Sleepy Creek Watershed Association Riparian Planting Project

1. Sleepy Creek Watershed Association Riparian Planting Project Gale Foulds, Sleepy Creek Watershed Association Barbie Elliott, West Virginia Conservation Agency Riparian Areas Resources and Strategies December 3, 2008 Morgantown, WV

2. Planning • 2004: Total Watershed Assessment • Percentages of landuse • Geology • Soils • Climate • Water Quality • Cooperative agreement with EPCD and Shepherd University • Partnered with NRCS and CVI for mapping and aerial photos • 2006:Streambank Survey in the 2 tributaries that make up the headwaters • 2005 Streambank Survey of Lower half of SC, the main stem w/o tributaries

3. Design • Asked for technical assistance • Stream: ACF and Mid-Atlantic Chapter of International Erosion Control Association • Trees: WVDOF • Helped to determine species for first 2 plantings. • SCWA chose the most successful trees from the last 3 plantings. • Forester educated SCWA Board on layout for the planting site and assisted with flagging the site for auguring. • Enlisted forester to demonstrate proper tree planting technique.

4. 1st opportunity to utilize Chesapeake Bay Funds. Using streambank survey results, 3 sites were ranked for a possible streambank stabilization workshop. After consultation with erosion specialists the Bell site was chosen. 10 foot Bio-Logs made of coconut fiber were used to stabilize the eroding bank. 450 feet of coir fiber matting was installed along the stream bank and then seeded with grass to aid in revegetation. After stream stabilization, partnered with EPCD on a Forestry workshop to establish a 35 foot wide riparian buffer the entire length of the project.500 trees and shrubs were utilized. Bell 2006

5. Bell Project 2006

6. 2nd site Lynch Summer 2006 • 1st Sleepy Creek Project Team Site: • Under the Chesapeake Bay Program, West Virginia's Potomac Tributary Strategy Implementation Committee allocated $5,000 for stream bank stabilization. • Site was chosen due to visibility, landowner cooperation and budget match. • 100 feet of streambank stabilization • Articulated Concrete Block • 1 Log Vane • Planted 73 trees within the riparian area.

7. Lynch Project 2006

8. 2007 Projects • Stream Partners Grant and NPS 1209 Funds: $4,000.00 • Dawson Farm had an active hay producing field and the buffer was not adequate. Installed 220 trees, 1,000 linear feet by 35 feet wide • Staubert Farm was chosen based upon need for bank stabilization and landowner cooperation:45 Trees, 200 feet by 35 feet • Tree planting using 2-3 gallon pots

9. 2007 Projects

10. 2008 Sleepy Creek Bend • Chosen in conjunction with a Natural Stream Restoration Project that was done by the WVCA. Site chosen due to channel braiding and erosion of bank near a state road. • High priority site when funds were made available. • Stream Partners: $2,500 for riparian planting. • Creek Bend: 145 trees on 385 linear feet with a 35 foot buffer.

11. 2008 Sleepy Creek Bend

12. Volunteers • HOW: • Active Board of Directors • Averaging 20-30 volunteers for each project • Publicity in local newspaper, watershed newspaper and word of mouth

13. Monitoring and Maintenance • Check sites for health of trees • Replace tubes as needed • Did not set up watering plans • Planting times are important • Nursery Stock is important • Education is important to landowner

14. Lessons Learned • Continue building and expanding partnerships • Build support from local businesses • Plant more in fall, due to dry summers • Consider deer pressure (deer browse) • Augur holes in advance • Deliver trees prior to event • Provide supplies (Tools, tubes and mulch) on site • BE ORGANIZED!