The “Model Watershed” originated from the Northwest Power Planning Council’s (NPCC) strategy for Salmon recovery and was initiated in 1992 when former Governor of Idaho, Cecil D. Andrus, selected the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission (ISCC) as lead agency. The ISCC designated the Lemhi River, Pahsimeroi River and East Fork Salmon River as the Model Watershed for Idaho. In 2000, this area was expanded to include the entire Upper Salmon River Basin and the name was changed to the Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project and later, the Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program (USBWP). In 2010, The Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation (OSC) fully assumed administrative responsibilities for the USBWP.
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