We have been busy this summer, gaining some ground in the world of Conservation. The Panhandle chapter was recently awarded a $50,000 grant to purchase conservation easements on Trestle Creek to help secure Bull Trout habitat for years to come. The properties are currently in the process of being purchased. We are beginning the process of writing some grants to help fund a restoration project on Gold Creek's Kickbush Slide area. Kickbush slide is a cutslope failure that has been continually slumping for years. The sediment ends up running into main Gold Creek (a tributary to Lake Pend Oreille, on the south end of the lake). During fall rains, the sediment is deposited on bull trout redds. The proposed project will stabilize the slope and fix the problem. Gold Creek is the 2nd most important spawning stream in the Lake Pend Oreille Watershed. We will be looking for Embrace A Stream funding to complement Forest Service and Avista funding, making this a muti-financed project (it will be expensive to fix--we estimate over $200,000). The current situation is causing direct take of bull trout by choking redds; fixing this will immediately improve conditions for spawning fish.In addition to bull trout, Gold Creek supports westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and spawning kokanee. Remember that Panhandle TU shirts and hats make great gifts for friends and family. Have a great Fall!!
