Projects: Municipal Watersheds
In 2002 we developed a forest stewardship plan for the 4,500-acre City of Forest Grove Municipal Watershed. Scott led a team of resource professionals in a multi-resource watershed assessment that included fish and stream habitats, rare plants and invasive species, wildlife habitat and spotted owl census, as well as forest stand structure and timber resource information. The yearlong planning process included policy development with a citizen advisory panel, public meetings, and active involvement of the Forest Grove City Council. The stewardship plan received the League of Oregon Cities’ Award for Excellence in 2002.
Following plan adoption, Forest Grove has conducted numerous forest restoration projects, harvesting nearly 1 million board feet of timber annually. Related projects include streamside slope-failure restoration, snag and nesting habitat creation, thinning and small patch cutting for forest health and structure enhancement, fish ladder construction, and road system improvements.
In 2006 we developed a comprehensive forest stewardship plan for the city of Cannon Beach’s Ecola Creek Forest Reserve. The springs and creeks on the 220-acre coastal forest provide the primary drinking water supply to Cannon Beach. The property contains an unusual variety of forest types, including an old-growth cedar grove. The planning process included resource inventory, mapping (in partnership with Ecotrust, a Portland-based nonprofit), extensive public involvement, and finally plan development. The sensitive site is not suited to commercial logging, but operations are scheduled to begin active old-forest restoration and wildlife habitat enhancements in 2007.
A new fish ladder allows fish passage above a water diversion at the Forest Grove Municipal Watershed