Fish surveys of Couse Creek reveal steelhead production and Chinook salmon presence in the lower 1.6 miles (Mendel) where there is extensive riparian habitat. This project worked to reduce direct livestock access to the stream channel and riparian areas by installing livestock fencing. Tree/Shrub Establishment. A total of 10,000 tres/shrubs will be planted in 2006. The landowner is responsible for annual maintenance including inpection for health and vigor and inspection for injury. Inspection should occur during the spring and fall of each year. In the event the trees/shrubs do not survive, the landowner should contact the District to conduct an inspection of the trees/shrubs to determine whether replanting is necessary and at what rate. No tree watering will occur. If vegitation cannot be established in t. Pest Management. Agricultural pest infestations, including weeds, insects and disease must be managed to reduce adverse effects to tree/shrub establishment.

Weed control should be conducted in fall and spring of 2005 to help establishment of trees/shrubs. Noxious weeds identified include Canadian thistle, hounds tounge, yellow starthistle, knapweed, scoth thistle, and St. John's Wort. Watering Facilites. 3 troughs and 1 tank (614), one well (574) and 3,000 feet of pipeline will be intalled on this contract to provide off-site water for livestock. The landowner is responsible to ensure that reliable water is provided and must maintain the system when necessarey. Regular inpection of the system should occur and the District contacted in the event a problem arises. Fencing. A total of 9,415 feet of fence was intalled to exclude livestock from the riparian area. The landowner will be responsible for maintaining the fence in good repair in order to contine to exclude livestock from the riparian buffer. This maintenance may include removal of trees and stems from the wire, replacement of wire, post and stays as necessary and tightening wire as needed. Regular inspection of the fence should occur and the District contacted in the event a problem arises.

Another component of this project was to provide farmers an opportunity to experience, manage and adopt agronomic solutions for improved water quality and fish habitat, an incentive program for continuous cropping through minimum till. With the first five years paid at $27.00 an acre and the sixth year paid completely by the farmer. Given this opportunity farmers will gain knowledge, develop new tools, find new crop rotation or alternative crops, and implement upland measures, which will ultimately help improve environment for ESA listed fish species and reduce sedimentation by 95%.

This project was conducted through Asotin County Conservation District with funds from BPA.