Pacific Northwest Streams
Supplement to Fact Sheet
Opportunities under consideration for FY 2011
Partner
Acres
Cost ($)
Lower Drift Creek/Alsea Bay Estuary, Siuslaw NF
WRC
290
1,200,000
West Fork Indian Creek, Siuslaw NF
WRC
460
1,500,000
Rock Creek, Siskiyou NF
WRC
170
400,000
n/a
40
500,000
Chesnimnus Creek, Wallowa-Whitman NF
TNC
610
713,000
Big Sheep Creek, Wallowa-Whitman NF
TNC
160
186,000
West Branch Le Clerc, Colville NF
n/a
310
760,000
Fivemile Wetland, Siuslaw NF
n/a
124
225,000
Yachats River, Siuslaw NF
Lower Drift Creek/Alsea Bay Estuary – This parcel has tidal marsh and estuary habitat on Alsea Bay; lowgradient, tidally-influenced, anadromous fish streams and associated riparian zones; conifer plantations; and old
pasture lands. Marshes have important ecologic, biologic, and hydrologic functions, while estuaries filter
pollutants, control flood waters, trap sediment and provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species.
Estuarine wetlands in the Pacific Northwest have declined significantly as they have been diked, drained, and
converted to other uses. The watershed supports coastal coho salmon (threatened), spring and fall Chinook,
winter steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Estuary and tidal marsh portions of the property contain chum
salmon, Pacific lamprey, and sturgeon. Fall Chinook and sea-run cutthroat fishing is common in the late summer,
providing important recreational opportunities and substantial economic benefit to local communities. Agency
acquisition will protect these values. Acquisition of this parcel would round out previous Agency acquisitions along
Drift Creek and complete acquisition of lands along Lower Drift Creek, adjacent to the Alsea Bay.
West Fork Indian Creek - 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. This riparian corridor parcel contains 3.5 miles of low gradient creek that is critical habitat for threatened
Oregon coast coho salmon and suitable habitat for threatened marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl. It also
contains habitat for Regional Forester’s sensitive Chinook, steelhead and cutthroat. West Fork Indian Watershed
is considered a stronghold for Siuslaw Basin anadromous salmonids. Acquisition 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 will complement similar work already completed on
adjacent NF lands, and in working with the Siuslaw Basin Partnership, a group of private and public agencies and
individuals working together on basin-wide watershed restoration and education and winner of the Theiss
International Riverprize. 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.
Rock Creek – This parcel contains approximately 0.25 miles of Rock Creek, a tributary of Elk River. With its
fishery, wildness, water quality, old-growth forests, and scenic beauty, Elk River is in a class by itself. Wild fall
Chinook, threatened coho salmon, winter steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat trout all thrive on the river. The lower
portion of Rock Creek that is included in the property is a vital coho spawning reach. The property has suitable
habitat for the marbled murrelet and the northern spotted owl, threatened species. The Elk River basin 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. Acquisition of this parcel will help consolidate federal ownership along Rock
Creek. Because second home development is expanding rapidly in this area, the parcel is considered at risk for
home or commercial development.
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Yachats River – The parcel is part of the largest mature and old-growth coniferous stand (rare) along the lower
Yachats River. The parcel is within Late Successional Reserve in the Tier 1 Yachats Key Watershed, in an
Audubon designated Important Bird Area for the Marbled Murrelet, and in The Nature Conservancy’s priority
conservation areas for the Coast Range Bioregion. It also contains critical habitat for threatened Oregon coast
coho salmon, and northern spotted owl, and habitat for Regional Forester’s sensitive Chinook, steelhead, and
cutthroat trout. About half of the parcel is riparian area.
The parcel’s location along the Yachats River and county road make it an ideal opportunity to expand recreation
for several different activities that already occur on the adjacent Forest lands, such as hunting, fishing, hiking,
camping, and education. Habitat conversion (logging) of this parcel is very likely in the next few years. Clear-cut
logging would substantially reduce ecosystem values of the parcel and the adjacent old-growth forest on Siuslaw
National Forest. Acquisition of the parcel would build on past acquisition efforts in the basin, and fulfills
conservation priorities in The Oregon Conservation Strategy 2006 by maintaining existing mature and old growth
forest habitat, connectivity and structural complexity as well as riparian and wetland functions.
Chesnimnus Creek – The property comprises three parcels within the Upper Chesnimnus sub-watershed, which
is bounded on the east and north by Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Chesnimnus Creek is a class I
perennial fish-bearing stream that provides habitat for mid-Columbia steelhead trout, federally listed as a
threatened species. Joseph Creek, a tributary of the Grande Ronde River which flows into the Snake River,
begins at the mouth of Chesnimnus Creek. Downstream from this confluence, a stretch of Joseph Creek is
designated as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Acquiring these parcels and
implementing habitat restoration projects would aid the Forest Service 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 – This property is located on Big Sheep Creek approximately one mile upstream from its
confluence with 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 midColumbia steelhead trout, Chinook salmon, and Columbia River bull trout. The parcel also provides winter range
for mule deer, elk, and big horn sheep. The Forest has identified Big Sheep Creek 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. Sheep Creek Divide forms the boundary of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
West Branch Le Clerc - The parcel is situated within the Le Clerc Creek watershed, one of only two watersheds
within the Colville National Forest boundary that contains a reproducing population of bull trout, a threatened
species. This is core area habitat essential to the recovery of the bull trout in northeastern Washington (U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Draft Bull Trout Recovery Plan). Additionally, the parcel is located within the Selkirk Grizzly
Bear Recovery Area. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is selling the property. Prior to
acquisition by WDFW, the parcel was platted for residential development. Development within bull trout and
grizzly bear recovery areas would be incompatible with the management objectives of adjacent National Forest
System lands.
Fivemile Wetlands - This parcel is 90 percent wetland and lies in the Coastal Lakes basins, which have been
identified as a high priority for restoration and protection by the Siuslaw NF and the Siuslaw Watershed Council.
The parcel would complement current efforts on acquired lands in Upper Fivemile Creek, where a unique
stewardship effort is developing a strategy/plan for restoration work in coordination with partners. Fivemile Creek
supports some of the healthiest runs of threatened coho salmon in Oregon. It also contains 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.
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