(P1010422) Resurrection Creek 2002 before the project began
Ecosystem Description: Resurrection Creek is a fresh water anadramous system fed primarily by runoff from the Chugach Mountains. Surrounded by over 103,000 acres of healthy watershed this nineteen mile stream empties in to upper Cook Inlet just 15 miles from Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Once reported to support the subsistence life style of the now extinct Knik tribe of Dena’ina natives. Resurrection Creek was the location of south central Alaska’s first gold strike of 1889. Heavily mined during the first three decades of the 1900’s, 40 foot tailing piles from hydraulic mining line the stream bisecting and or occupying the majority of the alluvial valley bottom. Effectively covering the historic complexity of resurrection creeks spawning and rearing channels. Disconnecting resurrection creeks wet lands & watershed that once provided high quality habitat for indigenous fish, wildlife and waterfowl species. Today Resurrection Creek provides limited sport fishing opportunities for all species of pacific salmon except one (PINK SALMON Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), as this fishery currently draws large numbers of anglers during the month of August to the lower reaches of this system. By restoring the historical rearing and spawning habitat with its associated riparian vegetation, we except a net benefit to the sport and commercial fishery of Cook Inlet in south central Alaska.
Palmer creek and Resurrection Creek 2002
(07750005) Palmer Creek ready for planting
Current Projects (continued):
Description of on-the-ground activities: Beginning on June 4, 2007 15 youth under the adult supervision of 5 adult group leaders in a 3 to 1 ration.
Will start planting native vegetation (dormant willows cuttings) gathered by volunteers. While planting birch trees (Grown by Seward high school students) and spruce trees (provided by the USFS). Planting these and sod patches gathered from near by designated extraction sites during the scheduled project. We will use erosion control materials such as C125 Bn blankets and ecologs to establish shore line vegetation and flood plain habitat. During the 40 hour week under YRC’s 40% hands on educational and 60% work plan that will devote 3200 man hours to this project to achieve a 70% completion of the project area over the past two seasons. (Using contracted heavy equipment (Mini excavator) operated by certified adult operators, holes will be established for willow clumps ahead of work teams. Four wheelers & trailers operated by adults will be used to move imported organic soils to insure successful plant growth. While a contracted tractor will be used to excavate sod patches for transplanting on site. Using the Hope community school as a camp, youth and adults will stay in the school Monday through Friday. In a camp style setting where youth will supervise and fed three meals per day using school facilities and support staff. Returning to there respective homes for the weekends. Planned evening activities will occupy youth’s time after work, to insure our stay in Hope a registered ghost town will not completely disturb full time residents some of which are historians of this early gold rush.
01810014 youth work on one of many new meanders along resurrection creek in 2006
Description of educational and/or socio-economic needs:
Harvest opportunities for Chinook salmon on south central Alaska’s road system are limited and are already at or near saturation. Many Northern Cook Inlet streams have populations of wild Chinook salmon that are too small to sustain a recreational fishery, while others have been impacted by urbanization and only produce small numbers of fish. Increased fishing effort and reduced natural production during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s have led to restrictions on several popular Northern Cook Inlet, Chinook salmon fisheries resulting in decreased Chinook salmon fishing participation. (ADF&G 2006) Resurrection creeks location to Anchorage Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula road system plays a major role in this anadramous streams restoration. Quietly nestled in northern Cook Inlet in the shadows of the world famous Kenai River, south central Alaska’s salmon bearing streams are impacted by more than 2 million angler days per season. The need for additional salmon producing streams to alleviate pressure is critical. Recently the world famous Kenai River elevated to a status of a category five contaminated river because of over use. Creating additional awareness of the importance of restoration projects that would develop new spawning and rearing habitat on systems that once produced healthy runs of Chinook salmon which could naturally bring back native salmon. To create additional fishing opportunities, while educating our youth about stewardship and benefiting local economies. Through the restoration of a system that has lain impacted for over a century. Working along side a broad base of resource users who are acting as stewards of Alaska’s fish & wildlife YRC charges its self with keeping fish habitat healthy, our water drinkable and fishable as we promote stewardship through community restoration activities. That provides structured employment opportunities for youth as we teach job and leadership skills to youth as they develop a sense of pride for their accomplishments.
(Res Ck education) Elementary students from Hope school examine trees planted by teens this summer
Over One hundred years after hydraulic mining disconnected the 103,000 acres of resurrection valley watershed from resurrection creek, a tributary of upper Cook Inlet. Which severely altered this anadramous streams critical, ecological spawning and rearing habitats of five species of pacific salmon and two species of resident trout. Youth Restoration Corps, Chugach National Forest and USDA Team Enterprise unit began to develop a project plan and partnership to restore the natural habitat of resurrection creek. Beginning with its original pilot project of phase one. Heavy equipment funded by the Chugach National Forest was used in 05 & 06 to create a total of 62 acres of flood plain wildlife, waterfowl habitat in which 2.5 miles of newly created main stem and side stream spawning and rearing habitat was developed. Now with construction complete, Youth Restoration Corps is continuing its efforts using philanthropy funds to focus on the restoration of natural vegetation & monitoring of this site through YRC’s grassroots hands on approach and stream team monitoring that incorporates youth involvement and outreach education that promotes stewardship. Working under the original EIS and NEPA determination 2007’s project will continue from were we left off 2006. As the USFS begins the environmental impact statement on the next phase of this project that would expand restoration of resurrection creek to one of the largest restoration projects in the nation. “ For all to share, for all to care”
(06560003) 2006 YRC youth stop to have there picture taken after four weeks of working on one of largest habitat restoration projects in the nation on Resurrection Creek