Element #1: Identifies and addresses the priority protection, restoration and enhancement needs of the watershed(s) served

Council Objective

Protect and enhance riparian areas on high priority reaches.

Past Accomplishments

73 Cooperators, 29 miles of stream, 128 acres of protected stream banks in the Upper Nehalem.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Contact landowners within high priority reaches and promote riparian restoration solutions that fit their needs and existing conditions. Implement at least six (6) new projects annually.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Contact neighbors and friends, write news articles, scout possible projects, develop and implement planting prescriptions, install fences and set up monitoring points

Coordinator Role

Set goals, develop list of priority stream reaches with council, develop landowner contact list, provide links to technical assistance, manage overall work schedule with project planner, implement project effectiveness monitoring plan, prepare reports. Develop and submit project funding proposals.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

15%

Council Objective

Secure riparian restoration sign-ups using alternative sources of funding (eg. CREP, EQIP)

Past Accomplishments

7 CREP sign-ups, 350 acres of riparian acreage protected.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Promote CREP and EQIP in the Nehalem Basin, assist in securing technical asistance for CREP, initiate landowner contacts, 8 new CREP signups in the biennium within the watershed.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Contact eligible landowners, liason with FSA, NRCS, ODF, and ODFW, assist in all ways to implement projects.

Coordinator Role

Develop 1 CREP landowner workshop/project tour, initiate landowner contacts, promote CREP at council meetings, update restoration database.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Council Objective

Remove migration barriers for andromous species

Past Accomplishments

sponsored, developed, implemented 10 culvert replacements (39.81 miles of habitat opened up), 4 culvert removals (13.66 miles), and 3 culvert to bridge conversions (10.16 miles)

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Identify problem culverts and write grants to sponsor culvert replacement to restore access to historical habitat. Sponsor at least 5 projects over the biennium to remove migration (adult and juvenile) barriers.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

ODOT, Col.Co Roads, Clatsop Roads, ODF, landowners, and ODFW will do the removal/replacement work. Staff and council will write grants and assist in assessment. Staff will continue gathering assessment data from agencies and identify other culverts that act as migration barriers.

Coordinator Role

Coordinate assessment activities, develop partnerships, seek technical assistance, write grants, develop projects, coordinate activities with project manager, monitor effectiveness, report on project success

Percentage of Coordinator Time

10%

Element #1: Identifies and addresses the priority protection, restoration and enhancement needs of the watershed(s) served

Council Objective

Improve aquatic habitat complexity and conditions

Past Accomplishments

Sponsored, developed, and promoted four (4) projects with stakeholders that improve habitat complexity

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Obtain funding and develop habitat improvement projects with landowners along high priority reaches. Educate landowners on the habitat value of large woody debris in the stream. Support educational activities that emphasize the importance of LWD as a habitat complexity generator. Work with ODFW to identify priority reaches and sponsor at least 2 LWD projects over the biennium.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Locate areas within high priority reaches for introduction of habitat recovery, work with landowners and state agencies to implement projects. Write 1 news article on the value of LWD, with appreciation to cooperating landowners. Report on successes and failures. Research BMPs in scientific literature.

Coordinator Role

Coordinate planning, implementation, and monitoring of salmon habitat improvements. Develop and submit project funding proposals.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

10%

Element #1: Identifies and addresses the priority protection, restoration and enhancement needs of the watershed(s) served

Council Objective

Reduce sediment loading to waters of the Nehalem watershed

Past Accomplishments

Seventeen (17) sections of streambank stabilized

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Continue to develop bio-engineered streambank stabilization projects along high priority reaches. Contact landowners and reach 4 agreements on streambank protection installations.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Locate and report streambank degradation, contact landowners and discuss problem and various solutions. Propose actions to coordinator and general council. Develop and implement BMPs to alleviate sediment introduction into the river. Educate landowners on the damage that excess sediment can cause to the aquatic environment.

Coordinator Role

Follow up landowner contacts and seeks ways to stop sediment from entering the water.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #1: Identifies and addresses the priority protection, restoration and enhancement needs of the watershed(s) served

Council Objective

Continue and expand the Nehalem Watershed Assessment.

Past Accomplishments

Nehalem Watershed Assessment completed in 2000. Riparian Conditions Analysis completed in 2002.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

A juvenile salmon presence and habitat assessment of a portion of the upper Nehalem will be completed by the end of 2005 (contingent on funding). A sub-basin assessment of the East Fork Nehalem will begin in the winter of 2003 and finish in 2005. A sub-basin assessment of Rock Creek is in the early planning stages, work could begin 2004. These assessments will give the councils a better understanding of the conditions and functions of the watershed, and validate or correct restoration priorities. They will also provide the council with more accurate and comprehensive data layers for spatial analysis.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

The UNWC assessment team will identify issues, gather all data, interact with contractors and the general public, review assessment methodology, and establish action priorities based on completed assessment. The salmon habitat and presence project is being done by an ODFW associated contractor. The watershed assessment of the East Fork Nehalem is being done by staff and volunteers. The Rock Creek watershed assessment will be a collaborative effort between the UNWC, City of Vernonia and ODF.

Coordinator Role

Facilitate interactions between council and contractors, review assessment for completeness, moderate development of action plan

Percentage of Coordinator Time

10%

Element #2: Monitors and evaluates watershed conditions and functions and the efforts to improve watershed health, including the methods and data sources to be used

Council Objective

Monitor stream temperatures and distribute data to state natural resource agencies and landowners

Past Accomplishments

Stream temperature data from 1996-2003.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Design trend-monitoring model. Continue monitoring and reporting stream temperatures, use data to help define high priority reaches for restoration activities.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Test, deploy, audit, and retrieve miniloggers. Assimilate data and create CD-ROM of results for distribution. Summarize data for presentation to councils and interested landowners.

Coordinator Role

Develop annual monitoring plan, coordinate deployment and retrieval of miniloggers.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #2: Monitors and evaluates watershed conditions and functions and the efforts to improve watershed health, including the methods and data sources to be used

Council Objective

Track aquatic health in the watershed using fish presence and macroinvertebrate surveys.

Past Accomplishments

Support of ODFW spawning surveys, Council sponsored fish presence surveys, annual collection and assessment of macroinvertebrate samples as an indicator of aquatic health and productive power.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Continued collection of macroinvertebrates, used to determine priority reaches for restoration protection. Work with biologists on a correlation between physical site characteristics and taxa richness. Support of ODFW fish surveys, increased data collaboration with ODFW to generate a comprehensive picture of fish presence.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Train and conduct macroinvertebrate surveys. Assess summaries and develop action plans to correct or protect stream reaches as needed. Research ways to interpret macroinvertebrate data and it's usefulness to the planning process. Present data to council and stakeholders.

Coordinator Role

Seek funding. Refine macroinvertebrate monitoring plan, liason with 3rd party biologists.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #2: Monitors and evaluates watershed conditions and functions and the efforts to improve watershed health, including the methods and data sources to be used

Council Objective

Monitor stream turbidity for levels indicating excess sedimentation or bank sloughing.

Past Accomplishments

Basin-wide monitoring network has been developed with baseline data collection over the past three years.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Continue monitoring turbidity, react to unusual samples with physical surveys to locate source, attempt mitigation by contacting landowner and working to help reduce soil loss to erosion.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Collect turbidity samples, test samples, enter data into database, submit data to the DEQ, notify coordinator of unusual samples and investigate possible sources.

Coordinator Role

Develop annual monitoring plan, coordinate sampling times.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #3: Encourages and tracks citizen participation in watershed projects

Council Objective

Recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers in watershed restoration activities

Past Accomplishments

Core group of volunteers assist in monitoring, tree planting, project recruitment, and document reviews.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Set up database of volunteers according to work preferences. Use for direct contact as applicable projects arise. Use to identify areas without volunteers, and use outreach to recruit more volunteers with the needed skills.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Sponsor volunteers on projects to provide training and direction. Make report to coordinator on qualifications of volunteers. Volunteers report to coordinator on time spent on each project.

Coordinator Role

Design database. Organize and populate database with information. Use information as another tool for watershed restoration.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #3: Encourages and tracks citizen participation in watershed projects

Council Objective

Involve area youth in watershed related projects

Past Accomplishments

Five years of providing the Youth Corp with on the job restoration experience; continuing collaboration with Vernonia Grade and High Schools science curriculums: continuing collaboration with Boys Scouts of America with Guy Miller Tree Plant events.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

The Youth Corp of St Helens continues to help prepare, plant and maintain trees. The Boy Scouts will assist in 2 tree plantings annually, and the watershed council is available to higher level scouts that wish to do their service work. High school science students assist in macroinvertebrate collection. Science teachers and the watershed coordinator are currently working on an agreement for water quality data collection by students in Rock Creek, adjacent to the school. A tree plant on Vernonia High School property in 2003 will be integrated with the science teacher's curriculum.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Leadership, training, and interpretation of watershed functions for the youth will increase their enjoyment and understanding of the work that is regularly done by the members of the council.

Coordinator Role

Formulation of a working agreement between the school district and the watershed council, provide materials and training to science teachers. Coordinate Youth Corp work with planting foreman, designate days for Boy Scouts to assist in planting. Contact volunteers to assist youth and provide supervision as needed.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #4: Promotes and evaluates citizen learning about watershed resource issues

Council Objective

Inform and educate citizens on watershed related issues and provide useful information

Past Accomplishments

Announced watershed events in local newspaper, developed workshops and hosted guest speakers at council meetings

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Host public forums on watershed related issues six (4) times a year. Evaluate verbal and non-verbal responses, follow up with interested participants seeking more knowledge or assistance with riparian projects. This outreach program will result in more volunteers, a few more riparian restoration projects, and a more knowledgable community. Build Web site.Survey riparian restoration landowners.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Recommend topics of interest; host, attend, and participate in forums. Follow up with participants and give feedback to coordinator. Build Web site. Assist in packaging and mailing survey and tabulate results.

Coordinator Role

Organize events, arrange for speakers, provide supplies and post public notices. Evaluate results. Oversee Web site. Develop survey, analyze results, make presentation to council on results and propose any corrective activities.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #5: Builds organizational capacity and council effectiveness

Council Objective

Attain and maintain non-profit status as a fully functional, fiscal organization

Past Accomplishments

Developed and maintained bylaws, charter, personel policies, and developed fiscal management procedures. Hired, supervised and evaluated contractors and employees. Developed relationships with suppliers of materials. Wrote and received grant money for all council operations and supported activities. Recieved Federal 501 (c) 3 status, became incorporated with the state of Oregon. Applied for Federal 501 (c3) status, applied for and received self-administered grants.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Explore new private and Federal sources of funding now available to the Council. Apply for and receive self-administered grants. Treasurer to become proficient in the use of Quick Books for tracking grant accounts.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Appointed treasurer maintains fiscal records, liasons with granting agencies, receives and disburses funds.

Coordinator Role

Locate grants, match projects with grants, write grants, supplying materials and data as needed for application.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #5: Builds organizational capacity and council effectiveness

Council Objective

Enhance productivity through regular self-evaluations

Past Accomplishments

Two moderated council evaluations with Oregon State University (OSU) extension agent

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Conduct annual OWEB self evaluation, using results to improve council operations and effectiveness, annually.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Notification of upcoming evaluation, council participation in evaluation with staff and facilitator support, consensus on actions needed as determined by evaluation.

Coordinator Role

Schedule evaluation activities, arrange for outside facilitator, liason with other councils for advice on building council effectiveness in deficient areas.

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%

Element #5: Builds organizational capacity and council effectiveness

Council Objective

Regularly inform the general public of council goals and activities

Past Accomplishments

Periodic news articles on the natural processes in the watershed. Collaboration with the school district on science field trips.

Proposed Actions & Outcomes

Periodic news articles printed in the local paper on a wide range of watershed related topics to educate and inform the public. Develop a web site, post council information, events and reports. Develop links to watershed related sites of interest.

Council, Project Manager, Staff, Contractor, and Volunteer Roles

Write or locate articles for submission to the biweekly local paper, The Vernonia Independent.

Coordinator Role

Select or approve topic, write or edit article to fit within the goals and scope of the council

Percentage of Coordinator Time

5%