If you are out and about along the Bear Creek Greenway in Talent, you might have noticed signs and equipment being gathered near Lynn Newbry Park. We are excited to be implementing a restoration project in and along Bear Creek at this site, which we call Bear Creek River Mile 19.0, from mid-July through mid-September. This project has been in the development and planning stages for several years, and in 2022 the Watershed Council received funding from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) to execute restoration actions in response to the Almeda Fire.This spring, we hired M&M Services to perform the restoration actions. They have decades of experience in construction and vast experience with natural resource restoration projects.
Drone footage by RVCOG showing the project site and adjacent greenway
The goal of this project is to restore natural stream processes by increasing connectivity among Bear Creek, historic side channels, and the fire-damaged floodplain. Restoring these natural processes will lead to improved water quality, a healthier riparian forest, and a more resilient creek. In addition to increasing floodplain and side channel connectivity, the project includes stewardship actions designed to encourage the recruitment of native trees, shrubs, and other plants to the streamside forest (and dramatically reduce the number of non-native plants like blackberry and poison hemlock).
The project is designed to protect existing infrastructure (like the Greenway trail), by limiting unnatural erosion. It also contributes to the protection of drinking water sources for downstream communities, including the city of Gold Hill, Rogue River and Grants Pass. Lastly, the project will improve habitat for fish and wildlife in and along the creek.
A section of eroded stream bank that is threatening infrastructure
The project will begin mobilizing (heavy equipment will arrive and restoration work will soon follow) in mid-July. All permits and required landowner permissions related to the project are in place, and we are dedicated to communicating with the community throughout this project. Our timeline for restoration is in accordance with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in-water work period to protect migratory and sensitive fish species, which in 2024 is June 15 to September 15. We expect construction to take 8 or 9 weeks, meaning we have a very narrow window to execute this work. We intentionally scheduled our start date to minimize the project’s impact to nesting birds, and we will work closely with the contractor to reduce any negative impacts of moving heavy equipment through the riparian area. The scale of this restoration project provides an extensive list of long-term benefits, including for wildlife that utilizes the stream and its surrounding area.
Songbirds rely on native vegetation along streams in all seasons.
We expect there to be interruptions to the Greenway trail use in the vicinity of Lynn Newbry Park during construction. Public safety is our top priority, so we are protecting trail users by closing the trail while the heavy equipment required for this restoration project is in use. If you are out on the Greenway, pay attention to signage and flaggers. We hope to interrupt trail use for the shortest duration possible, but you can find the most updated information on our website and social media.
You can find more information about the project here.
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