planning for watershed restoration by neil stichert

36
Steps to Develop Steps to Develop Watershed Watershed Restoration and Restoration and Enhancement Enhancement Projects Projects Neil Stichert Neil Stichert Juneau Fish and Wildlife Juneau Fish and Wildlife Field Office Field Office

Upload: southeast-alaska-watershed-coalition

Post on 21-Dec-2014

377 views

Category:

Technology


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Community-Based Watershed Management, March 2012, Juneau Alaska. Southeast Alaska Watershed Forum

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Steps to Develop Steps to Develop Watershed Watershed Restoration and Restoration and Enhancement Enhancement Projects Projects

Neil StichertNeil StichertJuneau Fish and Wildlife Field Juneau Fish and Wildlife Field OfficeOffice

Page 2: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Presentation Goal and Presentation Goal and ObjectivesObjectivesGoalGoal

– Offer basic information to ‘community based’ Offer basic information to ‘community based’ stakeholders interested in habitat enhancement stakeholders interested in habitat enhancement and restoration on non-federal lands in SE Alaska. and restoration on non-federal lands in SE Alaska.

ObjectivesObjectives -Definitions-Definitions

-Process-Process

-Project Case Study-Project Case Study

- Resources and Partners- Resources and Partners

Page 3: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Principle:Principle: Definitions are important Definitions are important

Merriam’s Dictionary-

Res.to.ra.tion <n>:

1. something that is restored; a representation or reconstruction of the original form.

2.an act of restoring or the condition of being restored.

3.The re-establishment of the Charles II monarchy in England in 1660.

http://www.ser.org/reading_resources.asp

Ecological Restoration Practitioner’s Dictionary

Page 4: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Principle:Principle: Definitions are Definitions are importantimportant

• RehabilitationRehabilitation: Replacing or restructuring a : Replacing or restructuring a degraded ecosystem or habitat type with another degraded ecosystem or habitat type with another productive typeproductive type

• Partial Restoration (Enhancement):Partial Restoration (Enhancement): Restoring Restoring some ecosystem function and some of the some ecosystem function and some of the original, dominant species.original, dominant species.

• Complete RestorationComplete Restoration: Restoring full ecological : Restoring full ecological and physical function as well as the original and physical function as well as the original species abundance and community composition.species abundance and community composition.

Page 5: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Principle:Principle: Definitions are Definitions are importantimportant• Mitigation:Mitigation: A regulatory requirement to replace or enhance A regulatory requirement to replace or enhance

on-site or off-site wetland areas destroyed or on-site or off-site wetland areas destroyed or impacted by proposed land disturbances with impacted by proposed land disturbances with created or restored wetlands.created or restored wetlands.

May also involve: Avoidance of impactsMay also involve: Avoidance of impacts Minimization of impactsMinimization of impacts Compensation for impactsCompensation for impacts • Habitat Protection:Habitat Protection: The practice of acquiring real The practice of acquiring real

property or protecting habitat through legal property or protecting habitat through legal instruments for the purpose of maintaining or instruments for the purpose of maintaining or restoring biodiversity.restoring biodiversity.

Page 6: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

• Initial Problem RecognitionInitial Problem Recognition

• InventoryInventory (where are the problems?) (where are the problems?)

• AssessmentAssessment (what is the condition?) (what is the condition?)

• PrioritizationPrioritization (which should we remedy first?) (which should we remedy first?)

• PlanningPlanning (all successful projects have a plan) (all successful projects have a plan)

• Survey and Design Survey and Design (sites are specific, and design requires input)(sites are specific, and design requires input)

• PermittingPermitting (structured exchange of information) (structured exchange of information)

• ImplementationImplementation (construction skill and detail are important) (construction skill and detail are important)

• Inspection Inspection (is it being built per the plan?)(is it being built per the plan?)

• Project evaluation Project evaluation (did we achieve the desired outcome?)(did we achieve the desired outcome?)

• Maintenance / Adaptive ManagementMaintenance / Adaptive Management (it’s hard to get it just right (it’s hard to get it just right

… …or conditions change)or conditions change)

Process:Process: Idealized restoration project Idealized restoration project pathwaypathway

Page 7: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

11. Initial Problem . Initial Problem RecognitionRecognition

2. Funding Procurement2. Funding Procurement– InventoryInventory

– AssessmentAssessment

– PrioritizationPrioritization

– PlanningPlanning

3. Funding Procurement3. Funding Procurement– Survey and Design Survey and Design

– PermittingPermitting

- - Implementation Implementation

– InspectionInspection

4. Funding Procurement 4. Funding Procurement – Project evaluation Project evaluation

– Maintenance /ManagementMaintenance /Management

Process:Process: realistic restoration project realistic restoration project pathwaypathway

• Each of the these elements are measured in months to years.

• Almost all require interdisciplinary technical skills.

•Most elements require fiscal management skills for contractual services.

• Most funders are focused on implementation .

• Monitoring and evaluation rarely completed.

Page 8: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Process:Process: a useful restoration project a useful restoration project development guidedevelopment guide

1. Identify the project site location and 1. Identify the project site location and its boundaries its boundaries

3. Identify the need for ecological 3. Identify the need for ecological restoration restoration

5. Identify restoration goals...5. Identify restoration goals...

21. Document the site history the led to 21. Document the site history the led to the need for restoration...the need for restoration...

23. Establish the ‘reference’ system…23. Establish the ‘reference’ system…

35. Acknowledge the role of passive 35. Acknowledge the role of passive restoration…restoration…

51. Publicize and prepare written 51. Publicize and prepare written accountaccount

of projectof project

http://www.ser.org/content/guidelines_ecological_restoration.asp

Page 9: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Resources: Resources: Inventory, Assessment, Inventory, Assessment, PlansPlans

•Anadromous Waters Catalog- recent updates in Juneau, Haines, Sitka, Yakutat

•Fish Passage Assessments•Existing- TNF, DNR, Corporation lands•Ongoing- ADOT road system

•Tongass National Forest Watershed Restoration Plans

•Municipal Wetland Management Plans

•Watershed Council products in Yakutat, Haines, Skagway, Juneau, Klawock, Kasaan

Page 10: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

WetlandsWetlands

Fish Habitat/ Channel TypeFish Habitat/ Channel Type

Land ownershipLand ownership

Culvert locations and barriersCulvert locations and barriers

Resources: Resources: Inventory, Assessment, Inventory, Assessment, Plans…Plans… What can they help you discern? What can they help you discern?

Page 11: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Resources: Resources: Inventory, Assessment, Inventory, Assessment, PlansPlans

Page 12: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Other resources- Other resources- geospatial geospatial informationinformation

• State Digital Archives-reference State Digital Archives-reference conditionsconditions

(http://vilda.alaska.edu/)(http://vilda.alaska.edu/)

• SE Alaska GIS Library SE Alaska GIS Library (http://seakgis.alaska.edu/)(http://seakgis.alaska.edu/)

• Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI)(SDMI)

(h(http://www.alaskamapped.org/)ttp://www.alaskamapped.org/)

Page 13: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Other resources- Other resources- peoplepeople

• State, federal, NGO, and State, federal, NGO, and tribal staff tribal staff • SE AK Fish Habitat SE AK Fish Habitat

PartnershipPartnership

• Public works directors, Public works directors, engineers, planners engineers, planners maintenance staffmaintenance staff

• Landowners & Landowners & community committeescommunity committees

Page 14: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Case Study- Case Study- Sawmill Creek, Haines Sawmill Creek, Haines

Stream channel relocation Stream channel relocation and culvert removal.and culvert removal.

- Background Background

- DesignDesign

- ImplementationImplementation

- MonitoringMonitoring

Page 15: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Case Study- Case Study- Sawmill Creek Haines, Sawmill Creek Haines, AKAK

• GoalGoal– Increase aquatic habitat area, complexity, Increase aquatic habitat area, complexity,

and connectivity for cutthroat trout and and connectivity for cutthroat trout and coho salmon.coho salmon.

• Objectives:Objectives:– Replicate pattern, profile, and pool-riffle Replicate pattern, profile, and pool-riffle

sequence of upstream ‘reference reach’.sequence of upstream ‘reference reach’.– Increase spawning area and availability.Increase spawning area and availability.– Bypass one culvert and remove another.Bypass one culvert and remove another.– Encourage community involvement in Encourage community involvement in

stream stewardship.stream stewardship.

Page 16: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

West Fork Sawmill West Fork Sawmill CreekCreek

• Stream routed to ditch along road. Stream routed to ditch along road. Site used for goat pasture.Site used for goat pasture.

• Channel bisected by culverts, some Channel bisected by culverts, some of which affect fish passage.of which affect fish passage.

• Listed as an Listed as an Impaired Waterbody Impaired Waterbody by by DEC in 1996 due to sediment. DEC in 1996 due to sediment.

• ADFG conducts periodic foot ADFG conducts periodic foot surveys, so some fish use surveys, so some fish use information known information known

• CT, CO, DV, spawn and rear CT, CO, DV, spawn and rear downstreamdownstream

• CT only isolated above culvertCT only isolated above culvert

Sawmill Creek BackgroundSawmill Creek Background

CTCT

CO, DV, CO, DV, CTCT

Page 17: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

• Investigate background informationInvestigate background information • Form interdisciplinary project teamForm interdisciplinary project team

• Coordinate funding and community Coordinate funding and community support support

• Conduct survey and designConduct survey and design

• Conduct hydrologic analysesConduct hydrologic analyses

Development PhaseDevelopment Phase

Case Study - Sawmill Creek, Haines, AKCase Study - Sawmill Creek, Haines, AK

Page 18: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Project TeamProject Team• USFWS and ADFGUSFWS and ADFG

– Project coordination Project coordination

• Design ConsultantsDesign Consultants– Survey, design, hydrology, and layoutSurvey, design, hydrology, and layout

• Takshanuk Watershed CouncilTakshanuk Watershed Council– Community liaison and outreach/educationCommunity liaison and outreach/education

• Construction contractors/AmericorpsConstruction contractors/Americorps– Excavation, materials, and laborExcavation, materials, and labor

Case Study - Sawmill Creek, Haines, AKCase Study - Sawmill Creek, Haines, AK

Page 19: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Elements of a stream relocation design are shared with other conventional development projects:

•Purpose and Need•‘User’ type•Capacity•Slope•Conveyance of surface water•Land and construction cost•Constructability•Surface/substrate material•Planting plan

Design Phase

Page 20: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Principle:Principle: importance of designimportance of design

When basic elements of a stream relocation plan and design are omitted, it often results in:

•Simplification of habitat complexity

•Reduced species diversity

•Reduced species density

•Non-attainment of restoration or mitigation objective

Page 21: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Site Survey and Design- Site Survey and Design- Sawmill Cr.Sawmill Cr.• Topographic survey, cross sections, reference reachTopographic survey, cross sections, reference reach

• Longitudinal stream profileLongitudinal stream profile

• Habitat unit detailsHabitat unit details

• Design reportDesign report

• Order of operationsOrder of operations

Page 22: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

• Staking and Staking and excavation excavation

• Culvert removalCulvert removal

• Substrate and Substrate and LWD placementLWD placement

• Flow introductionFlow introduction

• Fish rescueFish rescue

• Site maintenanceSite maintenance

Implementation Phase Implementation Phase

Page 23: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Field interpretation Field interpretation and design and design layout layout

Page 24: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Equipment workpad minimized Equipment workpad minimized riparian disturbanceriparian disturbance

Pools and riffles rough shapedPools and riffles rough shaped

Page 25: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Culvert , fill prism removed Culvert , fill prism removed and channel re-shapedand channel re-shaped

Page 26: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Americorps hand-placed Americorps hand-placed streambed gravelsstreambed gravels

Page 27: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Design provided Design provided guidanceguidance

Grade controls defined Grade controls defined pool depth and pool depth and shapeshape

Page 28: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

opened new channel to opened new channel to flow…flow…

Community assisted with fish Community assisted with fish rescue in abandoned rescue in abandoned channelchannel

Finished Pool-Riffle Finished Pool-Riffle sequence and…sequence and…

Page 29: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Former ditch/creekFormer ditch/creek Final reach re-alignmentFinal reach re-alignment

Page 30: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Project Project OutcomesOutcomes• Increased reach-scale habitat diversity (small pools) Increased reach-scale habitat diversity (small pools)

and connectivity (removed/bypassed barriers).and connectivity (removed/bypassed barriers).

• Decreased potential for lateral roadside sediment input.Decreased potential for lateral roadside sediment input.

• Increased community linkages.Increased community linkages.– Borough-Agencies-Public-Watershed CouncilBorough-Agencies-Public-Watershed Council

• Created initiative to purchase project site for stream Created initiative to purchase project site for stream protection and student education.protection and student education.

• Encouraged ADOT replacement of upstream culvert Encouraged ADOT replacement of upstream culvert barrierbarrier

Page 31: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Project MonitoringProject Monitoring

• Seasonal fish trapping Seasonal fish trapping – Roughly gauged fish use and re-colonizationRoughly gauged fish use and re-colonization

• BMI samplingBMI sampling– Gave insight into benthic macro-invertebrate Gave insight into benthic macro-invertebrate

colonization of streambed. colonization of streambed.

• PhotopointsPhotopoints– Documents site recovery and stream channel Documents site recovery and stream channel

migration.migration.

Page 32: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Principle:Principle: Restoration projects cost a lot Restoration projects cost a lot moremore than you think than you think (not including project management (not including project management costs)costs)

Stream simulation culvert replacement= $60,000-$100,000(no utility conflicts or pavement)

Wetland enhancement= $20,000-$60,000 acre (+ land and/or easement cost)

Removal of infrastructure from acquired lands= $20,000-$30,000 (+ appraisal and contaminants abatement cost)

Invasive Plant Control= Annual $ Cost x Years Viability of Seed Bank

Page 33: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

2006 “IPR”2006 “IPR”

2009 ‘AFTER’2009 ‘AFTER’

Principle:Principle: Restoration projects generallyRestoration projects generally take more time than you thinktake more time than you think

2000 post construction

2009 wetland maturation

Page 34: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Limiting Factors Governing Limiting Factors Governing Partnerships and Restoration Partnerships and Restoration ProjectsProjects

• Issue/problem recognitionIssue/problem recognition

• Agency priority/jurisdictionAgency priority/jurisdiction

• ““Not my job…”Not my job…”

• Staff availability and attritionStaff availability and attrition

• Money/MatchMoney/Match

Page 35: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert

Resources- Resources-

Federal-Federal-

• USFWS- Habitat USFWS- Habitat Restoration Program, Restoration Program, Tribal Wildlife Tribal Wildlife ProgramProgram

• NOAA –Restoration NOAA –Restoration CenterCenter

• USFS- RAC ProgramUSFS- RAC Program

• NRCS- WHIP/EQIPNRCS- WHIP/EQIP

• EPA- multiple EPA- multiple programsprograms

State-State-

• ACWA ProgramACWA Program

• ADFG AKSSF ProgramADFG AKSSF Program

• DNR CIAP ProgramDNR CIAP Program

NGO-NGO-

• National Forest National Forest FoundationFoundation

• National Fish and National Fish and Wildlife FoundationWildlife Foundation

• Trout UnlimitedTrout Unlimited

Page 36: Planning for Watershed Restoration by Neil Stichert