THIS PROJECT IS THE FINAL PIECE FOR A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE RIO COSTILLA WATERSHED OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS. WORK TO DATE HAS INCLUDED ERADICATION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES AND THE REINTRODUCTION OF PURE RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT, RIO GRANDE SUCKER, AND RIO GRANDE CHUB INTO 120 STREAM MILES, 10 LAKES, AND ONE RESERVOIR. THE VISION OF THE PROJECT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO ESTABLISH THE LARGEST METAPOPULATION OF RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT WITHIN ITS HISTORIC RANGE, AND THIS PROJECT WILL CULMINATE IN REALIZING THAT VISION BY ADDRESSING AND REMOVING EVERY REMAINING FISH PASSAGE BARRIER WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA OF THE RIO COSTILLA WATERSHED. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROJECT AIMS TO EXPEDITE FISH PASSAGE WORK IN THE PONIL CREEK WATERSHED FOR THE CANADIAN LINEAGE RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT.

TROUT UNLIMITED NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO RESTORE COASTAL WATERSHEDS AND FISHERIES HABITAT

PROJECT ABSTRACTTHE SPRAGUE RIVER IS A MAJOR SUBWATERSHED AND TRIBUTARY OF UPPER KLAMATH LAKE. HISTORICALLY THE RIPARIAN AND RIVERINE HABITATS PROVIDED COOLER STREAM TEMPERATURES A GREATER COMPLEXITY OF WOODY RIPARIAN VEGETATION AND OVERBANK FLOW CONNECTION TO FLOODPLAIN EVERY FEW YEARS. THESE HISTORIC CONDITIONS WERE CRITICAL IN MAINTAINING HABITAT FOR A VARIETY OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SPECIES THE BEATTY GAP PORTION OF THE SPRAGUE RIVER IS HIGHLY IMPACTED BY PAST LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES INCLUDING CONVERSION TO AGRICULTURAL USES STREAM CHANNELIZATION AND STRAIGHTENING BY THE ARMY CORPS AND LEVEE CONSTRUCTION FOR FLOOD ATTENUATION. RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC CONDITIONS IS ESSENTIAL BUT WILL REQUIRE DETAILED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS MAJOR CHANGES IN LAND MANAGEMENT RESTORATION OF RIPARIAN COMMUNITIES LEVEE REMOVAL AND ADDITIONS OF LARGE WOOD TO THE STREAM. IT IS ALSO A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL AREA FOR THE KLAMATH TRIBES AND THEIR INPUT FOR RESTORATION PLANS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT. THE FUNDS REQUESTED IN FY 2024 WILL GO TOWARDS PHASE I PRIMARILY TO DESIGN THE RESTORATION PLAN FOR ABOUT 5.0 RIVER MILES COVERING 5 PRIVATE PROPERTIES IN THE BEATTY GAP AREA. A LARGE PORTION OF THE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR INSTALLING RIPARIAN FENCING IN CONJUNCTION W STOCK WATER WELLS FUNDED THROUGH NONPARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDIFE SOURCES AND SECURING LARGE WOOD FOR INSTREAM WORK. THIS PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY IMPROVE AND CREATE HABITAT FOR LOST RIVER AND SHORTNOSE SUCKERS TWO ENDANGERED SPECIES THIS REACH IS ALSO DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THESE SPECIES REDBAND TROUT AND CHINOOK SALMON SHOULD THEY RETURN TO THE AREA AFTER KLAMATH RIVER DAM REMOVALS. BENEFITS ALSO INCLUDE THE REDUCTION OF EROSION AND CAPTURE OF EXCESS SEDIMENT INPUTS THEREBY IMPROVING WATER QUALITY DECREASES IN WATER TEMPERATURE PROVIDING THERMAL REFUGIA AND SUBSTRATE SORTING CREATING ADDITIONAL SPAWNING AREAS BY THE CREATION OF RIFFLE POOL WOODY STRUCTURE COMPLEXES AND HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED THREATENED NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLE. CURRENT CONDITIONS SUCH AS EXTREME INCISION AND LACK OF INSTREAM STRUCTURE CONTRIBUTE TO POOR WATER QUALITY AND PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO FISH HABITAT. THIS SECTION OF THE SPRAGUE RESEMBLES MORE OF A CANAL DITCH THAN A NATURAL RIVER. CATTLE ARE ALLOWED TO ACCESS THE RIVER FOR DRINKING WATER AND THE RIPARIAN IS NOT PROTECTED. IN ORDER TO PROTECT RIPARIAN AREAS IT IS CRITICAL TO PROVIDE OFFSTREAM DRINKING WATER FOR CATTLE AND STOCKWATER WELLS HAVE PROVEN TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE RELIABLE AND COSTEFFICIENT WAY TO PROVIDE WATER. THESE WILL BE INSTALLED WITH SEPARATE FUNDS NONPARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE FUNDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH RIPARIAN FENCING TO PROTECT THE BANKS AND RIVER.

TROUT UNLIMITED WILL WORK WITH AN IRRIGATION COMPANY THE JONES SHOTWELL DITCH COMPANY TO REPLACE AN OPEN EARTHEN IRRIGATION DITCH WITH A PRESSURIZED PIPE AND REMOVE THE ASSOCIATED IRRIGATION DELIVERY PUMP STATION TO MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT. TU WILL OVERSEE ALL ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING CONTRACTING WITH ENGINEERS TO DESIGN THE PROJECT AND A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO INSTALL THE PIPE AND UPGRADE THE PUMP STATION. THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN A FULLY PIPED IRRIGATION DELIVERY SYSTEM AND A MODERNIZED PUMP STATION THAT OPERATES ON DEMAND ALLOWING MORE WATER TO REMAIN IN THE WENATCHEE RIVER. THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE WATER AND ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY FOR THE JONES SHOTWELL DITCH COMPANY WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IRRIGATION PURVEYORS IN THE WENATCHEE RIVER BASIN AND ENHANCE INSTREAM FLOWS IN 6.5 MILES OF THE LOWER WENATCHEE RIVER BY UP TO 15 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IRRIGATION SEASON WHEN STREAM FLOWS AND WATER TEMPERATURES ARE SUBOPTIMAL FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY BY ELIMINATING WARM TAILWATER THAT RETURNS TO THE RIVER FROM THE DITCH AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS. ADDITIONALLY THE PROJECT WILL HELP ADDRESS A THERMAL PASSAGE BARRIER WHERE HIGH TEMPERATURES BLOCK MIGRATORY FISH MOVEMENT DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL CAUSED BY LOW STREAM FLOWS IN THE LOWER WENATCHEE RIVER.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT THE ALTA HARRIS CREEK BOISE RIVER SIDE CHANNEL PROJECT (PROJECT) WILL IMPROVE AQUATIC HABITAT IN THE BOISE RIVER BY RESTORING SPAWNING AND REARING HABITAT FOR SALMONID FISHES AND PROVIDE FISH PASSAGE CONNECTING THE LOWER BOISE RIVER TO BARBER POOL. THE PROJECT ENTAILS THE CONSTRUCTION OF 1,600 FEET (ABOUT 487.68 M) OF SIDE CHANNEL AND A FISH PASSAGE FACILITY SOURCING WATER FROM BARBER POOL. THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED APPROXIMATELY 450 FEET OF THE CHANNEL WOULD BE A CLEAN OUT OF AN EXISTING BACK CHANNEL AN ADDITIONAL REMAINING 450 FEET WOULD BE EXCAVATED ON LAND A PORTION OF THE EMBANKMENT WILL BE EXCAVATED AND A FISHWAY WITH A WATER CONTROL HEAD GATE AND A TRASH RACK WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE UPSTREAM SIDE DOWNSTREAM OF BARBER POOL A BOX CULVERT WILL BE INSTALLED, SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE VEHICLES ON LYSTED ROAD, AN UNPAVED DRIVEWAY TO THE BARBER DAM POWERHOUSE APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET OF THE CHANNEL WILL BE NATURE-LIKE AND CONNECT TO THE EXISTING ALTA HARRIS CREEK SIDE CHANNEL. IN THIS SECTION WE WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF POOLS AND STEPS FEATURING LARGER ROCKS, WOOD AND BOULDERS AND THESE HABITAT FEATURES WILL ALLOW FOR RESTING AREAS FOR FISH THAT MAY BE MIGRATING UPSTREAM IN THIS SECTION BECAUSE IT WILL BE HIGHER GRADIENT THAN ANY OTHER PORTION OF THE SIDE CHANNEL MONITOR THE PROJECT DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE AND WATER IS FLOWING IN THE CHANNEL. THE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES OR OUTCOMES THE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES FROM THE PROJECT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO THE BOISE RIVER CORRIDOR: RECONNECT 2.5 MILES (ABOUT 4 KM) OF MAIN BOISE RIVER HABITAT FOR AQUATIC SPECIES AND MORE THAN ONE MILE (ABOUT 1.6 KM) OF SIDE CHANNEL HABITAT FOR SPAWNING AND REARING OF YOUNG OF YEAR FISH, AND AN ASSOCIATED RIPARIAN AREA ON APPROXIMATELY FIVE ACRES PROVIDE AN EXTRA OUTLET FROM BARBER DAM THAT WILL PROVIDE ASSURANCE OF FLOWS TO THE LOWER BOISE RIVER WHEN HYDROPOWER OPERATIONS ARE INTERRUPTED AND IN TURN DISRUPT RIVER FLOWS THAT BENEFITS IRRIGATORS AND WATER USERS RIPARIAN COVER OF THE SIDE CHANNEL WILL HELP MODERATE HIGHER TEMPERATURES THAT OCCUR FROM SOLAR EXPOSURE DURING SUMMER MONTHS A HALF MILE (ABOUT 0.8 KM) OF BOISE RIVER WHERE RISK OF FISH ENTRAINMENT INTO AN IRRIGATION CANAL WILL BE BYPASSED BY THE SIDE CHANNEL RUSSIAN OLIVE TREES (INVASIVE) WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH WILLOW AND COTTONWOOD PLANTINGS (NATIVE) CONSTRUCT A VIEWING AREA OF THE SIDE CHANNEL STREAM WITH INTERPRETIVE SIGNS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES WHILE SOME BENEFICIARIES MAY BE OBVIOUS, LIKE AQUATIC SPECIES AND WILDLIFE IN OUR RIVER RESTORATION AND FISH PASSAGE PROJECT, OTHER BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE RECREATIONALISTS, WATER USERS AND IRRIGATORS FROM THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INVESTED IN THE BOISE RIVER THROUGHOUT A MULTITUDE OF DISCIPLINES, OUTLINED IN MULTIPLE PLANNING DOCUMENTS FOUND THROUGHOUT OUR APPLICATION. ANY SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES, IF KNOWN. THIS PROJECT WILL BE AWARDED TO AND MANAGED BY TROUT UNLIMITED THERE WILL NOT BE ANY SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES.

THE QUINN RIVER MANAGEMENT UNIT (QU) CONTAINS SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR ESA-LISTED LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT TROUT (LCT ONCORHYNCHUS HENSHAWI) ACROSS THE SPECIES RANGE. TROUT UNLIMITED, THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, AND MANY OTHER PROJECT PARTNERS HAVE WORKED IN THE QU FOR DECADES TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR LCT. THIS PROJECT IS FOCUSED ON RESTORING INSTREAM AND RIPARIAN HABITATS ACROSS 25 MILES OF STREAM IN FOUR QU SUB-WATERSHEDS (I.E., RISER CREEK, WASHBURN CREEK, CROWLEY CREEK, POLE CREEK) TO INCREASE LCT RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE CHANGE, MINING, AND OTHER STRESSORS AND TO HELP RECONNECT LCT INTO LARGER HABITAT FRAGMENTS AND RESTORE THEIR MIGRATORY LIFE-HISTORY. INSTREAM RESTORATION ACTIONS WILL FOLLOW LOW-TECH PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION (LTPBR) TECHNIQUES WHICH RELY ON USING HAND CREWS TO BUILD LOW-RISK, TEMPORARY WOOD ELEMENTS (E.G., WOODY DEBRIS JAMS AND BEAVER DAM ANALOGS) TO INITIATE VERTICAL AND LATERAL HYDROLOGIC CONNECTIVITY. SPECIFICALLY, LTPBR ACTIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO RAISE GROUNDWATER LEVELS, INCREASE LATE SUMMER BASEFLOW, COOL SUMMER WATER TEMPERATURES, AND INCREASE HABITAT COMPLEXITY. THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES QU LCT MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ESTABLISHED IN THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES 2019 UPDATED LCT RECOVERY PLAN. IN ADDITION, INSTREAM RESTORATION ACTIONS WILL HAVE MYRIAD BENEFITS FOR OTHER WILDLIFE SPECIES IN BLMS RESTORATION LANDSCAPE AREA #9, INCLUDING SAGE GROUSE, MULE DEER, AND PRONGHORN. THE FUNDS FROM THIS AWARD WILL BE USED TO HIRE LTPBR HAND CREWS TO INSTALL BEAVER DAM ANALOGS AND OTHER WOODY DEBRIS STRUCTURES TO ACCOMPLISH PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. ECOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF RESTORATION ACTIONS WILL BE MONITORED AND ASSESSED BY TROUT UNLIMITED WITH RESULTS SHARED WIDELY WITH THE LCT COORDINATING COMMITTEE AND OTHER COLLABORATORS.

DEER CREEK IRRIGATION DISTRICT FISH PASSAGE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PHASE II

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO CREATE A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP TO RESTORE WILDERNESS CHARACTER AND IMPROVE STREAM HABITAT WITHIN THE BEAVER BASIN WILDERNESS ON LOWNEY CREEK AT PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE. THROUGH MUTUAL EFFORT, NPS AND THE RECIPIENT WILL DEVELOP RESTORATION OBJECTIVES, PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVES, AND DESIGNS, IMPLEMENT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES, AND MONITOR RESTORATION EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS, BROOK TROUT POPULATIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE LAKESHORE, AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION IN THE LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED.

IN NOVEMBER 2022, THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ISSUED A LICENSE SURRENDER ORDER FOR THE LOWER KLAMATH RIVER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT. DAM REMOVAL WILL START WITH COPCO 2 DAM IN 2023 AND COPCO 1 DAM, IRON GATE DAM AND J.C. BOYLE DAM IN 2024. WATER LEVELS ON J.C. BOYLE RESERVOIR AND IRON GATE RESERVOIR WILL BE DRAWN DOWN IN THE SPRING OF 2024 AND EXPOSE THE LAKE BOTTOMS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DAM CONSTRUCTION. IRON GATE DAM WAS COMPLETED IN 1964 AND J.C. BOYLE DAM WAS COMPLETED IN 1958. THE NEWLY EXPOSED SEDIMENT AND RIVERBANKS NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISH NATIVE VEGETATION. THIS PROJECT WILL INSTALL A RIPARIAN BUFFER FENCE ON J.C. BOYLE RESERVOIR AND IRON GATE RESERVOIR AT THE HIGH-WATER MARK TO EXCLUDE RANGE CATTLE, FERAL HORSE GRAZING, DELETERIOUS ATV USE, AND PROTECT HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SITES IN THE RESERVOIR FOOTPRINT. ON J.C. BOYLE RESERVOIR, FENCING WILL PROTECT THE MOUTH OF SPENCER CREEK AND ON IRON GATE RESERVOIR, FENCING WILL PROTECT THE MOUTH OF JENNY CREEK, LONG CREEK, DUTCH CREEK AND SCOTCH CREEK, WHICH WILL BE RESTORED AS PART OF THE RESERVOIR DRAWDOWN PROCESS. THE FENCE WILL HAVE WALKTHROUGH AREAS TO ALLOW ACCESS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. NATIVE PLANTING AND SEEDING IN THE RESERVOIR FOOTPRINT WILL BE COMPLETED BY PROJECT PARTNERS AS PART OF THE DAM REMOVAL RESTORATION PROCESS. PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE KLAMATH RIVER RENEWAL CORPORATION (KRRC), RESOURCE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS (RES), BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM), OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW), MODOC NATION, AND GREEN DIAMOND RESOURCE COMPANY.

BULL TROUT RESTORATION: RESTORING COLD, CLEAN, COMPLEX AND CONNECTED HABITAT IN THE BLACKFOOT RIVER WATERSHED OF MONTANA.