5
Tribe, Forest sign MOU
FEBRUARY 15, 2000
Continued from front page
Council Chair Kathryn Harrison
said, "I am so proud of the relation
ship we have with the Forest Service.
We have come a long way in work
ing together."
Harrison said that she has travelled
to different sites in the forest that
were of significance to the people of
the different Grand Ronde tribes, in
cluding Cougar Rock, and other ar
eas where Native people used to hunt,
gather, and pray. She shared her
memories of picking huckleberries,
and the importance of continuing
those practices and traditions that
were so important to tribal ancestors.
Darrel Kenops, the forest supervi
sor, said the MOU signing epitomized
the values of "culture, commitment,
and community," and said that he
looks forward to the input and collabo
ration with the Grand Ronde Tribe.
Kenops presented Cultural Re
source staff and Tribal Council with
gifts for their involvement in approv
ing the MOU with the Forest Service.
He presented Council with a Pendle
ton blanket featuring various im
ages, including "Smokey the Bear."
The Tribe gave the Forest Service
a Pendleton, as well as photo albums
containing pictures of the joint field
trips to the forest.
After the signing ceremony, the
Tribe hosted a luncheon at the ca
sino for the Forest Service staff which
included a special treat from Forest
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Service Archeologist Tony Farque.
He had picked some huckleberries
near Cougar Rock last year, which
he froze. At the luncheon, he made
a juice by mixing them with the
river water in Grand Ronde. The
juice was served at the luncheon,
where a toast was made in honor of
the new relationship with the Tribe.
Beginning this summer, Wil
lamette National Forest will invite
tribal leaders and Elders to partici
pate in touring culturally significant
forest areas.
Photo by Tracy Dugan
The MOU is the result of the Tribe's
government-to-government rela
tionship with the State of Oregon.
The Forest Service recognizes how
important cultural areas are to the
Tribe.
Streams and FBshs
MOT TOPIC
By Rod Thompson, Water Quality Specialist
Throughout the region many scientists, government agencies, land own
ers and communities are considering the needs of salmon, steelhead,
and cutthroat trout. Many issues including fishing, dams, agriculture, for
estry, and rural and urban land use affect streams and the fish that depend
on them. Our own Natural Resources department wrestles with the same
issues. One of the water quality issues that is particularly key to salmonid
(salmon and trout) habitat is the temperature of streams during the hot
summer months. That is why the department has established a tribal stream
temperature monitoring program.
Water temperature is a major factor affecting the growth and survival of all
aquatic organisms. If the temperature becomes too high it can be lethal. Salmo
nids are adapted to growing and reproducing when the temperature is be
tween 40 - 66 F and will die if the temperature exceeds 77 F. Among other
effects, as temperature rises, water holds less oxygen. Fish and other aquatic
species need that aquatic or "dissolved" oxygen to breathe. These limits for
fish survival are one of the reasons the National Marine Fisheries Service
considers streams with a maximum daily temperature warmer than 60 F for
seven consecutive days (or more) to be at risk of not being properly function
ing salmonid habitat. Streams having maximum daily temperatures at or
above 68 F for seven consecutive days or more are considered to be not prop
erly functioning salmonid habitat. These temperature standards were estab
lished because most salmonids stop growing and will die if exposed to tempera
tures above 64 F for extended periods of time. Studies also show that as
higher temperatures stress fish, their disease resistance drops. Even if young
coho or other salmonids do not die from a disease once infected, they are more
susceptible to predation and less able to compete for food.
Several factors can affect a stream's temperature. The amount of canopy
cover, effects of ground water, and the conditions of tributaries all contribute
to the picture. In many cases, streams are warmer than cold water fish can
tolerate because the riparian zone surrounding the stream may be degraded
or removed. Riparian zones are an important factor in keeping water tem
peratures cool. They provide shade and woody debris (downed trees) to the
stream. Woody debris creates deeper pools, which provides the stream with
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Good shading and woody debris is necessary for salmonid to survive in
Agency Creek. photo courtesy of Natural Resources
cooler water and a place of refuge for fish during the summer months. Woody
debris also provides food for aquatic insects (fish food) and cover for fish from
high flows and predation.
A healthy riparian area should contain conifer trees for long term large
woody debris' recruitment. A conifer that has fallen into a stream will last
over twice as long as a fallen alder, providing stream benefits for a longer
period of time. Vegetation surrounding streams should contain a mix of tree
age classes from young trees to snags, for continuous recruitment of shade
trees and woody debris. Shade reduces the rate of stream heating when
daily temperatures are high. A slower rate of stream heating results in cooler
stream temperatures over the course of the day. Riparian areas also should
be wide enough and diverse enough to shade the stream at all times of the
year and provide stability to the streamside hillslope.
The Natural Resources department has monitored stream temperatures on
the reservation for the last two years (1998 and 1999). We monitor stream
temperatures to develop our understanding of the yearly temperature re
gime in tribal streams and to identify if any streams may need enhancement.
If a stream is determined to need enhancement, trees that provide shade can
be established or logs can be installed for habitat. As our studies progress,
we will learn more about the important issues for our tribal fish populations
and can direct our land management to respond to those needs.