2020 Restoration Project of the Year Award
Society for Ecological Restoration – Northwest Chapter
Meacham Creek Restoration (Bonifer Project)
The Northwest Chapter for the Society for Ecological Restoration recognized the work of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in their efforts to restore floodplain processes and aquatic habitat throughout the Meacham Creek watershed.
2018 Riparian Challenge Award
American Fisheries Society – Western Division
Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Tetra Tech Inc., jointly received the Western Division American Fisheries Society Riparian Challenge Award for the Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration and In-stream Enhancement Project Phases I and II.
Phases I and II of the Meacham Creek Floodplain Restoration and In-stream Enhancement Project were implemented to restore the natural meander of the creek, improve floodplain connectivity and in-stream and riparian habitat for listed and non-listed species by restoring channel morphology, hydrologic processes, and riparian and in-stream processes.
2016 Stream Project Award
Oregon Department of State Lands
Grande Ronde Catherine Creek 44 Complex (CC 44) Habitat Restoration Project
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the Union Soil and Water Conservation District worked with multiple partners to restore spawning and rearing habitat for Snake River Basin spring and summer run Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, bull trout and resident fish on a one-mile stretch of Catherine Creek.
2016 Gold Best in State Award for Water Resources
American Council of Engineering Companies
Walla Walla River Kentch Reach Habitat Restoration Project
GeoEngineers was awarded the 2016 ACEC Gold Best in State Awards for their work with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in designing a new river alignment to provide vital habitat for threatened fish populations in the Walla Walla Basin. The Kentch Reach project restored 47 acres of floodplain and fish habitat along the South Fork Walla Walla River in Northeastern Oregon.
2013 Gold Best in State Award for Social, Economic and Sustainable Design Considerations
American Council of Engineering Companies
Walla Walla River Lampson Habitat Restoration Project
GeoEngineers was awarded the 2013 ACEC Gold Best in State Award for their work with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and a local landowner to restore fish habitat on the Walla Walla River when considering flood risk near the town of Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
2011 Rise to The Future, Collaborative/Integrated Aquatic Stewardship Award
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS)
Meacham Creek Restoration and Collaboration-Mike Lambert
Mike Lambert, Umatilla Basin Manager for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) was recognized for his role in the success of the Meacham Creek Floodplain and In-Stream Enhancement Project on a 1.1 mile reach split between the Umatilla National Forest and the CTUIR.
CTUIR contributed nearly $2.5 million in funding to this project, and involved Tribal youth in surveying, fish relocation, and native plantings. Numerous internal and external partners contributed to the overall success of this project and over 140 people were involved in a five day fish rescue and relocation.
The restoration effort involved a key section which is culturally significant for ESA listed Middle Columbia River steelhead and bull trout and was impacted by Union Pacific Railroad. The project returned the river to its historic channel, restored habitat complexity, improved water quality and riparian function. It has a dual mission of helping sustain the First Foods mission of the Tribes, which is a basis of their natural resource management.
