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TVA fish hatchery fight headed to Capitol Hill regarding fish habitat

Posted on by david

Efforts to persuade TVA to fund fish hatcheries that produce rainbow trout now depend on legislative lobbying. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Earlier this year the federal budget cut funding to U.S. Fish and Wildlife hatcheries by around $6 million.  Rather than getting funds directly from the general budget, under law the hatcheries now receive money from specific federal agencies that operate dams and rivers.

“This mitigation was created because the dams and reservoirs disrupted the river flow and the natural reproduction of fish,” said George Lane with the Tennessee Council of Trout Unlimited.  “These hatcheries are incredibly important to an enormous recreational resource.  It gives one of the best returns on investment because the eggs produced help generate a 300 million dollar industry in our area.  Everything from fishing shops, bait shops, boats, and tourism is boosted by these trophy fish.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was required to help fund the mitigation in 2012.  However, TVA does not fall under the same requirements because it does not receive federal tax dollars.  Therefore, TVA has said it will not contribute any money to the hatcheries.

“TVA is self-funded through the sale of power. We have to be very careful about the burden we put on our power customers,” said Travis Brickey, TVA spokesman.  “TVA already spends $8 million annually on improving the fish habitat downstream and upstream from our dams.”

Lane said TVA’s stance means no rainbow trout will be stocked in TVA waters such as the Clinch River and the Holston River.

“The Clinch River is one of the great fly-fishing streams in the eastern United States.  People come in from all of the county to fish the South Holston and the Clinch.  “Any of the lakes or tail waters that are part of the TVA system will no longer receive the trout for stocking,” said Lane.

Lane said the financial contribution asked of TVA would amount to around $800,000 annually.

“TVA customers would pay less than a dime a year to fund hatcheries.  A dime is a dime and I know it is difficult to increase any charges on customers, but TVA spends money on all kinds of other projects that do not generate the kind of return on investment for the country that these hatcheries do,” said Lane.  “Hatcheries like the one in Erwin are also the ones that fertilize eggs that go to other hatcheries around the country.  If it shuts down, the impact is felt everywhere.”

Lane acknowledged that TVA has contributed greatly to trout fishing by creating weirs, releasing cold water, and improving oxygen levels in its waters.

“But this would be a major hit to all of those efforts if the fish are not stocked from these hatcheries.  We’ve had lawyers examine the issue and TVA is not required to do anything under the current law.  We think there is a moral requirement, but there’s no legal requirement because this will cost hundreds of jobs,” said Lane.  “Part of the original TVA mission was economic development and this definitely qualifies as that type of effort.”

In the absence of any current legal obligations to fund the hatcheries, it may truly require an act of congress to influence TVA.

“Our chapters are planning a trip to Washington in the spring to lobby our legislators to take up this cause.  TVA is up for reauthorization next year, so we believe legislators have some leverage to ask the utility to help fund the hatcheries,” said Lane.

Brickey said there is another reason TVA is unwilling to fund federal rainbow trout hatcheries.  In addition to costing customers money, the rainbow trout is not a native species in Tennessee.  Rainbow trout were introduced to Tennessee in the 1880s from the western United States.Jim Matheny

Wonder Lake Sportsman’s Club adds over 50 more Fishiding artificial fish habitat

Posted on by david
 
Published 17th Nov 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a15veu8Onlg&feature=player_embedded
Members of the Sportsman’s club are at it again, enhancing their lake with more long term habitat, teamed up with Fishiding, 56 units of all varieties were dropped in a key area adjacent to spawning grounds. About 10 shallow Cradle models were sunk in 3-5 feet of water, with a line of Safehouse structures leading out to deeper water. The Cradle model consists of hundreds of fine strands of reclaimed PVC designed to give fry and baitfish areas to grow and hide from predators. When the fry have adequate habitat, they are given time to grow to the preferred size of 4-6 inches before venturing out into deeper water to become forage for predators.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

The key is to make sure there is a continuous line or “tree row” of habitat from shallow spawning grounds out to deep water.

If the fish have to swim from shallow areas out to deeper cover without cover to hide in, they get eaten prematurely, or before growing large enough to best benefit the larger predators like bass, walleye, crappie and musky.

The club members clipped structurespot markers to each unit as it was dropped, to see where each one lands to ensure the continuous coverage.

When all units are installed, they took some pictures to refer to the shape and design they created.

After the pics, they simply pull the clip free on the structurespot markers and wind them  up to re-use.

The Safehouse models were installed from about 5 feet deep out to 8 feet and deeper where a huge cluster of the largest Keeper models were dropped.

Algae begins to grow immediately in this dark, fertile water and the club will be fishing over them this winter through the ice.

To date, over 125 fishiding fish habitatunits have been installed, with more being put together by members, donated by fishiding.

Wonder Lake, at 830 acres, is the largest private lake in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Through many different fund raising events, the club stocks fish twice a year as well as building and installing over 100 Wood duck houses, maintaining them and even video recording the hatching of chicks too.

Annual lake cleanups, fish shocking surveys, carp derbys and kids fishing events are just a few of the things the club does for the lake and the community.

Big Musky caught on Fishiding artificial habitat in Minnesota

Posted on by david

Customer Comments

IMG_2082.JPG

Hey David,

Attached is a fish I caught right off the deep edge of the structure
you sent me…52 inch mama in September.  Caught a few more casting
the deep side of the structure layout…needless to say I am sold on
your products and I will be getting more in the spring.  I didn’t get
to fish much in October and that is usually my favorite month (too
many work and kid things going on)  I am thinking your structures will
have the greatest benefit in early spring and late fall fishing
applications.  These are the times when weed growth is low and your
artificial products will offer bait fish a shelter…and attract our
bass, pike, and muskies!

What benefits if any have folks seen placing them for ice fishing?
Maybe even in deeper water for walleyes or crappies in the winter?  My
brain will be processing good spots to place structure…right now 25
yards off the end of my dock comes to mind so we can hammer sunfish
and bass with the kids.  Would that be cheating? Hahaha

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Take care,
Paul

Legends Guide Service
Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Adventures
legendsguide@gmail.com
www.legendsguideservice.com

National Fish Habitat Board Expands its Focus on “Partnership”

Posted on by david
During its October 2011 Meeting, the National Fish Habitat Board endorsed an enhancement to its communications and messaging to reflect the importance it places on the partnerships that drive its efforts.  From now on messaging and communications will focus on the National Fish Habitat Partnership, increasing emphasis on the coalition of groups working to reverse declines in fish habitat across the United States.  In the past, messaging and communications were focused on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, which is the primary tool that the coalition uses to guide its activities.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

“This subtle change will increase awareness of the bottom-up nature of the coalition that has been built over the past seven years to support our efforts,” said Kelly Hepler, National Fish Habitat Board Chair.  “This effort is designed to emphasize the role of the regional partnerships that implement fish habitat projects, increase the numbers of other organizations that participate in our coalition, and highlight the strong partnership between state governments, tribal governments, the federal government, businesses, and NGOs that make this effort successful.”

Elements of the brand enhancement effort include a new logo and new website format.  The website upgrade will be unveiled in November and will have a more user friendly content management system.  The new website will also give the regional Fish Habitat Partnerships an enhanced web presence.  Keep an eye onwww.fishhabitat.org for the new website.  For logo and brand usage guidance, please contact Ryan Roberts, NFHP Communications Coordinator, atrroberts@fishwildlife.org.

Move the creek to bring back fish?

Posted on by david

Rehabilitation of an area near Kama Point and Kama Bay (20 kilometres east of Nipigon) will reinstate Kama Creek and its floodplain to a condition resembling its original pre-1960s configuration.Rehabilitation of an area near Kama Point and Kama Bay (20 kilometres east of Nipigon) will reinstate Kama Creek and its floodplain to a condition resembling its original pre-1960s configuration. ((Lakehead University))

Kama Bay, ontarioA Lakehead University researcher believes returning a creek to its original course will help to restore a once-thriving fish population in Nipigon Bay.

Decades ago, Kama Creek was realigned to protect a railway crossing from erosion. But the move destroyed brook trout spawning grounds and created a barrier to migration up the creek.

Now, the creek is being redirected to its original course.

“You could actually walk down the old channel if you sort of took your time and crawled through the bush a little bit,” said Robert Stewart, who teaches in the Lakehead University geography department.

Before the creek realignment, brook trout populations were estimated as above average for the North Shore of Lake Superior. But after the creek was moved, brook trout populations in Kama Creek and within Nipigon Bay dramatically declined.

By redirecting Kama Creek to its original formation, it is hoped fish like Brook Trout will repopulate the area.By redirecting Kama Creek to its original formation, it is hoped fish like Brook Trout will repopulate the area. (Lakehead University)After studying the area extensively, Stewart said researchers were confident the creek could be restored to a condition resembling its original pre-1960s configuration.

The restoration project will create four acres of fish habitat and two acres of wetland — and provide a wealth of experience for students.

“By co-ordinating this work through Lakehead University, we are able to provide hands-on, meaningful experiences for our graduate students,” Stewart said.

Graduate students are expected to take part in the ongoing monitoring of Kama Creek.Graduate students are expected to take part in the ongoing monitoring of Kama Creek. (Lakehead University)He said he expects that future graduate students will carry out post-monitoring for the Kama restoration.

Throughout the rest of November, R&M Construction will reposition the current delta and channel in Kama Creek. The project is expected to be completed by late fall.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

‘Big Round Thing’ from NASA sunk south of Pascagoula to form artificial reef

Posted on by david

Artificial Reef TankView full sizeThe Big Round Thing — a tank once used to for liquid hyrdogren — is shown being prepared to be sunk at Fish Haven 13. The tank was donated by NASA and sank by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources south of Pascagoula. (Submitted Photo courtesy of Mississippi Department of Marine Resources)

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi — A 107,000-gallon tank once used to store liquid hydrogen at NASA’s Stennis Space Center was sunk in Fish Haven 13, which is located 23 miles south of Pascagoula, to form an artificial reef.

The 98,000-pound tank was deployed on Oct. 26 in 85 feet of water by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources‚ Artificial Reef Bureau, according to a DMR news release.

It was the department’s 113 artificial reef deployment since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Katrina destroyed nearly all of Mississippi’s artificial reefs.

The tank, and two smaller ones sank on the same day, were donated by the Stennis Space Center.

The sphere was built in the 1960s and used as a reservoir for liquid hydrogen in case of an emergency during testing at the second stage of Saturn V.

“The sphere was no longer needed after the Saturn V program ended,” said Bryon Maynard, a lead system engineer in the NASA Engineering and Test Directorate at Stennis. “A lot of people forgot what it was or what it had been built for. It became known as the ‘big round thing’ — the BRT. Everyone who visited out here would ask about it.”

The BRT sank in less than 10 minutes with the help of air bags attached to the top by Matthews Brothers of Pass Christian to make sure the container sank in an upright position on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. To ensure safety — proper clearance for passing shipping vessels — the tank was sank in 85 feet of water to gain enough clearance for the vessels.

Kerwin Cuevas, Artificial Reef Bureau director, said the BRT has a safe clearance of 50 feet. The 37-foot-tall, 45-foot-wide tank has a relief of 35 feet off the bottom.

Cuevas said the new structure will immediately attract baitfish that ultimately will attract predators such as red snapper, mangrove snapper, grouper and trigger fish.

“The funds used to deploy the BRT were the Emergency Disaster Relief Program funds from NOAA due to Hurricane Katrina,” Cuevas said. “This was a joint effort between Stennis Space Center, Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

“We would like to thank Mr. Bryon Maynard from Stennis Space Center, who was instrumental in getting the tanks donated for reef material. The BRT and the other two tanks will provide excellent reef fish habitat fish for a long time. This new habitat will also offer our fishermen of Mississippi more offshore fishing opportunities.”

Partnerships such as these, along with federal funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after Katrina and continuous effort by the Artificial Reef Bureau have helped to restore Mississippi’s inshore and offshore artificial reefs, Cuevas said.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Army Corps attempts to improve fish habitat

Posted on by david
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have administered improvements to the fish ladder at Daguerre Point Dam in an effort to facilitate spawning for two endangered fish species that hatch eggs in the upper reaches of the Yuba’s South Fork.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

The Corps has installed metal grates on the top of fish ladders for two principal reasons: To stop poaching and to prevent fish from jumping out of the fish ladder as they proceed upwards, said Doug Grothe, Englebright Lake Park Manager for the Corps.

“I think that a fish has missed the mark and jumped outside the ladder only once that we know of,” Grothe said. “But once is too many when you’re dealing with an endangered species.”

The species in question, including the spring-run Chinook Salmon and the Central Valley steelhead trout, typically spawn in the autumn, Grothe said. Both species are anadromous, meaning they return to freshwater to spawn after spending their adult lives in the ocean.

Both species are listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Whereas female salmon die soon after spawning, steelhead are iteroparous, meaning they are able to spawn several times, each time separated by months.

The populations of both fish species have been adversely affected by the installation of dams on the rivers that filter down from the Sierra, Grothe said.

Thus, the Corps is attempting to improve their population girth by installing various fish ladders where possible.

The Daguerre Point Dam is only 26 feet high and was built in 1906 to capture sediment siphoning through the Yuba as a result of hydraulic mining operations. The installation of a fish ladder was an easy solution, Grothe said.

Englebright Dam is 260 feet high, which precludes fish ladders, although officials are attempting to formulate exotic solutions to the impasse such as catching the fish and physically delivering them to the reaches of the river above the dam and then collecting their spawn and physically delivering them back to the lower reaches.

“That’s pretty expensive and labor intensive,” Grothe said.

For now, the Corps is content to concentrate on areas just below the Englebright Dam.

In an effort to further bolster fish habitat, the Corps injected more than 5,000 tons of gravel into the river to provide better spawning habitat for the fish, which like to lay eggs in loose sediment at the bottom of the river. That section of river consisted of bedrock before the injection, Grothe said.

“We are just now studying the effects of that project, but it looks promising,” he said.

The South Yuba River Conservation League issued a statement on their website which simultaneously praised the Corps for addressing the issues, while chastising the group for what it perceived as “decades of neglect.”

“As a result of SYRCL’s lawsuit, the Corps put grates on top of the fish ladders to finally stop poaching and lethal jumps out of the ladders,” the statement reads.

“These actions are small steps of improvement compared to the ultimate solution — removing this archaic dam,” the statement continued. “Nonetheless, these actions reflect a new era where wild salmon of the Yuba are finally getting the attention they deserve.”Matthew Renda

New pier for Tahoe Beach Club development improves fish habitat

Posted on by david

 sets up plans

Submitted by Editor on Fri, 10/14/2011 – 9:45am

A new pier installation at Tahoe Beach Club www.beachclubtahoe.com will underscore the lakefront lifestyle at the first fully-owned residential lakefront development on Lake Tahoe in 25 years, and mark initial phase construction at the eagerly awaited project.

According to a news release, the new 159-foot pier will be just one of the few floating piers on Lake Tahoe. Constructed with recycled materials, a 90 foot section of the pier will raise and lower with lake level to allow for littoral drift features conducive to the lake’s sensitive fish habitat, water quality and natural environment. Completion is planned for summer 2012.

The pier has generated renewed enthusiasm and inquiries at the 20-acre site situated on prime beach front property at Stateline, Nevada. The location is the hub of recreation and nightlife activity in the heart of South Tahoe, between Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, major casinos and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Ownership of the Tahoe Beach Club units is being offered through an exclusive priority reservation program, according to the release.

Tahoe Beach Club plans include 143 luxury villas and estate homes. The private Beach Club (the heart and soul of the development) will include amenities featuring an indoor/outdoor pool, boat-accessible beachfront restaurant, health club with work-out facilities, spa and locker rooms, concierge services, and a business center. In recent months, more than 150 potential buyers have stepped forward expressing interest in having ownership in this gated lakefront community, the release states.

The First Phase will include 39 luxury units (villas and estate homes), ranging in size from 1,250 square feet to 4,000 square-feet. Lake Tahoe’s feel and charm will be prevalent in the 14 separate buildings associated with the development, including a gatehouse and carriage house with the newest Green-Built Design architecture highlighting Tahoe’s best attributes.

A model for environmental design, the project was unanimously approved in 2008 by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Complementing the aesthetics plans also include construction as a green building and design toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), promoting energy conservation. The plan will also restore two acres of stream environment zone and enhance the natural eco-system of the Burke Creek-Rabe Meadow area, the release states.

For sales information visit the sales office at 170 Highway 50 next to Lakeside Inn & Casino, call 775-589-2643 or see us online at www.beachclubtahoe.com.

About South Shore Tahoe, LLC
South Shore Tahoe is a privately-held real estate development firm with offices in Stateline, Nevada. For more information on the Tahoe Beach Club, visit www.beachclubtahoe.com.

Sponsor Showcase

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We’re located at 290 Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, Nevada next to the Goal Post and a quarter mile from the Stateline casinos. We offer local and casino employee discounts and encourage those who haven’t floated, to try the most relaxing experience of their lives.
What is Floating?
Floating is a therapeutic treatment that isolates the user from environmental stimulus, greatly reducing stress, and easing the body into a state of equilibrium. Floating is also known as flotation therapy, floating therapy, float therapy, restricted environmental stimulation therapy (or REST), and Epsom salt hydrotherapy. The flotation tank is referred to as an isolation tank, sensory deprivation chamber, float tank, floating tank, and rest tank.

The flotation tank itself is a sensory deprivation pod with 10 inch deep water warmed to 93.5 degrees and enriched with 800 pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). The tank has an advanced filtration/purification system that operates according to regulations from the State of Nevada.

The space inside is approximately 8 feet long by 4 feet wide. Although some may be wary of feeling claustrophobic the first time they float, the tank door opens freely and you are in complete control. You can come and go as you wish. You can also float with the door open. For those who would like audio stimulation, relaxing music is available.
The experience of floating is unique. Inside the tank you’ll float effortlessly on the surface of 93.5 degree water. Floaters feel a sense of weightlessness. That weightlessness, the temperature of the water, and the dark, quiet space of the tank allow the brain to ease into a theta* brain wave state. This usually happens in the second half hour of a one hour float session. First time floaters should not expect instant results. Generally it takes more than one float to completely “let go” and fully experience flotation.

Instream and adjacent habitat improvements will be completed for the Manistee River,Michigan

Posted on by david
2011 10 “Waters to Watch” Project Updates
THURSDAY, 06 OCTOBER 2011 15:00
Manistee River, MI (Great Lakes Basin FHP)
Staudinger’s and Scoy Ponds, NY (Atlantic Coastal FHP)
Llano River, TX (Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership)
Barataria Bay, LA (Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership) 

Purpose of the project
The Conservation Resource Alliance will coordinate the replacement of a degraded road crossing with a timber bridge and the complete restoration of the Flowing Wells Trout Farm for fish passage and habitat improvement.  Implementing this project will open up approximately 31 miles of tributary for fish passage and improve approximately 4 miles of instream habitat on the North Branch of the Manistee River.

The stream will no longer be impounded, sand and sediment will be transported naturally, stream temperatures will recover, stream habitat will improve, and wild brook trout will be able to return to a reach that has been segmented by 12 dams and two dredged channels for approximately 40 years. This project will also improve the overall ecological health of the riparian corridor by improving uplands and wetlands adjacent to the instream restoration work.

Project Timeline
Major earth moving and dam removal at the Flowing Well property will be complete by the fall of 2011.  Additional reptile and amphibian monitoring as well as instream and adjacent habitat improvements will be completed during the summer and fall of 2012.  The bridge at Mecum Road is scheduled to be completed by late 2011.

Partners
The Conservation Resource Alliance is spearheading this project and closely working with the following partners:  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Kalkaska County Road Commission; Kalkaska County Conservation District; Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee, Trout Unlimited, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Huron Pines.

Updates/Changes
At the Flowing Well Property the following items have been completed.

1st. Quarter, 2011
* Established project timeline for 2011 field season.
* Removed an abandoned beaver dam on upper portion of Flowing Well Creek, blocked adjacent dredged channel, diverted flow back into natural channel.
* Received all required permits including NEPA, SHPO, MDNR, MDEQ, SESC, and Natural Rivers.
* Conducted 2 meetings for potential contractors to begin the bidding process.

2nd Quarter, 2011
* Subcontractor conducted the second season of reptile, amphibian, and macroinvertebrate monitoring, a final report is pending.
* Two volunteer workdays were conducted to clear debris from the N. Branch of the Manistee with project partners (USFWS, MDNR, Trout Unlimited)
* Cleared both Flowing Well Creek and the North Branch of the Manistee River of excess woody debris and blockages including 7 large beaver dams.
* Removed the earthen berm and a buried culvert on Flowing Well Creek using CRA staff and a locally hired work crew. Water is now flowing in its natural banks.
* Performed gradual drawdowns by removing boards at dams #3, #7, and #8, all boards have now been removed.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

At the Mecum Road site the following has been completed.
* Seven project partner meetings were held to discuss project progress (2 on-site, 2 at road commission office, and 3 committee meetings).
* Contracting, bidding, and legal review of documents.
* County, State and Federal permits obtained: SESC, SHPO, NEPA, MDEQ, and MDNR Natural Rivers.
* Property owner outreach and easement – State of Michigan use permit and permission for easement from 1 private parcel on southwest corner of road crossing.
* Survey, hydraulic analysis, soil borings/analysis, and bridge design completed.

Media coverage updates

http://www.michiganrivernews.com/2011/06/river-rehab-projects-put-michigan-in-national-spotlight/

http://environmentreport.org/show.php?showID=544

Watershed and fish habitat are focus of local tour

Posted on by david

(news photo)

Tonia Burns, natural resources coordinator for the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District, left, tells tour participants about the district’s local partners in watershed projects.

Although there was no stated theme for the second annual watershed tour sponsored by the North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council, speakers all noted the power of people working together to improve watershed health in Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge and Gladstone.

The council’s mission is to advocate for the protection and enhancement of the watersheds’ fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality through partnership with public and private entities, habitat restoration projects, community education and outreach and strategic planning.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Integrated habitat

Oak Grove resident Eleanore Hunter, current chair of the Oak Lodge Community Council, told the group that the whole idea of citizens and organizations cooperating with one another is to create an “integrated habitat” for humans, animal, fish and the environment.

It’s all about “connectivity” and an “incredibly supportive community,” she added.

Restoring watershed health will ultimately result in “the ability to introduce fish [in streams] along River Road,” said Chips Janger, one of the founders of Clackamas County Urban Green, an organization dedicated to supporting tree conservation in the county.

“People who are really interested are joining together and we have a lot of power,” he added.

The tour began at Meldrum Bar State Park in Gladstone and stopped at four key locations in the River Forest, Boardman and Rinearson Creek watersheds; these watersheds all flow off Oatfield Ridge and feed into the Willamette River.

As the tour progressed, neighborhood and agency experts discussed habitat, hydrology and water quality and shared their plans to improve watershed conditions for people, fish and wildlife.

Brett Arvidson, the manager of planning and engineering for the Oak Lodge Sanitary District, talked to the group about the recent Metro Nature in the Neighborhood grant for a fish habitat restoration project in the Boardman Creek and Walta Vista area in Jennings Lodge.

The $485,000 grant will replace two culverts near the mouth of Boardman Creek with bridges, allowing fish to return to more than a mile of the creek. He said it is important to note that the grant marks a partnership among the North Clackamas Urban Watershed Council, Oak Lodge Community Council, Jennings Lodge Citizen Participation Organization, Clackamas County Urban Green and North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District.

The total cost of the project will be around $1.7 million and take between three to four years to finish, Arvidson said, because it will involve “a complicated piece of engineering.”

Watershed education

People live all around the creek, where construction will take place, so educating homeowners about watershed health is key, added Tonia Burns, natural resources coordinator for the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District.

Residents need to be aware of the natural processes that occur in a creek and be careful about what they plant, Arvidson noted, adding, “We want to encourage shade along the creeks,” to provide the best fish habitat.

In the past, the streams were treated poorly, when they were covered up or directed into culverts, leaving fish with no place to go, noted William Wild, president of the Oak Lodge Sanitary District.

“If we can open up the Walta Vista area, we can open up a big piece of the puzzle. We have the greatest partnership with North Clackamas Parks and Recreation. We’ve been involved with them at all the parks and the Trolley Trail,” he added.

Burns echoed that statement, saying, “This new relationship with Oak Lodge is a huge asset to the parks department. There are wetlands begging to be enhanced and we can solidify partnerships and see what we can do.”

At the stop on Glen Echo Avenue, Susan Shawn pointed out that visitors could get a look at the tail end of a wetland that goes back to the East Side Athletic Club.

Although the area is overgrown right now, Shawn, a board member of the North Clackamas Urban Watershed Council and a founding member of Clackamas County Urban Green, asked the group to picture “boardwalks all the way back to the Trolley Trail.”

The tour brought together residents, watershed advocates and water quality experts, who all have a different take on what needs to be done to improve watershed health, Shawn pointed out.

Arvidson added, “But we all have to work together” to make it happen.

For more information about North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council, visit www.ncuwc.org.

The following are Metro Nature in Neighborhood grants for Clackamas County:

Boardman Creek fish habitat restoration project

Recipient: Oak Lodge Sanitary District and Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development.

Partners: North Clackamas Urban Watershed Council, Oak Lodge Community Council, Jennings Lodge Citizen Participation Organization, Clackamas County Urban Green and North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District.

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant: $485,000. Total project cost: $1,667,000. Location: S.E. River Road and S.E. Walta Vista Court, Jennings Lodge.

Boardman Creek is slowly being transformed from an overgrown urban ditch to a refuge for fish and wildlife. This grant will support the keystone to the restoration of this basin – replacing two culverts near the creek mouth with bridges and allowing fish to return to more than a mile of the creek between the park and the Willamette River.

This transformation will restore instream habitat along 300 feet of the creek and demonstrate how bridges can also create a “wildlife crossing” for amphibians and land animals.

Klein Point overlook and habitat enhancement

Recipient: Johnson Creek Watershed Council and the city of Milwaukie. Partners: Willamette Riverkeepers, Milwaukie Rotary, Oregon Dental Services (ODS), Gary and Sharon Klein, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, PGE Salmon Fund, FishAmerica Foundation and the city of Portland.

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant: $225,000. Total project cost: $670,399. Location: 1900 S.E. Jefferson St., Milwaukie.

This grant will initiate the first phase of a master plan for Riverfront Park, constructing an interpretive overlook and a new trail tracing the river bluff. Visitors will be able to stand in the shade of a magnificent old Oregon white oak. Below, they might see salmon and trout making their way into the mouth of Johnson Creek, where six acres of restored riparian habitat will provide refuge to help threatened fish species thrive.

Mount Scott Creek restoration at North Clackamas Park

Recipient: Clackamas Water Environmental Services.Partners: City of Milwaukie, North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District, Friends of Trees, North Clackamas Urban Watershed Council, Friends of Kellogg and Mt. Scott Creeks and Friends of North Clackamas Park.

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant: $150,034. Total project cost: $450,222. Location: 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie.

Restoring lower Mount Scott Creek at North Clackamas Park will balance the needs of people and fish, creating a model for improving habitat at popular recreation destinations. Located in a densely developed urban area, Mt. Scott Creek is a priority for restoration because of the salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout there.

This project will restore the stream bank and its riparian areas and remove a small culvert at the confluence of Camas Creek. It will also redesign access to the creek, installing two new visitor overlooks to reduce the heavy foot traffic that has trampled plants and habitat.

Rinearson Creek Feasibility Study

Recipient: SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism). Partners: Willamette Riverkeeper, Wilderness International, North Clackamas Urban Watershed Council, city of Gladstone, Rinearson Homeowners Association, Robinwood Riverie Homeowners Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Nature in Neighborhoods restoration and enhancement grant: $10,000. Location: Rinearson Creek, Gladstone.

SOLV and its partners are exploring long-term restoration opportunities in the lower Rinearson Creek watershed. An independent scientific assessment will narrow down five alternatives, which include restoring a pond area and removing a dam, and will help the Rinearson Coalition pick one approach to move forward.

Meanwhile, SOLV will restore the upper watershed near Rinearson Creek, engaging volunteers through community planting days. Students will help monitor water quality, wildlife and vegetation.

Site Restoration at the John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center

Recipient: Clackamas Community College. Partners: Greater Oregon City Watershed Council, Clackamas County Office of Sustainability, city of Oregon City and Oregon State University Extension for Clackamas County.

Nature in Neighborhoods restoration and enhancement grant: $10,000. Location: 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City.

Clackamas Community College will redevelop a five-acre environmental learning center. The project had been abandoned several years ago due to budget cuts. This planning project will lay the groundwork for a regional outdoor learning laboratory, demonstration site and natural area that showcases innovations in stormwater management, landscape design and sustainable living practices. Ultimately, the learning center will improve water quality in the Newell Creek watershed and create a network of partners committed to protecting its health.BY ELLEN SPITALERI

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