aho

Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation

District

Conservation Needs

Assessment Big Canyon Creek Watershed

Nez Perce and Lewis Counties, Idaho June 2006

N E Z P E R C E S O I L A N D W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N D I S T R I C T

Conservation Needs Assessment – Big Canyon Creek Watershed Survey Results

Prepared by:

Lynn Rasmussen Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District

P.O. Box 131 • Culdesac, ID 85324 Phone 208.843.2931 • Fax 208.843.2234

honora@turbonet.com

Chelsie Zenner Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District

P.O. Box 131 • Culdesac, ID 85324 Phone 208.843.2931 • Fax 208.843.2234

Stefanie Thomas

Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District P.O. Box 131 • Culdesac, ID 85324

Phone 208.843.2931 • Fax 208.843.2234

Submitted to:

U.S. Department of Energy Bonneville Power Administration

Division of Fish and Wildlife

Attn: David Kaplowe, COTR PO Box 3621 ~Portland OR 97208-3621

Mountain Snake Province

Clearwater River Sub basin Project No. 1999-015-00

Contract No. 26501

Contents Introduction 1 Objectives 1 Methods 3 Survey Results 3 Conclusions 11 References 12

FIGURES

1. Nez Perce Soil and Water 1 Conservation District Location Map 2. Big Canyon Creek Watershed 2 General Location Map 3. Information Source Chart 6 4. Fish Habitat Awareness 8 5. Landowner Perception of Big

Canyon Creek Condition 9 6. Big Canyon Creek Limiting

Factors 9

T A B L E S 1. Respondent Type 3 2. Customer Group Data 4 3. Natural Resource Issue 4 Summary 4. Products, Services, and 5 Programs Summary 5. Age Group Representation 6 6. Information Sources 7 APPENDICES A. Sample Cover Letter and Survey

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 1

Figure 1. Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District Location Map.

Introduction

The Conservation Needs Assessment is a component of the Restoring Anadromous Fish Habitat in the Big Canyon Creek Watershed project funded by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The project’s goal is to enhance steelhead trout habitat in the Big Canyon Creek watershed by improving spawning and rearing habitat. Habitat is limited by extreme high runoff events, low summer flows, high water temperatures, poor instream cover, spawning gravel siltation, and sediment, nutrient and bacteria loading in surface waters. The Big Canyon Creek watershed is located within the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (District) (Figure 1). The Big Canyon Creek watershed encompasses 90,000 acres in Nez Perce and Lewis counties, Idaho. Land elevations range from 940 to 4,500 feet with precipitation ranging from 12 to 24 inches per year.

In order to improve anadromous fish habitat, the District needs to develop a working relationship with landowners and managers

within the watershed. As part of this effort, the District completed a conservation needs assessment in March 2006. This assessment will assist the District in identifying education needs and obtain landowner input into the implementation of the project. The Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) identifies stakeholder perception of natural resource concerns, goals, and prioritizes areas most in need of conservation efforts. The information contained in this document represents a small subset of the landowners, units of government and special interest groups within the watershed. A subset of stakeholders was used to obtain feedback on survey format.

Objectives 1) Identify stakeholder perception of natural resource issues, conservation needs, and

priorities within the Big Canyon Creek watershed.

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 2

Figure 2. Big Canyon Creek Watershed General Location Map.

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 3

Methods

The survey was distributed by direct mail to 350 stakeholders in February 2006. Appendix A includes example surveys and introduction letters. Stakeholders include landowners, units of government, businesses, and special interest groups. Stakeholders asked to participate in the survey were selected randomly from the District’s watershed mailing list. The mailing list was developed through county assessor records, chamber of commerce records, and telephone directory records.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) developed a similar survey format for use in the Locally Led Conservation media campaign. The NACD survey was distributed to natural resource managers within the watershed boundary and revised to include appropriate resource categories.

Seventeen information areas were identified on the survey including respondent type, customer groups, natural resource issues, products/services and general comments.

Survey Results The survey return rate was 10.3%. The summarized data for each information area is shown below. A. Respondent Type

Respondent type data determines the customer base represented by the surveys. Nine categories were included on the survey: urban/suburban resident, rural resident (non-farm/ranch), special interest group, government agency, educational institution, and other. Table 1 summarizes the percent of surveys returned for each category.

The majority of responses were from the Farm/Ranch operator and owner categories.

Table 1. Respondent Type.

Category Percentage of Respondents

selecting this category Farm / Ranch Owner 19 Farm / Ranch Operator 19 Rural Resident (not farm / ranch) 10 Urban / Suburban Resident 3 Government Agency 1 Other 1 Business Owner/Operator 1 Special Interest Group 0 Educational Institution 0

B. Customer Groups

Survey respondents were asked to select the four customer groups that the District should make the most intensive effort to reach with information, products, and/or services to help solve natural resource issues. Twenty categories were available for selection. Table 2 summarizes the data for all groups.

C. Natural Resource Issues

Those surveyed were asked to select the ten most important natural resource issues facing the Big Canyon Creek Watershed in the next decade. Thirty-six categories were

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 4

presented on the survey. Table 3 summarizes the percent of responses for each category. Table 2. Customer Group Data.

Category Respondents

selecting this Category as a top Four issue

Full-time Farmers / Ranchers

22

State / Local Politician

13

Agribusiness 10 Federal, State, City Agencies

10

Recreational Users

8

Timber Producers 8 Developers 7 Tribal Land Owners

7

Business Community

5

Environmental Group

5

Hobby Farmers / Ranchers

5

Other 5 Part-time Farmers / Ranchers

5

Urban / Suburban Citizens

5

Foresters 4 National Politicians 4 Planners 4 Schools 3 Minority Farmers / Ranchers

2

Commodity Groups

1

Table 3. Natural Resource Issue Summary. Category Respondents

selecting this category as a top Ten issue

Disease, Weed, and Insect Management 25 Soil Erosion 18 Flood Plain Development 15 Wildlife 15 Water Availability / Quantity 12 Agriculture Sustainablity 13 Flooding 13 Agriculture Productivity 11 Groundwater 11 Pesticide Management 11 Water Quality 11 Rural Land Development / Urban Sprawl 11 Conservation Tillage 10 Drinking Water Quality 10 Grazing Lands 9 Land Slides / Soil Mass Management 9 Fisheries 8 Soil Quality / Soil Health 8 Air Quality 7 Animal Waste 7 Herbicide Resistance 7 Loss of Agricultural Land 7 Disposal of Organic Waste 6 Road Associated Erosion 6 Storm Water Management 6 Recreational Vehicle Use 5 Nutrient Management 4 Other 4 Road Development 4 Threatened / Endangered Species 4 Urban Livestock 4 Irrigation Water Management

3

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

2

Hazardous Material 2 Wetlands 2 Lake Water Quality 1

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 5

D. Products Survey respondents were asked to select the five most important products, services, and programs the District could provide to solve resource issues in the watershed. There were twenty-two categories for selection. Table 4 summarizes the data.

Table 4. Products, Services and Programs Summary.

Category Respondents selecting this

Category as a top Five issue

Erosion and Sediment Control 51 Conservation Planning 36 Water Quality Planning 33 Wildlife Habitat Planning and Management 33 Educational Programs 28 Engineering Design 26 Weed Control Strategies 26 Agricultural Water Management 26 Resource Inventories 26 Flood Planning 18 Irrigation Water Management 13 Cost-Share 13 Outdoor Recreation Assistance 10 Home Assessments 10 Develop / Maintain Standards 10 Recreation Opportunities 8 Riparian Management Planning 8 Soil Survey and Soil Information 8 Urban Forestry Programs 5 Information (e.g. databases) 5 Rural Development Assistance 5 Other 3

E. Demographic Information

Several of the survey questions were designed to obtain information regarding the demographics of the respondents. Respondents were asked to identify their primary income source as either from the property or not from the property. Primary income from Property Yes 32% No 68% Of those responding yes; nine were from Agriculture; three from Forestry; three from

Ranching; and two from other.

Gender Eighty-five percent of respondents were male and 15% were female.

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 6

Age Group The majority of respondents were at least 66 years old (48%). Table 5 shows the age group representation. Table 5. Age Group Representation.

Group % 18-24 0 25-35 3 36-45 6 46-55 22 56-66 21 66 & over 48

F. Education Information

Survey respondents were asked to identify the best method for obtaining information. There were six categories and four choices per category. Figure 3 illustrates the responses.

Figure 3. Information Source Chart.

District Website

Email Postcard or letter Method

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 7

Information Sources

Survey respondents were asked to select the four best information sources to learn about conservation issues. Twenty-two categories were provided. Table 6 illustrates the responses.

Table 6. Information Sources.

Category Respondent Conservation District Newsletter 22 Direct Mailings 22 Newspapers 15 Brochures, Pamphlets, or Guides 11 Community Meetings 8 County Extension 8 Email, Electronic Newsletters 8 Local Conservation District 8 Friends, Relatives, or Neighbors 7 Federal, State, or City Agencies 6 Internet / Websites 4 Workshops / Classes 4 Associations and Organization 3 Colleges and Universities 2 Radio 2 TV 2 Books 1 Trade Magazines 1 Videos 1 Billboards 0 Other 0 Public Bulletin Boards 0

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 8

Fish Habitat Issue Awareness

Survey Respondents were asked to select their level of awareness regarding fish habitat related issues with is the Big Canyon Creek Watershed. Four categories were available for selection. Figure 4 illustrates the responses.

Figure 4. Fish Habitat Awareness.

Education Needs

Survey respondents were asked to record their education needs regarding fish habitat.

• A good history of the problem going back to the 1940’s • What is being done about the problem • Where to start in fixing the problem • How can a fish survive in low water • How is the watershed doing, 10 years after the flood • Water flow and availability • What is going on now and what is planned • What are the long-term goals • Knowledge of Basin Status vs. Fish • Identify B-Run fish from rainbow trout

G. Landowner Perception of Fish Habitat Condition.

Respondents were asked their perception of the fish habitat condition in the watershed. Four choices ranging from good to poor were provided. The majority of respondents selected the “Don’t Know” category. Figure 5 illustrates responses.

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 9

Figure 5. Landowner Perception of Big Canyon Creek Condition.

H. Fish Limiting Factors.

Seven limiting factors were listed for selection. Survey respondents were asked to select a range of how “likely” they thought the limiting factors were impacting fish habitat. Figure 6 illustrates the responses received.

Figure 6. Big Canyon Creek Limiting Factors.

I. Fish Habitat Improvement Practices

Survey respondents were asked to identify practices or procedures that would improve fish habitat in Big Canyon Creek. Comments include:

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 10

• More rain • Ground and storm water quality • Keep chemicals from agriculture out of the water • Plant the creek with fish (like the 1970’s) • Improve water quality • Stop offsite erosion • Limit livestock access to stream • Limit ATV use

J. Survey respondents were asked to identify specific areas of the Big Canyon Creek

Watershed in need of resource conservation assistance. Comments are summarized below. • Buffer zones are needed around farming land. • Checking the rock movement in Bear Creek • Upper Reaches • Reduce soil erosion and its impact on water quality and fish habitat • Lower 3-4 miles of the drainage, including Little Canyon and Bear Creek • Disease, weed, insect management • Improve county road management • Lower half of watershed • Water temperature • Areas where timber harvesting has occurred. • Upstream towards Central Grade • Wetlands • Sections that run through the City of Peck • The Lewis County area • Creek banks and land next to Creeks • Floodplain development • Peck Sewer System Development • Noxious weed areas • No logging • No livestock • Areas in Floodplain and where FEMA land was purchased

K. Survey respondents were provided an opportunity to provide general comments.

Comments are summarized below. “Low understanding of economic import of weeds.” “Community involvement in habitat degradation reversal.” “Utilize available “education programs” into local schools.” “Very interested in preserving and keeping soil from eroding.”

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 11

Conclusions

Top ten resource issues: 1. Disease, Weed, and Insect Management 2. Soil Erosion 3. Floodplain Development 4. Wildlife 5. Flooding 6. Water availability / Quantity 7. Pesticide Management 8. Wetlands 9. Wastewater 10. Water nutrients

Top four consumer groups to target:

1. Full-time farmers/ranchers 2. State/Local Politician 3. Agribusiness 4. Federal, State, City agencies

Top five products, services and programs the District could provide: 1. Erosion and Sediment Control 2. Conservation Planning 3. Wildlife Habitat Planning and Management 4. Water Quality Planning 5. Educational Programs

Demographic summary: Age: 48% 66 years of age or older Gender: 85% male; 15% female Education Information: The best method to communicate with stakeholders is through direct mailings of letters or

post cards. The top four information sources are: District Newsletter Direct Mailings Newspaper Brochure Pamphlets, or Guides Most stakeholders are somewhat aware of fish habitat issues.

Big Canyon Creek Conservation Needs Assessments - 2006 12

Education needs identified by stakeholders include: Problem History Problem Solutions Low Stream Flows and impacts on fish survival Project Goals How to identify steelhead from rainbow trout. Most stakeholders don’t know the status of the fish habitat in the watershed. Fish Limiting Factors: Most stakeholders identified the following limitations and their likelihood to impact fish

habitat.

Limitation

Impact

Lack of multi-layered vegetation Don’t know

Low Summer Flows Extremely Limiting

Nutrients Don’t Know

Watershed Disturbances Don’t Know

Sedimentation Somewhat Limiting

Habitat Degradation Don’t Know

Practices Identified to Improve Fish Habitat:

Stakeholders identified the following practices they thought would improve fish habitat.

Reduce agricultural chemicals in water Improve water quality Limit Livestock Access to the stream Limit ATV use

References

United States Department of Agriculture. January 1997. Focus Groups. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Social Science Institute.

United States Department of Agriculture. June 1997. Designing Surveys for Conservation

Activities. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Social Science Institute.

Appendix A

We Need Your Help to Plan the Future of The Big Canyon Creek Watershed’s

Natural Resources

As a community leader, with residence or land within the Big Canyon Creek Watershed, you are invited to complete the enclosed questionnaire. The purpose of this survey is to obtain information from you to identify natural resource concerns and goals and prioritize areas where our conservation efforts are most needed. This assessment will become the foundation on which future plans and projects in your watershed will be based. We want to hear your recommendations on where the natural resource problems are and how we can work together to solve them. The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (District) was created by state law in 1941 with a mission to protect and manage the natural resources of Nez Perce County. The District serves as a local coordinator of technical and financial assistance for natural resource problems from all levels of government to private landowners and land users. The District is governed by a board of supervisors who are local residents, elected to 4 year terms, and take an oath of office to carry out the District’s mission. The District’s supervisors are unpaid officials who dedicate their time to serve the community and its natural resources. We encourage you to fill out the enclosed survey form and return it to us so we can benefit from your opinions. You may also wish to send additional written comments if the form doesn’t adequately address the natural resource issues of concern to you. We hope to hear from you and look forward to your participation. You are one of our customers and we intend, through this process, to serve you better. Please join us and help us plan for the protection and proper management of our natural resources into the next century. Please return survey by March 17, 2006. Thank you

1. Check ONE of the following that apply to you or your organization:

Urban/Suburban Resident Government Agency Business Owner/Manager Special Interest Group Farm/Ranch Owner Educational Institution Rural Resident (non

farm/ranch) Farm/Ranch

Manager/Operator Other (please specify)

2. Please select the TEN most important natural resource issues facing the Big Canyon

Creek Watershed in the next decade and rank them from 1 to 10, 1 being the most important and 10 the least important.

Floodplain Development Animal Waste Soil Quality/Soil Health Flooding Groundwater Wildlife Loss of Agricultural Land Soil Erosion Road Associated Erosion Rural Land Development/Urban

Sprawl Disease, Weed, and

Insect Management Threatened/Endangered

Species Fisheries Lake Water Quality Nutrient Management Storm Water Management Grazing Lands Herbicide Resistance Agriculture Sustainability Air Quality Irrigation/Water Management Wetlands Water Quality Agricultural Productivity Land Slides/Soil Mass

Movement Water

Availability/Quantity Genetically Modified Organisms

(GMOs) Urban Livestock Pesticide Management Drinking Water Quality Recreational Vehicle Use Road Development Other (please specify) Conservation Tillage Land Disposal of

Organic Waste

3. Check the FOUR customer groups you think the Conservation District should make the

most intense effort to reach with information, products, or services to help solve the problems listed above

Agribusiness National Politicians Planners State and Local Politicians Timber Producers Developers Commodity Groups Recreational Users Minority Farmers/Ranchers Schools Environmental Groups Part-time farmers/ranchers Federal, State, City Agencies Foresters Full-time farmers/ranchers Tribal Land Owners Hobby

Farmers/Ranchers Other (please specify)

Urban/Suburban Citizens Business Community 4. Check the FIVE most important products, programs, or services the Conservation District

can provide to help solve identified water quality, fish habitat and other natural resource issues.

Conservation Planning Home Assessments Irrigation Water Management Develop/Maintain Standards Floodplain Planning Rural Development Assistance Outdoor Recreation Assistance Wildlife Habitat Planning

and Management Riparian Management

Planning Erosion and Sediment Control Engineering Design Recreational Opportunities Soil Survey and Soil Resource Inventories Urban Forestry Programs

Information Agriculture Water Management Cost-share Other (please specify) Water Quality Planning Weed Control Strategies Information (e.g. databases) Educational Programs

5. Check the FOUR methods of how/ where you prefer to be informed of local

conservation issues?

Local Newspapers Direct Mailings Public Meetings Email, Electronic Newsletter Buy a Commercially

Available Guide/Book Publicly Available Brochures,

Pamphlets, or Guides Friends, Relatives, or

Neighbors Internet Colleges and Universities

Associations and Organizations County Extension Local Conservation District Trade Magazines/ Newsletters Billboards Public Bulletin Boards Federal, State, City Agencies Radio Other (please specify) Attend a Workshop TV Conservation District

Newsletter Take a class

6. What specific areas of the Big Canyon Creek Watershed do you think are most in need of

natural resource conservation assistance? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 7. Please share any additional thoughts or comments about natural resource conservation in

your community in the space below or attach a separate sheet. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Name_________________________________________________

Phone_________________Fax_____________ Address ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ E-mail______________________________________________________________ Thank you for sharing your opinions with us. Please mail or fax your completed

survey to:

Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District P.O. Box 131

Culdesac, ID 83524 (208) 843-2931

Fax (208) 843-2931 honora@turbonet.com

All Nez Perce SWDC programs are offered on a non-discriminatory basis regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, marital or familial status, age, or disability.