RARE Community Application:

2000 - 2001

1.  Describe your community or agency,s need for assistance. This should include historic economic sectors that were a mainstay of the local economy as well as a description of the current condition of the local economy. Special environmental conditions that may need attention should be addressed.

In June 1998, the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council formed a partnership with the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council to sponsor the Nehalem Watershed Assessment. Portland State University,s Environmental Science Department graduate program was contracted to conduct the first phase of the Assessment. Their product underwent extensive public review and recommendation in February 2000 and is currently being revised. A final draft of the document is expected by August 2000. Following state and OWEB protocols, the assessment has been an exercise in gathering all existing watershed data from various agencies, scientific research and placing it into a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) format as much as possible. Upon completion, the assessment will have identified data gaps, provided preliminary analysis on current watershed health, and provided insight for activities aimed at improving water quality and salmon habitat conditions. The Council, Steering Committee, and Project Committees, with the aid of the current RARE intern, a facilitator, and the watershed Council Coordinator are amidst development of an action plan based on the initial assessment findings. In order to maintain the momentum of the watershed assessment and action plan, the Council is in need of additional assistance for action plan implementation, project development, outreach and education, volunteer coordination, database management, and general office support. 

Area History

Prior to European settlement, a hunter-gatherer culture thrived within the old growth forest and marine environment of the Ne-ha-lem basin. The indigenous people were self-sufficient, relying and thriving on the abundant renewable resources of the forest, estuary and ocean ecosystems to sustain their populations and cultural heritage. These people created minimal disturbance patterns within these natural ecosystems. Goods and services were traded between neighboring coastal and inland tribes, enriching their livelihood and diversifying their economy.

Following a trail blazed by Lewis & Clark and subsequent bands of fur trappers and missionaries, European and American settled into the Nehalem valley during the 1860`s to further exploit the abundant natural resources available. Soon after their arrival, they displaced the indigenous people and their culture. Settlers relied heavily on the forest for the extraction of valuable timber, the rivers and ocean to harvest fish with high commercial value, and the fertile flood plain for establishing productive dairy farm pasture. The old growth and marine ecosystems where permanently altered by this sudden and consumptive pattern of disturbance.

Current environmental and economic conditions

The commercial fishing resource has been depleted and only a limited recreational fishery exists today. Over-fishing, loss of fish spawning and rearing habitat, well-meant but misguided hatchery programs, changes in climate and ocean conditions (El Nino, La Nina), human-caused disturbances to the ocean ecosystem (a vital link in the salmon food chain), and increased predation on already depleted salmon populations have all led to a significant decline in native (Nehalem) populations of coastal salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. The evolutionarily significant native Northern Coastal Coho Salmon has been listed as "threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  There is a strong community interest in restoring native salmon populations, however there is much debate on how to go about this.

Dairy farms in the lower Nehalem are productive to this day. However, environmental concerns are being raised at the local, state and federal levels in relation to non-point source pollution from farmlands in light of the federal Clean Water Act. In addition, flood plain alterations - such as building dikes and redirecting water flow - have resulted in blocking fish passage to essential habitat. The local agricultural community is deeply concerned about protecting individual private property rights and their ability to maintain productive farms while conforming to new environmental regulations and affording the costs of infrastructure improvements.  There is federal assistance available to help farmers create conservation farm plans and develop cost-share projects. This resource is under-utilized currently.

Private and public industrial forest and small woodlot production is active in the Nehalem basin. A vast majority of old growth forests have been converted to tree farms for timber industry production. Most of the forest landscape is managed for 45-year clear-cut harvests and now into the second and third stages of this rotation. The topography, soils and climate of the Coast Range make for a productive forest ecosystem. Over time, however, forest management practices and policies have created repeat disturbance patterns, resulting in an accumulation of measurable adverse effects within the watershed. The overall productivity of the watershed is in a state of decline evidenced by degraded water quality, rampant spread of Swiss Needle Cast disease in Douglas fir monocultures, and reduced native salmon production potential. An extensive network of timber roads with multiple stream crossings causes blockages to fish passage, altered drainage patterns and stream courses, accelerated run-off, soil erosion that triggers landslides during high rainfall events, and increased sediment loading into streams. Expansive removal of forest cover has resulted in the same effects and also altered natural succession and species distribution patterns. Removal of riparian cover has caused stream banks to destabilize, stream temperatures to elevate and reduced the capacity of riparian aeas to recruit large woody debris, thus decreasing stream habitat complexity.

In addition, the systematic removal of beaver populations and alterations to wetlands has depleted fish rearing habitat (pools), increased sediment transport, reduced aquatic diversity, and reduced ground water seep and recharge capacity. There is much to be done to improve these conditions. Revisions to the Oregon Forest Practice Act and requests for voluntary timber industry action by the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds have begun implementation of projects to improve salmon habitat conditions, increase riparian cover, conduct road hazard assessments, and improve fish passage. The public and private land managers still have much to consider in revising their management practices. They need to maintain productive forests while making the necessary improvements to the environment, assuring the return of native salmon production to sustainable levels and creating healthy forest ecosystems for the future.

The coastal communities are growing. Increased development of tourist attractions, homes, lodging, marinas, and commercial property result in storm water run-off, alteration of the flood plain, sewage treatment concerns, loss of wetlands and riparian areas, and demand in domestic water supply. Local government is beginning to work towards reducing the cumulative impacts on the forest, rivers, and bay and making necessary improvements. Statewide Planning Goals, Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, hazard mitigation from the February "96 flood, development of the Tillamook Performance Partnership (National Estuary Project) and the Tillamook Futures Council are all helping to move this process of change and improvement forward. Some community members strain to look beyond strong feelings of protecting property rights and fre enterprise to recognize the value and long-term protection of natural systems. Others see this issue from quite the opposite point if view. 

Recreation activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, claming, beach combing, kayaking, and boating all provide economic assets to the local community. While there are inherent impacts of these activities on the natural environment, they also provide a vehicle for promoting awareness, education, appreciation, and protection of ecosystems.

Some mining rock quarries are still in operation and one business with grandfather rights to the Nehalem River gravel bars still exists.

2.      Provide evidence that the resident population, organization staff and/or board are supportive of developing strategies to improve economic and environmental conditions and ready to work together to resolve these issues. This may include a description of the community/organization strategic plan or a description of the events or change in policy that has led your community to seek assistance from the RARE Program.

Early in the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council development the group engaged a diverse representation of local interest groups and technical advisors in open discussions focused on identifying and resolving watershed health/salmon recovery issues.  As the by-laws were being developed it was decided that council decisions were to be made by consensus.  Through a facilitated group process (led by a community volunteer) the council created an "interim action plan" by identiying issues and prioritizing actions.  More recently a "strategic plan" was "drafted" and is under council review.  Currently the council, with the aid of the RARE community volunteer and technical advisors has "drafted" an "action plan" based on findings extracted from the "draft" Nehalem Watershed Assessment that have been prioritized and fitted with timelines for implementation. Some examples of council activities:

Nehalem Bay Estuary Clean up and awareness = Is sponsored by the LNWC and has been conducted by volunteers for 3 consecutive years.  In Feb. of "99 100+ people and businesses from the local and surrounding communities participated. Over 55 cubic yards of solid waste was removed from the Estuary and properly disposed of.  The value of the volunteer contribution exceeded $12,000.00.  In response to the significance of this volunteer effort Governor Kitzhaber proclaimed "Estuary Awareness and Clean-up Day".

Volunteer riparian tree planting = Community members regularly participate in council sponsored riparian tree planting events.

Volunteer monitoring = Community members played an active role in developing a successful volunteer water quality-monitoring project.  Volunteer samples have been collected from strategic locations in relation to major land-uses monthly for over 2 years.

Volunteer contributions of time supporting council sanctioned activities since council formation total: 1997 = $ 9,960.00, 1998 = $22,142.00, 1999 = $33,513.00.

The council conducts public forums at regular intervals covering a wide variety of complex natural resource issues and in order to raise awareness and promote community involvement.

Examples of other local efforts that promote council/community involvement:

Tillamook County Futures Council = a board of Commissioners initiative charged with developing a vision of the county for the year 2020.

Tillamook Performance Partnership = an organization formed to implement the management plan created as a result of the work done by the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project. Membership includes representation from watershed councils in the county.

Watershed Resource Center = was formed as part of the Till. National Estuary Project to house GIS data for use in management planning and provided GIS assistance to community/watershed councils.

ODOT and County Road Departments = in partnership with ODF&W assessed culverts for fish passage and prioritized for replacement in relation to habitat production value above blockage. They are now in the process of systematically making infrastructure improvements to provide fish passage under roads at stream crossings.

The Dept. of Forestry and local timber industry have begun to seek council support and involvement in developing and implementing fish habitat improvement projects.

Tillamook Soil and Water conservation District = manages a Riparian Restoration Program for agricultural lands in cooperation with local landowners.

3. Describe the projects(s) that the RARE participant will be accomplishing within the next year. Please note if any project(s) include cooperation with other communities and/or have a regional impact.

a) Describe the specific need(s) in your community that the project will address.

The LNWC formed under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is in the unique position to promote community involvement in recovery efforts.  Having nearly completed a comprehensive assessment of the watershed and drafted and action plan the council is poised and ready to proceed with many worthwhile projects that will improve watershed conditions and benefit the community.  With such ambitions assistance from qualified staff is an essential element to meeting "Action Plan" goals and objectives and maintaining accountability.

b) Describe the major activities and tasks to be performed by the RARE participant. Please list the products expected to be completed (surveys, reports, plans) and the timelines for the expected completion of the products.

Action plan implementation

The LNWC has recently developed an Action Plan in which to guide their activities to promote cooperative efforts to improve watershed health and aid in native salmon population recovery. The council and advisors prioritized actions based on key findings extracted during the Nehalem Watershed Assessment process.  The following actions received high ratings:  

1.  Using both the Nehalem Watershed Assessment and field verification, identify sites in need of riparian restoration (buffer) and produce - a status report - summer 2001.

2. Organize and facilitate at least - 3 riparian tree-planting activities - in cooperation with local landowners and Tillamook SWCD - during the 2001 winter season (Dec-April).

1. Using both the Nehalem Watershed Assessment and field verification, identify which road stream crossings are barriers to fish passage in the lower basin - status report - April 2001.

2. Assist Council to prioritize culvert replacement projects and generate a - prioritized list - May 2001.

3. Work with action plan steering committee and Council to - further develop high priority projects to occur during the 2002 in-stream work period - August 2001.

1. Assist the action plan committee and coordinator to - develop at least two stream habitat improvement projects - by July 2001.

1. Work together with the Council and event leader to - develop and implement the third BI-annual Nehalem Estuary Clean-Up event - in February 2001.

2. Using both the Nehalem Watershed Assessment and field verification, - identify potential estuary restoration and conservation sites and generate - a status report - Fall/Winter 2000.

Water Quality Monitoring

1. Assist Monitoring Project volunteers in - collecting field samples and conducting lab analysis - on a monthly basis and/or event basis.

2. Participate in - basin macroinvertebrate sampling during the fall (if available) and record field sheet information onto office database - October 2000.

3. Work with Project Leader to develop an - annual data analysis and status report for - presentation at annual council meeting - January 2001

1. Develop and facilitate - 3 community Public Forums - with guest presenters following the topics and schedule below and - publicize via news releases, flyers, Internet, announcements, etc.

• Riparian conditions - January
• Salmon needs and impacts - April
• Estuary functions - July

2. Work with Steering Committee to develop - Council Meeting agendas, distribute information to mailing list, and participate in evening public meeting each month.

3. Maintain and update - Council web site - as needed.

4. Maintain open communications with general public, community members, council members, council chair, Nehalem Watershed Council - coordinator and council advisors - daily office hours (flexible).

5. Prepare - "RARE" activity report for council review - at monthly meetings.

1. Update and supplement - GIS Nehalem Watershed Assessment databases and generate maps and/or analysis - as needed.

2. Work together with Project Leader to - input water quality monitoring data quarterly into the electronic DEQ Storet Data format and check for data entry quality assurance - October, April, and July.

3. Record in-kind and volunteer contributions - monthly into spreadsheet and produce an annual report for the January 2001 Council Meeting.

4. Monitor and record - grant expenses in comparison with budget on a monthly basis and create reports - as needed.

5. Maintain and update - mailing and electronic contacts list - as needed.

c) What experiences, skills, abilities, and/or specific knowledge would be required or especially helpful to accomplish the work?

	Written and Oral Communication skills = Ability to maintain open communication between multiple concerned citizens and advisors of various disciplines.  Assimilate and disseminate often-complex social, economic and ecological information to the public.
	People = Friendly, professional attitude and ability to work well amongst diverse people and personal values.
	PC Computer Proficient = Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows 98-2000 = MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Internet Explorer.
	Organizational skills = for maintaining council records and coordinating events.
	Initiative and Time Management = running an office independently.
	GIS = Working knowledge of Geographic Information System - ArcView 3.1.
	Web design = for update of web site = MS Front Page.
	Quick Books = monitor grant expenses.
	Field work = basic survey/sampling techniques for measuring physical habitat.
	Lab = basic understanding of lab protocols/techniques for processing water quality samples.
	Facilitation = basic meeting facilitation skills to aid in promoting group process.

* Please note: Training will be arranged to allow participant the opportunity to increase skill level in any area associated with work plan implementation and incorporated into their work plan schedule, as the need arises.

d)Describe any long-term plans for project sustainability beyond the time of service of the RARE participant.

The Nehalem watershed coordinator and LNWC Steering Committee will be involved in the process as it develops and will be responsible for assuring long-term project sustainability. Coordinator and volunteers are trained in the use of Arc View, so the GIS database can be maintained and increased as need arises.

4. Describe the three most important learning opportunities available to the RARE participant.

Working with and learning from a diversity of individuals, groups and technical advisors with local knowledge and expertise on watershed health and salmon recovery.

Grant writing.

Any additional training will be encouraged according to RARE participant,s need and interest within a multitude of watershed education topics, from group process to water quality monitoring to salmon habitat surveys, etc.

5. Describe the organization with which the RARE participant will be working.

The Lower Nehalem Watershed Council is a grassroots volunteer community organization whose membership represents a diversity of stakeholders bound together under the charge of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The mission of the Council is protection, preservation and enhancement of the Nehalem Watershed through leadership, cooperation and education. The LNWC has been in an on-going state of organizational development since early 1997 and has established By-laws to guide Council meetings, membership, and decision-making by consensus. Early on, the organization applied for and received a 501-C3 Non-Profit status and subsequently created a financial accountability system. During the same time, funding was secured for council support, water quality monitoring, and a watershed assessment from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). In addition, the council assembled and still maintains a network of technical advisors whom aid in project development. The Council itself consists of 18 members engaged in a variety of activities such as watershed assessment, action plan development, water quality monitoring, estuary clean-up and awareness, hands-on environmental education, public outreach, fish passage improvement, riparian restoration and grant writing, while continuing to further strengthen the organization and its leadership.

6. Describe the office space where the RARE participant will be located.

The Lower Nehalem Watershed Council has an office located in a facility (converted house) owned by the City of Nehalem. The office is located in quaint downtown Nehalem, one block up from the edge of the Nehalem River and Bay confluence and minutes from the Pacific Ocean. The facility once housed the area,s Chamber of Commerce. The portion of the facility used by the Council consists of an office area, meeting room, restroom, small library, water quality laboratory, additional meeting hall, and corridor space for storage. The office is equipped with phone, fax, computer with Internet access, laser printer, copy machine, filing cabinet, bookshelf and additional workspace.

7. List the source(s) of funding you expect to use to cover the $15,000 "real dollar match (the community,s cost of a RARE participant for 1,700 hours of service), and the earliest date at which you will be able to commit the funds.

Based on current funding cycles, the next OWEB grant application deadline is September 1, 2001. After board approval, grant agreements would most likely be finalized by January 2002.

8. Provide a brief background of the supervisor (the person who will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day oversight of the RARE participant).

Maggie Peyton, Nehalem Watershed Council Coordinator, will be responsible for day-to-day supervision and will provide ongoing support for the RARE participant. She has over four years experience working with local watershed councils, stakeholders, agricultural and private landowners, local government, and natural resource agencies. Maggie has extensive involvement in watershed health and salmon recovery project development, implementation and management. Experienced and successful grant writer.   Educational background in landscape maintenance and design, ecology, watershed process, group process, riparian restoration, and water quality monitoring.

Gareth Ferdun, the Chair of the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council will be responsible for project oversight on behalf of the council and will be available on a daily basis to provide support and guidance to the RARE participant. Mr. Ferdun has a Masters Degree in Experimental Psychology from San Francisco State.   He is retired from the California State Government after 25 years working in three state departments. Nineteen of these years were in a supervisory role as a Senior Research Analyst and a Staff Services Manager.
While with the Department of Mental Hygiene he played a major role in the forecasting state hospital population trends, developing plans for the closure of hospitals, and evaluating the effects of local mental health programs on admissions to state hospitals. During his time with the Department of the Youth Authority he was Chief of the Educational Research Section, Chief of the Departments Program Planning Unit and later Chief of the departments Management Analysis Unit. Mr. Ferdun took a lead role in the design of most of the management systems used in the California Youth Authority including: 1) the management by objectives system, 2) staff performance standards system, 3) staff performance appraisal system, and 4) standards for the operation of school and treatment programs.
Mr. Ferdun has considerable training and experience in organizational development and meeting facilitation.   He has numerous publications and is listed in the 1987-88 edition of Who's Who in the West.

Shirley Kalkhoven, LNWC Secretary and Nehalem City Council member has an extensive well established community network and will be available on a regular basis to provide the RARE participant with support and insight into local issues.

9. Provide additional information that you believe may be important for someone who is new in your community.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the natural and community surroundings as well as the stakeholder groups and issues that exist within community. There are several state and federal natural resource agencies housed in Tillamook County that can provide you with valuable reference materials, resources, and insight on local issues.

10. Recognizing that the cost and availability of adequate housing is key to a participant,s selection on a placement, what kinds of assistance can the community provide to assist the participant to secure, safe, and affordable housing?

Council members with local knowledge of housing costs, locations and contacts can be consulted with.   Contact could be made with local property management companies such as: ribbon Investments - 503-368-6009 or Windermere - 800-503-2933 to inquire about rental property contacts.   Skye Mendenhall the current RARE participant is also available for consultation and would be happy to assist, she can be reached at the LNWC office by calling 503-368-7424.

11. What unique experiences will a RARE participant likely remember 10 years after serving community?

The unique experience of working side by side a diversity of community members and having played an critical role in helping to restore watershed health and native salmon populations.

The satisfaction of knowing that you helped develop a comprehensive GIS database of the Nehalem Watershed resource that is still being used by natural resource agencies and stakeholders alike to plan and develop effective salmon and watershed health recovery projects at the watershed scale.

The memories of the beautiful natural surroundings and friendly community along with your many positive growth experiences will be laced with the satisfaction of knowing that you are recognized and welcome in the Nehalem Watershed community to this day.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter,

Lower Nehalem Watershed Council