Document a bare Elm Fork Trinity River headwaters bank segment near Bowie, site 1, the public Elm Fork Trinity River access point near Bowie, TX 76230, Montague County (river headwaters bank-top segment), or a resident's own rural property along the river with the owner's consent (2026-07-31)

This Elm Fork Trinity River headwaters bank-top segment near Bowie shows bare eroding soil or lacks native riparian tree and shrub cover above the waterline, with no photo record to prioritize it for hand planted native restoration. Standard: Texas Stream Team riparian assessment protocol plus USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 391 riparian forest buffer (bank-top native riparian tree and shrub planting above the waterline), applied here to the Elm Fork Trinity River headwaters near Bowie, TX, Montague County, north-central Texas. SDG 15.1 and 6.6. Proof: document only stand off photo log plus bank condition note plus GPS plus ranked follow on note plus owner or public access confirmation Method (Texas Stream Team riparian assessment protocol plus USDA NRCS conservation practice standard 391 riparian forest buffer (bank-top native riparian tree and shrub planting above the waterline), applied here to the Elm Fork Trinity River headwaters near Bowie, TX, Montague County, north-central Texas. SDG 15.1 and 6.6.): 1. 1. From the public river access point, or a resident's own rural property with the owner's consent, photograph a bare or eroding Elm Fork Trinity River headwaters bank-top segment near Bowie without entering the river. 2. 2. Note whether the bank shows bare eroding soil, sparse cover, or intact native riparian tree and shrub cover. 3. 3. Photograph the site from a fixed reference point for future comparison. 4. 4. Record a ranked follow on note naming the segment for the native riparian planting crew. Done when: Confirmation the observation was made from the public river access point, or written or recorded permission from the property owner; Photo of the bank segment taken from the public access point or the property with consent; Note of the bank condition (bare eroding soil, sparse cover, or intact native riparian cover); Ranked follow on note naming the segment for the native riparian planting crew

Where

the public Elm Fork Trinity River access point near Bowie, TX 76230, Montague County (river headwaters bank-top segment), or a resident's own rural property along the river with the owner's consent

Pay

$85 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

document only stand off photo log plus bank condition note plus GPS plus ranked follow on note plus owner or public access confirmation

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-30

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 90–180 minutes. Method of record: Urban-creek riparian restoration install (native buffer planting, bank stabilization, invasive/litter removal) per NRCS CPS 391 riparian forest buffer + EPA nonpoint-source BMP practice -- hands-on restoration, not a bioassessment survey; assess->clear->plant/stabilize->verify

Bring

• shovel / dibble bar
• native bare-root or plug plantings (locally sourced)
• erosion-control matting or willow stakes (bank-stabilization sites)
• loppers / hand saw (invasive removal)
• gloves + trash bags (litter pass)
• camera
• GPS-enabled phone

Steps

1. 1. Walk the reach with the site plan (or the standing bioassessment/watershed-health finding, if one exists) and photograph the bank/buffer segment as found: bare soil, invasive cover, litter, erosion.
2. 2. Clear invasive growth and litter from the planting zone by hand, bagging trash separately from green waste; leave native volunteers in place.
3. 3. Plant native riparian species (or set willow stakes / erosion-control matting) at the spacing and depth the site plan calls for, working from the top of bank downward; water each planting in.
4. 4. Stake or anchor any erosion-control matting so it will not lift in the next high-flow event, and mulch around new plantings kept clear of stems.
5. 5. Photograph the finished segment from the matching vantage, record species/count or matting area installed, and note any follow-up watering the planting needs.

If it does not match the plan

• Steep, actively eroding or undercut bank -> stabilize with matting/stakes before planting; never plant into a bank that is still actively failing.
• Standing or fast-moving water in the work zone -> stay on the bank, never enter the channel; document from the bank and reschedule if the reach is unsafe.
• Suspected illicit discharge, sheen, or odor in the reach -> stop, photograph from a safe distance, do not touch, and report to the MS4/311 line rather than working through it.

What counts as done

• Before photo of the reach segment (bare soil, invasive cover, litter, or erosion as found)
• Invasive/litter removal photo-documented, green waste separated from trash
• Planting or matting installed to spec (species/count or matting area recorded) with after photo from matching vantage
• Erosion-control matting/stakes secured against the next high-flow event, and follow-up watering need noted

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.