FORKS(Sept. 25, 2008)–A 33,000-acre fire that roared through the forests near Forks in 1951, sparked a chain reaction of events that significantly impaired salmon runs in the Calawah River drainage and particularly tributary creeks like Hyas Creek.
“After the fire, the subsequent timber salvage efforts resulted in removal of most of the wood from the stream, impairing fish habitat,” said Frank Geyer, Timber/Fish/Wildlife biologist for the Quileute Tribe. “Most of the larger logs that would have contributed to fish habitat in the stream were gone.”
Early this fall the tribe, in partnership and co-operation with the Pacific Ranger District of Olympic National Forest (ONF) and Rayonier Inc., contracted with Columbia Helicopters to return hundreds of huge logs to Hyas Creek to help restore fish habitat. More that 30 log structures were created in the creek, using wood provided by ONF. The jams will help to reduce the velocity of the stream, trap sediments, and create habitat where fish can rest, hide and spawn.
“It was a unique situation where the national forest district had timber available adjacent to Hyas Creek,” said Geyer. “That really helped reduce the cost of the project because we didn’t have to find big trees and truck them in.” The majority of these large trees will stay in the creek during high winter flows, collecting woody debris being swept downstream. The log structures help to bridge the period between now and when existing riparian trees can start to contribute to habitat in the creek.
Hyas Creek has been on the salmon habitat restoration priority project list since the completion of the watershed analysis of the Calawah River drainage approximately 10 years ago. In 2006 the Quileute Tribe received a $254,000 grant from the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board for the project. “There are only two anadromous fish-bearing tributaries in that portion of the South Fork Calawah drainage and Hyas Creek is one of them,” said Phil DeCillis, fisheries biologist for USFS. “It had the least amount of wood per mile of the streams we surveyed, so it was important to get more in there. The tributaries are important refuge areas for fish.”
Selective harvest of the trees used in the project also provided the added benefit of improving foraging opportunities for elk and deer by creating openings in the forest. “We consulted with the ONF on their strategic plan to include benefits for elk and deer which are species of significant cultural importance to the tribe. We’re encouraged by their response. This project has the potential to provide benefits to both wildlife and fish,” said Geyer.
A portion of the selectively thinned areas will be seeded with a mixture of rye grass, field pea and clover in September to enhance forage for deer and elk. “We’ll add some native plants next year,” said Betsy Howell, wildlife biologist for ONF. Access to the area will be restricted in the future, providing further protection for wildlife.
The Quileute Tribe will continue to look for opportunities to add wood to the South Fork Calawah and its tributaries in the future. “There’s more to do, and as we can, we’re going to continue to work to add wood to these streams affected by the fire and subsequent salvage logging,” said Geyer.
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For more information, contact: Mel Moon, Natural Resources Director, Quileute Tribe- (360)374-5695; Frank Geyer, Timber/Fish/Wildlife Biologist, Quileute Tribe – (360) 374-5695; Phil DeCillis, fisheries biologist, Pacific Ranger District of Olympic National Forest – (360) 374-6522; Debbie Preston, Coastal Information Officer, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commisson – (360) 374-5501
