The Use of the Wyden Authority for Whole Watershed Restoration James Capurso, PhD Regional Fisheries Biologist Pacific Northwest Region USDA Forest Service
Wyden Authority
Authorizes USDA Forest Service (and BLM) to enter into agreements for actions off National Forest Lands to benefit FS resources within watersheds where they manage land. Meyer
Wyden Authority
Agreements may be with willing federal, tribal, state, and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners to conduct activities on public or private lands for: Protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources Reduction of risk or natural disaster where public safety is threatened.
From Temporary Budget Rider to Permanent Law
Authority originally provided in FY 1998 “Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements in Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act” Law extended multiple times in appropriation bills. Permanent status gained in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11).
Wyden Authority Reporting
Law requires calendar year end reporting at the Department level. Reporting facilitated through establishment of agreements and INFRA.
Wyden Authority Projects
Provide tangible benefits to achieving agency goals and objectives Can be structural or physical improvements Can be studies, surveys, monitoring Must be consistent with federal and state laws.
Benefits of using Wyden Authority
Increases agency efficiency Enables effective whole watershed restoration across multiple ownerships Facilitates collaborative relationships with communities/stakeholders Helps with management of migratory species.
Haspiel
Challenges to Full Implementation of the Law Some Responsible Official’s/Resource Specialist’s limited perception of extent of ecosystems we help manage. Individual’s unwillingness to incorporate offfederal land priorities into overall agency priorities. Full Plate Syndrome gone wrong. Individual’s limited perception of agency’s role in the conservation community.
Questions to Ask Prior to Going Wyden
Does the project achieve agency goals/objectives? Is your goal restoration, protection, and/or enhancement of agency resources? Does the project result in benefits to resources on agency Lands? Is the project in the public interest?
Case Study
THOMAS FORK PASSAGE PROJECT
Project Background
Additional Needs For Watershed-wide Perspective
2000 Range-Wide BCT Conservation Agreement Grazing Issues Fire/Fuel Issues Water Quality Issues Coordination of Management on Neighboring Federal Lands
2001 Thomas Fork Watershed Analysis
USFS IDT analyzed watershed in 2001 Used Federal Watershed Analysis Process Fisheries Current Conditions chapter used recent and local Bonneville cutthroat trout studies.
2001 Thomas Fork Watershed Analysis
Amy Schrank
Warren Colyer
Colyer
Grad Student of Frank Rahel at U of Wy Studying BCT in upper Thomas Fork Grad Student of Jeff Kershner of USU Studying BCT in lower Thomas Fork, Smith Fork, and Bear River
Through the use of radio telemetry, their studies identified 2 major migration barriers to upstreammigrating fish
#1 Fisheries Recommendation in Watershed Analysis Report was to Address the Barriers Identified by Colyer and Schrank
2002 Water Users Workshop Development of Grassroots Support
The Fix: Taylor Diversion Construction 2004-2005
IDFG
The Fix: Thomas Fork Diversion Construction 2004-2005
IDFG
The Fix: Esche Diversion Construction 2005-2007
Colyer
IDFG
