Nearly three miles of Brummit Creek, east of Coquille, will be enhanced by the middle of next week, as U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Coquille Watershed Association personnel use helicopters, large trees and complex plans to improve habitat for aquatic species.

Over the course of several days, Columbia Helicopter Company crews will pick up whole trees from BLM-managed forests and fly them a mile to be placed in Brummit Creek.

“The trees will create a very nice stream system and improve the overall habitat for many aquatic species, including cutthroat trout,” said Aimee Hoefs, BLM fisheries biologist.

According to Hoefs, this project is unique in that the trees from the stream restoration project came from a nearby BLM late-successional forest stand that needed thinning.

“By removing the trees, we were able to create better habitat for wildlife that depend on older trees and a structurally complex forest. At the same time, we are able to put the excess trees in a creek that currently is structurally deficient,” said Hoefs. “Adding this wood to the system would more closely mimic historical conditions, and improve the quality of habitat for a myriad of aquatic species.”

The Coquille Watershed Association completed the project planning work, including the contracting with Columbia Helicopters; while the BLM provided staff support, wood for the stream, and funding.

Helicopters will be flying in the area and placing logs into the stream today and Sunday. The operation is dependent on favorable weather conditions.

For more information, those interested can call Aimee Hoefs at the BLM at 756-0100.