This series of riparian management projects includes fencing livestock out of riparian areas, planting native tree species in open areas, and silvicultural treatments of certain forest types to increase recovery of specific riparian functions. Each of these actions are designed to improve stream shading, recruitment of woody debris to the stream to form salmon habitats, and some aspects of water quality. Silvicultural treatments of stands will be designed by an expert in silviculture. Each project was identified during inventories of riparian conditions conducted by Skagit System Cooperative in '97 and '98. Inventories covered tributaries in the lower Sauk River basin from Darrington downstream to its confluence with the Skagit River, and the lower 2.5 miles of Illabot Creek. Each project was selected based on criteria derived from current scientific literature. Inventories included classification of riparian forests into stand types by species composition and tree diameter, as well as by classes of riparian vegetation stand width. Areas where riparian conditions were considered poor were selected as project sites. Riparian vegetation plays a key role in the forming and maintaining salmon habitat in streams. Restoration and recovery of riparian vegetation provides woody debris that creates productive salmon habitat, as well as improved shading to maintain cooler stream temperatures. Fencing of riparian areas prevents fine sediment and fecal material input via livestock.