PROCEDURES 



Methods associated with Results Part II and III are identified below; those related to 

 special projects are located in Results Part IV. 



Working with Private Landowners: the Key to Successful Restoration 



Typically, each tributary restoration project involves multiple landowners, 

 professional disciplines, funding sources, plus involvement of the watershed groups. 

 Restoration has focused on addressing obvious impacts to fish populations such as 

 migration barriers, stream de-watering, fish losses to irrigation canals, and degraded 

 riparian areas. All projects are cooperative endeavors between private landowners and 

 the restoration team, and occur throughout the drainage. Projects are administered at the 

 local level by agency resource specialists in cooperation with two watershed groups - the 

 BBCTU and the BC, or local government groups such as the North Powell Conservation 

 District (NPCD). Tax incentives of the non-profit 501 (c)3 status of watershed groups 

 provide a mechanism for generating private fiinds. 



FWP biologists identify priorities by performing fisheries studies, communicating 

 biological findings, review proposed fisheries projects, provide fimding support and 

 monitor fisheries on completed projects. Federal (USFWS, USPS and NRCS) biologists 

 and other agency specialists (BOR, DNRC) help develop and fund projects usually in 

 conjunction with watershed groups (BBCTU and BC) and landowners. Agency staff and 

 project leaders generally enlist help from interagency personnel or consultants including 

 range conservationists, hydrologists, engineers, and water right specialists as necessary. 

 Watershed groups help with fundraising, administration of budgets, bid solicitation, apply 

 for permits, help oversee consultants and contractors, assist with landowner contacts, 

 coordinate volunteers, help resolve local conflicts and address other social issues. 



Project funding comes fi-om many sources including landowner contributions, 

 private donations, foundation grants, state and federal agencies. Agencies and watershed 

 groups project managers jointiy undertake fund-raising. BBCTU generally obtains 

 project permits on behalf of cooperating landowners. Project bids (consulting and 

 construction) conform to State and Federal procurement policies. These policies included 

 the development of Blackfoot watershed qualified vendors lists (QVL) derived through a 

 competitive process managed primarily through the BBCTU. A minimal project cost 

 triggers use of the QVL. The watershed groups solicit bids from the QVL for both 

 consulting and contractor services. Bid-contracts are signed between the watershed 

 group and the selected vendor upon bid acceptance. 



Depending on the specific project, landowners are responsible for certain costs, 

 construction and project maintenance. Addressing the source of stream degradation 

 usually requires developing riparian/upland management options sensitive to the 

 requirements offish and other riparian-dependent species. Written agreements (10-30 

 year period) with landowners to maintain projects are arranged with cooperators on each 

 project. These agreements vary by funding source and may include agencies, the NPCD 

 and/or the Fish and Habitat Committee of BBCTU. Landowner awareness of the habitat 

 requirements of fish and wildlife, and their full participation and commitment to project 

 goals and objectives are crucial to the long-term success of the restoration initiative. We 

 encourage landowners to participate fully in all phases of restoration from fish population 



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