We have money ($217,000 in 1998) to fund projects designed to help rebuild fish runs in the Chehalis River basin. Our focus is on restoring and protecting habitat for salmon. We also fund public education projects, including Drops of Water. The purpose of this article is to let you know how the CFRP works, and how you can participate.
CFRP Yearly Cycle
The CFRP operates on overlapping yearly cycles. We are in the middle of our 1998 project cycle, and are ready to start working on 1999. The following is a calendar of CFRP activities for the 1999 cycle.
April '98 - February '99 Our staff works with landowners, citizen groups, agencies, tribes and other interested parties to help identify and develop potential projects for 1999 funding.
December '99 Our official "request for proposals" is distributed to the public in mid-December.
February '99 Proposals for new projects are due to us in mid-February.
February - March '99 Our staff works with project proposers to finalize details and answer specific questions about the new proposals.
March '99 Our Technical Review Team, made up of specialists from a variety of fields, meets with proposers in late-March to score and rank proposals. April '99 Our Steering Committee meets in mid-April to provide feedback on the rated proposals, and to discuss new developments in the CFRP. We make our final funding decisions after this meeting.
April - May '99 Our staff develops cooperative agreements, and works to ensure that projects comply with various federal and state environmental laws.
May - October '99 Successful proposers (cooperators) finalize work plans, secure permits and carry out projects. Most projects are completed by the end of the summer work season. Some projects, especially tree planting and education projects, continue through the winter. Some projects are delayed for one reason or another, and others are multi-year projects. Our cooperative agreements allow for a five year period during which funds will remain available for project completion.
Where To Start
CFRP-funded projects need to be sponsored by an organization such as a non-profit group, an agency, tribe, school, conservation district, or private business. We encourage private landowners to contact us directly with project ideas, and we will help identify an appropriate sponsor for the project.
The following is an excerpt from our latest request for proposals. It describes the types of projects we fund most often, and what specific elements we look for.
Livestock exclusion
Livestock exclusion fencing should create a minimum average buffer width of 25 feet, on each side of the stream (if applicable), as measured from the normal bankfull discharge level. Fences should approach no closer than 10 feet at any one point. Exceptions may be made, depending on specific site conditions. Hardened stream crossings, limited access watering points and off- channel watering devices are eligible cost components for fencing projects.
Riparian Revegetation
Revegetation efforts must include follow-up maintenance and replanting for 2-3 years after the original planting. Landowner maintenance commitment is preferred. All plants must be native species that are, or were historically, present in the area.
Off-channel ponds/refugia
We will consider funding for artificially created ponds, but prefer that existing off-channel areas be reconnected or protected. For artificially created ponds, you must demonstrate that off- channel rearing is a limiting factor, and that potential natural rearing areas are unavailable. Off- channel high-water refuge alcoves, especially those associated with channelized streams, will be considered for funding. Again, you must demonstrate that existing habitat is not available.
Instream habitat structures (Including woody debris, boulders, and log and rock weirs)
Instream habitat structures have the potential to significantly enhance fish habitat, but they also have a high potential for failure. For this reason we will demand a high level of justification, planning and monitoring for instream projects. We prefer the use of whole tree structures (rootwad and crown). We encourage the use of large "key-piece" wood, unanchored if practical.
Up-slope sediment control (Including forest road obliteration, restoring natural runoff patterns, revegetation, and slope stabilization)
Local streambank instability and sedimentation are often symptoms of up-slope sediment source problems. We would like to see more up-slope projects proposed rather than projects that seek to stabilize streambanks. Projects supported by Watershed Analysis are encouraged.
Bank stabilization
See the above comments under "Up-slope sediment control." We will consider projects using "bioengineering" techniques on smaller streams that seek to return banks to a more natural rate of erosion. You must demonstrate the habitat value of the project, and show that the problem is mainly due to local conditions. We are not likely to fund projects that seek to stabilize eroding banks on larger streams and rivers.
Fish passage
Projects that seek to re-establish fish passage to streams and off-channel habitat are encouraged. You must demonstrate that there is indeed a barrier to fish migration, and indicate which species and life stages are blocked. You must also include an assessment of the quantity and quality of habitat available above the barrier. We will generally not fund alteration or removal of log jams. We will not fund fish passage around natural barriers.
Studies, habitat surveys, and evaluations (Including scientific studies, barrier/culvert analysis, and monitoring projects)
Chapter 7 of Chehalis River Basin Fishery Resources: Status, Trends, and Restoration Goals details our information goals. Please contact our office for a copy. Habitat surveys, such as culvert analysis, that are designed to facilitate future restoration projects will receive consideration. Stream typing projects will be considered contingent upon a final resolution of new stream typing protocols.
Public education and outreach
We currently fund a basin-wide watershed-topic newsletter. (Drops of Water!) We will consider education projects for students, landowners, and the general public.
Other projects that we will consider for funding:
-Dike and fill removal intended to reconnect streams to their floodplains
-Spawning channels
-Non-native plant control related to fish habitat and riparian zones
-Silvicultural treatments including conifer release and interplanting
-Pre- and post-project monitoring
-Stream clean-up and garbage haul-out
-Artificial propagation projects intended to re-establish certain runs. Projects must be designed to lead to self sustaining runs of wild spawning fish. Proposals must demonstrate that quality habitat is available, that fish are not returning naturally, that the target species was historically present, and that eggs will be taken from appropriate brood stock. These types of proposals will be closely scrutinized. We will not fund projects intended to supplement existing runs.
If you would like to become involved, please call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's CFRP coordinator. (Mike Kelly at 360-753-9560, or mike_kelly@fws.gov)
Back to Fish Index Page
Back to Whats New Index Page
Back to Chehalis River Council Index Page