Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: Effects of natural and anthropogenic processes on Tillamook Bay and its watershed: An integrated process study and land-use perspective
EPA Grant Number: R825751Title: Effects of natural and anthropogenic processes on Tillamook Bay and its watershed: An integrated process study and land-use perspective
Investigators: McManus, James , Komar, Paul , Ford, M. Jesse , Smith, Courtland
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000 (Extended to September 30, 2001)
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 1998 through September 30,1999
Project Amount: $749,995
RFA: Water and Watersheds Research (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Watersheds
Objective:
There are five major rivers draining into Tillamook Bay that drain similar geologic terrain; however, the land-use practices vary significantly among the different riverine watersheds. One river runs through the urban center of Tillamook, whereas the river to the south is heavily influenced by dairy farming activities. The northern-most three rivers experience progressively less urban and agricultural activities within their lower watersheds. Within the framework of examining the relative influence of different watershed activities on processes occurring within the Tillamook basin we proposed to test four specific hypotheses: (1) land-use practices have significantly altered the sedimentary budget of the Tillamook Bay watershed; (2) carbon, nutrient, and trace metal cycles are significantly different among the five major river systems feeding the Tillamook estuary because of the different land use practices; (3) differences in land use management practices between the Tillamook and Kilchis River subbasins of the Tillamook Bay watershed have led to quantifiable differences in aquatic ecosystem health and biotic integrity in the riverine and stream environments of these subbasins; and (4) social, temporal, and experiential context best explain differences between local knowledge and scientific observation, and actions to clarify knowledge contexts can resolve differences.
Progress Summary:
Hypothesis 1. Our research into the history of sedimentation in Tillamook Bay is essentially complete. Part of this investigation has focused on the surface sediments, and through detailed analyses of 106 samples has attempted to establish the sources of the sediments and their transport paths through the Bay when moved by waves and currents. It was found that the surface sediments are dominantly muddy sand to pure sand, with rare occurrences of gravel. It has been concluded that while the rivers supply large quantities of clay and silt, most of this fine-grained sediment is rapidly flushed through the Bay rather than forming permanent deposits. The strength of the water flow permits an accumulation mainly of sand. Detailed analyses have been made of the compositions of sands collected from the sources (the marine beach and the five rivers), and it was found that the beach sand consists almost entirely of quartz and feldspar, while the rivers contribute rock fragments in the sand-size range. Attempts to distinguish between the five river sources based on the heavy minerals contained within their sands were unsuccessful, attributable to the near uniformity of the types of rocks found in their drainage basins. Therefore, we have been able to only distinguish between the marine beach source and the combined rivers. All surface sediments collected in the Bay were analyzed for their percentages of quartz and feldspar, rock fragments, and heavy minerals, with the spatial variations across the Bay documenting the relative importance of the marine beach versus the rivers as sources of sediment contributing to the fill of the Bay. As expected, the marine source dominated sediment fill near the active inlet, but also along the entire western half of the Bay. Clearly important was the occurrence of a breach through Bayocean Spit during 1952-56, when large quantities of beach sand were swept into the southwestern part of the Bay. The eastern half of the Bay is dominated by river derived rock fragments, principally because the combined channels of the Trask, Wilson, Tillamook and Kilchis Rivers, which enter the Bay at its southeastern corner, hug the eastern shore of the Bay as the water flows toward the inlet and into the ocean. Thus, the detailed analyses of the surface sediment samples were successful in establishing transport paths and accumulation patterns of sediments derived from the marine beach and major rivers.
Hypothesis 2. We have completed the first year of fieldwork investigating geochemical cycling in Tillamook Bay and the effect of land use practices on geochemical budgets within the watershed, and have one final field expedition in December. Our specific objectives are: (1) to characterize the distribution of primary nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), organic carbon, and selected trace metals within the five major rivers and the estuary, and (2) to quantify the effects of different land use practices on the geochemical budgets of these constituents within the Tillamook Bay watershed.
The both years of fieldwork included four seasonal sampling events and additional monthly sampling events. Each sampling event was composed of a series of transects originating from the mouth of each river to the mouth of the estuary as well as 3-5 sites along each of the five major rivers. The seasonal sampling strategy was designed to fully constrain the major species (dissolved and particulate) entering and leaving the estuary while the "monthly" sampling efforts were designed to evaluate temporal input variability and the short-term response of the system to runoff through urban and agricultural environments. Samples collected thus far have been analyzed for the major nutrients (P, N, Si) as well as major ions (Cl-, SO42-), pH, and DON. Additional samples have been collected and stored for DOC, trace elements, and particulate fractions collected during seasonal sampling events. Additional field efforts have included pore water collection to evaluate the role of sediments in geochemical cycling and an intensive sampling effort to evaluate changes in dissolved constituents over tidal cycles within Tillamook Bay.
Preliminary data suggest that there are differences among the five rivers draining the watershed and that these differences are likely related to land use.
Hypothesis 3. We have completed the field work investigating in-stream condition of the Kilchis and Tillamook Rivers. Field data on physical habitat variables, selected water quality parameters, and fish species composition based on one-pass electroshocking has been entered into a SAS database for 52 sites distributed among two subbasins. Three sites were sampled four times (twice each year) during the low-flow window. Counting of benthic macroinvertebrates from 21 Year 1 (1998) sites is complete and data have been entered into electronic format. Counting of benthic macroinvertebrates from 31 Year 2 (1999) sites is about 50 percent complete. Validation and verification of 1999 raw data is in progress. One manuscript is in press, and one masters thesis (Quantitative analysis of fisheries assemblages in the Kilchis and Tillamook Rivers) is expected to be completed in March 2000. A second masters project focusing in part on this project (Road density effects on in-stream condition in the North Coast Gene Conservation Unit) has been begun. One paper was given in Year 2 (EMAP Symposium on Western Ecological Systems). In Year 3, at least one paper will be given at the Oregon chapter of the American Fisheries Society, and one collaborative paper will be prepared with one or more other PIs on this project, possibly for ASLO or The Coastal Society 17th International Conference.
Preliminary results (Ford and Rose, in press) showed more between-basin similarity in variables potentially related to land-use (e.g., % canopy cover, stream temperature, turbidity) than had been expected based on known differences in land use. At the same time, samples did confirm expected differences in geomorphological factors such as wetted width, thalweg depth, substrate, gradient, and stream velocity. A subtle, unexpected geochemical difference in conductivity was revealed that probably relates to geological substrate. Multivariate analyses of first year data suggests that fish assemblages track differences in stream size and substrate. We now believe that the key to uncovering land use effects may rest with analysis of the macroinvertebrate communities, and are investigating ways to add short-term (6-12 month) support for a postdoctoral assistant to work specifically on this problem.
Collaborative work with the social science partner included an investigation into the history of large woody debris in coastal systems, including the Tillamook watershed. Seven academic and agency scientists active during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s were interviewed in order to better understand the relationship between large wood removal programs following salvage logging, and modern programs to emplace large wood. We expect to develop a short manuscript or note for the peer-reviewed literature on this activity during the third year of this project. This and more informal collaborative activities with the social science partner have been helpful background in working with private landowners to secure permission to sample, and in addressing community concerns about potential abuse of data collected in this phase of the project.
Hypothesis 4. "Social, temporal, and experiential context best explain differences between local knowledge and scientific information. Actions to clarify knowledge contexts can resolve these differences." Three tasks are associated with this hypothesis. First is to reconstruct land-use history and identify historical examples of differences between local people and scientific information. Second is to identify current areas of difference between local knowledge and scientific information with respect to sedimentation, water quality, and riparian habitat. Third is to develop strategies for bringing local knowledge and scientific information closer together.
Differences between local knowledge and scientific information on Tillamook Bay watershed issues have been identified. Local knowledge on the location and amount of sedimentation, water quality conditions, quality of riparian habitats, impacts of predators, and environmental quality have been identified. In general, the majority of people in the Tillamook Bay area are not interested in the findings of non-local experts whose views differ from their own. Most Tillamook area residents believe that non-local experts do not know enough about local conditions to apply their scientific knowledge effectively. The familiarity of experts with sedimentation, water quality, and riparian habitats does not make their testimony to local residents any more desirable.
Further, Tillamook is a rural county of 24,000 (1999) next to a metropolitan area of more than one million. Many of the people in the county see themselves as being subjected to the preferences of those from the metropolitan area. A representation of this is a ballot measure to change Tillamook State Forest, which has most of its land in the Tillamook Bay watershed, from a state forest contributing revenue to the county through timber sales to a state park. While the initiative proponents argue that the state park might create greater benefits, local residents see the proposal as people from the neighboring metropolitan area imposing their will on the county. Most local people associate scientists with this group of threatening outsiders.
Parallels to these political issues occur in the interactions with scientific experts. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) developed a model for determining the riparian vegetation necessary to provide shade adequate to prevent the rise in stream temperatures. The rivers entering Tillamook Bay are listed for exceeding the temperature standard. The DEQ model concludes that the rivers need 150 foot buffers with 175 foot trees. Local residents, particularly farmers, see this as an another example of the impracticality of scientific knowledge. To address the difficulty in getting the local community interested in scientific knowledge, the research assistant living in Tillamook County has worked to form a local outreach organization. Through this organization the goal is encouraging local leaders to ask for scientific information related to environmental issues of local importance. In addition, other experiments in linking local knowledge with scientific information are ongoing. This includes participation in community events, video programming, media presentations, and working with local leaders.
The papers given and submitted below make the following general points:
- The Clean Water Act and water quality considerations have greater scale, more power, and are able to attract more investment to restore water quality and riparian habitats than other legislation and action such as endangered species, Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, forest practice requirements, flood programs, and land use planning.
- While the Clean Water Act has greater scale, more power, and better ability to attract more investment it ranks only slightly above moderate on these dimensions.
- Bioregional planning efforts such as the Northwest Forest Management Plan (FEMAT), Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, salmon endangered species listings by the National Marine Fisheries Service, 303 (d) listings under the Clean Water Act, Oregon Department of Forestry Long Range Plan for Northwest Oregon and Habitat Conservation Plan, and the Healthy Streams Partnership lack effective coordination with county land use planning.
- Because of the lower cost and general preference to learn about problems, efforts to restore water quality and riparian habitats often get stuck in the planning phase of the adaptive management cycle?plan, act, monitor, and evaluate.
- Institutional arrangements for river restoration require matching scales between political and ecological systems that rivers crosscut, creating innovative institutions with the authority to act, developing effective leadership, and agreeing on the restoration goals. For Tillamook County the Performance Partnership (http://www.co.tillamook.or.us/Commissioners/ Partners/Performance.html) is a unique organization created by county leaders that meets these objectives.
Future Activities:
Continue efforts to test the four hypotheses.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 55 publications | 10 publications in selected types | All 8 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Ford J, Rose CE. Characterizing small subbasins: A case study from coastal Oregon. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2000;64(1):359-377 |
R825751 (1999) R825751 (2000) R825751 (Final) |
not available |
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Smith CL. Institutional mapping of Oregon coastal watershed management options. Ocean & Coastal Management 2002;45(6-7):357-375. |
R825751 (1999) R825751 (2000) |
not available |
Supplemental Keywords:
watersheds, land, estuary, ecological effects, organics, bacteria, restoration, habitat, waste reduction, public policy, community-based, socioeconomic, social science, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, EPA Region 10, business, agriculture, forestry, oyster farming., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water & Watershed, Geochemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Contaminated Sediments, Northwest, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology and Ecosystems, Social Science, Watersheds, Ecological Indicators, anthropogenic processes, bioassessment, nutrient transport, ecological effects, ecological condition, ecological exposure, integrated process study, ecological health, runoff, sediment transport, contaminated sediment, geology, integrated assessment, aquatic ecosystems, ecosystem health, natural processes, water quality, ecology assessment models, watershed assessment, land use, river ecosystems, watershed restorationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.