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Nehalem Water Quality

Counties: Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington 

Primary Resource Concern Addressed: 

  • Aquatic habitat - Elevated water temperature
  • Field sediment nutrient pathogen loss - Sediment transported to surface water, Nutrients transported to surface water, Pathogens and chemicals from manure, biosolids or compost applications transported to surface water

Project Description
This Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) seeks to improve water quality and riparian habitat of the Nehalem River watershed to improve conditions for Oregon Coast Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and other native fish species within the watershed. Reducing soil erosion, eradication of invasive vegetation and restoration of riparian vegetation are also important goals of this project. 

Conservation Practices Offered

  • Brush Management (314)
  • Livestock Pipeline (516)     
  • Watering Facility (614) 
  • Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315) 
  • Prescribed Grazing (528)
  • Cover Crop (340) 
  • Pumping Plant (533) 
  • Fence (382)     
  • Roof Runoff Structure (558)     
  • Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)    
  • Underground Outlet (620)     
  • Riparian Forest Buffer (391)    
  • Access Road (560)    
  • Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (395)    
  • Heavy Use Area Protection (561)     
  • Hedgerow Planting (422) 
  • Streambank and Shoreline Protection (580)    
  • Tree/Shrub Site Preparation (490) 
  • Tree and Shrub Planting (612)

Project Partners

  • Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
  • Tillamook (SWCD)
  • Columbia (SWCD)
  • Tualatin (SWCD)
  • Lower and Upper Nehalem Watershed Councils
  • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
  • NRCS Oregon
  • Private landowners

Application Questions
NRCS uses prioritization questions to evaluate applications for this initiative. See the list of workload prioritization questions on the Oregon EQIP page. Ranking questions below will also apply.

Ranking Questions

  1. The conservation plan has been developed or funded by more than one entity/partner, such as an OWEB-funded project, or it is part of a larger project that addresses water quality, floodplain connectivity, or access to critical habitat for ESA-listed species?
  2. Is the applicant currently working with the local partner to install a complimentary project that increases the magnitude of conservation benefits or improves existing conservation practices or systems that are already in place?
  3. Application includes practices that will directly improve riparian plant productivity and health?
  4. Planned practices significantly enhance critical habitat for ESA listed species?
  5. Has the applicant been identified as a 'Potential Violation' or 'Opportunity to Improve' by ODA?
  6. The applicant will address all noxious weed issues within the project area?