Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Habitat Conditions Low flows and associated high temperatures affect distribution and abundance of native species. Channelization of lower watershed has disconnected floodplain and side channels Water Quality is degraded. Loss of riparian habitat and land development have affected channel function. Several culverts in watershed present passage barriers. Paraphrased from the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board’s Biological Strategy (22 May 2003).

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Water Quantity Buy or lease water rights Implement efficient use and water conservation Reconnect river channels Develop and enforce minimum in-stream flows Implement water storage and groundwater recharge. Put or keep water in the streams: –water banking, conservation and reuse –lease or purchase senior water rights; –trust water donation; Restore perennial vegetation Educate the public Improve watershed function by: –increasing upland water infiltration, –road decommissioning, –reducing soil compaction, –seeding activities, –increasing native vegetation cover, –CRP participation. Investigate feasibility of water storage Implement shallow aquifer recharge programs. Encourage beaver re-population. Protect/restore springs, seeps, and wetlands Minimize surface water withdrawals through: –implementation of irrigation efficiencies, –quantify legal withdrawals, –identify and eliminate illegal withdrawals, –lease of water rights, and –purchase of water rights. Convert low-volume water users to shallow well supplies. Improve stormwater management Pursue use of constructed wetlands

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Water Quality Enhance stream form and function Fence livestock out of riparian areas Manage stormwater and road runoff TMDL process (Water Clean Up Plan) Improve riparian buffers Decrease the streams width-to-depth ratio Follow existing regulations Decommission, modify or relocate roads, low-priority dikes, bridges, and culverts Restore perennial upland vegetation Minimize surface water withdrawals through: –implementation of irrigation efficiencies, –quantify legal withdrawals, –identify and eliminate illegal withdrawals, –Lease/purchase of water rights Improve upland water infiltration through: – road decommissioning, –reduced soil compaction, –direct seeding activities, –increasing native vegetation cover Conduct shade restoration activities Enhance wetlands and wet meadows Enhance spring inputs to streams Assess and remedy significant sources of high-temperature inputs to surface waters

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Channel Movement: Increase stream sinuosity and decrease entrenchment (meander reconstruction) Add LWD in the form of rootwads, log jams, and similar structures that mimic natural formations Decommission, modify, or relocate roads, low-priority dikes, bridges and culverts Protect Channel Movement: Follow existing land use and instream work regulations that limit riparian area, floodplain and wetland development Educate the public on the importance of stream channel movement Allow stream channels to develop and flood naturally Manage stormwater runoff from existing and new development and road construction using detention, treatment and infiltration measures

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Riparian Habitat: Improve riparian habitat using native riparian vegetation Reduce road density Install livestock exclusion fencing and upland watering stations Protect Riparian Habitat: Condition development to be consistent with state or local regulations or permits Prohibit sand and gravel removal in inappropriate areas Avoid or mitigate impacts of upland development where it could impact channel conditions Establish and protect riparian buffers using regulatory and incentive mechanisms Acquire priority riparian areas through: –purchase; –conservation easements; and/or; –transfer/purchase of timber, farm, grazing or land development rights Provide incentives and compensation to landowners to retain buffers. Continue public information and outreach efforts to educate and inform citizens

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Large Woody Debris Add key pieces of wood to: –stabilize banks, –provide hiding cover and, –reestablish natural channel Improve riparian habitats by planting native vegetation Create side-channel habitats, islands, and reconnect back channels Limit removal of LWD from the stream. Increase woody vegetation in buffers. Improve natural stream form and function. Encourage beaver re-population. Protect Large Woody Debris Maintain current levels of LWD in streams. Maintain recruitment of LWD by protecting riparian areas. Educate the public on the importance of LWD. Identify inadequate land use regulations and strengthen or pass new regulations to protect riparian areas.

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Add Rock Structures Install boulders and vortex rock weirs to increase pool formation and habitat diversity. Add rock weirs or boulders to increase channel roughness. Install habitat boulders. Install riffles or rock vortex structures to increase water velocities and gravel recruitment.

Salmon Recovery in Mission, Brender, and Yaksum Creeks Enhance Fish Passage Remove, replace, or modify diversion dams Remove or replace culverts Use cost-sharing programs to help landowners screen diversions. Apply BMPs to forest practices Create spawning/rearing/overwintering channels or habitats Remove one or more dams Upgrade stream crossings Remove natural barriers to fish migration Protect Fish Passage Prevent new passage problems Design and construct road culverts consistent with standards and guidelines. Use permits or other approval mechanisms to impose design and construction restrictions on activities that may impede fish passage and access.