Volunteer push announced for Soapstone Creek restoration after Yellow Lake fire

Jane G., representing High Country Fly Fishers, presented a Soapstone Creek restoration project funded initially by Trout Unlimited and private donations and requested the council's help recruiting volunteers and partners.

Jane said the project aims to restore about 1.5 miles of stream and riparian area damaged by post-fire ash and debris. Planned tasks include building beaver-dam analogs, willow staking and weaving, seeding native plants and installing post-driven structures to improve habitat and reduce sediment delivery to the Provo River headwaters. Jane said grants and donations so far total approximately $35,000 with a target of $70,000 as additional funding arrives.

Organizers set four workdays: a large volunteer day on Aug. 8 (target ~200 volunteers) and smaller crews Aug. 12, 14 and 15. Trout Unlimited will provide project training; Forest Service and other partners will help organize safety and logistics. Jane invited council members and members' networks to recruit volunteers and noted the division and TU outreach staff will also help publicize the event.

"There will be task for every person with whatever physical ability," Jane said, adding that organizers will attempt to match volunteers with appropriate tasks and provide trainers for smaller crews.

Trina Hedrickk and other DWR staff said they will help list the events on volunteer pages and that Blue Ribbon members could assist outreach. Organizers said they will also invite reporters and the project communications staff at Trout Unlimited will distribute information to media who may cover the work days.

The project aims to reduce ash and debris entering downstream waters during future storms, while simultaneously creating riparian habitat and community volunteer engagement.