Planting Project Kicks off Healthy Streams Program

If you've been battling invasive weeds around your stream bank or trying to halt erosion, we have some solutions for you to improve water quality for fish, wildlife and livestock.

Case in point:  one Abbey Creek landowner, with over 7 acres of blackberry along two streams, tried for years to remove the and never seemed to be able to get out ahead of it. That's where the conservation district came in. Staff discussed options with the landowner and found Healthy Streams program funds to finally reclaim the stream buffers. 

The District helped plan the project, secured funds, and scheduled weed control and planting crews. In addition to the $10,000 in Healthy Streams money, WMSWCD obtained another $10,000 from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to improve the landowner's riparian areas and a stand of Oregon white oak. Restoration is a long-term commitment and the funds will be used to maintain the area, with the help of the landowner, for at least 5 years, until the trees and shrubs are robust enough to compete with weeds.

The objective on Sauvie Island agricultural land is to reduce invasive plant species and tillage directly adjacent to waterways, which may contribute to erosion and sedimentation. WMSWCD will pay to install and maintain non-invasive herbaceous buffers, or woody plants if consistent with canal maintenance needs. These should be easier for farmers to maintain, better protect livestock drinking water, irrigation and drainage canals, and offer pollinator habitat.

The objective along Upper Rock and Abbey Creeks in the West Hills is to provide funds and technical support to increase the amount and quality of native riparian buffers. WMSWCD has over $50,000 for the Healthy Streams Program in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. For more information on how to get back to a healthy stream, contact Kammy Kern-Korot at kammy@wmswcd.org.