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Mattole Coho Recovery Strategy. Mattole River and Range Partnership. Mattole River. -Southern Extent of SONCC Coho ESU -64 River Miles; 304 square miles -No dams; No hatcheries -Functionally Independent Population (1 of 19; Williams et al. 2006 ) -Also: CC Chinook-Threatened
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Mattole Coho Recovery Strategy Mattole River and Range Partnership
Mattole River -Southern Extent of SONCC Coho ESU -64 River Miles; 304 square miles -No dams; No hatcheries -Functionally Independent Population (1 of 19; Williams et al. 2006) -Also: CC Chinook-Threatened NC Steelhead-Threatened
-Historic Population -USFWS- 20,000 adults (DFG 1960) -Stillwater Sciences- 20,000 adults (2010) -Southern Coastal Basin Stratum (Williams et al. 2008) -11,000 Spawner Density Threshold -Mattole River- 6,500 -Humboldt Bay Tribs-5,700 -Lower Eel/Van Duzen-7,900 -Bear River-1,900 -Depensation Threshold- 250 adults; 1 fish/IP Km (Williams et al. 2008) Mattole River
Population averaged below Depensation level for last 20 years • 2009/2010 Lowest Adult returns on Record- 2 redds documented • Coho mostly confined to headwaters- upper 12 miles of watershed • Tributaries with coho presence: • Historic = 50 • 2010 = 2 • Abundance of juveniles from dive surveys • 2002 = 2549 • 2010 = 76 Mattole River
Priority 1 Areas • Coho still present; watershed conditions generally good; should respond quickly to restoration • Priority 2 Areas • Coho observed in last 10 years; habitat conditions generally improving, intermediate response time • Priority 3 Areas • no or very few coho observed in last 20 years; habitat potential low or habitat degraded • Priority 4 Areas • no contemporary use; habitat potential low or habitat severely degraded Priority Watershed Areas
Priority 1 Strategies: Avoid Extirpation • Tank and Forbearance Program • Wetland Enhancement and Groundwater Recharge Program • Recovery Rearing Program • Instream Habitat Enhancement Program (i.e. LWD input and off channel habitat improvement) • Properly Screened Diversions Program • Priority 2 Strategies: Increase Abundance and Distribution- Recovery • Land Conservation and Acquisition Program • Good Roads, Clear Creeks Program (i.e. sediment reduction) • Education and Outreach Programs • Forest Thinning Program Priority Recovery Strategies
Mattole Tank and Forbearance Program- Restoring Instream Flows Priority 1 Recovery Strategies
Basics • Provide tanks to local landowners and institutions to restore flow to headwaters mainstem and all tribs • Plan to install 90 tanks in next decade • Forebearance agreement restrict summer pumping for 15 years • Location • Upstream of Bridge Creek (RM 52) • Current State • 20 tanks currently installed • Obstacles- • Funding- not many categories for streamflow • County Building Permit Policy • What’s next • Working with NOAA to connect streamflow to fish passage • What’s needed • Funding • County Cooperation Mattole Tank and Forbearance Program
Mattole Wetland Enhancement and Groundwater Recharge Program- Restoring Instream Flows Priority 1 Recovery Strategies
Basics • Mitigate Climate Change • Restore streamflow, slow water habitat, floodplain connectivity, steam function and complexity, supply food for fish • Creation of 640 ponds in next decade • Ponds include wetlands and engineered beaver ponds • Locations • All low gradient headwaters tributaries • Current State • Designing pilot project in Lost River and Thompson Creek • Many field trips, presentations, workshops, outreach • Obstacles • “New tool”- fear and concerns • Funding • Permits • What’s next • Collaboration • Outreach on benefits • Create and permit design • What’s needed • DFG support, specifically engineers and permit staff Mattole Wetland Enhancement and Groundwater Recharge Program
Mattole Recovery Rearing Program- Ensuring Survival Priority 1 Recovery Strategies
Basics • Capture all coho salmon in headwaters and rear in artificial tanks on South Fork Bear Creek • Spring and Fall releases • In operation until population above depensation level of 250 adults • Locations • RM 47 and above, plus South Fork Bear Creek • Current State • Formed Interagency Working Group (NMFS, BLM, USFWS, DFG, MSG) in June • Finalizing Proposed Action, RRMP, 5-Year Plan, HACCP • Obstacles • “New tool”- fear and concerns • Permitting • Funding • DFG Fisheries Branch • Time! • What’s next • 11-9-10 meeting with DFG Fisheries Branch • What’s needed • DFG Fisheries Branch support • Funding • Continued support Mattole Recovery Rearing Program
Mattole Instream Habitat Enhancement Program- Improving Summer and Winter Juvenile Rearing Habitat Priority 1 Recovery Strategies
Basics • Constructing LWD projects, alcoves, engineered beaver ponds, and slough enhancement to improve summer and winter rearing conditions • Locations- throughout watershed • Current State • In past focused mainly on summer rearing habitat • Installed approx 50 structures in headwaters, estuary, and important tribs for coho • Designing off channel habitat features and engineered beaver ponds • Obstacles • “New tool” – fear and concern for winter projects • What’s next • Alcoves in Thompson Creek • Program plan for winter rearing habitat • Continue raising funds • What’s needed • Funding Mattole Instream Habitat Enhancement Program
Mattole Properly Screened Diversions Program- Reducing direct take from trapping or impingement Priority 1 Recovery Strategies
Basics • Fabricate and install DFG approved fish screens on every intake in Mattole River • Current State • Forbearance program land owners are only ones that have them • Obstacles • Funding and outreach • What’s next • Sell at Whitethorn Construction and other outlets • What’s needed • Outreach • Funding • Landowner Cooperation Mattole Properly Screened Diversions Program