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.
Halloween Pre-Parade Photos
FREE ESTIMATES
Monday, October 31 at the Library 3:45-4:30 pm
Vernonia Public Library • 701 Weed Avenue • 503-429-1818
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am - 5 pm • Tues & Thur 1 pm - 7 pm • Sat 10 am - 4 pm
Kitchen Countertops
Fireplace & Furniture
Tubs & Vanities
Grey Dawn Gallery
879 Bridge St. (503) 429-2787
Photography - Bronze
Jewelry - Glasswork
Pottery - Custom Framing
www.greydawngallery.com
Featuring the finest in northwest art
O noohmn O `hmshmf
503-429-7101
Shl Onoohmn
19025 Vnncr Qn`c
Udqmnmh`, NQ 97064
Visit US today for
all your financial needs!
Juli,
Teresa,
Margy & Joy
Josh, Josh,
Teresa,
Nola,
Stepheny
905
Street
905 Bridge
Bridge Street
(503)
(503) 429-6271
429-6271
Khbdmrdc
Anmcdc
Hmrtqdc
BBL#90548
usbank.com
Member FDIC
CCB#204480
Phone 503-429-2617
AbsoluteMarble@frontier.com
We saddle shoe. Do you?
Muffy’s
950 Bridge Street
Vernonia, O8 97064
503.429.5050 or 866.524.5050
www.muffys.com
World Headquarters Vernonia, Oregon
Creatures LLC
Pets, Feeds, Supplies, Tack, U-Wash Facility,
Childrens Toys, Gifts, Novelies & More...
503-429-PETS (7387)
998 Bridge Street
Vernonia, OR 97064
Mon-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm
Sat 10:00am-5:00pm
Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm
Creatures@frontier.com
Facebook: Creatures-pet-shop