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Warm Springs Reservoir

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Malheur Basin

The Malheur Subbasin

Key Subbasin Facts• 40 + Irrigation Dams – Impoundments & Irrigation Projects • Primary Land Uses – Agricultural Production and Processing • 95% of Watershed is listed under 303d list• Existing Plans Pertaining to Subbasin - Oregon Plan

- Malheur River Management Plan (ODFW 1990)- ICBEMP (BLM/USFS)- Vale/Burns District Resource Management Plan (Draft 2002)- Malheur River Wild & Scenic Management Plan- North Fork Malheur River Wild and Scenic Management Plan- Malheur Basin Action Plan (MOWC)- Bull Trout Recovery Plan (USFWS, Draft)- Logan Valley Wildlife Mitigation Plan (BPT, Draft out for review)- Malheur River Wildlife Mitigation Plan (BPT, Draft April 2002)

Fish and Wildlife Needs Within the Malheur Subbasin

• Critical limiting factors for fish include:- anadromous and resident fish habitat,- migration routes and connectivity of

isolated populations of bull trout and redband trout,

- water quality,- minimum winter flows below reservoirs.

• Critical limiting factors for wildlife include:- the lack of natural disturbance in

riparian, meadow, and upland communities,- excessive grazing of certain sensitive areas by

livestock,- limited bighorn sheep range,- reduction of native shrub and grass cover in

deer and elk winter range,- expansion of noxious weeds.

Mitigation History within the Subbasin

• Pre-mitigation- lack of coordination between agencies and

private interests.• Current successes resulting from mitigation

efforts- cooperative relationships established or

enhanced.

Partnership Developments

• MOU with BLM and USFS – Natural Resource & Cultural Management

• MOU with USDA ARS – Mitigation Sites • Advisory Panel for Logan and Malheur River Wildlife Mitigation

Projects • Malheur River Bull Trout Working Group • Cooperative Management Partnerships – TNC, DU & OWT• Pending MOU with OSU – Research and Development • Partnership with Center for Invasive Plant Management • Local Coordination with Watershed Groups, NRCS and SWCD

Strategic Plan for Ongoing and Future Mitigation Projects

• All projects are working together to promote habitat enhancement throughout the subbasin by:- setting the stage for long-term fisheries

recovery,- addressing noxious weed issues directly,- forming advisory groups and ensuring public

participation and involvement,- coordinating efforts with other subbasins.