Lessons Learned by Project Type

1. Clearwater National Forest PROJECT CONTACTS: Chuck Fowlds & Anne Connor Nez Perce Tribe DFRM-Watershed Division PROJECT LEADER: Richard L. Christian Results • During the last 15 years, the partnership has completed numerous projects. This implementation and the associated monitoring have resulted in extensive lessons learned.This presentation is meant to encourage discussion amongst practitioners for a few of the more common restoration activities. Since the inception, this partnership has implemented the following projects: • 22 miles of stream adjacent Road Improvements; • 34 fish passage projects; • 306 miles of Road Decommissioning; • 1372 acres of roadside weed treatment; and, • planting 150,000 riparian plants. Conclusion The partnership that has been established between the Nez Perce Tribe, Clearwater National Forest and Bonneville Power Administration is one of the most successful in the nation. However, as with any individual restoration project, there have been a lot of things that didn’t go as planned. This results in an opportunity to learn and improve upon the overall success of projects in meeting their intended objectives. One of the biggest lesson learned over the years was that there are key project milestones that need to be carefully planned in advance of the work. As each project is unique, it is difficult to be specific about how to do each project component. The partnership can conclude that some of these key elements include the fish salvage, dewatering and sediment control best management practices. The NPT would highly recommend careful planning of these project elements with all partners as early as possible in the project’s development. The Lochsa Project: Lessons from the Road Introduction and Project Location Lessons Learned by Project Type The project area encompasses the entire Lochsa Watershed of the Clearwater National Forest. This Partnership originally began as a result of the 1996-97 flood events, which resulted in catastrophic road failures and mass wasting. After the flood, the Nez Perce Tribe approached the Clearwater National Forest to work cooperatively to begin restoration of the Lochsa Watershed. Fish Passage Projects Road Improvement Projects Before Lessons Learned: After • Removal or relocation is the best option; • 4% outslope is desired; • Drivable dips are difficult to construct, make them longer; • Include substantial gravel placement in the contract; • Leave as much vegetation in the ditches as possible; and, • Drain ditch relief culverts to as large of a riparian buffer area as is feasible. Before After Lessons Learned: • Removal is always best; • Bridge then Open Bottom is desired; • New stream channels settle 0.5-1 ft in the first couple of years post-construction; • Bigger is better, especially in light of climate change; • Sediment BMP’s are critical; and, • Dewatering and fish salvage are essential and linked. LiDAR Data Lessons Learned: • LiDAR works extremely well in rugged terrain; • Newly identified road layer feeds directly into pocket PC’s; • Superior accuracy; and, • Can be utilized for other surveys (e.g. GRAIP) Road Decommissioning Projects Before After Road System as show by Bing Maps Aerial Imagery and USFS Road Layer Road System (areas of white) identified by LiDAR derived slope analysis Project Objectives Lessons Learned: • Natural duff and clump plants are key in revegetation; • Decompaction of the entire road prism is critical; • Full recontour is most effective in restoring • natural processes; and, • Tree planting should not be completed until • about 3 years post-implementation. • Protect Treaty Rights within the Lochsa Watershed; • Restore healthy, functional ecosystems; • Provide technical input to inform Nez Perce Tribe Leadership’s decisions; • Design and implement projects to address the primary limiting factors (sediment, temperature and passage) for summer steelhead; • Design and implement projects to improve ecosystem function for the benefit of all aquatic organisms; • Protect and restore riparian areas; • Implement and inspect construction projects throughout the field season; • Inventory and treat invasive species; and, • Monitor project implementation and effectiveness. Tree Planting on roads Acknowledgements: This truly was a cooperative effort between the NPT, USDA-FS and the many contractors who have completed the construction projects. A big thanks to all who have participated over the years. A special thanks to the funding agency, Bonneville Power Administration.