The sprague river is a significant sub-watershed and tributary of upper klamath lake

Trout Unlimited, Inc. received a $102,581 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631), awarded October 1, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028. The primary deliverable is the restoration and replacement of fencing damaged by the 2024 Copperfield Fire on private property in the Sprague River sub-watershed near Chiloquin, Oregon, a significant tributary of Upper Klamath Lake. The fencing restoration project will prevent further land degradation in uplands, grasslands, and riparian zones affected by the fire, creating a protective barrier to facilitate natural vegetation regrowth and ecosystem recovery without additional disturbance.

The project complements a separate state-funded replanting initiative for the upland forest area, establishing a coordinated habitat recovery strategy aligned with the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act. By restoring the property's physical boundaries and enabling natural recovery processes, the project supports enhanced long-term landscape function and aquatic ecosystem health within the Klamath Basin watershed while advancing local stakeholder engagement and economic opportunities for community members and private landowners.

The project property suffered substantial damage from the copperfield fire of 2024, affecting the uplands, grasslands, riparian zones, and fencing, particularly on the south side of the river. The primary objective of this project is to replace the fencing destroyed in the fire to prevent further degradation to the property and adjacent lands. By reestablishing the fencing, we will create a protective barrier that enables the natural regrowth of vegetation and fire area recovery without further disturbance. In addition to restoring the fencing, the project will include replanting efforts for the upland forest area through a separate state grant. This combined strategy will aid in recovering the burned area land while promoting an enhanced landscape function long term. This initiative adheres to the fish and wildlife act of 1956 and the partners for fish and wildlife act, which allow the U.S. Fish and wildlife service to assist private landowners in habitat management. IT also aligns with president trump S executive orders 13855 and 13834, which emphasize community partnerships and effective resource management. By engaging local stakeholders, this project aims to enhance economic opportunities for community members and landowners.