Eco-forest is a federally managed public land that contains habitat for two federally listed endangered migratory bird species and two threatened aquatic species: a salamander and a freshwater fish. Eco-forest managers have noted a continuing decline in wetland area and reductions in populations of the migratory birds and salamanders that use these wetlands. They also have noted a slow but steady increase in visitors interested in wildlife viewing, fishing and canoeing. Crowding at popular sites is becoming a problem as visitation increases with regional population growth.
Eco-forest managers assessed the drivers of loss of riparian wetlands that are important habitat for all of the targeted species. Among these drivers are reductions in dry-season flows and increased sedimentation, trends which may be exacerbated by climate change. They noted that the river habitat and buffers that remain in the forest and surrounding region appear to be sufficient for the freshwater fish, but that loss in habitat both in the forest and upstream are affecting the other three species.
On the basis of this information and meetings with regional experts as well as community and stakeholder leaders, eco-forest managers identified two or more measures (metrics) in each of five areas:

• Eco-forest wetland habitat and associated at-risk species
• number of high-quality wetland habitat acres (on eco-forest land)
• numbers of birds, salamanders, and fish (of species targeted for management)
• Recreational opportunities
• number of people-access days on eco-forest lands and waters
• number of wildlife contact opportunities on eco-forest lands and waters OR user reports of satisfaction
• Upstream wetland habitat and water quality
• number of high-quality wetland habitat acres (upstream of eco-forest)
• numbers of birds, salamanders, and fish (of species targeted for management)
• rate of sedimentation (from upstream) relative to tilled acres of cropland and acres converted to urban uses
• water use (upstream) relative to water demand
• Downstream wetland habitat
• number of high-quality wetland habitat acres (downstream of eco-forest)
• numbers of birds, salamanders, and fish (of targeted species)
• Downstream flood risk
• number of water flow events that are above the threshold for flooding
• number of people affected by flooding.

Eco-forest managers have identified two alternatives to increase wetland habitat area around the river on their lands:

• Restore a former wetland in a bend in the river by dredging and building a low dam on a tributary that will slow surface water flow and flood the wetland. The target area is in the lower portion of the watershed and will help reduce flooding to the downstream community.
• Work with upstream water users to increase releases from upstream reservoirs, re-flooding former wetland areas. Because the target areas are in the upper watershed, the proposed action would reduce water supply for some agricultural communities in drought years.

In addition to activities on eco-forest land, eco-forest managers would like to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the local farm community to increase buffer areas around the river to increase habitat and reduce sedimentation.

Eco-forest managers are working with upstream and downstream communities and other stakeholders to understand their perspectives and concerns.