The Long Tom Watershed Council is proud to announce that is has been chosen to receive the Outstanding Civilian Service award, in part for the watershed council’s dedication to improving water quality and reviving fish and wildlife habitat, while being mindful of channel maintenance and flooding concerns.
Dana Dedrick, Executive Director, and one of the founding members of the watershed council, Tony Stroda, traveled to Portland Thursday, June 13 to receive the award from the Portland District Commander. Tony Stroda is also receiving an individual service award.
In it’s description of the award, the Army Corps says the Long Tom Watershed Council has been a good partner to the effort by the Willamette Valley Project to communicate with land managers, farmers, and environmental groups. The council has been instrumental in the cultivation of relationships and communications between the Army Corps. and stakeholders in the area. In addition the aid in communication, the Council sought and obtained two grants to improve resource conditions and benefit public interest in fish and wildlife habitat in or around areas related to Corps property. One project improves habitats for plants beneficial to pollinators such as the endangered Willamette Daisy on Corps property near Fern Ridge Reservoir. The second grant allowed the Council and Corps to work together to improve passage for native fish around a Corps structure on the Long Tom River.
“The watershed council is in a unique position to build partnerships with private landowners and agencies and improve habitat on and near working farms”, says Dana Dedrick, Long Tom Watershed Council Executive Director. “We really appreciate the recognition from the Army Corps and are proud that we are able to augment their work on the Willamette Project.”