Peterson Ranch Fee Purchase Assist

Project Narrative

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased 5 acres at the mouth of the Lemhi River and Hayden Creek, and immediately transferred the property to Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). This project protects important habitat for salmon and steelhead on a 0.16 mile reach of Hayden Creek at the confluence with the Lemhi River, allows for the relocation of an IDFG rotary screw trap on Hayden Creek to enable restoration to occur in Hayden Creek and the Lemhi River, and facilitated state ownership/management/and public access. The purchase of this 5 acre parcel builds on the current PCSRF investment to purchase a conservation easement over the remaining 176 acres of the Peterson Ranch (012 20 SA), as well as prior PCSRF and current NRCS investments made on the upstream and downstream adjacent properties – the Split River Ranch and the Bar 20 Ranch. Significant river restoration is in the design phases to occur on the Lemhi River through the Peterson and Split River Ranches, and there is additional intent to conduct restoration activities on Hayden Creek above and through the Peterson Ranch and on public and private lands including the Bar 20 Ranch in the next 1-5 yrs. This purchase will allow for relocation of an IDFG rotary screw trap currently upstream on Hayden Creek, that will then allow for restoration on Hayden Creek, to enable the full scope of proposed restoration on the Peterson and Split River Ranches. The purchase permanently protects conservation values and ensures protection of future conservation and restoration actions on the property and in the area. 1. Protect conservation values of the ~5 acre parcel. 2. Protect and enable restoration on ~ 850 of Hayden Creek at the confluence with the Lemhi River. 3. Eliminate the threat of development. 4. Enable restoration planning and implementation at the desired scale to occur in Hayden Creek and the Lemhi River within the greater project area. These activities will include the construction of side channels, instream habitat work, and activating floodplain connectivity. 5. Facilitate state ownership and public access. 6. Allow for the relocation of IDFG rotary screw trap on Hayden Creek