This project will occur on the headwaters of spencer creek

This $154,400 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (CFDA 15.631) will fund habitat restoration and enhancement activities on private lands along Spencer Creek in Oregon. The primary objectives are to protect and improve critical habitat for Redband trout and Oregon spotted frog, while also preparing for the eventual return of Steelhead and Salmon after the removal of the Klamath Dam. The key project activities include installing approximately 3.5 miles of riparian fencing to protect 80 acres, grinding 40 acres of encroaching pine to enhance wetland habitat, and establishing photo monitoring points to track improvements to the riparian areas and wet meadows. This 5-year effort, starting on August 1, 2023, will work cooperatively with the private landowner to voluntarily implement these restoration measures on their property.

This area is an important reach for redband trout as well as critical habitat for oregon spotted frog. Further, spencer creek has been identified as an important reach for reintroduction of steelhead and salmon after the klamath DAM removal project is completed. Because of this, IT is important to protect riparian areas and begin working with the landowner of this property to establish conditions conducive to improving redband trout and oregon spotted frog habitat as well as prepare for the eventual arrival of steelhead and salmon. Though this important property has great potential for restoration, riparian fencing is the ideal first step to introduce the landowner to voluntary restoration as well as protect and enhance the riparian areas on spencer creek. We will install approximately 3.5 miles of riparian fencing along spencer creek protecting approximately 80 riparian acres. Two hardened water gaps will be installed so cattle will have access to water. Further, we will grind approximately 40 acres of pine that is encroaching on a wet meadow using a forestry mulcher mounted to a skid steer to improve oregon spotted frog breeding habitat. Monitoring will consist of establishing photo points and assessing improvements to riparian and wet meadow conditions.