Download Land Management Plan - The Confederated Tribes Of The Colville

Land Management Plan for the Bridgeport Hatchery
Prepared for the
Colville Confederated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department,
Anadromous Fish Program
By Heike Baesecke, Geosis Consulting
April 2012
I.
Introduction and Purpose
1. Objective
The objective for developing a Land Management Plan for the Bridgeport Hatchery is to create a
document that serves as a guideline in assisting the Colville Confederated Tribe’s Fish and
Wildlife Program (CCT F&WP) in managing the acquired property and its natural and cultural
resources.
2. Property Description and Location
The Bridgeport Hatchery is a 16.24 acre parcel, located in the Okanogan Highlands in Okanogan
County, Washington. The property is situated on the northern banks of the Columbia River, on
the lands of the Colville Confederated Tribes Reservation, approximately 4 ½ miles upstream of
its confluence with the Okanogan River, about 2.25 miles north of the town of Bridgeport and
approximately 4 miles downstream from the Chief Joseph Dam. The Columbia River runs along
the Bridgeport Hatchery’s west side for approximately 800 ft, is framed by the Colville Tribes
Resident Fish Hatchery to the south and a recently operated apple orchard to its east side. The
legal description of the property is T29 R25 S09.
3. Baseline and Management Goals
The CCT F&WP purchased the Bridgeport Hatchery in 2010 with the primary goal to acquire
property for potential expansion of the Colville Tribes Resident Fish Hatchery.
A baseline survey of the property was conducted in the summer of 2011 to record information
on existing vegetation, wildlife, exotic species and other resources, described in Part II of this
document: Existing Natural and Cultural Resources. A non-native weed list for the property, as
well as a Baseline Assessment Form (BAF) and a Specific Property Information Form (SPIF) were
compiled and describe the basic management goals. Additional recommended management
goals are outlined in Part III of this document: Management Recommendations and
Treatments, and serve the interest of the CCT F&WP in specific, and the Colville Tribes in
general. The management recommendations aim to protect and enhance fish and wildlife
species and their habitat, protect and restore vegetative resources to fulfill their beneficial
functions in the ecosystem, conserve listed and rare species and their habitats, protect and
enhance culturally significant species, and preserve historical and archeological resources.
II.
Existing Natural and Cultural Resources
1. Geology and Soils
The Bridgeport Hatchery is a 16.24 acre piece of land, geographically located in the transition
zone between the southernmost extension of the Okanogan Highlands and the northern edge of
the Columbia River Plateau. The Columbia Plateau is formed of successive lava flows that turned
into basalt upon cooling before the last ice age, and the glaciers that moved over the plateau
during the Pleistocene. Peri-and post-glacial ice dam failures, especially the massive ice dam
failure of Lake Missoula in Montana carved out many of the Columbia Plateau’s erosion features
as they are recently visible in the landscape. A large portion of the plateau was then covered
with thick loess (wind-blown soil) deposits that formed after the ice age and provide fertile soils
in many regions of the Plateau.
The Columbia River as it exists nowadays followed the main erosive patterns of the ice age flows
of old, and the large and exposed basalt columns are visible along its path in many places. The
Bridgeport Hatchery is situated on an old river terrace, which developed after the last ice age
and is a witness of the glacial and fluvial transformations the river’s basin has experienced over
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millions of years. Within the last 100 years, the flow of the Columbia River has been severely
altered by humans. The soils on the Bridgeport Hatchery are comprised of the remnants of the
extensive loess caps of the region with few cobbles and angular basalt rocks mixed into the soil.
2. Aquatic Resources
a. Streams
The Bridgeport Hatchery is located adjacent to the Columbia River, which flows along its
west side for approximately 730 ft. However, the property does not immediately border the
river- a 50 ft basalt slope divides the property from the river’s edge. The Columbia River is
the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. The river has been significantly altered in is flow
over the last 80 years, mainly by the establishment of 14 dams along its flow from British
Columbia in Canada to its release into the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. The river’s water
quantity and -quality are furthermore influenced by irrigation water use, industrial
development, farmlands and orchards, development of the riparian areas, road
establishment etc.
3. Vegetation
a. Riparian
The Bridgeport Hatchery is does not have an immediate riparian area, as it is separated by a
50 ft slope of basalt outcrops from the river’s edge.
b. Upland
The upland vegetation and its communities on the Bridgeport Hatchery have been
completely altered by land management practices. The former shrub-steppe communities
on the property have been converted into orchard land and were then taken out of
management several years ago. The land is now fallow orchard land and inhabited by nonnative invasive plants. Siberian Elm (Ulmus pusillus) is the dominant tree and is scattered
throughout the fallow orchard parcel. The individuals are approximately 2-5 years young.
The other, not as common invasive tree species is Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
with fewer individuals of approximately the same age. The non-native dominant forbs are
Mustards (Sisymbrium loeselii, S. altissimum), Russian Thistle (Salsola kali), Diffuse
Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), Field Milk Thistle (Sonchus arvensis), Field Pennycress
(Thlaspi arvense), Salsify (Tragopogon dubius), Stork’s Bill (Erodium cicutarium) and Dwarf
Mallow (Malva neglecta). Many other agricultural weeds are common throughout the
parcel. The dominant introduced and invasive grasses are Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum),
Bulbous Bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) and Quackgrass (Elymus repens). Besides those, other nonnative grasses have common coverage throughout the property.
c. Culturally Significant Plants
The only culturally significant plant species to the Colville Tribe occurring on the Bridgeport
Hatchery is Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), which was used in the past and is still
currently used by tribal members as a food source.
d. Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive and Rare Plant Species and Existing Habitat
No listed threatened, endangered, sensitive or rare plant species were found on the
property.
4. Fish and Wildlife
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a. Fish
There are a variety of fish species in the adjacent Columbia River, but none on the
Bridgeport Hatchery. The CCT’s F&WP has extensive data on fish species and their
distribution and should be consulted for more information on fish in this location.
b. Wildlife Species
No wildlife was observed on the Bridgeport Hatchery during the survey. Little habitat exists
on this fallow orchard parcel that has no overstory or cover. The only animals that could be
found here are a number of rodents and an occasional predator, such as Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis) or Coyote (Canis latrans).
c. Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive and Rare Wildlife Species and Existing Habitat
No threatened, endangered, sensitive or rare wildlife species or existing habitats were found
on the Bridgeport Hatchery.
5. Cultural Resources
a. Historic and Archeological
No historical artifacts are expected on the Bridgeport Hatchery, but a historic/archeological
survey should be conducted due to the property’s proximity to the Columbia River.
b. Agricultural
There are no agricultural resources located on the Bridgeport Hatchery.
6. Disturbances
a. Environmental Hazards
A certain amount of soil contamination with chemicals used in orchard maintenance is
expected on the Bridgeport Hatchery.
b. Invasive and Non-Native Species
Exotic plant species are abundant throughout the Bridgeport Hatchery and their control will
take significant effort. Several of the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board B and
C- classified invasive plants are present on the property and are actively spreading in the
area. Landowners have a legal requirement and a ‘good neighborhood’ responsibility to
control the spread of noxious weeds on their property. With the purchase of the Peterson
property, that responsibility now falls into the hands of the CCT F&WP.
The Washington State Noxious Weed Board categorizes Class B Noxious Weeds as follows:
‘Class B noxious weeds are nonnative species whose distribution is limited to portions of
Washington State. Species are designated for control in state regions where they are not yet
widespread. Prevention of new infestations in these areas is the primary goal. In regions
where a Class B species is already abundant, control is decided at the local level.
Containment of these weeds is the primary goal so that they do not spread into un-infested
regions. The Washington State Noxious Weed Board or a County Noxious Weed Board can
designate a Class B noxious weed for mandatory control.’ (http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/).
The Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board is the agency that decides over the local
control of the weeds species and describes the control of Class B Designate species as: ‘…
considered required control. However, currently this means that you are only required to
stop seed production.’ (http://okanogancounty.org).
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The current Class B weeds on the Bridgeport Hatchery are: Diffuse Knapweed and Field-milk
Thistle.
The Washington State Noxious Weed Board categorizes Class C Noxious Weeds as:
‘Class C noxious weeds are either already widespread in Washington or are of special
interest to the agricultural industry. The Class C status allows a county to enforce control if it
is beneficial to that county (for example: to protect crops). Other counties may choose to
provide education or technical support for the removal or control of these weeds.’
(http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/). The Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board describes
the control of Class C Designate species as: ‘… We do recommend that you do control these
species to stop further spread, however we do not require control unless we get complaints
from adjacent property owners.’ (http://okanogancounty.org).
There is only one of the current Class C weeds on the Bridgeport Hatchery, which is Field
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).
In addition to the Class B and C weeds, a variety of other non-native and invasive plant
species grow on the Bridgeport Hatchery. For a complete list of the occurring non-native
plants refer to the Bridgeport Hatchery Weed List.
c. Insects and Diseases
No insect attacks or diseases of the non-native and invasive plant species on the Bridgeport
Hatchery were observed.
d. Fire Occurrences and Hazards
No signs of current or past fires were observed on the Bridgeport Hatchery. A high density
of dead plant material that has accumulated from previous years is occurring throughout
the parcel, where non-native weed species such as Mustards and Cheatgrass have
established a continuous, dry fuel layer. This fuel load could create a fire hazard if a wildland
fire were to ignite in the region.
III.
Management Objectives and Recommendations
1. Natural Resource Needs
As the CCT F&W is acquiring more acreage and properties for anadromous fisheries
protection and habitat recovery, the Program has consequently inherited the responsibility
to manage the land’s resources and become the stewardship agency for the properties.
With the change in land ownership and the focus on fish and wildlife, management practices
have to be adjusted in the efforts to preserve existing habitat and create new habitat where
not only fish but also wildlife can thrive, and listed and rare species as well as cultural
resources are protected.
a. Upland Habitat Restoration and Weed Control
The upland vegetation on the Bridgeport Hatchery has been altered from its natural
composition due to agricultural and orchard use and non-native and invasive plant species
are abundant throughout and are spreading uncontrolled on the Bridgeport Hatchery and
onto adjacent properties. Their continuous spread degrades both adjacent riparian and
upland habitats for generations to come and is detrimental to fostering positive relations
and partnerships between the CCT and the neighboring landowners. In addition, dead fuels
from invasive annual plants increase the fuel load unnecessarily and create a potential fire
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hazard. The spread of invasive plants needs to be controlled, in particular in and adjacent to
the riparian area and along the property boundaries. The target species should be the
weeds categorized by the Washington State Weed Board as A, B and C weeds as well as
those that are occurring in mono-culture patches and that create a high fuel load such as
Mustards, Knapweeds, Sweetclovers, Curly Dock , Cheatgrass and other weedy Bromes. A
variety of methods for weed control can be used on the property, including mechanical,
chemical, biological treatments and plant competition. However, chemical agents should be
avoided close to river corridor.
Along with the removal of invasive weeds, the management of the fallow orchard land and
the re-introduction of native plants in the upland area are crucial for habitat restoration
efforts. If the land is not developed for additional hatchery installations, intense
rehabilitation measures need to be put into place to revegetate it with native species. If the
latter is to be achieved, the recommended upland restoration techniques are complete
mowing and tilling of the land for at least 2 years and seeding of native graminoids, such as
Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata),
Great Basin Wildrye (Elymus cinereus) and planting of low-growing native shrubs, such as
Wax Currant (Ribes cereus), Big Sagebrush and Fringed Sage (Artemisia tridentata, A.
frigida), Gray Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosea) and Buckwheat species (Eriogonum
heracleoides, E. umbellatum and E. niveum).
Weeds have established in the site over a time span of several years. Weed control is an
ongoing effort and takes several years of treatment, monitoring, adjusted treatments and
patience to recover this land. During rehabilitation efforts, the possible introduction of new
and additional weed species through contaminated machinery and equipment needs to be
eliminated.
2. Cultural Resource Needs
a. Cultural Plant Enhancement
The only cultural plant species on the Bridgeport Hatchery Asparagus will most likely
disappear with development of the land or restorative measures to return it to a native
plant community. However, Asparagus can be re-planted here after the land has been
rehabilitated.
3. Environmental Needs
The soils on the property are fast-draining sands and the property is sloped towards the
Columbia River. When chemical agents or equipment are used in the upland region for weed
control or planting/seeding activities, appropriate measures to prevent and mitigate
chemical or oil spills need to be in place to avoid contamination of the riparian area and the
water resources.
IV.
Treatment Implementation
1. Short Term
The short term treatment implementations address the most pressing issues for the
Bridgeport Hatchery. The timeframe for these recommended treatments is immediate and
within the current working period or as soon as weather and vegetation conditions and
budget constraints allow.
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Task
a. Weed Control in Upland
- Remove Siberian Elm,
Russian Olive
- Treat Weeds on Site
Method
Implementation Time
Mechanical (cut)
Immediate (Summer/Fall 2015)
Chemical (spray)
Immediate (Summer/Fall 2015)
2. Intermediate Term
The intermediate treatment term refers to the treatments that should be implemented
within one to two years from development of the Property Management Plan.
Task
a. Weed Control in Upland
- Continue Elm & Olive
Removal
- Continue Weed Treatment
b. Upland Habitat Restoration
- Prepare upland for Seeding
- Broadcast Seed
c. Monitoring
- Review Efforts
Method
Implementation Time
Mechanical (cut)
Spring/Summer 2015, 2016
Chemical (pull)
Summer/Fall 2015
Tilling
Native Grasses
Fall 2015/Spring 2016/Fall 2016
Spring 2016/Fall 2016
Take Photos,
Compare Results
Summer 2015,2016
3. Long Term
The long term recommendations address treatments that should be ongoing for several
years and those that are not of immediate importance and can be implemented within the
next five to ten years.
Task
Method
a. Weed Control in Upland
- Continue Elm & Olive Removal Mechanical (cut)
- Continue Weed Treatment
Chemical (spot spray)
Spring/Summer 2020-2025
Spring/Summer/Fall 2020-2025
b. Upland Habitat Restoration
- Plant Recommended
Species
Spring /Fall 2020-2025
Spring /Fall 2020-2025
c. Monitoring
- Review Efforts
-
CCT F & W
Compile Report
Seed Grasses
Plant Shrubs
Implementation Time
Take Photos, Compare Summer 2020-2025
Results
Compare & Review
Fall 2025
Results
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