The Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District is currently seeking a qualified part time book keeper.  For more information see the job description details below.  The position announcement is also posted on Cardinal Service�s webpage, as well as the Oregon Employment Department webpage.

Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District (Siuslaw SWCD) serves residents within the Siuslaw River Watershed and the surrounding Lakes Basin by providing assistance to implement resource conservation, watershed restoration and habitat enhancement projects to improve and conserve natural resources on agricultural, forested, private, urban and rural lands.  Specifically we:

■  Provide information, education, and outreach. 

■  Provide technical assistance to private landowners to develop and implement conservation plans on their property. 

■  Provide an interface between agencies and landowners. 

■  Collaborate with federal, state, and local government agencies and groups

The Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District has formed several partnerships with organizations and agencies that specialize in natural resource management.  Our success depends largely in part to these valuable relationships.

The Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District is actively involved with our local schools and citizens, in hope to help them further understand the progressively complex natural resource issues faced today.  Through education and outreach, we promote sustainable, ecosystem based ideals that are meant to help individuals realize their importance in shaping their future landscape.  Below are some of the programs in which we participate.

The Siuslaw Stream Team Project provides an ecologically and watershed focused in-class and on-the-ground learning opportunity to the students of the Siuslaw Watershed. Through partnerships with a broad range of community, watershed, and agency natural resource professionals, students learn and participate first hand in on-the-ground restoration efforts within important watershed habitat systems in the coastal Siuslaw region.

Stream Team members actively learn about their watershed through participation in on-the-ground research and restoration projects. They do water quality monitoring, measure stream flows, conduct biological assessments, and participate in restoration projects such as riparian plantings and rearing and releasing coho salmon. In addition, they educate their community about watershed and salmon issues by giving talks on their projects to community and school groups.

The Siuslaw and Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Oregon Dept. Of Agriculture, and other partners are available to provide technical, financial, and educational assistance to landowners in the Mid Coast Agricultural Water Quality Management Area to meet their conservation goals and local water quality standards.  The intent of the ODA's Water Quality Program is to:

■ Satisfy multiple federal and state water quality mandates;

■ Encourage voluntary conservation;

■ Promote water quality improvement through outreach and education;

■ Allow flexibility in meeting local water quality standards;

■ Provide enforcement provisions for landowners who refuse to work towards meeting water quality standards; and

■ Involve local citizens and organizations in the development of strategies to meet water quality standards.

Description:  Native to Eastern Asia, Japanese Knotweed is an upright, herbaceous perennial that commonly grow to heights over 10 feet.  Stems are stout, hollow, and swollen at the joints.  Leaves are usually 6-8 inches long and 3-5 inches wide, broad and oval in shape although coming to a point at the tip.  When in bloom the tiny white flowers are arranged in attractive branched sprays, often beloved by pollinators.  Knotweeds are considered noxious weeds by the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture and are a priority to eradicate.

Ecology:  Japanese Knotweed and its similar subspecies (Bohemian and Himalayan) are a serious threat to our native riparian ecosystems.  Since it starts growing earlier in the spring than most of our natives (and also grows faster) it easily outcompetes and rapidly forms densely thick monoculture stands that only support very limited food webs in comparison to our diverse native stream side assemblages.  It primarily spreads vegetatively, so mowing and tilling are NOT control options.  A single rhizome can result in an entire stand if given the chance.  Once established it is very persistent and can take multiple years of intensive management to control.

Options:  If you observe Knotweed on your property and would like to be part of the solution, there is help available.  The Siuslaw SWCD, the OR State Weed Board, and the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Council have all joined forces in hope to eradicate invasive Knotweeds.  We perform a local inventory documenting all known stands within the district during late spring and early summer, with follow up treatment occurring in late August and September. If you are open to assistance, please contact Seth Mead, the Watershed Conservationist for the Siuslaw SWCD.  He can be reached by phone at 541 997 1272 or via email at siuswcd@qwestoffice.net, office hours are usually Mon-Thu from 8-4.

Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife will provide up to 60% of the project costs when installing a fish screen, up to $75,000. An Oregon State tax credit is also available. Dam removal and fish passage components can also be funded, but not fish screen maintenance or culvert replacement. Applications are accepted at any time for ODFW's screen shop constructed projects and for pump screens. Privately constructed large project applications are accepted once each year. These would include large diversion screens such as used by irrigation districts. ODFW can access federal funds to help with the cost-share, but they like to have the water user put in at least 10% of the match. 

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has approximately $2.7 million each year available for projects that address nonpoint source pollution problems. Applicants can include watershed councils, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other natural resources and water quality related agencies, colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations. The application period runs from early September through October each year. Nonpoint source water quality and watershed enhancement projects should address the priorities in the Oregon Water Quality Nonpoint Source Management Plan. For more information contact DEQ at:

The goal of this program, funded solely by fishing licenses, is to fund projects that benefit sport fisheries. Applicants must be a public or private non-profit entity, or Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) organization. Typical project award is under $100,000 and there is no match requirement, although matching funds are highly encouraged. For more information, contact state R&E coordinator Laura Tesler 503-947-6259 or check the ODFW website at www.dfw.state.or.us. The application can be completed on-line via the website; grants are awarded quarterly.

There are a number of other governmental agencies, foundations and other entities that provide funding for watershed health projects. The Oregon State Noxious Weed grant program is overseen by the Oregon State Weed Board. The program is part of the Plant Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Information can be obtained from the ODA website under the Plant Division, or call Jo Davis, Noxious Weed Control Program Assistant at 503-986-4621 or email jdavis@oda.state.or.us. Information and links for a variety of other grants can be found on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website at:

The Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District is currently seeking bids for the construction of a riparian exclusion fence, part of our Fiddle Creek Stream Enhancement Project.  See below for more details.

Nothing at this time... but soon.