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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2016)
8 community october6 2016 UNWC Watershed Restoration Project says Laws, who has a Fish and Wildlife degree. The placement of large woody debris in streams helps capture and slow the flow of water downstream during high water events, something that is es- pecially useful in the Upper Nehalem watershed that has been known to ex- perience flash flood conditions during heavy rainfalls. “The mindset is often that, the faster you can get the water off your property, the better off you will be,” says Peyton. “But really, if you start at the top of the watershed, like we are do- ing here, and you capture the water as it flows downstream, you can slow the whole process down.” Peyton says slowing the flow of the stream also has the additional im- pact of allowing water to soak in and re- charge groundwater supplies, something that is becoming more important as the region faces drought conditions during the summer months. Douglas fir logs for the proj- ect were purchased and harvested from the Oregon Department of Forestry on a nearby intact forest site. The 70 trees that were harvested include the root wads and are broken into two or three pieces providing at least 140 total logs to be placed in the creek to assist in the creation of naturally forming log jams. “Weyerhaeuser has been very generous by giving us access and by do- nating rock to help us stabilize the ap- proaches we are working on,” says Pey- ton. The UNWC has contracted with Quality Excavation to build the actual log jams, using huge pieces of equip- ment to harvest, move and place the stream. And so do all the other fish. And came open. “I grabbed onto this right logs. pretty soon all the fish get congregated away because now I am working on the Laws monitored and guided the in the same place and there’s more com- streams I grew up with and know a lot placement of the logs during the project, petition for food sources and habitat, and about,” says Laws. ensuring the structures will stay intact. sometimes it makes them more vulner- While Laws says he thinks his “You want the structure to interact with able to predation. Spreading the habitat biology background really helps him un- the stream flow to create flood plain out is the best situation for the survival derstand the physical habitat needs for connection, sort the gravels that flow of the young fish so they can head out to the fish, he also says it’s about more than through, and also capture other debris the ocean and then return.” just fish biology. “Some of our staff are so the log jams get bigger only out counting fish and sur- and stronger over time,” ex- veying anglers and don’t really plains Peyton. look at the whole lifecycle,” says “The reason we do Laws. “I have a lot of experi- these log placements is be- ence working with contractors cause in the 60s and 70s we and I’ve actually done some of cut a lot of these streams the construction work myself. I right down to the waters so also think the relationships I’ve we don’t have the old trees developed have helped. People that would naturally fall in,” know me and know what I do explains Laws. “Basically and they’ve been great about we’re helping jump start the participating, cooperating, and process and allow the sur- donating or providing resourc- rounding trees to put some es. Those connections have led years of growth on them. to a lot of the successes we’ve These log jams change the had on these projects.” stream’s hydraulic ability Peyton thinks the Or- Troy Laws, a Habitat Restoration Biologist with ODFW, by constraining it and creat- egon Plan has produced many assists the UNWC with riparian projects. ing a relief within the val- benefits. ”It has turned out to be ley width and the flood plain, so all that Peyton says she appreciates the a wonderful investment for the people stream energy has a place to go. All the way so many different entities come to- of Oregon and the agencies that have stream is just trying to do is seek its bal- gether and collaborate on projects of this been participating,” says Peyton. “The ance within the parameters it’s given.” type. “It really takes dedicated people, plan has lost some of its leadership at the Laws also says the log place- like Troy, within the agencies, to make top, and it’s really been the individuals ment in streams and in the surrounding this happen,” says Peyton. like Troy who have made it their per- flood plain helps fish find sanctuary dur- Laws grew up in Seaside and sonal goal to help Watershed Councils, ing high water events. “During flooding, started his career with ODFW working because we get things done. They can if the fish have somewhere outside the in Gold Beach. He spent about 15 years actually take their agency resources and stream channel, they can wait out the circling the state, working in various po- figure out ways to help us accomplish event and then come back to the channel. sitions before a job with the Tillamook good work on the ground. But we need That’s the ideal situation. Otherwise North Coast Watershed District office more people like them.” they get displaced and pushed down Absolute MARBLE For Kids and Families at the Library Homeschool Library Time Wednesday, October 12, 1 pm Opportunity for homeschoolers and families to get together at the library. Geared to K – 5 students, but older students are welcome. Will need parents to attend to help with activities. continued from front page QUALITY FABRICATION & INSTALLATION K-5 Library Time: 3D Halloween Lanterns MARBLE GRANITE TRAVERTINE Thursday, October 20 4 – 5 pm For children grades K-5 and parents. Materials and a snack provided. 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