Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan 

Table of Contents i 

Table of Contents 

Chapter 1 Introduction and Background ........................................................................................ 1-1

1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1-1

1.2 Importance of the Refuge ........................................................................................................... 1-2

1.3 Proposed Action ......................................................................................................................... 1-3

1.4 Purpose of and Need for Action ................................................................................................. 1-4

1.5 Legal and Policy Guidance ........................................................................................................ 1-5

1.5.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ............................................................................................... 1-5

1.5.2 National Wildlife Refuge System .......................................................................................... 1-5

1.5.3 Other Laws and Mandates ...................................................................................................... 1-7

1.6 Refuge Establishment and Purposes .......................................................................................... 1-8

1.6.1 Legal Significance of the Refuge Purpose ............................................................................. 1-8

1.6.2 Purpose and History of Refuge Establishment ....................................................................... 1-9

1.6.3 Land Status and Ownership ................................................................................................... 1-9

1.7 Relationship to Other Planning Efforts ...................................................................................... 1-9

1.7.1 Regional Plans ..................................................................................................................... 1-10

1.7.2 State Plans ............................................................................................................................ 1-11

1.7.3 Additional Plans ................................................................................................................... 1-11

1.8 Special Designation Lands ....................................................................................................... 1-12

1.8.1 Important Bird Areas ........................................................................................................... 1-12

1.9 Planning Process and Issue Identification ................................................................................ 1-12

1.9.1 Planning Process .................................................................................................................. 1-12

1.9.2 Key Issues Addressed in the Comprehensive Conservation Plan ........................................ 1-15

1.9.3 Issues Outside the Scope of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan ................................... 1-18

1.10 Refuge Vision and Goals ......................................................................................................... 1-19

1.10.1 Expanded Vision Statement: An Image of the Future...................................................... 1-19

1.10.2 Condensed Vision: Summarizing the Core Values of the Refuge ................................... 1-20

1.10.3 Refuge Goals .................................................................................................................... 1-20

Chapter 2 Management Direction .................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Development of Management Direction .................................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Management Directions Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ................................ 2-1

2.3 Description of Management Direction ....................................................................................... 2-3

2.4 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies ............................................................................................. 2-18

Goal 1: Maintain, enhance, and restore bottomland riparian habitat consistent with the historical 

range of variability representative of the Willamette Valley ecosystem to support breeding and 

migratory landbirds and other native species. .................................................................................. 2-19
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Goal 2: Maintain, enhance, and restore mixed coniferous/deciduous forest habitat to a historical 

range of variability representative of the Willamette Valley ecosystem in order to support breeding 

and migratory landbirds and other native species. ............................................................................ 2-21

Goal 3: Maintain, enhance, and restore oak habitats to a historical range of variability representative 

of the Willamette Valley ecosystem in order to support breeding and migratory landbirds and other 

native species. ................................................................................................................................... 2-23

Goal 4: Maintain, enhance, and restore native Willamette Valley wet prairie habitat, with an 

emphasis on management for rare and listed plant species. ............................................................. 2-27

Goal 5: Maintain, enhance, and restore a diversity of wetlands to support migratory landbirds, 

waterbirds, and shorebirds with special emphasis on wintering waterfowl. ..................................... 2-29

Goal 6: Maintain, enhance, and, where feasible, restore streams and off-channel backwater slough 

habitats in order to benefit salmonids and other native aquatic species. .......................................... 2-32

Goal 7: Cultivate and maintain croplands as an interim measure to control non-native invasive 

species. .............................................................................................................................................. 2-34

Goal 8: Collect scientific information (surveys, scientific assessments, and research) necessary to 

support adaptive management decisions that are associated with Goals 1-7. ................................... 2-37

Goal 9: Protect and manage the refuge’s unique cultural resources for their cultural, scientific, and 

educational values, while consulting with appropriate Native American groups and preservation 

organizations and complying with historic preservation legislation. ................................................ 2-40

Goal 10: Provide visitors, local residents, volunteers, and partners with opportunities to understand 

and appreciate fish and wildlife conservation as well as the purpose, ecology, and management of the 

refuge and the Refuge System. ......................................................................................................... 2-41

Goal 11: Provide students and educators from the greater Portland area with compatible and highquality opportunities to participate in environmental education. ...................................................... 2-45

Goal 12: Provide refuge visitors with diverse, compatible, and high-quality opportunities to 

participate in wildlife-dependent recreation and interpretation. ....................................................... 2-48

Goal 13: Build a broad-based natural resource conservation constituency with a focus on urban 

audiences to create a conservation ethic within urban communities; increase relevance of habitat 

conservation, wildlife heritage, and the Refuge System in the eyes of urban citizens; and instill a 

sense of empowerment for urban communities to work together to actively support conservation, in 

both local and global settings. .......................................................................................................... 2-52

Chapter 3 Physical Environment ..................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.1 General Climate ..................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.2 Climate Change ...................................................................................................................... 3-3

3.2 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 3-9

3.2.1 Regional Hydrology ............................................................................................................... 3-9

3.2.2 Refuge-specific Hydrology .................................................................................................. 3-12

3.3 Topography and Bathymetry ................................................................................................... 3-16

3.4 Geology and Geomorphology .................................................................................................. 3-17

3.4.1 Origins and Development .................................................................................................... 3-17

3.4.2 Recent Geologic Events ....................................................................................................... 3-17
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3.5 Soils.......................................................................................................................................... 3-18

3.6 Fire ........................................................................................................................................... 3-18

3.6.1 Historic Activity ................................................................................................................... 3-18

3.6.2 Recent Activity .................................................................................................................... 3-19

3.6.3 Current Conditions ............................................................................................................... 3-20

3.7 Environmental Contaminants ................................................................................................... 3-20

3.8 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 3-21

3.9 Water Quality ........................................................................................................................... 3-23

3.9.1 Overview—Tualatin River Basin ......................................................................................... 3-23

3.9.2 Refuge-specific Water Quality ............................................................................................. 3-24

3.10 Visual Quality .......................................................................................................................... 3-24

3.11 Surrounding Land Use ............................................................................................................. 3-25

Chapter 4 Biological Environment ................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.1 Historic Land Use and Conditions ......................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.2 Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health ................................................... 4-2

4.2 Selection of Priority Resources of Concern ............................................................................... 4-2

4.2.1 Analysis of Priority Resources of Concern ............................................................................ 4-2

4.3 Habitat Types ............................................................................................................................. 4-5

4.3.1 Bottomland Riparian Forest ................................................................................................... 4-5

4.3.2 Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous Forest ..................................................................................... 4-6

4.3.3 Oak Habitat ............................................................................................................................ 4-8

4.3.4 Wet Prairie ........................................................................................................................... 4-10

4.3.5 Herbaceous and Scrub-shrub Wetlands ............................................................................... 4-11

4.3.6 Rivers, Streams, and Backwater Sloughs ............................................................................. 4-13

4.3.7 Croplands ............................................................................................................................. 4-15

4.3.8 Ruderal Lands ...................................................................................................................... 4-16

4.4 Major Species Groups .............................................................................................................. 4-17

4.4.1 Waterfowl ............................................................................................................................ 4-17

4.4.2 Songbirds ............................................................................................................................. 4-19

4.4.3 Shorebirds ............................................................................................................................ 4-19

4.4.4 Marsh Birds and Waders ...................................................................................................... 4-20

4.4.5 Raptors ................................................................................................................................. 4-20

4.4.6 Mammals .............................................................................................................................. 4-21

4.4.7 Fish ....................................................................................................................................... 4-21

4.4.8 Reptiles ................................................................................................................................ 4-22
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4.4.9 Amphibians .......................................................................................................................... 4-22

4.5 Threatened, Endangered, and Other Special Status Species .................................................... 4-23

4.6 Invasive and Nuisance Species ................................................................................................ 4-24

4.7 Wildlife and Habitat Research, Inventory, and Monitoring ..................................................... 4-27

Chapter 5 Human Environment ....................................................................................................... 5-1

5.1 Cultural Resources ..................................................................................................................... 5-1

5.1.1 Prehistoric and Ethnographic Resources ................................................................................ 5-2

5.1.2 Historic Resources ................................................................................................................. 5-4

5.2 Refuge Facilities ........................................................................................................................ 5-6

5.2.1 Boundary Fences and Markers ............................................................................................... 5-6

5.2.2 Entrance and Access Points ................................................................................................... 5-6

5.2.3 Administrative Facilities ........................................................................................................ 5-8

5.2.4 Roads, Trails, and Parking Areas ........................................................................................... 5-8

5.2.5 Visitor Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 5-9

5.2.6 Easements and Agreements ................................................................................................. 5-10

5.2.7 Dikes, Irrigation, Water Control Structures, and Pump Houses .......................................... 5-11

5.3 Public Use Overview ............................................................................................................... 5-12

5.3.1 Public Use Program History ................................................................................................ 5-12

5.3.2 Open and Closed Areas ........................................................................................................ 5-12

5.3.3 Annual Visitation ................................................................................................................. 5-13

5.3.4 Entrance and User Fees ........................................................................................................ 5-13

5.3.5 Accessibility of Recreation Sites and Programs to Disabled Persons .................................. 5-13

5.3.6 Volunteers ............................................................................................................................ 5-13

5.4 Wildlife-dependent Public Uses ............................................................................................... 5-14

5.4.1 Hunting ................................................................................................................................ 5-14

5.4.2 Fishing .................................................................................................................................. 5-14

5.4.3 Wildlife Observation and Photography ................................................................................ 5-15

5.4.4 Environmental Education ..................................................................................................... 5-16

5.4.5 Interpretation/Outreach ........................................................................................................ 5-17

5.5 Non-wildlife-dependent Recreation ......................................................................................... 5-18

5.6 Illegal Uses and Law Enforcement .......................................................................................... 5-18

5.7 Area Outdoor Recreational Opportunities and Trends ............................................................. 5-19

5.7.1 Nearby Recreational Opportunities ...................................................................................... 5-19

5.7.2 Outdoor Recreation Trends and Demographics ................................................................... 5-19

5.8 Socioeconomic Environment ................................................................................................... 5-22

5.8.1 Population and Area Economy ............................................................................................ 5-22
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan 

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Figures 

Figure 1-1. Overview of CCP planning process. ..................................................................................... 1-13

Figure 3-1. Average and peak river levels measured in feet above mean sea level (MSL) at Farmington 

gauge approximately 8 miles upstream from the westernmost parcel in the Sherwood Units. ................. 3-3

Figure 3-2. Global surface temperature (NASA 2012). ............................................................................. 3-4

Figure 3-3. Water year temperature 1925-2010. USHCN Station: Forest Grove, Oregon (352997). ....... 3-6

Figure 3-4. Water year total precipitation 1925-2010. USHCN Station: Forest Grove, Oregon. .............. 3-8

Figure 3-5. Summer (Jun-Aug) total precipitation, 1925-2010. USHCN Station: Forest Grove, Oregon 

(352997). .................................................................................................................................................... 3-8

Figure 3-6. Average daily discharge rate (cfs) measured on the Tualatin River at the West Linn gauging 

station. ...................................................................................................................................................... 3-11

Figure 4-1. Average and maximum number of waterfowl counted on refuge lands during regular weekly 

surveys from 2004-2011. ......................................................................................................................... 4-19

Figure 5-1. Public use facilities and regulations. ....................................................................................... 5-7

Tables 

Table 1-1. Summary of CCP Planning Process for Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge ................ 1-13

Table 2-1. Summary of Management Direction ...................................................................................... 2-16

Table 3-1. Monthly Average Temperatures and Monthly Rainfall April 2008-March 2009 ..................... 3-2

Table 3-2. Seasonal Temperature Trends, 1981-2010 (Monthly Records) ................................................ 3-6

Table 3-3. Approximate Reaches of the Tualatin River As it Flows from the Coast Range Mountains 

(river mile 80) to its Confluence with the Willamette River (river mile 0) ............................................. 3-10

Table 3-4. Summary of Water Rights for the Refuge .............................................................................. 3-13

Table 3-5. Letter Grades* of Selected Air Quality Measures Based on Tons Emission per Square 

Mile .......................................................................................................................................................... 3-22

Table 4-1. Focal Species and Other Benefitting Species for Each Priority Habitat Type ......................... 4-4

Table 4-2. Common and Scientific Names of Target Non-native Invasive Species on Refuge .............. 4-24

Table 4-3. Regular Surveys Conducted on Refuge Lands and Their Usual Timetables .......................... 4-27

Table 5-1. Prehistoric Resources within Refuge Boundaries ..................................................................... 5-4

Table 5-2. Historic Resources within Refuge Boundaries ......................................................................... 5-5

Table 5-3. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Summary of Area Economy, 2009 ........................ 5-22

Appendices 

Appendix A. Appropriate Use Findings ................................................................................................. A-1

Appendix B. Compatibility Determinations ........................................................................................... B-1

Appendix C. Implementation ................................................................................................................. C-1

Appendix D. Wilderness Review ........................................................................................................... D-1

Appendix E. Biological Resources of Concern ...................................................................................... E-1

Appendix F. Statement of Compliance .................................................................................................. F-1

Appendix G. Integrated Pest Management Program .............................................................................. G-1

Appendix H. Glossary of Terms, Phrases, Abbreviations, and Acronyms ............................................. H-1

Appendix I. Contributors to the Comprehensive Conservation Plan ..................................................... I-1

Appendix J. Acquisition History ............................................................................................................ J-1

Appendix K. Public Involvement ........................................................................................................... K-1

Appendix L. Hydrological Modeling ..................................................................................................... L-1

Appendix M. References ........................................................................................................................ M-1
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Appendix N. List of Refuge Species ...................................................................................................... N-1

Appendix O. Wildland Fire Management Plan ...................................................................................... O-1 

Appendix P. Maps .................................................................................................................................. P-1