BVFF started work on a gravel augmentation on the Owyhee River in Fall of 2021. Our gravel augmentations on the Lower Boise River had gone smoothly and we anticipated a similar process on the Owyhee. However, the process has been much more complicated and lengthier than we anticipated.
First there were complications with getting landowner (BLM) and Malheur county approval for the project and there is a chain of permits that need to be filed--each having its own review period. We started with the Army Corps which then required a Dept of Water Quality permit and approval from the Department of State Lands and the Environmental Protection Agency. We are getting close to the Dept of Water Quality permit being approved which will then move us into the last permitting review from the EPA. Our best estimate is that the permitting will be complete sometime in December of 2024 (barring any complications or additional permit review requirements). If all goes well, we hope to do the gravel augmentation in late winter (late Feb or early March).
Once we get the permits we still have significant work to get the gravel into the river. If you are able to help with any of these tasks, please reach out to me at "conservation@bvff.com".
- Create a plan to monitor water turbidity, which is required by DEQ
- Work with Malheur Road District on traffic control plan
- Coordinate gravel delivery from Suroc and staging at the site.
- Coordinate gravel slinger truck and front end loader from the Owyhee River Ranch
- Do a site review with ODFW
- Tool rental
- BVFF Volunteer Coordination
This gravel augmentation is ten times as large as our Boise River gravel augmentations and the project location is more remote, which significantly increases the cost. The price has gone up significantly in the last 3 years and we have done additional fund raising to help pay for the project. We have:
- $3,000 grant from FFI
- $2,000 grant from Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife
- $2,000 donation pledge from the Snake River Water Keepers
- The Owyhee River Ranch is helping by using their front end loader to move gravel, a value of $500.
- $1,400 raised by selling “Greenbacks for Redds”. If you want to help with the project, you can buy a “Greenback” at the BVFF store.
We want to thank everyone who has helped us along the way on this project. Our friends at the Owyhee River Ranch; Fish biologists Dave Banks and Kirk Handley at ODFW; and especially the organizations and people who have donated to make this project happen.
A site photo, site plan and aerial map from our stream alteration permit application is shown below. For more details about the gravel augmentation project, see our conservation blog Owyhee River Gravel Augmentation and our Owyhee River Gravel Augmentation Study.
