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• 1. [Article] Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds

  Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds Author: Pickard, Brian R. Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed buffers on streams for federal and private lands based on stream type or size. These buffers can create a series of disjointed riparian protections, as federal lands require buffers that are much larger than private lands. In addition, the fixed buffer approach is neither flexible nor tailored to aquatic ecosystem values. This thesis presents a framework for comprehensively assessing stream networks using site specific watershed features and then suggests riparian conservation strategies that key stream and riparian protection to aquatic ecosystem values. Seven study watersheds were used in this analysis, totaling over 2.5 million acres of forested lands in western Oregon. Employing a set of geospatial tools, called NetMap, streams in each watershed were classified into higher and lower priorities using criteria of intrinsic potential, erosion/debris flow susceptibility, and thermal loading potential. Results demonstrated the inherent variability within and among watersheds based on the geomorphic and ecological processes determined important for selected salmon species. Within each watershed, both federal and non-federal lands had many miles of higher priority fish-bearing and non-fish bearing streams, suggesting the need for comprehensive, holistic watershed conservation strategies. Based on the partitioning of streams into higher and lower priorities, an alternative riparian conservation strategy was then modeled for federal lands that allocate protection on the basis of the ecological context of a stream segment’s potential and particular location while still meeting federal aquatic conservation goals and objectives. Possible increases to the land base for long-term timber production were then identified if this strategy were applied to federal Matrix lands. Results demonstrated that 8-30 percent of the current riparian buffers could be reallocated to the land base for long-term timber production. An additional 26-45 percent of current buffers could be managed simultaneously for both timber production and aquatic ecosystem goals. Results also provided a framework for targeting of conservation and restoration efforts towards higher priority streams within each watershed. As many of the most ecologically important streams were located on non-federal lands, riparian conservation policies focused on streams classified as higher priority on those lands may be needed to protect aquatic species and their environments. Title: Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds Author: Pickard, Brian R. Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed buffers on streams for federal and private lands based on stream type or size. These buffers can create a series of disjointed riparian protections, as federal lands require buffers that are much larger than private lands. In addition, the fixed buffer approach is neither flexible nor tailored to aquatic ecosystem values. This thesis presents a framework for comprehensively assessing stream networks using site specific watershed features and then suggests riparian conservation strategies that key stream and riparian protection to aquatic ecosystem values. Seven study watersheds were used in this analysis, totaling over 2.5 million acres of forested lands in western Oregon. Employing a set of geospatial tools, called NetMap, streams in each watershed were classified into higher and lower priorities using criteria of intrinsic potential, erosion/debris flow susceptibility, and thermal loading potential. Results demonstrated the inherent variability within and among watersheds based on the geomorphic and ecological processes determined important for selected salmon species. Within each watershed, both federal and non-federal lands had many miles of higher priority fish-bearing and non-fish bearing streams, suggesting the need for comprehensive, holistic watershed conservation strategies. Based on the partitioning of streams into higher and lower priorities, an alternative riparian conservation strategy was then modeled for federal lands that allocate protection on the basis of the ecological context of a stream segment’s potential and particular location while still meeting federal aquatic conservation goals and objectives. Possible increases to the land base for long-term timber production were then identified if this strategy were applied to federal Matrix lands. Results demonstrated that 8-30 percent of the current riparian buffers could be reallocated to the land base for long-term timber production. An additional 26-45 percent of current buffers could be managed simultaneously for both timber production and aquatic ecosystem goals. Results also provided a framework for targeting of conservation and restoration efforts towards higher priority streams within each watershed. As many of the most ecologically important streams were located on non-federal lands, riparian conservation policies focused on streams classified as higher priority on those lands may be needed to protect aquatic species and their environments. Close

• 2. [Article] Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003

  Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Close

• 3. [Article] Cumulative effects of land use on salmon habitat in southwest Oregon coastal streams

  As part of a hierarchical approach to classifying watersheds and stream habitats based on geomorphic and geologic criteria, we defined ten classes of fluvial and lacustrine habitats at the scale of valley ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Cumulative effects of land use on salmon habitat in southwest Oregon coastal streams Author: Frissell, Christopher Andrew, 1960- As part of a hierarchical approach to classifying watersheds and stream habitats based on geomorphic and geologic criteria, we defined ten classes of fluvial and lacustrine habitats at the scale of valley segments. Valley segments are landscape units which encompass surface waters and the adjacent floodplains and hillslopes with which they interact over time frames of thousands of years. They form a large-scale template that constrains the character of aquatic habitat, controls the effects of disturbances in riparian areas, and mediates responses of streams to upland and upstream events. The regional distribution of valley segment types in southwest Oregon reflects bedrock geology and tectonic history of the landscape. Fluvial segment types differ in stream adjacent landforms, slope erosion processes, floodplain and valley morphology, channel slope, riparian vegetation, streambank texture, gravel bar morphology, and pool-forming features. Studies that do not carefully account for inherent differences between valley segment types could fail to detect critical changes in stream habitat caused by human disturbance. Alluvial valley and alluviated canyon segment types, which have extensive floodplains, low channel slopes, abundant woody debris, and ample gravel beds, are of greatest direct importance for salmon and other native fishes. Virtually all alluvial valleys in the study area have been heavily disturbed by logging, agriculture, and residential development. Alluviated canyon segments located in the few drainage basins where human activity has been limited probably serve as habitat refugia for the last diverse assemblages and productive populations of salmon in the region. Alluviated canyons in extensively-fogged basins exhibit increased abundance of large woody debris, fewer cross-channel debris jams, more extensive bank erosion, reduced pool area and increased riffle area, shallower riffles, and increased surface concentration of fine sediments in pools and other habitats, compared to similar segments in lesser-disturbed basins. These changes in channel morphology and stability appear to be driven by increased sediment load, caused by logging-related landslides and other erosion sources. Field studies in Sixes River basin indicated that abundance and diversity of salmonid fishes declines as maximum stream temperature increases. Changes in summer distribution of juvenile chinook and coho salmon since 1970 are related to changes In water temperature. Although some tributaries have cooled, a decline in rearing distribution in mainstem areas could be caused by long-term loss of channel complexity and associated coolwater refugia. Analysis of fish habitat structures constructed by federal and state agencies indicated that failure rates are high. Recovery of anadromous fish runs in southwest Oregon will require protection of remaining habitat refugia and reduction of sediment yield from disturbed watersheds. Title: Cumulative effects of land use on salmon habitat in southwest Oregon coastal streams Author: Frissell, Christopher Andrew, 1960- As part of a hierarchical approach to classifying watersheds and stream habitats based on geomorphic and geologic criteria, we defined ten classes of fluvial and lacustrine habitats at the scale of valley segments. Valley segments are landscape units which encompass surface waters and the adjacent floodplains and hillslopes with which they interact over time frames of thousands of years. They form a large-scale template that constrains the character of aquatic habitat, controls the effects of disturbances in riparian areas, and mediates responses of streams to upland and upstream events. The regional distribution of valley segment types in southwest Oregon reflects bedrock geology and tectonic history of the landscape. Fluvial segment types differ in stream adjacent landforms, slope erosion processes, floodplain and valley morphology, channel slope, riparian vegetation, streambank texture, gravel bar morphology, and pool-forming features. Studies that do not carefully account for inherent differences between valley segment types could fail to detect critical changes in stream habitat caused by human disturbance. Alluvial valley and alluviated canyon segment types, which have extensive floodplains, low channel slopes, abundant woody debris, and ample gravel beds, are of greatest direct importance for salmon and other native fishes. Virtually all alluvial valleys in the study area have been heavily disturbed by logging, agriculture, and residential development. Alluviated canyon segments located in the few drainage basins where human activity has been limited probably serve as habitat refugia for the last diverse assemblages and productive populations of salmon in the region. Alluviated canyons in extensively-fogged basins exhibit increased abundance of large woody debris, fewer cross-channel debris jams, more extensive bank erosion, reduced pool area and increased riffle area, shallower riffles, and increased surface concentration of fine sediments in pools and other habitats, compared to similar segments in lesser-disturbed basins. These changes in channel morphology and stability appear to be driven by increased sediment load, caused by logging-related landslides and other erosion sources. Field studies in Sixes River basin indicated that abundance and diversity of salmonid fishes declines as maximum stream temperature increases. Changes in summer distribution of juvenile chinook and coho salmon since 1970 are related to changes In water temperature. Although some tributaries have cooled, a decline in rearing distribution in mainstem areas could be caused by long-term loss of channel complexity and associated coolwater refugia. Analysis of fish habitat structures constructed by federal and state agencies indicated that failure rates are high. Recovery of anadromous fish runs in southwest Oregon will require protection of remaining habitat refugia and reduction of sediment yield from disturbed watersheds. Close

• 4. [Article] Ecological and evolutionary patterns of freshwater maturation in Pacific and Atlantic salmonines

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecological and evolutionary patterns of freshwater maturation in Pacific and Atlantic salmonines Author: Ohms, Haley A., Sloat, Matthew R., et al., Dunham, Jason B., Fraser, Dylan J. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/11160. Title: Ecological and evolutionary patterns of freshwater maturation in Pacific and Atlantic salmonines Author: Ohms, Haley A., Sloat, Matthew R., et al., Dunham, Jason B., Fraser, Dylan J. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/11160. Close

• 5. [Article] Biological Opinion: West Fork Dairy Creek (Soupy Mud) Erosion Repair, Nehalem Highway, Washington County, Oregon

  On September 22, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) for Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 formal consultation for the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biological Opinion: West Fork Dairy Creek (Soupy Mud) Erosion Repair, Nehalem Highway, Washington County, Oregon On September 22, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) for Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 formal consultation for the West Fork Dairy Creek (Soupy Mud) erosion repair project (Corps No. 2000- 862). The project will repair the erosion along the Nehalem Highway (Highway 47) at milepoint 74.8, located about 1.5 miles north of the Sunset Highway in Washington County, Oregon. The West Fork Dairy Creek is a tributary of the Tualatin River. The dominant land use upstream of the project area is forestry. The watershed has been logged intensively in the past 10 years. This biological opinion (Opinion) is based on the information presented in the biological assessment (BA) and the result of the consultation process. The consultation process has involved a site visit, and correspondence and communications to obtain additional information and clarify the BA. Title: Biological Opinion: West Fork Dairy Creek (Soupy Mud) Erosion Repair, Nehalem Highway, Washington County, Oregon On September 22, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) for Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 formal consultation for the West Fork Dairy Creek (Soupy Mud) erosion repair project (Corps No. 2000- 862). The project will repair the erosion along the Nehalem Highway (Highway 47) at milepoint 74.8, located about 1.5 miles north of the Sunset Highway in Washington County, Oregon. The West Fork Dairy Creek is a tributary of the Tualatin River. The dominant land use upstream of the project area is forestry. The watershed has been logged intensively in the past 10 years. This biological opinion (Opinion) is based on the information presented in the biological assessment (BA) and the result of the consultation process. The consultation process has involved a site visit, and correspondence and communications to obtain additional information and clarify the BA. Close

• 6. [Article] Environmental indicators for the Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds

  The INR worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to propose an integrated study design for ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Environmental indicators for the Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds Author: Dent, Liz, Salwasser, Hal, Achterman, Gail The INR worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to propose an integrated study design for collecting data on Native Fish, Indexes of Biotic Integrity and Water Quality, and Riparian Area Condition and Function. Estimated costs are provided at various scales. The reporting time frame will depend on the indicator and the sample design. A reporting time frame of 5–10 years would allow ecosystems to respond perceptibly to both natural disturbances and management activities and policies. Shorter reporting periods are likely to reveal very little change and yet increase costs. Title: Environmental indicators for the Oregon plan for salmon and watersheds Author: Dent, Liz, Salwasser, Hal, Achterman, Gail The INR worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to propose an integrated study design for collecting data on Native Fish, Indexes of Biotic Integrity and Water Quality, and Riparian Area Condition and Function. Estimated costs are provided at various scales. The reporting time frame will depend on the indicator and the sample design. A reporting time frame of 5–10 years would allow ecosystems to respond perceptibly to both natural disturbances and management activities and policies. Shorter reporting periods are likely to reveal very little change and yet increase costs. Close