As part of our mission, the NFF offers neutral facilitation services for collaborative efforts that benefit National Forest System lands, and on the Sawtooth National Forest we're facilitating the 5B Restoration Coalition.
Background
Five years have passed since the Beaver Creek fire and subsequent flood events wreaked havoc on private and public lands in Idaho's Wood River Valley. With the help of the 5B Restoration Coalition, the Wood River Valley has taken actions to restore heavily damaged public lands and build resilience within the community.
The 5B Restoration Coalition or 5BRC (named to reflect the license plate code for Blaine County, ID) has worked to collaboratively develop priorities, build stronger private-public partnerships, and encourage community stewardship for sustainable outcomes. The 5BRC is working to apply the region's best thinking across sectors, developing creative and effective solutions that will generate both community and ecological resilience for future natural events.
A Watershed Restored
The flagship project for 5BRC has been the restoration of Deer Creek. Almost 70% of this drainage burned during the Beaver Creek Fire. Subsequent rains triggered substantial debris flows that blocked the river channel, damaged the road, and obliterated trails.
5BRC partners worked with Blaine County to create a restoration package that included an investment of $496,300 toward Deer Creek restoration needs from Blaine County's Land, Water, and Wildlife program, a levy funded effort. 5BRC partners and the National Forest Foundation pledged additional privately-raised funds to allow the $1.9 million dollar restoration package to more forward.
The goals of the project were to reduce sediment loading in the creek, restore healthy fish and wildlife habitat, and improve public access and trails. Key restoration actions included the following:
2018
2017
2016
Upcoming Meetings
The next meeting of the 5BRC group will be held on April 3rd, 2019 at the Community Campus in Hailey, Idaho. Please contact Dani Southard for more information at 208.729.0957 or [email protected]
Recent Media
The National Forest Foundation has established the 5B Restoration Fund to support on-the-ground priorities of the 5B Restoration Coalition in the Wood River Valley, which will be conducted through local community partners.
To give to the 5B Restoration Fund, visit www.nationalforests.org/give and enter promo code 5B. Gifts will be used to advance 5BRC priorities in the Wood River Valley.
Questions about the 5B Restoration Fund?
Contact Dayle Wallien at [email protected]
Contact Dani Southard, Northern Rockies Program Manager- [email protected]
