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Home My WebLink About2021 04 19 Hoh River Phase I Steering Committee Meeting Summary lk05.18.2021 Page 1 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Steering Committee Meeting Summary Monday, April 19th, 2021 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Remote Access Only https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85833369631 Meeting ID: 858 3336 9631 One tap mobile +12532158782,,85833369631# US (Tacoma) +16699006833,,85833369631# US (San Jose) More information: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us Welcome/Introductions Jill Silver, 10K Yrs Institute; Jean Fletcher, citizen & landowner; Tim Abbe, NSD; Alec Harrison, WFL; Rich Osborne, UW ONRC; Susan Ellis, WFL; Kyle Smith, TNC; Wendy Largent, Hoh Tribe; Roger Oaks, Citizen & Hoh River Trust; Betsy Krier, WSC; Bridget Kaminsky Richardson, DNR; Julie Ann Koehlinger, Hoh Tribe; Kim Bray, Hoh Tribe; Jessie Huggins, USFS; Theresa Powell, WDFW; Mike Ericsson, NSD; Mara Zimmerman, CSP; Eric Carlsen, Citizen; Tami Pokorny, JCHD; Garrett Dalan, TNC; Cheryl Bartlett, USGS; Luke Kelly, TU Agenda Changes/Additions None. Accepted by consensus. Approval of the February 22 and March 15, 2021 Draft Meeting Summaries Approved by consensus. Announcements/Comments Tami noted that the newsletter is very close to being published Old Business None New Business US DOT Western Federal Lands Upper Hoh Road Project Updates: TNC Letter – Kyle Smith, The Nature Conservancy Kyle provided some background and a timeline for the recent activity regarding the Upper Hoh Road construction planning and agreements with TNC. In 2018 and 2019, TNC worked with county public works dept. for permitting and a land use easement for construction planned at the Tower Creek and Page 2 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Canyon Creek worksites. This easement did not include work for the channel plug logjam mitigation work (just upstream from the Linder Ck channel complex). On March 19 a contractor was cutting timber and grubbing a temporary access road on TNC lands in the Morgan’s Crossing area. This was done without an easement or notification to TNC. Immediately following notification of this activity by Jill, TNC contacted Western Federal Lands (WFL) staff and County staff that this work was being done without an easement. At that point a stop work order was issued to the contractor. On March 30 TNC sent a letter to WFL project manager that outlined the trespass and also the violations to the conservation easements that TNC inherited from Hoh River Trust when TNC took over ownership. Currently, TNC and the Middle Hoh Resiliency group are reviewing the documents related to the channel plug work to assure they promote long term benefit to salmon and the river. Kyle then showed a map of parcel boundaries at the tower creek and channel plugs worksite and approximate location of the newly roughed-in road. Tami asked could we come up with a way to distinguish this area with an appropriate name. Kyle noted some of the surrounding names like Lindner Creek and Morgan’s Crossing. It was clarified that Morgan’s Crossing boat access is just upstream from the planned channel plugs (considered the Rock Creek work site). The group generally agreed to remain calling the area Morgan’s Crossing. Mara asked if the road recently cut in to access the channel plugs site are meant to be temporary. Answer: the road was intended to be temporary. Jessie noted that the USFS is aware of the recent activity at Morgan’s Crossing and USFS leadership is currently looking into the details. Likely more information and/or USFS response to come. Jill clarified where the Ordinary High Water Line at Morgan’s Crossing and entrance to Lindner side channel. Construction – Alec Harrison and Susan Ellis, Western Federal Lands Alec gave an update on the project – Upper Hoh River Road Phase 2 Project. Trees began to be cleared March 15. These will be used for ELJs at other project locations (e.g. Tower Ck and Canyon creek site). This coming week they are setting up temporary traffic control/traffic signals, and the following week they will begin excavation for bridge foundation. Alec will send out weekly newsletters. The project website was recently updated. Hydraulic reports, and 100% design package are now on the website. Invasive Spotted Jewelweed – Jill Silver, 10,000 Years Institute Jill reported on Upper Hoh Road invasive jewelweed efforts. 10k Yrs Institute sprayed jewelweed three different days since April 11 at the Canyon Creek worksite. This is a class C noxious weed in Jefferson County (required for control). It is an aggressive plant, produces two types of seeds, and there are a lot of ways these seeds can spread. So far jewelweed has not been spreading downstream. 10k Yrs has been treating this area since 2019. Recent silt fence work moved seeds up and down both sides of the road. Jill showed a photo of work performed at the Canyon Creek site and noted locations of new jewelweed seeds found. Seeds appear to be very long lasting. Jill noted that we don’t know how to Page 3 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I contain this with no equipment washing stations, etc. A location for cleaning station is also challenging. No water cleaning, but potential steam cleaning could work. Jill gave a brief history on Jewelweed, and then explained a brief history on knotweed management. Jill and 10kYrs now treats for all invasive plants in the Hoh (e.g. knotweed, scotch broom, reed canary grass, etc.). Upper Hoh Road vs. Resiliency Plan FAQ – Tami Pokorny, JCPH Tami noted that there is some confusion to the naming convention for Morgan’s Crossing, Lindner Side Channel, etc., and she intends to start an FAQ doc for the resiliency plan. Ecological Corridors Introduction and Discussion – Natural Systems Design Mike gave an update on the current status of the plan. NSD is working to wrap up the assessment part of the plan. Now working on desired future conditions section, Ecological Corridor or Resiliency Corridor. Mike showed a map of the Middle Hoh, showing the Resiliency Corridor. The concept behind the Resiliency Corridor is to define the area within the valley that is the minimum footprint or zone needed to allow all-natural processes to occur, which support habitat and self-sustaining populations (of salmon). The corridor boundary is informed by channel migration zone, 100-year flows, and flood hazard areas. Tim noted that flood hazard and erosion hazard areas are considered in the resiliency corridor. Habitat diversity is also considered in the resiliency corridor delineation. Infrastructure in the corridor / hazard zone could be considered for protection or moved. This map is intended as an educational tool only. Desired Conditions Discussion continued – Natural Systems Design Mike shared his screen showing the Desired Future Conditions Survey (two pages). This survey is meant to gather input from the entire group/all stakeholders, and it covers short, medium, and long-term desired future conditions. Questions covered include: 1) Riverine processes (erosion, channel avulsion, sediment deposition, log jams, etc.), 2) Roads (locations, repairs, etc.), 3) Public access (trails, parking, boat access, etc.), and 4) Land use (opportunistic acquisitions, forest restoration, etc.). Tim spoke up and invited input on any and all questions. Everyone’s input is valuable, and this is a good chance to share your vision for the Hoh (anonymous submittal is an option). Timeline for Resiliency and Action Plans – Natural Systems Design Draft of resiliency plan is due in July this year. Mike is looking to complete first draft by late May and begin review by steering committee soon after. The group reviewed the Restoration Corridor maps again. The upper reach (just below SF Hoh Confluence), has opportunity for restoration. Multithread channels and forested islands used to exist here. The Upper Hoh Rd is confining the river’s natural processes in parts of this reach. Jill asked if/when the new ortho air photos will be incorporated into the map(s). Mike said they would update maps as possible, and Cramer Fish Sciences will also use them in their habitat analysis. Tami noted that it will be interesting to see what potential trends the new imagery will indicate. Looking at historical air photos, the CMZ outside of ONP appears to be getting wider (a cyclical trend triggered Page 4 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I by major floods). However, whether or not the unvegetated channel is getting wider is inconclusive at this point. Tami asked is there a threshold for trees large enough to work or stay put in the mainstem Hoh. Tim explained the purposed and function of wood, large trees, and logjams, and how they help grade and balance the morphology of a stream. Jill noted Tim’s research on rootwads, and how they anchor trees, and how wood in floodplains help anchor and become a foundation for mixed conifer/hardwood forested islands on the floodplain. Healthy forested islands on the floodplain are often on a foundation of old logjams. Jill noted there is a lot of movement of wood in the reach above spruce canyon. There is a new bar forming too, and Jill’s group will be gathering drone footage later this week. Tim noted the importance of vegetation age on slope stability. Generally, more mature healthy forests provide more slope stability. Vegetation age is especially important when considering the stability of shallow seated landslides. Jill noted the bar forming on the right bank/ North side of the Hoh just upstream from Pole Ck, and this may be an opportunity for work to relieve some stress on UHR. Kyle asked about the ‘Jefferson county gravel mine’ label on the Young’s Slough bar across from Tower Ck. Jill confirmed this is a county mine on the north side of the road, and the map is likely mis labeled. Tami asked and Mike explained that the restoration corridor boundary was identified as a tool for discussion, even if a road or infrastructure is within the boundary. Mara noted that there appears to be infrastructure at high risk and not as high risk within the corridor. The level of threat to existing infrastructure is worth considering. Ecological Corridor = A corridor where natural processes can occur to promote self-sustaining populations of salmon and steelhead (and overall ecosystem). Mike will work on a summary definition of what an EC is and share out. News and Projects Updates – All Luke gave project updates on Hoh tributary culvert barrier field habitat verification work, and the Owl Creek project. Announcements/Comments Tami invited thoughts, ideas, content for the project’s website. Tami to connect with Mara/CSP to collaborate on a Hoh library of documents, publications, etc. Next Agenda Monday, May 17, 1pm – 3:00 pm Remote Only Adjourn