State funds $3.3 million in C.O. conservation projects

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board voted Tuesday to grant more than $16 million to 113 voluntary conservation projects throughout Oregon – supporting clean rivers, fish and wildlife habitat, open space, and water conservation. OWEB granted $3.3 million on 10 projects in Central Oregon.

“Oregonians have chosen, time and time again, to invest in voluntary conservation projects like these because they know that voluntary conservation supports clean and abundant water, healthy wildlife habitat, places to get outdoors and enjoy nature, and a thriving outdoor economy,” said Shawn Morford, executive director of the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils, one of the members of the Oregon Conservation Partnership.

“Oregon is unique for many reasons, and one is the commitment Oregonians have made to conserve what’s left. The number and kinds of projects happening in each region is maintaining and improving that Oregon way of life we all hold dear for generations to come,” said John Keith, executive director of the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, one of the members of the Oregon Conservation Partnership.

The Oregon Conservation Partnership is a collaboration of the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils , Oregon Association of Conservation Districts , Oregon Conservation Education & Assistance Network and Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts to support Oregon’s thriving and important voluntary conservation community.

OWEB is a state agency that provides grants to help Oregonians take care of local streams, rivers, wetlands, and natural areas. Community members and landowners use scientific criteria to decide jointly what needs to be done to conserve and improve rivers and natural habitat in the places where they live. OWEB grants are funded from the Oregon Lottery, federal dollars, and salmon license plate revenue. The agency is led by a 17-member citizen board drawn from the public at large, tribes, and federal and state natural resource agency boards and commissions.

Brief details on notable projects below. Gray highlighted projects = land acquisitions.

Region 4: Funding for all projects total $3.3 million on 10 projects. Notable projects include:

Project name

Description

OWEB award

Lead organization

Name

Contact

Caledonia Woodlands

Purchase 300 acres of one of the last areas with Oregon white oak and conifer woodlands east of the Cascades

$1,584,892

Klamath Lake Land Trust

Crystal McMahon; Lisa Bertash

541-884-1053

Deep Creek fish passage

Fish passage added to irrigation diversion; for Warner sucker and Redband trout;

$393,030

Lake County Watershed Council

Marci Schreder

541-219-0830

Big Marsh & Ryan Ranch

2 projects. 1) Restore riparian, floodplain, & wetland habitat on Upper Deschutes River. 2) Restore wetlands at Big Marsh

$130,000

Upper Deschutes WC

Ryan Houston

541-382-6103 x32

Gerber Watershed Enhancement

Remove juniper and thin pines on 3,200 acres of private land

$332,942

Klamath SWCD

Brian Quick

541-892-1151