Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group

“Expenses advertising 2,955 office expenses 448 travel 5,809 conferences/training 254 insurance 3,241 program expense 1,553 supplies 104 other 598 education 385 total 15,347”

“Grants receivable 19,478 0 accounts receivable 0 745 total 19,478 745”

“Payroll liabilties 2,905 2,769”

“The mission of the lower clark fork watershed group (lcfwg) is to facilitate collaboration among watershed stakeholders and to coordinate efforts to maintain, enhance and restore the ecological integrity of tributaries to the lower clark fork river. Our work focuses primarily on in-stream and on-the-ground restoration projects that improve water quality and enhance habitat for bull trout and west slope cutthroat trout.”

“In 2019, the lcfwg held quarterly meetings for members and partners and actively worked to coordinate continued efforts on all ongoing watershed projects. They are involved in the planning, fundraising, coordination, contracting, administration and ongoing monitoring of multiple projects in the watershed. Major 2019 accomplishments across the watershed are described below: - watershed-wide: completed the development of the lower clark fork tributary watershed restoration plan, coordinating efforts of multiple stakeholders to develop and prioritize project ideas to improve water quality (address stream impairments) and enhance habitat for native fish in tributaries to the lower clark fork river from prospect creek (near thompson falls) downstream to blue creek (near the idaho border). Developed outreach efforts targeted at community members and landowners, including writing press releases published in the local paper, developing outreach materials themed "wherever you are, you are in a watershed", and distributing information at events such as the fly fishing film tour in thompson falls, which also featured watershed restoration and conservation related films. -blue creek: facilitated conversation about a proposed project on blue creek with the landowner, kootenai national forest, and other partners. -beaver creek: fundraised for and began coordinating the emma creek road obliteration project, which will be implemented in 2020 and reduce road densities along a native fish stream in upper beaver creek. -bull river: continued supporting efforts to re-vegetate areas along the bull river, which over time will help stabilize stream banks and create habitat for native fish and wildlife. Major accomplishments in 2019 included maintaining engagement with landowners and protecting past planting efforts. -graves creek: coordinated stakeholders to implement a pilot project in graves creek, an important stream for migratory bull trout, aimed at increasing the deposition of spawning gravel and enhancing bull trout habitat. -prospect creek: completed fundraising and, in conjunction with partners and local contractors, restored a section of degraded channel and floodplain habitat in crow creek, a tributary to prospect creek. Additional work in the drainage include facilitating conversation among stakeholders about opportunities for future work in the drainage, including a small habitat enhancement project that is planned for implementation in upper prospect creek in 2020. -thompson river: participated in project planning, design, and fundraising efforts for three projects in the fishtrap creek drainage (tributary to the thompson river) that are expected to be implemented in 2020. These projects will mitigate road-related impacts in the drainage and enhance habitat for westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout and other native species. -vermilion river: the lcfwg worked in conjunction with kootenai national forest and other partners to evaluate design alternatives for a major stream restoration project on the vermilion river, planned for 2021. The lcfwg's role in the project will be to coordinate funding, contracting, implementation and outreach efforts related to the project.”