Western juniper (juniperus occidentalis) encroachment in the klamath basin is a major stressor on local hydrology and native vegetation

Through a $248,500 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631), the Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District will provide natural resource conservation services in the Klamath Basin region of Oregon. The funding will support removal of encroaching western juniper to restore springs and riparian areas that feed the Sprague and Sycan Rivers, which have experienced significant declines in surface water flow due to drought conditions. The project will use mechanical and manual methods to remove juniper, with all cut trees to be piled and burned by landowners. Native grasses and seeds will be planted at each site, and spring complexes may be fenced to exclude cattle. Additionally, some juniper materials may be utilized in nearby stream and habitat restoration projects. The Klamath Soil & Water Conservation District has also received sub-award funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to support administration and upland project work related to this federal grant.

Because of this and lasting drought, many of the springs that directly feed the sprague and sycan rivers have recently gone dry or experienced significant declines of surface water flow. This funding will be used to target important springs that feed the sprague river through juniper removal and fencing if needed. We will use both mechanical equipment (i.e., forestry mulcher mounted on skid steer) and hand tools such as chainsaws to remove juniper. All cut trees will be piled and burned by the landowner when weather conditions allow. Every site will be planted with a native grass and seed mix. In some situations, we will fence spring complexes to ensure cattle do not have access to spring restoration sites. Further, we may utilize juniper materials (i.e., limbs and trunks) on nearby ltpbr projects where appropriate. We have identified core areas we aim to work in and have several landowners in those areas that want to do juniper removal projects around spring sites.