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Home My WebLink About2021 06 2021 Hoh River Phase I Steering Committee Meeting Summary lk 7.6.2021 Page 1 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Steering Committee Meeting Summary Monday, June 21st, 2021 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Remote Access Only More information: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us Welcome/Introductions Tami Pokorny, Jefferson County; Bridget Kaminski-Richardson, DNR; Garrett Dalan, TNC; Jill Silver, 10K Years Institute; Frank Hanson, UW ONRC; Kyle Smith, The Nature Conservancy; Mara Zimmerman, Coast Salmon Partnership; Theresa Powell, WA Dept. Fish and Wildlife; Mike Ericsson, Natural Systems Design; Tim Abbe, Natural Systems Design: Kerry Pataki, Landowner; Kiran Pataki, Landowner; Jean Fletcher, Landowner; Roger Oaks, Hoh River Trust; Luke Kelly, Trout Unlimited. Agenda Changes/Additions None Approval of the April 19th and May 17th, 2021 Draft Meeting Summary Approved by census Announcements/Comments None Old Business US DOT Western Federal Lands Upper Hoh Road Project Updates: Construction – Alec Harrison and Susan Ellis, Western Federal Lands No WFL representative present, so the group skipped this agenda item Invasive Spotted Jewelweed – Jill Silver, 10,000 Years Institute Checking for Jewelweed seeds at Upper Road MP 10.0 and 10.4 (Canyon Ck worksite). 10K Yrs is recommending treating the silt fence material as infested and should be treated/managed as such. Also did some herb Robert removal. Jewel weed down the old access road at Canyon Creek is now 6” tall and will be treated soon. Also treating tower creek work site for invasive plants in the coming week. Lots of work recently completed at Lindner Bar and Elk Creek floodplain (scotch broom treatment). Also worked on invasive treatments at park boundary and other areas. New Business Draft Resiliency Plan – Mike Ericsson, Natural Systems Design Page 2 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Mike presented an overview of progress on the draft resiliency plan. Sections include: Trends and Anticipated Changes; Desired Future Conditions; and Phase II Approach. Sediment source trends and anticipated changes were discussed, including the perceived ‘sediment budget’ (related to the river’s sources of sediment and movement down river). Sediment sources: landslides and debris flows, tributary contributions, glacial process, and minor sources (e.g. roads). In summary, glacial processes are currently the leading sources of sediment. One study (Nelson 1986) estimated and 60% of bedload is coming from within ONP. The amount of sediment moving through the system isn’t clear as to how much is suspended load vs bed load, and NSD conducted an ‘sensitivity analysis’ aimed at better understanding this. The trends suggest likely greater sediment production from glaciers in the future. Magnitude and timing of this trend is unclear without more study. Mike showed several slides displaying graphs from the ‘Sediment Yield over glacial cycles’ study (Antoniazza and Lane 2021). The sediment yield over time showed the cycles of glaciers growing and reducing and the associated sediment yield based on glacier phase. Tim noted that the trends we are seeing are real, and impacts from glacial melt to rain dominated streamflow also has impacts to sediment transport. Mara asked about the general amount of time represented in the sediment yield over glacial cycles timeline graph. Tim answered: the phases can last decades to centuries, pending on the phase. Tami asked another question about glacier growth and timing, and Tim noted the anthropogenic impacts (from humans) on climate and glacier cycles. Mike presented an overview of Forest Trends and Anticipated Changes. There is a clear tree species composition shift resulting in fewer conifer and mixed forest stands to red alder dominant riparian forest. This has resulted in simplified habitat due to loss of large wood to form stable logjams and force channel bifurcation. This has accelerated channel migration - ... Jill noted, that since ~1995 the scotch broom problem has really ramped up. Most spread of scotch broom seem to be coming from road work / construction. Scotch broom is able to survive in many environments, including gravel bars (90-year seed bank). 10K Yrs has been working hard to control, but we continue losing ground on this issue. Mike discussed Desired Future Conditions (DFCs) section. A survey was solicited a couple months ago, but not a lot of feedback was received. The long-term DFCs include Riverine Processes, roads, public access, and land use. Mike showed some draft long-term DFCs, including improved river habitat, diverse riparian forests, and rebounding salmonid populations. Also, Upper Hoh Rd issues are addressed (partially relocated). Public access ideas include ideas for parking, park and ride, bike trail, etc. Land use vision ideas included recommending new development or relocation (alternatives focused outside flood and erosion hazard areas on high terraces along the river valley). Tim made a comment how important the health of the riparian forest is to reaching these DFCs. This is a big part of the draft plan. DFCs – intermediate term includes Middle Hoh Leadership Group continuing work. Other riparian forest, invasive species, and instream restoration actions continue. Upper Hoh Rd sections are in the process of being relocated outside of resiliency corridor, etc. Page 3 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I DFCs – short term includes lots of actions and continued coordination (invasive plant management, additional studies to inform restoration, road work, sustain Middle Hoh Leadership Group, etc. Mike moved on to summarize Phase II approach, next steps: Middle Hoh leadership group continues – meets quarterly, tracks progress, adapt plan as needed. Additional studies: -Glacial retreat impact study to assess sediment loading, change/trend of flow regime. -Middle Hoh side channel inventory and prioritization (map side channels and associated habitat; Identify high-functioning habitat for protection; and where improvements can be made) Additional Plans: Riparian forest plan to develop comprehensive strategy for riparian forest restoration and management Road Plan – identify pathways to realize the desired future condition Recreation Plan – Envision opportunities to improve recreation in the Middle Hoh; bring together various user groups to improve experience while protecting the river Mara made a recommendation: RE: the side channel inventory and prioritization – she noted looking at fish use data (as well as habitat condition). Jill recommended riparian work given strong consideration when looking at stabilizing priority side channels. She also recommended a study to look at growth rates of diverse riparian stands to better understand where passive vs active restoration would be most effective. Idea: use existing wood available on mainstem bars and helicopter to functional/beneficial locations (to protect existing productive side channels. Kerry agreed with Jill’s comments (about riparian work and the potential impacts of heavy machinery). Kerry noted that he had not received much notification of the developing plan. Jill recommended something be sent to every parcel owner in the reach to announce the plan an reiterate participation/invitation to all in the middle Hoh. The next meeting will provide the opportunity to review the draft resiliency plan and action recommendations. Roger Oaks noted the importance of ONP to participate in this process. He also noted the immense traffic accessing ONP (that may lead to the need for a reservation system). The group discussed and agreed that better management of ONP access and use is needed. Shuttle bus for people to access the Hoh ONP was discussed (like Quinault Lodge provides). Capacity to Fill Restoration Jobs Chapter – Luke Kelly, Trout Unlimited Luke gave a summary on the work to date in drafting the chapter for the plan. He has reached out to many local stakeholders and restoration practitioners to collect information on past and current restoration efforts in the Middle Hoh and the capacity needed to complete this work. The information gathered is meant to illuminate where there are current strengths in capacity to develop and implement restoration actions, and also gaps or weaknesses in capacity to conduct restoration activities. Luke also reached out to WA RCO to query restoration projects completed in the region over the past five years and the funding needed to complete those projects. The chapter will also cover the basics for the life of a restoration project, and what kinds of expertise and disciplines it takes to develop, design, and implement a hypothetical restoration project. Luke explained the chapter will also include an inventory Page 4 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I of local businesses that offer restoration-related services (e.g. engineering, construction contractors, etc.) in the area. Kyle Smith, TNC update TNC’s Forest Management Plan will be coming out in about a month and TNC is now FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, which is good/big news. Kyle will share the FM plan with this group. Local Jobs – Jill Silver, 10,000 Years Institute Jill gave a summary of the jobs and employment opportunities with 10 K Yrs and partners. 10K Yrs Inst. Currently has 18 techs on staff. Many techs get more than employment, but also training and stewardship education. Jill gave an update in developing coastal conservation corps program. This would fund work for restoration and conservation (invasive plants and animals, forest thinning/treatments, etc.) Pairing experienced workers with new/younger workers for a restoration internship and/or career paths. Site Visits and Cook Out; RSVP; – Tami Pokorny, JCPH Tami discussed the upcoming event and need to get RSVPs. Need to coordinate food purchase and planning (chairs, tables, porta-toilet, etc.). carpooling to event was discussed. The event would provide copies of the plan; opportunity to ask questions, (listen and take notes), photos, maps, etc. Could have summary poster(s) available and thumb drives loaded with draft plan and appendices. Parking locations and site visit options were discussed. News and Projects Updates – All None (not already shared) Announcements/Comments Luke gave update on the Owl Ck project and culvert barrier field work. Tim gave a shout out to Jill and how the glacial retreat and sediment loading is indeed important to the plan and trends in the Hoh. Next Agenda Monday, July 19th, 1pm – 3:00 pm Remote Only Adjourn