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Oct. 3, 2014
NEWPORT, Ore. -- In October, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, and the Mid Coast Watersheds Council will place nearly 600 large plantation trees via helicopter in 9 miles of stream and in 46 acres of tidal channels and marshes in order to provide better habitat for salmon, trout, marine/forage fish and wildlife species, said Stacy Polkowske, ODFW habitat restoration biologist.
In addition, 3,000 willows stakes and 400 native trees and shrubs will be planted along the streams and in wetlands later this winter. As these trees and shrubs mature they will provide shade and, eventually, additional woody material in the stream channel.
According to Polkowske, past land use practices have altered the natural processes that would have contributed wood material to the streams and estuaries. As a result, there is little woody material and the other in-stream complexities that would provide fish and wildlife with essential habitat for rearing, spawning and feeding.
This comprehensive, multi-location large wood placement project includes Wright Creek, Poole Slough, Mill Cr sub-basins (Lower Yaquina), and North Fork Beaver and Peterson sub-basins in the Beaver Creek Watershed. Planting and invasive species control of riparian vegetation is also planned in the Wright Creek sub-basin.
“By taking a multi-watershed approach and working with many partners, we can accomplish an on-the-ground habitat restoration project that is ecologically significant and financially efficient,” Polkowske said.
The project is a cooperative effort funded and supported by: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, U.S. Forest Service, The Wetland Conservancy, Oregon Department of Transportation, Eric Weiss, Joe Hitselberger, Fred van Eck Forest Trust (managed by Pacific Forest Trust and Trout Mountain Forestry), Plum Creek Timberlands, Oregon Department of State Lands, City of Toledo, Mid Coast Watersheds Council, multiple local contractors, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This cooperation is a hallmark of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, Coastal Coho Conservation Plan, and the Oregon Conservation Strategy, which bring together a wide range of public and private partners to promote the recovery of vulnerable fish and wildlife populations.
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Contact:
Stacy Polkowske 541-265-8306 ext. 264
Jason Kirchner 541-867-0300 ext. 281
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
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