Pacific Northwest Streams
Oregon and
Washington
Location
Multiple National Forests
In both priority river basins and National Forests
throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Congressional District: Multiple
Member(s): Rep. Cathy McMorrisRodgers, Peter Defazio, Kurt
Schrader, and Greg Walden
Acquired to Date
Acres
Cost ($)
1,016
$4,349,896
0
$0
12
$0
0
$0
0
$0
FY 2010 Enacted
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
0
$0
President’s Budget FY2011
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
560
$1,500,000
Pending Future Request
Method
Acres
Cost ($)
Purchase
1,640
$4,300,000
Method
Purchase
Exchange
Donation
Other
Partners
Purpose
Protection and restoration of key stream, riparian
areas, tidal marsh, and estuary needed for recovery
of at-risk fish stocks, water quality and quantity,
climate change mitigation.
Purchase
Opportunities
Private landowners, generally working through
nonprofit conservation organizations, are offering to
sell parcels within both priority watersheds and
National Forest boundaries.
Partners
Western Rivers
Conservancy
Cooperators
Watershed councils, Oregon and Washington
Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Native Fish
Society, Wetlands Conservancy, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Ecotrust, Audubon
Society, Siuslaw Basin Partnership
Project
Description
The Pacific Northwest Streams (PNW Streams) is a habitat acquisition project that was initiated
in 1994 in recognition of the need for better protection and restoration of key stream and
riparian areas needed for salmon recovery. Lands selected for acquisition include key habitat
for at-risk fish stocks, and are purchased from willing sellers. Acquisition provides immediate
public benefits–secured public access, increased recreation opportunities, and more efficient
long-term management and restoration. The PNW Streams project has made a significant
positive contribution towards aquatic habitat conservation and restoration in Oregon and
Washington. Acquisitions have facilitated high-priority fish habitat restoration, helping recover
ESA-listed fish populations. Restoration also benefits many other species sharing these stream
ecosystems helps to ensure clean and abundant water for all.
Conservancy,
The
Nature
Parcels available for acquisition include:

Lower Drift Creek/Alsea Bay Estuary - Siuslaw NF ($1,200,000 - 290 acres). Acquisition of
the parcel would complete land acquisitions along Lower Drift Creek, adjacent to the Alsea
Bay. Fall Chinook and sea-run cutthroat fishing is common in the area, providing important
recreation opportunities and substantial economic benefit to local communities. This parcel
has tidal marsh and estuary habitat on Alsea Bay; low-gradient, tidally-influenced,
anadromous fish streams and associated riparian zones; conifer plantations; and old
pasture lands.

West Fork Indian Creek - Siuslaw NF ($ 1,500,000 - 460 acres). Acquisition of this parcel
will allow stream restoration, such as large wood placement and riparian planting to
promote future large wood recruitment, thus improving watershed function and anadromous
fish habitat. This is a key parcel in a large, on-going effort to acquire and restore
watersheds and streams within the Siuslaw River Basin, which historically had one of the
largest Pacific Northwest coho salmon runs. Cessation of cattle grazing and timber harvest
on 35-year rotations will stop on-going degradation and allow the watershed to recover,
completing major efforts in this key watershed for the foreseeable future and setting it on a
trajectory to provide suitable habitat for all native aquatic-dependent species for the next 20
years.
Pacific Northwest Streams

Rock Creek - Siskiyou NF ($400,000 - 170 acres). Acquisition of this parcel will help
consolidate federal ownership along Rock Creek and prevent the area from development
that is expanding rapidly in this area. This parcel contains approximately 0.25 miles of Rock
Creek, a tributary of Elk River. The lower portion of Rock Creek is a vital coho spawning
reach and the area is home to a wide diversity of wildlife species, including black-tailed
deer, elk, black bear, cougar, red legged frog, bobcat, beaver and northern river otter. This
is a key parcel in a large, on-going effort to acquire and restore watersheds and streams
within the Siuslaw River Basin.

Yachats River - Siuslaw NF ($ 500,000 - 40 acres). Acquisition of the parcel would build on
past acquisition efforts in the basin, and fulfill conservation priorities by maintaining existing
mature and old growth forest habitat, as well as riparian and wetland functions. The parcel
is part of the largest mature and old-growth coniferous stand (rare) along the lower Yachats
River and contains critical habitat for threatened Oregon coast coho salmon and northern
spotted owl, including habitat for the sensitive Chinook, steelhead, and cutthroat trout. The
parcel’s location along the Yachats River and county road make it an ideal opportunity to
expand recreation for several activities already occurring on adjacent forest lands, such as
hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and education.

Chesnimnus Creek - Wallowa-Whitman NF ($713,000 - 610 acres). The property comprises
of three parcels within the Upper Chesnimnus sub-watershed, bounded on the east and
north by Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Acquiring these parcels and implementing
habitat restoration projects would aid the agency in restoration and recovery of federally
listed threatened fish species. Improvements planned include correction of point source
sediment from poorly designed/located roads, improved livestock grazing practices near
streams, and wider future stream buffers for management activities.

Big Sheep Creek - Wallowa-Whitman NF ($186,000 - 160 acres). The property is located
approximately one mile upstream from the Imnaha River, a designated component of our
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. With over two miles of river frontage, the property
provides habitat for threatened species of fish, including mid-Columbia steelhead trout,
Chinook salmon, and Columbia River bull trout and provides winter range for mule deer,
elk, and big horn sheep. Big Sheep Creek has been identified as a priority for watershed
restoration activities to improve habitat for threatened fish species, including correction of
point source sediment from poorly designed/located roads, improved livestock grazing
practices near streams, and wider stream buffers for management activities.

West Branch Le Clerc - Colville NF ($760,000 - 310 acres). The parcel is situated within the
Le Clerc Creek watershed, one of only two watersheds within the Colville NF boundary that
contains a reproducing population of bull trout, a threatened species. Additionally, the
parcel is located within the Selkirk Grizzly Bear Recovery Area.

Fivemile Wetland - Siuslaw NF ($ 225,000 - 124 acres).– The parcel is 90 percent wetland
lying in the Coastal Lakes basins that supports some of the healthiest runs of threatened
coho salmon, including containing habitat for steelhead, cutthroat, lamprey and numerous
other native resident fishes. Wetland vegetation provides habitat for many riparian
dependent species including neotropical migratory birds, waterfowl, beaver, and many
other small and large mammals. Bald eagles nest around the nearby lake and use these
wetland areas for foraging. Addition of this parcel would put over 85 percent of Fivemile
Creek in Federal ownership and would enhance recreational opportunities.
O&M Cost
Estimated “start up” costs: $5,000
USDA Goal
Restore and maintain healthy watersheds and diverse habitats; conserve endangered,
threatened, and other at-risk species; conserve open space; sustain and enhance outdoor
recreation opportunities; mitigate effects of climate change.
Estimated annual maintenance: Net reduction