South Santiam Watershed Council

“One board member is employed by a private industrial timber company. We have worked with that company to enhance fish passage on lands owned by that company and continue to perform post-project monitoring. One board member is employed by a different private industrial timber company, and we are working with that company to install beaver coexistence devices at the companys expense.”

“The members of the organization elect the members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors elects officer positions.”

“The members of the organization elect Directors. The Board of Directors elects officer positions.”

“A copy of the Form 990 was reviewed by the SSWC Treasurer before it was filed. The Operations/Executive Committee then reviews the draft of the Form 990 brought to them by the Treasurer and address any questions, comments, or concerns to the CPA who will be preparing the return. After which, the Form 990 will be brought to the full Board of Directors for a vote affirming/denying the submittal of the final Form 990.”

“The Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower policies are provided along with the board handbook and other policies to each new board member. As the council pursues projects, seeks funding, and performs daily operations, any potential for conflict of interests is fully explored and vetted by the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and/or Executive Team of officers. Any board member or member of the public can identify a potential conflict of interest, and all Board of Directors, Officers, and staff are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves as appropriate and necessary. Concerns regarding conflicts of interest can be expressed to any officer or the Executive Director. There is zero tolerance for retaliatory behavior as described by the whistleblower pollicy, and appropriate action up to dismissal from board service or employment provides protections to whistleblowers.”

“The coordinators length of service, job performance, available budget, and data for comparable positions at outside organizations are gathered by the Operations/Executive committee and recommendations are made to the full board for approval.”

“Available upon request.”

“Organizations Mission: The mission of the South Santiam Watershed Council is to enhance and protect the natural resources of the South Santiam River watershed for the social, environmental, and economic benefit of all those who live, work, and visit. First Program Accomplishment: During this fiscal year, the SSWC worked four general areas: Restoration (Riparian restoration, fuels reduction, and in-stream habitat enhancement) Education (Salmon Watch, Youth Snorkel, and Outdoor School) Monitoring (project effectiveness and water quality) Executive (Administration, organizational growth, and board development) The South Santiam Watershed Council turned 30 in 2024, and has spent those years working to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, and achieve landscape level ecologial planting trees, shrubs, and forbs, and providing essential preparation and maintenance to help ensure success at existing project sites. To date, SSWC has planted several hundred thousand native trees and shrubs in an ongoing effort to improve riparian conditions along multiple creeks. Sites that had been planted in previous years were maintained so as to enhance plant survivial thus ensuring long-term success at plating sites. This involved visiting over 25 properties mutiple times to treat invasive weeds that may have threatened previous plantings. New sites were prepared for future planting by removing noxious plants to create site conditions suitable to planting and generating lists of plant species that are wood placement that provides improved aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife species. This project was implemented as mitigation for impacts from natural gas infrastructure on the mainstem South Santiam, and a municipal Clean Water Act violation. It provides an an anchor for additional uplands and riparian work in the future. Community education and outreach will figure prominently in this work, with interpretive signs and opportunities for project tours. The two primary monitoring activities we conducted were photo point monitoring of existing projects and stream temperature monitoring at priority locations. Photo points are photographs taken at the same location over successive years. The photos, along with a in telling the story of the project. Stream temperature is a major driver of aquatic ecosystems and an indicator of watershed health. Restoration activities are often designed to improve system temperatures for cold water fishes. Monitoring water temperature allows the SSWC to measure the effectiveness of projects over a long time period. Previous funding allowed for seasonal monitoring. Due to successfully securing a multi-year grant to support water temperature monitoring, we are looking forward to another 4 years of monitoring and transitioning to annual (year-round) monitoring, which will capture more accurate and nuanced changes in stream temperature over time. Other Program Accomplishments: The SSWC continues to work with the US Forest Service, Sweet Home Ranger District, and local schools to bring watershed education programs to students in our service area. The programs include Outdoor School, Salmon Watch, Youth Snorkeling, and a paid internship program that provides graduating high schoolers with an opportunity to work with a variety of US Forest Service employees and learn about career options in natural resources. We are grateful for the ongoing support and engagement from state, federal, and local agencies and entities, organizations and individuals as we continue to refine educational opportunities for the communities we serve. Near the end of the fiscal year, the SSWC relocated its offices to Lebanon, OR. This location is larger, more centrally located, and allows the council to host meetings and throughout the basin.”