tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172142668442117445.post-79009516119773480812008-03-23T21:36:00.000-07:002008-03-23T21:37:45.879-07:00Fisheries Resources<br />Protection and restoration of aquatic habitat for anadromous species is one of the primary<br />goals of the Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP. Six objectives have been identified in<br />support of this goal (Table 5). Auburn Ravine, Coon Creek, and Doty Ravine provide<br />habitat of varying quality for Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and chinook salmon<br />(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), which are both special status species. The Draft ERP<br />identified a number of potential opportunities to enhance the aquatic habitat for these<br />species. However, additional information about how the species are currently using the<br />existing habitat, such as extent of migration and the location of active spawning and<br />rearing areas, is needed to focus habitat enhancement efforts.<br />This focus is desirable for several reasons. Restoration funds are limited and it is<br />important that projects undertaken provide a meaningful benefit to the species.<br />Implementing spawning area enhancements when adults cannot bypass the barriers to<br />reach spawning areas is probably not the most productive use of resources. In addition,<br />the complexities of private property ownership and the use of the channels for<br />conveyance and flood control must also be considered. Private property owners, the<br />water purveyors, and the local jurisdictions responsible for flood management have<br />expressed their willingness to participate in aquatic habitat enhancement efforts provided<br />the proposed projects are executed in a manner that reasonably reflects an understanding<br />of the actual uses and needs of the species in the local watersheds. For example, prior to<br />considering redesign of a diversion structure to provide passage, the operator would want<br />to know that there was a reasonable potential for the adults to even reach the structure.<br />Therefore, development of this comprehensive strategy has been identified as a first-tier<br />priority (FR6).<br />Another first-priority objective to enhance fisheries resources is to better manage the<br />import and transport of sediment in the creek corridor (FR7). This is considered a first<br />tier-priority because excess sediment is known to compromise aquatic habitat for many<br />species, and because some of the mechanisms of sedimentation, such as erosion,<br />backwatering, and flooding are creating significant other problems in the watersheds.<br />Four additional objectives have been defined for fisheries resources. These address<br />removal of barriers to adult migration (FR3), juvenile emigration (FR4) and enhancement<br />of spawning and rearing habitat (FR1 and FR5). Each of these objectives is important,<br />and is to some degree dependent on the comprehensive strategy described above for<br />focus. In reaches where salmonid presence and meaningful habitat restoration<br />Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP Projects 13 Foothill Associates © 2004<br />opportunities are already known to exist, such as Coon Creek, the assessment and<br />removal of adult migration barriers should proceed concurrently with development of the<br />comprehensive strategy. This objective is thus assigned a first-tier priority. The<br />remaining three objectives are assigned to the second tier since efforts aimed at the<br />improvement of spawning and rearing habitat and juvenile emigration are most<br />meaningful only if barriers to adult migration are addressed.<br />Table 5 - Fisheries Resources Objectives<br />ID Objective Priority<br />FR6 Develop a comprehensive strategy to guide implementation of measures<br />to enhance salmonid habitat in the watersheds that identifies current and<br />historical migration timing and extent, determines locations of existing<br />and potential spawning and rearing habitat, and establishes habitat<br />restoration/enhancement priorities. Incorporate information developed<br />for the PCCP in this process.<br />1<br />FR7 Implement measures throughout watersheds to reduce excess sediment<br />and sediment imports. Coordinate with assessment, remediation, and<br />restoration activities under Water Quality and Plant Community tasks.<br />1<br />FR3 Based on the priorities established in the salmonid habitat enhancement<br />strategy, identify barriers for adult chinook salmon and steelhead trout<br />migration to spawning areas, such as diversion structures or gauging<br />stations, in all watersheds excluding Markham Ravine. This assessment<br />of barriers is already underway on Coon Creek. Develop a<br />comprehensive strategy for improving passage that considers priority,<br />flow, infrastructure needs, alternative structures, and ownership by 2009.<br />1<br />FR4 Based on the priorities established in the salmonid habitat enhancement<br />strategy, identify barriers for juvenile chinook salmon and steelhead trout<br />to the Sacramento River during emigration in all watersheds excluding<br />Markham Ravine, and develop a comprehensive strategy for improving<br />passage that considers priority, flow, infrastructure needs, alternative<br />structures, and ownership by 2009.<br />2<br />FR1 Based on the priorities identified in the salmonid habitat enhancement<br />strategy, select areas in the upper watersheds (excluding Markham<br />Ravine) that are determined to have good potential for spawning habitat<br />but where stream channel sediment concentration is excessive. Reduce to<br />target condition (particles < 6.35 mm in diameter to less than 20% of the<br />gravel/cobble substrate composition, and particles <0.833 mm in<br />diameter to less than 10% of the gravel/cobble substrate).<br />2<br />FR5 Optimize juvenile salmonid rearing habitat in the upper watersheds where<br />the potential for fish presence is high as determined by the salmonid<br />habitat enhancement strategy. Optimal habitat should have approximately<br />60 percent pool habitat and 40 percent riffle habitat.<br />2<br />Auburn Ravine/Coon Creek ERP Projects 14 Foothill Associates © 2004<br />4.0 TASKS<br />For each objective, a set of tasks has been identified to support implementation of the<br />objective. The suggested sequencing for the individual tasks reflects the order in which<br />the interdependent activities should be implemented. Tasks that are not interdependent<br />are may be implemented concurrently. Not all objectives and tasks are relevant to each<br />of the four watersheds considered by the Draft ERP (Auburn Ravine, Coon Creek, Doty<br />Ravine and Markham Ravine). The AR/CC ERP database identifies which tasks pertain<br />to which watersheds.<br />4.1 Public Outreach<br />PO1Shundahaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17094267051539269616noreply@blogger.com