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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2016)
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 13 Creek restoration project launched The Deschutes Land Trust and Upper Deschutes Water- shed Council have launched a massive stream restoration project at the Land Trust’s Whychus Canyon Preserve. Restoration will begin on the northernmost mile of Whychus Creek at the Pre- serve and will improve habi- tat in and around the creek for fish and wildlife. More than a mile of Whychus Creek will be com- pletely transformed as part of the first phase of a six-mile stream restoration project. Large earth-moving equip- ment will remove berms that are holding the stream in its current straight alignment and then remove soil in places to promote the free move- ment of water across its his- toric floodplain. Large woody debris (like whole trees) will be added to create complex habitat for fish and wildlife. Then, this fall, more than 60,000 native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses will be planted and seeded to pro- vide stream shade, bank and floodplain stability, and habi- tat for wildlife. “It’s incredible to see a project in which so many have worked patiently for so many years finally come to fruition. The Land Trust has worked toward this day for over 15 years, by first acquiring and protecting the property, and now by being able to real- ize our long-term vision for Whychus Canyon Preserve. We couldn’t have done it without our many partners, funders and volunteers. We look forward to seeing wild- life return to the Preserve in abundance,” said Deschutes Land Trust Executive Direc- tor Brad Chalfant. “Our long-term goal is to restore each of the 18 miles of Whychus Creek that was straightened in the 1960s so we can support health fish and wildlife in the area,” explained Ryan Houston, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council’s executive direc- tor. “This outstanding project brings us one important step closer and illustrates how much can be accomplished when organizations, agencies, landowners and funders all put their energy into making positive change.” The restoration project was designed by a team of hydrol- ogists and biologists from the Deschutes National Forest working in close coordina- tion with private consultants and staff from the Watershed Council and Deschutes Land Trust. The implementation work in 2016 is part of a larger six-mile restoration project on Whychus Creek. Phase I, this initial work on 1.5 miles of Whychus Creek at Whychus Canyon Preserve, will occur this summer and run through the fall. Then, the project area will be left alone to rest, recover, and naturally evolve and grow. Phase II, which includes the portion of Whychus Creek upstream of Phase I, is planned for 2017 or 2018. Primary funders of the project include: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Pelton Round Butte Fund (Portland General Electric & the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs), Deschutes National Forest, Oregon Department of Fish & photo Courtesy dlt grading begins on Whychus creek restoration. Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Laird Norton Family Foundation, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and East Cascade Audubon Society. The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local com- munities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and FINE�FURNITURE HALL� The barber is in! TABLE S Call Jeff for an appointment today! Adam Bronstein Cra� sman Gallery open by appt 152 E. Main Ave. • 541-549-8771 541-410-1309 SpringCreekWoodworking.com locally based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,750 acres since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, call 541-330-0017 or visit www. deschuteslandtrust.org. For more information on the Watershed Council, call 541-382-6103 or visit www. restorethedeschutes.org. Jeff • Theresa • Ann • Jamie • Shiela • Terri • Shanntyl • Brittany Serving th e Sisters, Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Areas Ponderosa Properties R E A L T O R S 541-549-2002 LLC A N D 1-800-650-6766 P R O P E R T Y M A N A G E M E N T www. P onderosa P roperties.com 221 S. Ash St., Sisters The Locals’ Choice for Real Estate Sales Kevin R. Dyer 541-480-755 Rad Dyer 541-480-8853 Carol Davis 541-410-1556 Catherine Black 541-588-9219 Shane Lundgren 541-588-9226 Debbie Dyer 541-480-1650 Carrie Koepke 541-419-1575 Desmond Boots 541-977-1125 Greg Davidge 808-281-2676 Jackie Herring 541-480-3157 CRS, GRI, Principal Broker ABR, CCIM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Principal Broker ABR, GRI, Broker CRS, Broker, Realtor Emeritus Broker GRI, Broker Broker Broker Broker Broker
