Salmonid Restoration Federation
Restoring Watersheds and Rebuilding Salmon Runs
March 29 - April 1, 2017
Davis, California

State of Beaver Restoration in California

30 March 2017
9:00am - 5:00pm

Workshop Coordinator:
Eli Asarian, Riverbend Sciences

This workshop will provide an overview of current efforts to restore streams in California using beavers and beaver dam analogues. Presentation topics will include:

  • Effects of beavers, beaver dams, and beaver dam analogues on geomorphology, hydrology, habitat, and salmonids in stream ecosystems

  • Updated progress reports on case studies of restoration projects utilizing beavers and beaver dam analogues, including in the Scott Valley, Trinity River, Sierra Nevada, and Columbia River Basin

  • Informational resources and guidelines for beaver restoration and co-existing with beavers

  • The evolving framework for permitting beaver dam analogues and managing beavers in California

Following the presentations there will be in-depth group discussions about how restorationists and permitting agencies can move forward together to improve beaver management and the process for permitting innovative and adaptive restoration projects in California.

The Physical Process Foundation for Stream Ecosystems: Why Restoring Beaver Dams is Important
Brian Cluer, Ph.D., NOAA Fisheries

Lessons Learned From a 15-Year Beaver Dam Analogue Restoration and Monitoring Project– Applying Results to Other Watersheds
Michael Pollock, Ph.D., NOAA Fisheries

Do Beaver Have a Role in the Recovery of California Coho Salmon?
Stephen Swales, Ph.D., Fisheries Branch, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Scott Valley Beaver Dam Analogues: Year 3
Betsy Stapleton, Scott River Watershed Council, and Michael Pollock, Ph.D., NOAA Fisheries

Bucktail Beaver Dam Analogue Construction Process and Near-Term Results
James Lee, Hoopa Valley Tribe and Trinity River Restoration Program

Demonstration of Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Benefits of Beaver and Beaver Dam Analogue Restoration Techniques in Childs Meadow, Tehama County CA: Year 2 Update
Sarah Yarnell, Ph.D., Center for Watershed Sciences, University of California Davis

Applications of Beaver Restoration Techniques in the Sierra Nevada
Damion Ciotti, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Beaver in California: Creating a Culture of Stewardship
Kate Lundquist, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center WATER Institute

Adaptive Beaver Management Plans: A Tool for Mitigating Beaver Nuisance Behavior While Partnering With Beaver in a Restoration Context
Elijah Portugal, Natural Resources Services, Redwood Community Action Agency

Permit Guidance for Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) in the North Coast Region
Jonathan Warmerdam, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board

Practical Permitting Guidance for Beaver Dam Analogue Restoration Projects
Curt Babcock and Michael Harris, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Panel Discussion on Improving the Restoration Permitting Process and Beaver Management