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 Assessment

 Action Plan

 Habitat Restoration 

Monitoring

 References

 

Projects Priorities 2003 ­ 2004

 Priority

Project

 Votes
1 Assist at least two willing landowners annually during the next three years to plant their riparian areas. 11
 2 Advertise the Council's interest in helping landowners in carrying out riparian planting projects. 10
3 Obtain grant funds to actively improve in-stream habitat with large wood placement in at least two fish bearing streams each year. 8
4 Identify at least three strategies that can enhance environmental conditions and at the same time reduce flood damage in the Nehalem basin. 7
5 Work with the Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, other organizations, and local citizens to develop five miles of new non-motorized trail in the Coal Creek area during the next five years. 6
5  Identify large wood currently in streams that is vulnerable to removal and take steps to protect it. 6
 5 Establish an estuary-monitoring program for dissolved oxygen, temperature, nutrients, and bacteria in the estuary and/or surrounding sloughs. 6
 5 Review wetlands adjacent to the estuary to determine their value as estuarine habitat.  6
5 Establish eelgrass "sanctuaries" (areas to be protected from motor boats and clamming) to protect eelgrass beds.  6
 5 Determine which road stream crossings on moderate (6% to 15%) gradient streams have barriers to fish migration. 6
6 Work with Coal Creek Foundation to co-sponsor an educational activity on good stream habitat and the importance of large wood in streams. 5
 6 Work with ODFW to continue to actively pursue limiting hatchery escapes into the upper North Fork Nehalem. 5
 6 Develop the water quality monitoring project plan to focus sampling efforts on seasonally-affected parameters i.e., E. coli in summer, fall & winter; DO in summer/low flow; turbidity after storm events. 5
6 Collect pre- and post-macroinvertebrate samples for large wood placement, and riparian enhancement projects. 5
6 Obtain more information about how to interpret macroinvertebrate data. 5
6 Develop a database that provides information on alternative native plants to use in riparian planting projects. - share this data base with Master Gardener programs. 5
6 During the next five years form partnerships with land owners, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and funding agencies that result in the restoration/reconstruction of at least one stream channel. 5
 6 Develop estimates of the capacity of streams to support salmonid spawning and rearing 5
6 Contact owners of significant wetlands areas to determine their interest in selling wetlands or obtaining conservation easements. 5
6 Investigate cooperating with Port of Nehalem to add large wood to the estuary. 5
6 Add additional interpretive signs at the Nehalem Falls Campground.  5
6 Develop an interpretive trail in the God's Valley Meadow area.  5
7 Focus riparian and in-stream outreach on a particular sub-basin.  4
7  Request DEQ to determine the source(s) of bacterial contamination in our rivers and estuary and take appropriate action.  4
7 Develop and co-sponsor one (1) public forum with DEQ to present information gathered from the TMDL (Total Daily Maximum Load) process conducted in 2000.  4
 7 During the next three years form partnerships with landowners, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and funding agencies that result in the elimination of all identified coho migration barriers. 4
 7 Contact owners of tide gates in the Lower Nehalem and talk with them again about upgrading the tide gates. 4
 7 Review ODFW core habitat designations to determine if recent fish count data support their designations. 4
7 Measure late summer stream flow above and below the Wheeler and Manzanita well site. Measure stream flow after the beginning of well use to determine if the well results in a reduction of stream flow during critical summer months. 4
7  Develop preferred strategies for management of Core and anchor habitat areas. 4