Numerous restoration actions will be implemented to protect, restore, and improve in-stream, riparian, and spring habitats in upper klamath basin

The Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District was awarded a $265,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631) on August 1, 2023. Through this 5-year grant, the District will implement numerous restoration actions to protect, restore, and improve in-stream, riparian, and spring habitats in the Upper Klamath Basin in Oregon. Key activities include riparian and spring fencing to exclude cattle disturbance, riparian plantings, construction of water gaps, and installation of in-stream habitat structures such as large woody debris, post-assisted log structures, and beaver dam analogs. These conservation efforts are expected to benefit endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers, redband trout, and other endemic species in the Klamath Basin region.

Actions may include riparian and spring fencing to exclude cattle disturbance, riparian plantings, construction of water gaps to reduce cattle disturbance to riparian areas, and installation of in stream habitat such as large woody debris (LWD), post assisted log structures (pals), and beaver DAM analogs (bdas). Other in stream or riparian enhancement practices may be implemented as projects are developed and tailored to meet landowner and service goals. Five projects have been identified for funding and we expect other projects to be developed and implemented over the course of this cooperative agreement. Attached map shows property locations where landowners have committed to participate in this cooperative agreement. We have other landowners that have expressed interest in participating in this cooperative agreement, however site visits have yet to be completed. Federal trust species we expect to positively impact are the endangered lost river and shortnose suckers, redband trout (oncorhynchus mykiss gairdnerii), and many other endemic species requiring healthy in stream and riparian habitat to complete the life cycle.