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
Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement Project

BPA project number   9501100

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Colville Confederated Tribes

Sponsor type   WA-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Marcella Lafayette, EWP 503/230-3781

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   10.8B.3

Short description
Determination of Kokanee Stock Status above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams

Project start year   1995    End year   2000

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1997

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
#90-18 provides habitat restoration to some of the waterways involved in this project.

Project history
Active project began on July 01, 1995 with hiring of Fisheries Biologist, balance of fiscal year was spent in extensive literature review, report writing, development of Scope of Work and budget. In fall of 1995 in fiscal 1996, some field work was conducted on tributary streams to Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods. Some preliminary data was collected in streams regarding adult Kokanee spawners but not biological conclusions were reached.

Biological results achieved
At this point in 1996 which is the first full year of project funding no biological conclusions have been reached. In 1995 very few adult kokanee were found in traditional spawning reaches of project streams which may be an indication of the tenuous nature of the kokanee stocks which occupy the study area.

Annual reports and technical papers
Monthly reports to BPA’s Marcella LaFayette
Developed scope of work for 1996 Budget
Completed Stock Status report, Periodic Report #2
Completed Weir Literature Summary, Periodic Report #2
Completed Spawning Ground Survey Summary, Periodic Report #3
Completed Kokanee Genetics Evolution and Methodology, Periodic Report #4

Management implications
Project findings may indicate a resident fish stock in jeopardy.
Implications may lead to a request for system operation changes brought about by high entrainment rates for Kokanee that were determined through hydroacoustics and gill net surveys at Grand Coulee Dam.

Specific measureable objectives
Phase I: Enumeration of Adult Tributary Spawning Kokanee
Phase II: Genetic Evolution of Kokanee Populations
Phase III: Determine egg to fry survival rates
Phase IV: Determination of Dam Entrainment Rates and Species Composition of entrained fish

Testable hypothesis
Phase I: Spawning Escapement is insufficient to support sustainable fishery
Phase II: Each tributary spawning group is genetically distinct and unique
Phase III: Available spawning habitat is inadequate to support fishery
Phase IV: Entrainment rate through Grand Coulee Dam exceeds natural production and hatchery recruitment rates.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
We are assuming the following conditions: 1) Environmental and Habitat conditions in tributary streams will remain unchanged for the duration of the project. 2) Rearing habitat in the lake systems will be variable during the study period. 3) We assume that natural production kokanee stocks are viable at present. 4) We assume that the fish composition found during the gill net survey is representative of those being entrained through Grand Coulee Dam

Methods
Conduct random acoustics Survey for enumeration of entrained fishes at Grand Coulee Dan using current single beam Hydroacustic techniques. Conduct random gill net survey in Grand Coulee Dam forebay to determine species composition of entrained fish. Conduct egg/fry survival studies using fry trap and rotary screw traps. Conduct adult enumeration study using weirs at stream mouths and foot, canoe and boat surveys. Conduct a genetic stock analysis using recovered carcasses and contract electrophoresis analysis. Phase I equipment - weirs. Phase II equipment - weirs and screw trap. Phase III equipment - fry traps screw traps. Phase IV equipment - gill nets and acoustics transducus computers, multiplexers, modems, etc.

Brief schedule of activities
Begin in January 1997 a year around Hydroacoustic survey of Grand Coulee Dam entrainment of fish stocks.
Concurrently sample forebay for species composition of fish being entrained fish.
Fall of 1997 conduct adult Kokanee counts in tributary streams to Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods.
Conduct egg/fry survival study on spawning redds located in 1996 sample periods. .
Locate remaining adult Kokanee spawning stock and protect/enhance.

Biological need
There is a documented loss of Natural Production Kokanee above Chief Joseph Dam since the construction and operation of the Grand Coulee Dam third powerhouse. Possible loss of fish stock that may pre date Grand Coulee Dam. An assessment of adult Kokanee spawner escapement and their associated success is required. The entrainment rate for all species through Grand Coulee Dam must be determined. A genetic analysis of tributary spawning Kokanee is needed before possible hatchery enhancement work begins.

Critical uncertainties
The critical uncertainties for this project are the objectives as stated in the scope of work. Objective #1 - Enumeration of adult tributary spawners. We must assess the spawning escapement numbers are adequate to continue natural production stock. Further uncertainty exist regarding egg/fry survival and genetic makeup of the respective tributary stocks. The final uncertainty is that the effect of entrainment upon resident stocks is unknown.

Summary of expected outcome
We expect to have a quantifiable figure for adult recruitment numbers, egg to fry survival rates and entrainment rates through Grand Coulee Dam. We will know the genetic status of fish stocks so that a management recommendation could be made regarding possible hatchery enhancement of natural production stocks. We will also be able to recommend possible management strategy to reduce entrainment numbers through Grand Coulee Dam.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
Project timing could be affected if recruitment numbers of natural production kokanee are insufficient for continued stock propagation. We are dependent upon the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for scientific collection permits. We are dependent on continued priority status for funding opportunities.

Risks
None known.

Monitoring activity
Project success will be measured by knowledge of natural production kokanee stocks status. Future monitoring opportunities may include continued adult kokanee enumeration in tributary streams, further egg/fry survival studies and continued hydroacoustic evoluation of entrainment rates through Grand Coulee Dam.

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   Resident Fish

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $573,600

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $573,600