NWIFC Habitat StrategyWater is sacred. Water is habitat. Water is life

Michael MartinezHabitat Policy AnalystNorthwest Indian Fisheries Commission6730 Martin Way EOlympia, WA 98516

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TRIBAL HABITAT STRATEGY

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Dave Herrera, EPC Chair, NWIFC

Key Target: OCEAN CONDITIONS

Key Target: OCEAN CONDITIONS

OBJECTIVE

�Maintain ocean conditions necessary to support treaty-reserved resources.

Treaty Rights� The Congress shall have the power to regulate

commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with the Indian tribes. Art. I, Sec. 8, Cl 3.

� The President is empowered to make treaties, with the consent of the Senate. Art. II, Sec. 2, Cl. 2.

� Supremacy clause includes the Constitution, laws of the US, and treaties as the supreme law of the land. Art VI.

� 1850’s Stevens/Palmer Treaties Binding on States; US v WA.

Key Target: NEARSHORE

Key Target: NEARSHORE

OBJECTIVE

�Ecological connectivity and geomorphic function throughout all zones of the nearshore, from the top of upland bank or bluff on the landward side to the maximum depth of water that light can penetrate.

Key Target: NEARSHORE INDICATORS� Nearshore Impairments (e.g. armoring, over-water

structures, roads, etc.)� Impervious Surface (in nearshore)� Tidal hydrology barriers (tide gates, railways, dikes in

estuaries)� Conversion of salt marsh� Condition of submerged aquatic vegetation� Shoreline erosion rate changes due to sea level rise and

storm surge� Forage fish spawning surveys

Key Target: WATER QUALITY / QUANTITY

Key Target: WATER QUALITY / QUANTITY

OBJECTIVES� All waters in case area are meeting water quality

standards and contributing to productive fish runs and shellfish harvests.

� Sufficient minimum in-stream flows exist to support abundant salmon production at all lifestages.

Key Target: WATER QUALITY / QUANTITY

INDICATORS� State Water Quality standards compliance.� Instream flow measurements meeting tribally-

approved minimum instream-flow standards.

Key Target: WATER QUALITY / QUANTITYRECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE ACTIONS � Improve Stormwater Management � Control Nonpoint Source Pollution� Enhance oversight of NPDES permits� Accelerate riparian and flood plain

protection/implementation/land acquisition efforts � Improve Tribal oversight of landuse permitting and

planning with stronger consideration of water quality impacts

� Evaluate current flow rates, especially during critical periods - coordinate case area wide data collection

� Pursue implementation of minimum flow standards through individual tribes preferred legal pathways

Key Target: RIPARIAN

Key Target: RIPARIAN

Long-term GoalProtect and restore riparian areas in western Washington to conditions that help sustain and support historical salmon and shellfish populations and productivity.

Key Target: RIPARIAN

Key Target: RIPARIAN

OBJECTIVESEstablish buffers along all portions of stream

networks, regardless of land-use. (Quantity)

Restore riparian forests to match the historical range of conditions. (Quality)

Key Target: RIPARIANINDICATORS� Percent of stream network with protected

buffers.� Percent riparian area with desired conditions

(forest/plant community): 1. Is dominated by trees (short term goal)2. Resembles historic riparian conditions

(long term goal)

Key Target: RIPARIAN

TASKS(A)Define desired riparian area condition(s)

-- Quantity and Quality --

Identify historic conditions – species and structure

Key Target: RIPARIAN

TASKS(B) Improve regulatory framework in non-forested

portions of the watersheds3. Quantify whether current volunteer efforts work to

establish desired riparian conditions:� Correlate land-use (e.g. ag, forestry, agriculture,

UGA, etc.) and riparian condition patterns

Key Target: RIPARIAN

TASKS(C)Support tribal riparian land and conservation

easement acquisition efforts

Key Target: RIPARIAN

TASKS(D)Improve riparian area conditions in urban areas

� Work with local governments to make riparian restoration a priority in zoning and land-use laws

(E) Maintain current TFW participation

Key Target: FLOODPLAINS

Key Target: FLOODPLAINS

OBJECTIVE: Hydrological and geomorphic connectivity in the floodplains of every major river system to support ecological function and processes.

Key Target: FLOODPLAINSINDICATORS� Impervious Surface (in floodplains and river deltas)� Forestland cover (in floodplains and river deltas)� Road Density/Crossings (in in floodplains and river

deltas)� Shoreline Modification/Freshwater

Key Target: FLOODPLAINSRECOMMENDED ACTIONS to ACHIEVE TARGET� Protection and restoration of floodplains through

land acquisition� Promoting the resilience of floodplain systems to

climate change impacts� Work with agencies to strengthen regulatory

protection of floodplains

Data Management, Analysis and Sharing

SSHIAP

Freshwater Habitat

Water Resources

Marine Habitat

Document Management * CMER-IMS *SSHIAP-IMS

State of Our Watershed

Report

Fish Management

TWQD/WQX Exchange Network

Tribal, State, Fed

Data

Web-based Map Services

Data Exchanges

Population Growth Land Management Resource Allocation

Tool Development

JMX Data

Exchange

INFORMATION SHARING

NWIFC/WDFW SSHIAP

Partnership

AquaScape

Data Exchanges

NSX Data

Exchange

Water Quality

Habitat

Wildlife Habitat

Habitat Barriers – Culverts

Habitat Barriers - Bridges

Toxic Road Runoff

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFER (Ac.)

CODE 391

DEFINITION An area predominantly trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-

gradient from watercourses or water bodies.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFER (Ac.)

CODE 391

PURPOSE • Create shade to lower or maintain water temperatures to improve habitat for aquatic organisms. • Create or improve riparian habitat and provide a source of detritus and large woody debris. • Reduce excess amounts of sediment, organic material, nutrients and pesticides in surface runoff and reduce excess nutrients and other chemicals in shallow ground water flow. • Reduce pesticide drift entering the water body. • Restore riparian plant communities. • Increase carbon storage in plant biomass and soils.

Thank You - Questions