Fish Habitat: Essential Fish Habitat and Rehabilitation

<em>Abstract.</em> —The Coquille watershed contains the largest coastal river originating within the Coast Range of Oregon. The Coquille River presently supports over 57 species of fish including coho salmon <em>Oncorhynchus kisutch</em> , spring and fall chinook salmon <em>O. tshawytscha</em> , resident and sea-run cutthroat trout <em>O. clarki</em> , winter steelhead trout <em>O. mykiss</em> , and a remnant population of chum salmon <em>O. keta</em> . Coho salmon have been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Many factors including habitat alterations, harvests, hatchery introductions, and ocean conditions have led to the decline of many Coquille River fish stocks. Habitat changes since European settlement began in the mid- 1800s include logging and log transport, road building, draining and diking for agriculture, and urbanization, which have all contributed to the decline of fish stocks and water quality within the watershed. The recognition of habitat problems as a key limiting factor for fish production and water quality led to the formation of the Coquille Watershed Association (CWA) in early 1994. The formation of the CWA was another step in a 20-year local effort to address habitat problems through restoration of natural processes. The CWA is organized as a nonprofit corporation and is governed by a 26-member executive council representing landowners and stakeholders within the watershed. The goals of the CWA, which arrives at decisions through consensus, include creating water quality conditions that will meet Clean Water Act standards and enhancing native fish survival and production through public and private partnerships. To reach those goals, the CWA has organized a technical advisory group and developed an Action Plan that address limiting factors and sets priorities for identifying, prioritizing, coordinating, accomplishing, and monitoring restoration projects and educational efforts. To date the CWA has generated over US$2.5 million in public and private funding to implement projects including riparian restoration through fencing and planting, wetland development, the addition of large-channel wood and rock, off-channel livestock watering, and over 40 educational tours.