BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Integrated Hatchery Operations Team

BPA project number   9204300

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
PSMFC

Sponsor type   PSMFC

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Jerry Bauer, EWN 503/230-7579

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   7.2A.3

Short description
Develop and implement artificial propagation guidelines, plans, policies and performance measures. Implement stated objectives resulting from the hatchery audit process.

Project start year   1992    End year   

Start of operation and/or maintenance   

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Indian Nation; Idaho Department of Fish and Game; National Marine Fisheries Service; Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall; U.S. fish and Wildlife Service; Washington Department of fish and Wildlife and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority because of a funding tie.

Project history
Hatchery operation policies and procedures have been developed and published for implementation for all anadromous Columbia River Basin hatcheries. The Policies and Procedures for Columbia Basin Anadromous Salmonid Hatcheries underwent and extensive public and peer review process throughout the region. The State, Tribal and Federal Fish and Wildlife Agencies committed to adopt the principles identified in the Regional Policies as demonstrated by signatures from each agency director and tribal chairman in January, 1995. Hatchery operational plans for each hatchery facility have been developed and are being updated every two years. Draft policies for coordinated operations have been prepared. Developed a process for conducting the independent hatchery performance audits.

Biological results achieved
See the section titled “MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS”

Annual reports and technical papers
Existing Policy Affecting Hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin: Combined Reports, DOE/BP-60629-1 May 1993; Operation Plans for Anadromous Fish Production Facilities in the Columbia River Basin, Volumes I, II, III, IV, V, DOE/BP-60629-1-7 May 1993; Implementation Plan for Integrating Regional Hatchery Policies, September 1994; Policies and Procedures for Columbia Basin Anadromous Salmonid Hatcheries, DOE/BP-60629 July 1995. The second editions of the Operation Plans for Anadromous Fish Production Facilities in the Columbia River Basin are currently being published.

Management implications
Implementation of consistent hatchery operational policies and procedures will result in higher quality fish releases, increased smolt to adult survivals and ensure that the hatchery product meets the fish management goals of the basin. The IHOT is also pursuing increased levels of cooperation through developing MOU’s among all operators of anadromous fish hatcheries to meet common goals which will ensure consistent hatchery operations throughout the basin. The co-managers pledge to confer with each other and to use their authorities and resources to accomplish these mutually acceptable hatchery practices.

Specific measureable objectives
The policies and procedures document is organized into 5 chapters with each having measurable goals and objectives. The following four goals cover the coordination of the policies:

· Coordinate the operation of salmonid hatchery programs to meet basinwide resource management goals and objectives.

· Develop administrative agreements for improved sharing of facilities, manpower, equipment and/or supplies to meet basinwide management program goals and objectives.

· Foster open and frequent communication between managing entities to coordinate and jointly resolve technical issues relating to artificial propagation.

· Operate hatchery programs in compliance with regionally adopted hatchery performance standards, fish health, ecological interactions, and genetics policies.

Testable hypothesis
NA

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
The Fisheries Co-managers are committed to the principles identified in the regional hatchery policies document.

Methods
IHOT meets on a monthly basis to work towards meeting the four goals listed above and coordinate independent hatchery audits of all anadromous fish hatcheries in the basin.

Brief schedule of activities
1997

· Coordinate and integrate the Regional Hatchery Policies according to the IHOT Implementation Plan.

· Coordinate efforts to implement the Regional Hatchery Policies.

· Review formal independent hatchery audit report findings.

· Submit IHOT reports containing recommendations/actions to the appropriate operating and funding agencies following review of each formal independent hatchery audit report.

1998 - 2001

· IHOT will serve as the forum to foster open and frequent communications for coordinating and jointly resolving technical issues related to hatchery operations.

· Develop administrative agreements that improve sharing of manpower, equipment and supplies to enhance efficiency in meeting basin wide management goals.

· Review and revise Regional Hatchery Policies as needed.

· Review and revise Hatchery Operational Plans

Biological need
Ensure that anadromous fish hatchery operations will be coordinated throughout the Columbia River Basin and provide the best possible tool for meeting regional hatchery production responsibilities in meeting Columbia River fish management plans.

Critical uncertainties
The effective use of anadromous hatchery fish should be based on well defined basinwide fishery management plans.

Summary of expected outcome
The IHOT members will actively participate in ensuring that the following outcomes are coordinated:

· All fish produced and released are consistent with management goals.

· Physical facilities and equipment are operated consistent with standards to maximize fish quality.

· Ensure compliance with hatchery coordination, fish health, ecological interactions and genetics policies.

· Ensure the use of an audit framework to evaluate the compliance of hatchery operations with regional standards.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
All Columbia Basin co-managers and cooperating entities as listed in the IHOT Policies and Procedures document have agreed to abide by these policies. The co-managers all signed a signature page and the cooperating entities submitted signed endorsements of these policies and procedures.

The IHOT is the first forum in the Columbia River Basin to develop technical policies and procedures affecting the management of anadromous fish hatcheries in the basin. The IHOT forum will lead to greater cooperation among all of the hatchery facility operators regarding the technical aspects of fish hatchery operations.

Risks
The risks are minimal when fostering open communications, however, this will require continued cooperation from all of the signatory parties and the use of the cultured fish be based on well defined fishery management plans.

Monitoring activity
The IHOT forum needs to continue the IHOT effort as defined in the NW Power Planning Council’s fish and wildlife program and receive BPA funding to implement the anadromous fish hatchery policies and procedures.

Bonneville Power Administration will fund ongoing independent audits of hatchery performance in consultation with IHOT using the performance measures listed in the IHOT policies and procedures.

After completion of on-site audits, a formal report of the audit findings will be provided to both IHOT and the hatchery’s operating and funding agencies.

After consulting with the operating and funding entities, and reviewing the audit results, IHOT will submit recommendations to these entities and other relevant parties.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   System Policy

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $594,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $465,000