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Location: Thompson, Bonaparte River Watershed Project Summary
SUMMARY Under the project nine key Bonaparte River watershed coho habitat restoration sites will be selected from a list of critically eroding habitat locations, and added to a growing list of over 100 successful sites restored using similar bioengineering methods. With these activities the BWSS continues to restore key habitat and to gain momentum towards improving awareness of salmon, salmon habitat and water values. DESCRIPTION The project will undertake 9 key coho habitat restoration sites in the Bonaparte River watershed selected from a list of critically eroding habitat locations. Field monitoring results will be provided for each site completed and will be presented at a watershed scale during final project reporting. The key objectives include improving fish and fish habitat, continuing to build partnerships, and improving awareness of fish and fish values. In the process of undertaking the 2011 restoration projects more new participants will learn about riparian values and how they support salmon populations and watershed health. In that regard the restoration activity not only rehabilitates fish habitat but also meets an education and awareness objective. This will be accomplished both by raising human understanding of the value of fish and fish habitat combined with achieving sufficient habitat functionality to support healthy salmonid populations. The (FSWP sponsored) WFSP watershed plan completed in 2007 continues to provide a context and benchmark of annual guidance in activity prioritization, site selection and new partnership building. The issue being addressed by the proposed activity is to improve key spawning and rearing salmonid habitat and continue to build the momentum gained over the past 10 years of BWSS activity encouraging landowners to come forward and request assistance, accepting that fish and fish habitat values are part of a healthy watershed OBJECTIVES
METHODS A routine for undertaking construction has been developed over the past 10+ years. The construction process is very routine and simple. Standard bioengineering practices are followed for constructing the sites. FSWP staff have toured representative restoration sites to better understand the practices. Most eroding sites are restructured using wood rock spurs structures with the LWD being secured to drilled ballast rock using epoxy and cable. Plantings of cuttings are used to reestablish riparian vegetation. Fencing is undertaken where livestock or vehicular access is likely. BENEFITS The significance of undertaking these 8 restoration sites is that they build local momentum and support for improved riparian management practices and provide the opportunity to educate through demonstrate projects. Within the BWSS watershed sustainability plan salmon and salmon habitat have been identified as key indicators of watershed health and the completion of over 100 demonstration sites to date within the watershed has helped local participants move forward to develop a watershed perspective. Partnerships and local participation is developing, gaining momentum toward watershed scale linkages in perception and action. Local capacity building results from being involved in these projects. The practices demonstrated in the project sites soon show up as local common practice. In leading by example and involving local contractors and landowners and contractors become practitioners.
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