BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal

Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Summary

Title of project
Duck Valley Fish Stocking Program

BPA project number   8815600

Short description
Purchase 82,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout and 550,000 fingerlings each year (from Black Canyon Trout Farms and the College of Southern Idaho for Sheep Creek and Mountain View reservoirs) for the continued year-round sports fisheries for the public. Provide for 10,600 pounds of catchable rainbow trout for the members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Maintains genetic integrity; increases run sizes or populations

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Hydro project   Owyhee, Brownlee, Oxbow, Hells Canyon, Lower Granite, Little Goose, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, McNary, John Day, The Dalles, and Bonneville dams.
Subbasin   Owyhee
Land ownership   U.S. Federal Government, Trust Status

History
Due to the complete destruction of the anadromous fish migration up the Owyhee river basin and other traditional fishing areas, the USFWS funded a fish stocking program from 1956-1980. Due to the acceptance of the mitigation process, BPA began funding $100,000 in 1988. Between 1988 and 1990, stocking was at $60,000 with $20,000 for technical assistance from USFWS. In 1995 the budget was increased to $100,000 for management purposes and increased stocking.

Biological results achieved
1) Increased fish stocking for economic and substance purposes. Stocked rearing ponds in the spring with 4-5" fingerlings. Estimated growth of 3.5" over 5 months. Sixty percent of the fish planted were recovered in the fishery. 2) Drain and clean reservoirs, remove non-game fish. 3) The Tribes developed rearing ponds for fingerlings. 4) Stabilize reservoir pool levels to protect the trout.

Project reports and papers
A Fisheries Management Plan. Annual Report to the Tribal Council (1991, 1992, 1993). Develop draft regulations to implement, and enforcement of the Management Plan.

Adaptive management implications
Purchase of certified disease-free fish. Drain the reservoirs periodically to control non-game fish and Eurasian milfoil. To develop a fisheries management infrastructure and hire qualified personnel. As a result of the stocking program, the Tribes recognize the need for habitat enhancement and increased dam/dike and screening maintenance.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Ten percent of stocked fish are consumed by tribal members. Ninety percent of the stocked fish are taken in the year-round sports fishery. Salmonid catch rates of >0.5 fish per hour and a return to creel of >40%.

Critical uncertainties
Periodic shortage of disease-free rainbow trout. Dam/dike failure during high run-off years could compromise the integrity of the closed system. Failure of the inlet screen at Lambs Reservoir to keep out non-gam fish. High summer temperatures decrease oxygen content of the water and jeopardize fingerlings in Boyle Creek rearing pond. Public fishers illegally release live-bait non-game fish into the reservoirs, potentially introducing disease.

Methods
In the spring, rainbow trout are delivered via truck. Catchable trout are released directly into the reservoir; fingerlings are acclimated to the reservoir temperature and released into the rearing ponds. The fingerlings are fed standard trout food daily. Catchable trout and fingerlings are evaluated for disease every two months. Sample fish are frozen and sent to the USFWS laboratory at Dworshak facility. Tribal wards survey fishers daily, tabulate results monthly, and integrate creel data with fishing permits to regulate harvest levels. In the spring prior to stocking, and again in the fall, tribal personnel gill net in a pre-defined sampling area to determine growth rate, length frequency, age, population size, and general fish health.

Section 5. Planned activities

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
The introduction of non-game fish into the reservoirs and the streams from Wildhorse Reservoir (which is upstream from the reservation) potentially causes disease and accumulation of non-game species. The reservoirs must be drained periodically to control non-game fish, Eurasian milfoil, and elimination of disease.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
Provide a long-term sustainable rainbow trout fisheries which provides recreation, subsistence and enhances local economies.

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
See above.

Contribution toward long-term goal
Continue to provide a recreational and subsistence rainbow trout fishery for the Sho-Pai Tribe.

Physical products
82,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout and 550,000 fingerlings for Sheep Creek and Mtn. View reservoirs.

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
Rainbow trout are certified disease-free prior to stocking in the spring and are sampled gain in the fall using electroshocking gear and gill nets. If diseased fish are found in the reservoir, the reservoir is drained and the diseased fish are removed. Dam/dike stability and water temperature have been monitored as needed. If summer water temperatures become to high, more water is added from upstream reservoirs. Oxygenators are installed in the rearing ponds to maintain water quality.

Information products
Annual Report to the Tribal Council (beginning in 1963) and to BPA (beginning in 1988)

Coordination outcomes
In 1988 John Palensky of BPA met with James Paiva and Edith Manning from the Tribe and agreed to fund fish purchases. Between 1988 and 1990 stocking continued at $60,000 for rainbow trout. In 1990, the USFWS was funded by BPA to develop a fish management plan for the reservation. In 1991 stocking continued and $25,000 was added to the budget to cover the management plan. Stocking continued through 1994 with costs at approximately the $60,000 level. For 1995, funding was increased to $100,000 to cover weed eradication, truck leasing, and overhead.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
1. Creel surveys are conducted to evaluate angler success.
2. Fish are sampled for age and growth analysis, length frequency distribution, and population survival estimates using gill nets and electroshocking gear.

Data analysis and evaluation
Data from the creel surveys and fish sampling are summarized in the annual report and compared to the following specific measurable objectives.
Ten percent of stocked fish are consumed by tribal members.
Ninety percent of the stocked fish are taken in the year-round sports fishery.
Salmonid catch rates of >0.5 fish per hour and a return to creel of >40%.

Information feed back to management decisions
Management decisions are based upon the degree to which the measureable objectives have been met.

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
Purchase only disease-free fish.

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
The Tribe will highlight BPA’s role in this project in the tribal fishing guide and regulations which are distributed throughout southwest Idaho and northern Nevada.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
Partnership between the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley and the Shoshone-Bannock of Ft. Hall, Idaho, in cooperation with IDFG, BPA, Idaho Power Company, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Nevada State Fish & Game, Owyhee County Cattle and Land Use Association, and private organizations.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $105,160

How does percentage apply to direct costs
The 26.6% overhead rate applies to the 18% of the project cost which is used for operations and maintenance.