watershed land conservation subcommittee proposal...jan 04, 2012 · watershed lands conservation...

Watershed Lands Conservation Subcommittee Proposal –January 4, 2012

YakimaBasinStudy

WatershedLandConservationProposedIntegrate

SubcommitteedWaterResourceManag

ProposalementPlan

January4,2012

TheproposedIntegratedWaterResourceManagementPlandevelopedundertheYakimaRiverBasinWaterEnhancementProject(YRBWEP)representsacomprehensiveapproachtowatermanagrestoreeco

ementandhabitatenhancemYakimaR

entintheYa

sustainablelogicalwater

functionsresources

inforthe

the healthiversystem

kandimaRiver

toprovbasin.Itisintendedto

agriculture,municipalanddomesticwaterusers.of

Tthehe I

riverntegra

inetedePnvi

ideronment,

moreraeliables well

andas

projectstomeettheseneedswhileanticipatingchangingwateruselsaannodfefefrfseactpsoafckclaigmeaotef

changeonwaterresourcesinthebasin.

Sectionactions

3.1.for

5thofetYheakIintmegraa Ri

tedver B

PlanidentifiesseveralHabitatProtectionandEn

actions,Enhancements.

this sec tion of the P

alansin. I

includesn addit

Targetedion to flo

odWatershedplain and

habitatProtections

restorhancement

ation

dvise tA Watershed

Protecta

ionhe YandRBEWnhaEPncementWorkgrou

elementpLandson o

Conserv

opftions f

ation Subcommittee

theIntegor iratmedplePmlan.entiTnhigsth

options. sdocumente T

wasargeted

established an

tod

A withotherlays Watershoutthose

ed

LocallanduseplansorlandOthers would require p

aoctionslit al

i onrt

gh

manaic

ementdaedIntegminis

rtatraedtivPe plan,ros

esignations.coemsseesac ttionso modify

arefundFeder

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State and

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watershedsures, reduce

protectsedimen

watertati

benefitson,quality, contribute to instreamflows

are widely recognized by waterand

usersmaint

aanind lanaquaticd manager

habitast

climateacompand

lecoolerwater

changeplacescross the

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Ases

thealthandwatersupply.he Yakima River Basi

newn’s u

stresspper

eswaotnerwatersheds w

resourcesill becom

ande e

aquatven m

icorheabitats vital t

inotehecosfyuture,stem

Becauseat

increasing

areInteg

intreednded

Plan,tomcomplementanytheof populationsthew

patroershed

of severactions

al salmonidproposed

speciesare focused

is a porimary

ponfishh

gabitatoal of

sed fish passage projects and river and floodplainatndhe

habitat improvement

Basinprotectio

bothnaondenhanc

setmenthat are

supportsalso included in the Integrated Plan. Tribu

fwhich are listed as Threastteelheadened under

andbtheull

Etroutndang

poepreudla Stipoencsieisntary

Athce h

t.Y Iaa

tkb

aiimtaat

supportssummer Chinook,

spring andcoho,fall Chinook

and sockeye and n

lso

improved water quality and streamsalmon.aturally

Fishreprod

habitatucing p

gopuenerall

lationsy will

of rbenefiteintroduced

hydrographs within and downstream offromthe

headwaters andhigh elevation streamsprotectedby this proposal. Bull trout,with their


dwindling numbers, requirements for especially cold water and populations isolated bybdesigotht

neatmionpersaatureredaesignddned,ams

inwparereta,tospperotectcialfo

hcueadwatsofth

erispsrtreamoposa

sl.anLadnthedan

ecologicaldriverseg

hmealthent

ofspawningandrearing

fbenefits,oraging,

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habitverw

ats.inteLrandingh

acquisita

ions

lands targeted for protectionbitats at l

underoawlsoer eaidintheprotectionofsalmonid

uniqueriparianareasandspottedowlhabitat. thelevIntatioegnrsa.ted In ad

Pladitniwonilltoprotectthese

Theeconomy

watethroughrshed protec

protectingandetions and enhancem

Washingto ndxpandinga

entswidev

proposal

nStateresidentsa visitors,includingmarietyofr

willecralsoeational

suppoopportunitiesforrt the regional

continuetoFurther,itis

supporttheregiodesirablethatso

nalecmeof

otorized

onomy.theselandsbemaintained

aansdworkingnon‐motorized

landssoactivities.theywill

TheInt

WashingtoShrub‐s

etgrepapteedPl isa

annal inc

sroecaalsilnsgfolyrpthroreattecenedtiono

afndshr

fraubgmented‐steppel

andswithintheYakimaBasin.habitat type found inCentral

Integferrug

ratinedouns h thata

supports

Planwwillk th

complementat requ

severalire la

orgdeclining species s

ngoinge block

as of intact l

uchand.

as Tthhee egreaterfforts su

sapgeporgtrouseed by

andthe

landowners

This report

toprotectt

summarizes

hisvitalla

the

n

options

dscapetype.

ct

fo

ions

r Targete

byarange

d Watershed

ofpublicagencies

Protections

andprivate

andEnhancementsidentifiedbytheWatershedLandsConservationSubcommittee.

ConservationProposedactionsinclude

Actions::

Landrmanagement;ecrea

tacquisitionsionalan

andd tr

ain

dfroitcioonjunctio

mnal rwillieso

ngunrcesellersuses; t

oto protect and enhance ecological,

additiontofee‐simplepurchase,thetweithrm

oth“acq

erprovidestruct

uisInittegraion”c

taedninPclaurne forco

improved land

that offer a high degree of certainty over the long‐term, sludeuch

ompother

nents.techniques

In

easements.as conservation

idenfor l

tifiedand a

acndConservation

quitsaritigeton aedcthree

groupsworkinginparallelwiththeYRBWEPWorkgroup

functions.

o

tions t

kheayta wreasoul

ind htheelpY iakimamprov

aen wdNacheatersh

sedRiver and

watershecosystem

eds

o

45,000Enhancement

acres as a Conservation Target for High Elevation Watershed

o

10,000asaConservationTargetforForestHabitatEnhancement.

15,000 acres as a Conservation Target for Shrub‐Steppe HabitatEnhancement


NewfunctionDesignatio

designationsandhabitatprnscouldincludeNatio

onexistingotection

whileretainingaccessforrecrForest

nalRecreationArea(NRA),Wild

Servicelandseatio

ernnaluses.

somecombinationofthese.WhiessAreaor

wouldberequiredfor

NewWildandScenicRiversActtoprprivat

designations

elan

ofselect

NRAorWildernessAreaactions.

river

lethesecanberecommended,an

corridors

ActofCongress

omoteconservationincooperatiwithintheYakimaBasinunderthe

downersandCountygovernments.WhileWildandScenonwithpublican

desigicRiver

d

implementnation

astion.canberec

ommended,anActofCongresswouldberequiredfor

TheSubco

tablemmittee.

beginning on the following page summarizes the actions proposed by the

toimprovewatershed

Watershed Lands Conservation Subcommittee Proposal – January 4, 2012

Summary

WatershedLandConservationSubcommitteeProposal

AREAPROPOSEDLANDACQUISITIONS1FROMWILLINGSELLERS

PROPOSEDLANDDESIGNATIONS(ONEXISTINGPUBLICLANDS)

PROPOSEDRIVERCORRIDORDESIGNATIONS

UpperYakimaBasinForestLands

PreferredOptions

American Forest Lands Co. (AFLC) Teanaway Tract. Offer to purchase lands for a Community Forest Trust or State ownership.

Taneum and Manastash Creek headwaters (with Little Naches lands, below). Offer to purchase lands inside National Forest boundary for Forest Service ownership.

Alternatives

Plum Creek Co. lands in Big, Taneum, & Cabin Creek, and/or Cle Elum River basins.

AFLC lands, Swauk and First Creek areas Additional private forest land holdings in Kittitas Co.

Exploreconservationeasementsand/oroffertopurchaseforpublicownership.

Create Upper Yakima National Recreation Area (NRA). Approximately 20 percent proposed as wilderness.

Create Manastash‐Taneum National Recreation Area on Forest Service Lands. No wilderness designation.

Wild and Scenic (W&S) River designations for Upper Cle Elum, Waptus and Cooper Rivers.

If AFLC Teanaway land tract is acquired, W&S River designation for portions of North, Middle and West Forks of Teanaway River.

Foradditionalinformation,seeSubcommitteereporttextandassociatedmaps.AswithotheractionsintheIntegratedPlan,actionslistedwillbedependentonfunding.1Insomecircumstances,conservationeasementsmaybeusedinplaceoffee‐simpleacquisition.


Summary(continued)

WatershedLandConservationSubcommitteeProposal

AREA PROPOSEDLANDACQUISITIONSFROMWILLINGSELLERS1

PROPOSEDLANDDESIGNATIONS(ONEXISTINGPUBLICLANDS)

PROPOSEDRIVERCORRIDORDESIGNATIONS

MiddleYakimaandNachesBasinForestLands

PreferredOption

Little Naches River basin lands (with Taneum and Manastash lands, above). Offer to purchase lands inside National Forest boundary for Forest Service ownership.

Alternatives

Various lands in Tieton, Cowiche, and/or Ahtanum Creek/Klickitat River basins. Explore conservation easements and/or offer to purchase for public ownership.

Wilderness designation of lands in vicinity of Bumping Lake.

W&S River designation of South Fork Tieton River, Indian Creek, and Rattlesnake Creek.

W&S River designation of Deep Creek (tributary to Bumping Lake).

W&S River designation of American River and Rainier Fork.

Shrub‐SteppeLands PreferredOption

Eaton Ranch, adjacent to proposed Wymer Reservoir site. Explore conservation easements; or offer to purchase for State or Federal ownership.

Alternatives

Rattlesnake Mountain site in Benton County

Cowiche Creek Basin lands in Yakima County.

For both properties, explore conservation easements and/or offer to purchase for public ownership.

Notapplicable. Notapplicable.

Foradditionalinformation,seeSubcommitteereporttextandassociatedmaps.AswithotheractionsintheIntegratedPlan,actionslistedwillbedependentonfunding.1Insomecircumstances,conservationeasementsmaybeusedinplaceoffee‐simpleacquisition.


ProgramTheguide

Subcommitteethe

Principleestablished

s:a set of prin

actions underprogram.

this p Therogram

principleswill improve

expressciplesthe e

for eachofsth

ecosysofese

watershedxpectation

andtheactionssubcommittee

tobe used to

supportinglocaleconomicconditionsandtraditionalusesbythelocalcommunities.tem functions w

thhiat

le

Theenhancem

agencentsies involved in carrying out the targeted watershed protections and

aexisndtindegvoerloproposedping

m lustand

actively

consult stw

futuremana

adjacentgement

landraithtelocal landowners in

usgieses.a Tnd/orhese

la andctmionanas mcarrying out the program

alandscapelevelapproach.Addigeumentst be

desintegratedignations

withwith

Principle

Acquirelandsoreasem

Maintainec

sforForest

onomicuseswherelan

LandAcquisitions:

tionalprinciplesarelis

tedasfollows:

entsonlyfromwillingsellersatfairmarketvalue.

wherethisisconsistentwithprotectionofkdshavehist

eyo

habitat.Thiswillhelptofosterwaterricallybeenused

shedfunctionsasworkinglands,

supportfromlocalcommunitiandaquatic

andecosystemprotectionobjectivesasthewatershed

anongoingfundingsourceformanagiesar

ngtheepursued.Thisw

properties.illalsoassistinproviding

Maintforava

ainanrietyofrecr

d,wherepoeationalus

ssible,ies,mproveaccesstolandsandwherethis

enhanceopportunities

watershedfunctionsandaquaticlocalcommunitiesasthewatershedand

habitat.ecosystemprotThisisconsistentwillalsohelpt

withprotectionofkofostersupportfrom

ey

pursued.ectionobjectivesare

Principle

Restorattheacquisit

sforShrub

ionionprograandmana

‐Steppe

gm,includi

Land

ement

Acquisit

activnglong‐term

itiesareessfundingsoentialand

umustbercesforth

supportedunderesepurposes.

Acquirelandsoreasementsonlyfromwillingsellersatfairmarketvalue.

Landacquisitionswillhelptoofromlowlandreservoirprojects

ffsesuchasWytimpactsof

ions

merReservoir,andwiinundatingshrub‐steppehabitat

llcompleme

managedongoingeffortstoprotectshrub

forhabitatprotectiona‐steppelandsinCentralWashinndrestoration.

gton.Landswillbent

Accessandopportunitiesforrecreationwillbeenhanced.

Principle

Aworkinglandsoutcomewillbechabitatandsensitivewildlif

Newdesign

sforNew

ationsw

Designations

illenhance

on

especies.

Existing

onsidered,

Public

w

Lan

hereconsistentwi

ds

thprotectionof

watershedandfishhabitatprotectionandpreserveorimproverecreationalopportunities.


Newdesignationswillminimizenegativeeffectsonexistingorreason

protectioforeseeableeconomicusesofthea consistentw

ably

nofwatershedfunctionsandfishhabitat.ffectedpubliclandsthatare

ith

PubliclanddesignationswilldiPlan,including(butnot

rectlycomplementotheractionsintheIntegrated

Principle

acquisitions,andriver

sforRiverCorridor

corridordesignations.

Newriv

Designations

limitedto)fishpassag

eandhabitatrestoration,land

developedc

ercoooperativelrridordesignationsa

ywithpublicandprivndassociatedmanagem

jurisdictionoverlocallanduseregulations.atelandowne

entplansrsandthec

willbeountyhaving

NewrivPlan,par

etrcicularlyfishpassage,habitatrorridordesignationswillcomplementotherac

estoration,landacqutionsiisition

nthes,an

Integdpublicland

rated

designations.

Newrivpublicly‐ownedlands

ercorridordesignatwillbedevel

ionproopedinclosecooperatposalsandassociated

ionwitmanagem

haffectedenentplanson

t

willbeproposedonlywithsubstaandtheCountyofjurisdiction.Newdesignationswhichencompassprivatelands

ities

Managementplansfordesignationntialsupportfromaffectedlasonprivatelandswillbedeve

ndolopedwners.

collaborativelywiththeaffected

Options

perspectivesoftheprivoverlocallanduseregulations.

n ingj

ThiscooperationwlandownersandtheCou tyhav urisdiction

for theUpperYakima

ateandpubliclandown

RiverBasin

ersaswillrecogni

ellasthzetherightsanderespectiveCounty.

Land

TheSubcommittee

Acquisitions

hasidentified

landsprovetobeunavThese

include

Preferred

options

Option:

ailableortolisted in th

teheIntfollowingegrated P

olan,ptions

asforthe

asU

ocostlyforacquisition.well

applternaterYakima

ives inRivercase

Basthose

in.

inthemiddleandlowerTeaAcquisition

nawfromapotentiala

willingsellerofa46,000acretract

Teamixedconiferforestandlowere

nawayRiverflowsintotheYaklevatioyRiverbasin

ngrandfirandPocomprisedofmidtohighelevation

connectivitytohighelevationcolderwaimaRivera

ter.Protectndprovides

nderosapineforest.The

significantecosystem,waterqualityandquantity,andspingthisa

fishpareawouldprovide

ssageand

complementthehabitatsandspececiesbenefitsthat

HabitatCoproposedarea.Th

nservationProgram(HCiesprotectP),directly

edbythePlumCreekadjacenttothewest

CernentportionoftralCascades

ePonderosapineforestsareparticularlysignificantduetotheirhe

limitedrrecognized

angteandhat:

vulnerabilitytoclimatechange.TheDepartmentofEcologyhas


Inaddition,

“The Teanaway River system represents some of the highest quality

strategyof

water fish spawning

acquiringaconservatio

ndprotectn

and r

ofthe

earing areas in the Yakima River Basin.”

Teanawaylandingnon‐federallandsto

scapefitswensurellintotheoverall

streams and cold-1

esuccessful

landscape‐s

PreferredOption

calelinkages.

headwatersofTaneumandManasta:Acquisitionfrompotentialwillingsellersoflandsatthe

Privadjacen

ateltalanndsinthesdsintheLittleNachesBasin(see

shCreeksinconnectiooptionsforNach

nwithacesBasin,below).

quisitionof

generallyinacheckerboardpatteewatersheds

rn.ThelandisprimarilymidareintermingledwithNationalForestland,

old‐growthforestremain.Theuconiferforest.Mostoftheareahasbeenloggedand

pperreachesofTaneum,andManreplanted,butsomeareas

toupperelevatioofn

importantforwaterquality(maintainingcooltemperatures)andtheyalsoprotectastashCreeksare

watersupplyandprovidecurrentogrounds.

Alternatives:

rpotentialsalmonandsteelheadspawning

availableorcannotbeacquiredIfthelandsintheU

well.Allofthesewouldalsoreatareasonablecost,otheroptpperYakimaBasinidentifiedaboveare

ionsareavailableasnot

quirewillingsellers.These

AElumRicquisitionofPlumCr

verwatersheds.eekholdinKittitasCounty.37,950acres.

gsinBigCreek,TaneumCree

include:

k,Cabin

CreekandCle

AKittitasCo.2cquisitionofAmericanForestL

,700acres..andsResourceholdings,SwaukandFirstCreekareas.

Acquisitionofadditionalprivatelandholdings.KittitasCounty.Forestlands.6,600

Public

Thetheupper

subcommittee

Lan

acres.

dsDesignations

proposes

applyingt

habitat funYakimactionswhile

Basin.preserThisdesigna

ving thetheionNisatfionallexible

RecenoreatughiontoAreaprovide

desigpnatrotectioniontoland

forskeyin

is,NatinioenssenalRe

cce,reaatpioweronAr

fuleadmarketingesignation

featurealsooverarai

llsthemethepr

ofof

thseatw

ilreecreaofthese

tionarlecreatiouse for

naltheselands

landsand

.

localNation

economicalRecreat

Creation

vionA

of

italit

the

ryeasa

Upper

. Itnisdwi

Yakima

importanllnotbenotboundbyNRArule

National

t to note

Recreation

tillhatattprractivatmeorlandseu

serareswh

notoco

includedntributet

no

s.i

100,000acresofexistingUSForesonapproximately

approximately6,000proposedNRA,approximately21,0

t

acreswouldbe00acresServicelandsinthes

wouldbedesignat

Areeaareas.W

edasithWilderness,inthe

designatedforbackcountrymotorizedrecreationaluse,andapproximately1,000acreswouldbedesignatedforbackcountrynon‐motorizedrecreationaluse.Alloftheseproposedusesare

1 http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/TeanawayTMDL.html(October2011).


consistentwiththeusesidentifiedinthecurrentOkanogan‐WenatcheeNational

Forest(OWNF)PlanRevisionproposeNRAdesignation.

ProposedAction;howevertheforestplandoesnot

Creation41,000NRA,approximately

acresofexistingoftheManastash

35,000acresUSFores

‐TaneumtServic

Nationalelandsinthes

Recreation onapproximately

recreationaluse.Theseproposedusesarecowouldbedesig

nsistentnatedforbackcou

eareasArea.Withintheproposed

ntrymotorized

riversThe

River

Subcommittee

Cor

currentOW

ridorDesignations

NFProposedActionandwithcurrentusesowiththefthisarea

usesident.

ifiedinthe

andreachesprwhereoposes

desd

ignaesignat

tionsionswillunbenefitderthefederalWildandScenicRiversActfor

Ysalmonids.akima Inte

Bullgrat

teroutd Pl

caann. The intent is to protec

tdirec spa

twlynitnheg,faishnde rriesearsiupportedng habita

itns thfoer

desigprotectio

natedncoriticalhabitatfof headwaters

easpec

rndbulltiallyhigh‐elevatio

benefitfrnomstreams.thecool,

Allcleanof t

waterhe reaches

thatcan

rout,mostarealsocriticalhabitatforsteelhead.proposedresultfrom

are

TheSubcommittee

WildandScenicCooperRive

id

rs

ent

i

riversandreachesaboveCleElum.InadditiontodocumentedorRiver

fiedthe

Designations

followingashighprioritydesi

forUpper

gnations:

salmonandsteelheadasfishareReservoirw

presumedbulltrouthaillallreceivein

CleElumRiver,

creasingnumbersof

Wabitat,thptusand

ese

ElumDam

bestqualityWestForks.TheTeanawayRiverWildandScenic

.

spawning

River

habitatfo

Designations

reintroduced

forTeanaway

andfishpassage

River

providedaboveCle

anditstributariescurrentlyp:North,Middleand

rsalmonidsinthebasin,withsteelhead,bulltrout,rovidesomeofthe

andspringChinookpresent.TheacquisitionoftheTeanawayforestlandsand

protectionandmanagementproWildandScenicdesig

pno

centraltothesalmonidrestoratationsedthrough

ioneffortsundertheYakimaIntegratedPlan.are

DesignatioThelowerlimitofWildandScen

nwouldbelinkedtoacqicdesiguisitionofthe46,000acreTeanawayproperty.

determinedinconsultationwiththosepropertnationaffectspriv

yowners.atepropertyandwillbe

WiththeexceptionoftheTeanawayRiver,theser

inthe1990theWenatcheeNatio

WenatcheenalForestanForestPlan

dhavebeenorinthe2011Okanogan‐Wenat

proposedforWildaiversareprimaril

ndyorexclusivelyinScenicdesignat

RevisionProposedAction.WheretherearesignificantprivatepropertyinterestscheeForestPlan

ion

affected,suwillbeproposedonlywithsubsta

chasforthemiddleandlowerreachesofthentialsupportbytheaffected

Teanalandowners(seewayRiver,designations

Principlessection).


OptionsfortheNachesandMiddleYakimaRiverBasins

LandAcquisitions

Preferredheadwaters

Option.oftheLittl

AcquisitioneNachesR

fromapotentialwillingselleroflandatthe

watershedsManastashandTaneu

areintermingledwithmbasins,to

iverincombinattalingupto10,000

ionwacres.Privithadjacentl

atelaandsinthe

NationalForestland,generallyinacheckerboardndsinthese

pattern.Thelandisprimarilymid‐toupper‐elevationconifer

Theupperrareahasbeenlogged

maintaine

andreplanted,butsomeareasofold‐growtforest.Mostofthe

achesoftheLittleNachesRiverareimportantforwathforestremain.

ingcooltemperaturesforbulltroutprotectionandrestoration.Theyalerqualityand

protectwatersupplyandprovidecurrentorpotentialsalmonandsteelheadso

spawninggrounds.

Alternatives:availableorcannotbeacquired

IfthelandsintheLittleNachesatareasonablecost,otheropt

Basinidentifiedabove

well.TheSubcommitteehasidionsare

areavailableas

not

entifiedseveral

River,CowicheCreek,andAhtanumCreekwatforestlan

acquiredfrompotentialwillings

ellers.AlloftheseareinYershedsthatcouldp

d‐holdingsintheTietonotentiallybe

F

orestAcquisitionAlternative1.TietonRiverwatershed. 3,1

akimaCo

65acres

unty.

ForestAcquisitionAlternative2.AhtanumCreekandKlickitat

Riverwatersheds..

10,200acres.

Facres.orestAcquisitionAlternative3:7ForestlandsinCowicheCreekwatershed. 5,700

ForestAcquisitionAlternative4:ForestedlandsintheCowicheCreekwatershe

d.

PublicLand

4

s

,70

and

0a

cre

Rive

s

Thesubcommitteeproposesthefollowing:

rCorridor

ofappro

Designations

ximately

WildernessDesignation 1,500acresadjacentto

PreliminarWilliamO.DouglasWildernessint

yAdministrativelyRecommendedhevicinityofBumpingLake.

WildernesslandsinInadditio

andnearthe

thecurrentntothe

OkanogthattheWil

an‐WenatcheeNationalForestProposedAction,theSubcomm

additionalUSFSlandtothegreadernessboundarynea

testextentprrBumpingLakebeadj

acticable,consisustedto

WildernessAct,followingthecomt

designateitteeproposes

pletionofanyBumpingLakeReentw

servoirexpansioniththe

aspartofthisproject,andtha

reservoir.Wilderness

Wildand

Scenic

trailheadsa

RattlesnakeCreek.Bulltroutpo

bovethelakeandttherecontinuetobeprovisio

facilitiesforrecreatnofroadaccessto

RiverDesignation

ionalboatingonthe

pulationsinthonS.ForkoftheTieton,IndianCreekand

CreekarethestrongestremainingintheYakimabasin.RattleseSouthForkoftheTietonandIndian

nakeCreekisalsoabulltroutstronghold.


Wildpopulationisoneofthestronge

andScenicRiverDesignationonDeep reek.TheDeepCreekbulltrout

wouldbepartiallyinundatstremaining

C

passageatthenewdamwouldallowbothupstreamandedbyexpansionofBumpingReservo

inthebasin.Whilespawninggrounds

downstreamir,add

passage,itionoffish

reconnecting

PlanRevDeepCreek

isionProposedActionisidentifiedtheDeepC

fordreekpopul

esationwithotherpopulationsandh

;ignationinthehowever,theSubcommitteepropos

2011Okanogan‐WenaesdesigtcheeForesabitat.All

tof

nation

abovetheelevatio

bulltrouthabitat

Wildtributarhabitat.Th

andiesScenicteotheBumpingRivAmericanRiverspri

River

inofnthereach.

a

nexp

Designation

andedBumpingReservoir,protectingtheremaining

erprovidestonAmer

eelhead,springChinicanRiverandRainerF

ookandbulltroutork.These

distinctstock.ngChinookareademographicallyandgenetically

TheseForest

laandnda

hndave

riverbeen

dpesigroposednations

foarerW

primarild and

ily

oga eeFores Sor

ForestPlanorinthe2011Okanceni

ecxclusively

n‐WenatchtdPlesaignRevnatio

inntihen the

Wen1990atchee

WenatcheeNational

isionProposedAction.

Thefor new

foresdesignationstlandsdiscus

asedre

forpotentialacquisitionareshown

designationareshownonFigure3.shown o

n Figure 2, and rivers proposed

inFigurfeor1.LWaildndsandpro

Scenicposed


Figure1.OptionsforForestLandAcquisition.


Figure2.OptionsforNationalRecreationAreaandWildernessDesignations


Figure3.OptionsforWildandScenicRiverDesignations


OptionsThehabitat

shrubfor

for

conservatiosteppe

Shrubeco

‐system

Steppe

n forWiashingto

s

Protectionextremely

n Statethreat

Deparened

tment in Washin

of Fishgto and

n aWildlife.nd is a p

Srpeciesiority

that rely on

eagles,sferruginous

agesparrow,s hawks,

this habitatblack‐tailed

in centraland w

White‐tailedashington State include greater sage grouse,

agethrasher,andsagebrushlizard.jackrabbits, burrowing owls, golden

Ahabitatgricult

lossural

, dandeve

myrlopment was historically the m

WymerReservoirunderiad

theactiv

Integities

ratedstill threa

Planwtenouldremaostininimgposrhtrubant

steppe.cause o

fC sonstructionhrub steppe

totheYakimaRiverCanyon.inundateshrubsteppehabitatadjacent

of

TheFigure4):

Subcommitteeid

Preferredoption

entifiedthefollowingoptionsforprotectingshrub‐steppehabitat(see

canyon,hasbeenid:Thent

eifiedEatonRanch,a15,000acr

asapreferredshrubsteppeconservetractintheYak

ationoption.ThimaRiver

ranchincludeslandsinthevalleybottomandeasternslopesofe

numberonepriorityfoandextendseastwardf

rprotectromtheYakimaRivertoInterstate82(I‐

theYakimaCanyo82).Thisisthe

n,

andgoldenproposedWymerRes

eaglenestservoir,and

ionbecauseofdocumentedsagegroubecauseofitsimmediateproximitytothe

shrub‐steppevegetation,acrites.Th

iticalhabitattype.Itisproetractiscomposedprimar

posedthatilyofbasal

setbreedcliffsa

ingndareas

Alternatives:

orsuitableconservationeasementsbeacquiredonawilling‐sellerbasis.eitherthel

and

isnotfeasible,otheroptionsaIfacquisitionof

reavailableforshrub‐steppeptheEatonRanchorsuitableconserv

rotectioationeasnfrom

ements

potentialwillingsellers.The

o

sealternatesitesinclude:

ShrubSteppeAlternativeA:RattlBentonCo.14,000acres.Highpr

esnakeMountain(McWhorterRanch).

toprankedSteppeand

sRhrub‐steppeprojecangelandpartnership

iority.TheMcWhorterRanc

forSouthCentralWhacquisitashingto

ionShrub

tpartiallyfundedbythe2011Washingtonnisthe

WildlifeandRecreationProgramBentonCounty.

andhaslongbeensoughtbyWDFWand


o ShrubSteppeAlternativesBthroandencompass10,000to12,000

ughEareintheCowicheCreekacres.Priorityhabitatspresentandin

watershed,

good‐to‐excellentconditionincluwoodland,cliffsandtalus.

de:stream,riparian,shrub‐steppe,oak

Therecmanagementonser

isvaatiownide. T

rangeofhabitatquality

measuresherefo

andre,

thein a

fudndsdition

onthelandsundercon

tosupportto acq

tuhemiring

will lan

bedsn, isiderationdentificat

forshrub‐steppe

thedesiredhabitatconditions.ecessaryin

ionorder

oftosspecificecure


Figure4.OptionsforShrub‐SteppeHabitatAcquisitions


WhoThereacquir

e

Willard.e

ios. T

a

Ownrange

and

scenar

Private

hef

ownership

ollowofin

g

Manageallteristnatdes

icvr

e

the

isberse

Lands

sgardever

ingal

Acquired?

awholterna

shouldtivesf

orownpotential

and mlandanag

meanagement the lands

,whichmayincludeacquisitionofconservationeasements

conservaan

Local

ex

isting

ownership

tionprivateorganiza

lation.ndowner, or outright ownership by a private, non‐profit

from

consortiuminvolvi.ngs Th

takehis ma

oyl idergronclude

u ops.Thwner

isoshipptio bnym aayCalousnotyincludeuseofanew government or a

programremaintobeo

State

ption

ownership

forCommunityFdeveloped).orestTrus

tsunderWashingtonStatelaw(protocolsforthis

ResourcesorDepartm

Federalownersh

b

ip

y aentofFishandWildlife.n agency such asWashington State Department of Natural

example, any landsbaycquiredtheU.S.

wForestithin

Servthe

iceexist

oringBureau

boundarofL

iesand

NationoManagf the

eWment.enatchee

For

Tribal

alForestwouldpresumablybeowned

ownership

bytheForestService.

bytheYakamaNation.

Cprotectioonserva

ntioannd eaesnhancemen

etsment c

an pwrithovoidute aconvert flexib

ingle

tprooival to promote habitat and watershed

Emayasem

includeentsca

developmentnbepurchas

rights,edforspecificrightsassociated

te ownershipwith

to public ownership.

theeas

TheSubcommittee

ementremai

nv

recommends

estedinthepropertyoaccess,

thatowner

orotherwner.

ship

rights.

opt

ions

Any

in

rightsagi

thatvenl

aarendnpotaricncludedel.Thes

specif

ine

icareasbeprioritizedasfollows:

Alllandinprmechanismtosupportpermanentw

landsivunderateown

considerationershipcoupledwithacons

.Foreveryacquisitiont

atershedaendhabitarvationea

heoptionofkeepingthsementorsimilar

e

lityoft rotectio

canmeetcoconsidered.Thesuitab

ni thisapproachwilldependonwh

p

servationobjectives,recreationalaccessobjectiveether

nshouldbetheoutcome

landowner’sneeds.

asaCommunityForestTrust.IfForested

ownership

la

withstrong

ndsintheTeanawayBasin

sandthecurrent

:Consortium/communityownershipsuch

ForestedareasintheThesear

headwaters

participattionbyastakeholderadvisorychisisnot

ofthe

feasible,then

Litt

thenextbestoptionisommittee.

State

ManastashCreeks. e“checkerboard”landswhereprleNachesRiver,

ivaTantelandsareumand

e


intacquiredis

Eaton

ermingl

Ranch

edwithU.S.ForestServ

shrub‐steppe

FiceownersorestServ

lands.

hiceLands.ip.

Thebestoptioniftheselandsare

includingst

Additional

ateor

forested

fed

reviewedownershipo

er

and

alowner

shrub

ship,couldbepursuedonthese

‐steppe

Avarietyofalternativeconservationoptio

landoptions.

lands.ns,

ptionsindetailfortheadditionallThesubcommitteehasnotandoptions.

Theparticulfundingsour

arconditionsofeachcesusedforlandacq

individualproperty,proximituisitionorconservationeasem

ytootherents,ando

largepublicland‐holdings,

issuesindetimportantinassessinglandowne

ailforthepropertiesidentified.TheSubcommittrshipoptions.TheSubcommitte

eeintendsthehasnot

texploredherconsiderationsare

allofthese

bedeterminedproperty‐by‐property,inamannerthatleadstooutcomesmatchingtheprinciplesatownershipdecisions

outlinedinthisreport.

WatershedLandConservationSubcommittee

IreneDavidson,U.S.ForestService

PeterDykstra,TheWildernessSociety

PaulJewell,KittitasCountyBoardofCommissioners

SteveMalloch,NationalWildlifeFederation

TomRing,YakamaNation

JeffTayer(Chair),WashingtonStateDepartmentofFishandWildlife

JeanneWilliams,WashingtonStateDepartmentofNaturalResources

watershed land conservation subcommittee proposal...jan 04, 2012 · watershed lands conservation...

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