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
Chief Joseph Kokanee Enhancement Project

BPA project number   9501100

Short description
Determine the status of kokanee stock above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams.

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

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; maintains genetic integrity; increases run sizes or populations; adaptive management (research or M&E); education

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   Lakes Rufus Woods and F. D. Roosevelt and tributaries that include San Poil, Nespelem, Kettle and Colville Rivers and Streams Big Sheep, Onion ,Deep, Alder, Ora-Pa-Ken, Nes Perce, and Trail Creeks along with other un-identified streams.
Stream miles affected   F. D. R., 151 mi.; Rufus Woods 35 mi.; and approx. 70 miles of tributary streams.
Hydro project   Grand Coulee Dam and Chief Joseph Dam.
Project is an office site only   Nespelem Wa.
Subbasin   UPPER COLUMBIA and Blocked area above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.
Land ownership   U. S. Govt, Washington State, Tribal, Trust, and private fee.
Habitat types   Riverine and Lacusterine

History
Fiscal 1996 project work included screw trap operations that counted out-migrating kokanee and other incidental species . Flood flow in early spring destroyed redds from fall 1995 spawners. Projected adult return in 1999 will be low. Fall 1996 spawner returns were very low compared to 1995 returns. Hydroacoustic portion of project indicates ongoing entrainment with daytime peaks. Highest rates of entrainment occured in June at the trird Powerhouse. As of this writing insufficient data has been collected to reach any conclusions.

Biological results achieved
At this point in 1997 following the first full year of project funding no biological conclusions have been reached. In 1996 very few adult kokanee were found compared to 1995 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.

Project reports and papers
Monthly reports to BPA's Marcella LaFayette.
Develop scope of work for 1997 Budget Completed Stock Status report,
Periodic Report #1 Completed Weir Literature Summary,
Periodic Report #2 Completed Spawning Ground Survey Summary,
Periodic Report #3 Completed Kokanee Genetics Evolution and Methodology,
Periodic Report #4Fiscal 1996 Annual Report and all other fiscal report until Sept 30, 2001.

Adaptive management implications
Project findings may indicate a resident fish stock in jeopardy. Project has completed one year of data collection which is in the process of being analyzed, therefore biological or environmental knowledge utilization id premature. Methodologies utilized for adult/juvenile trapping, redd capping, and gill netting have all required modifications from the original design. These design change have been incorporated into the current methods od fish recovery for this project. The technological advancements gained thus far could be used in similar projects in other locations within the basis.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

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

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.

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.

Hypothesis to be tested
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.

Alternative approaches
NA

Justification for planning
NA

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. Genetic identification of hatchery vs wild stocks will result. 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.

Section 5. Planned activities

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
None known.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
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.

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
The correct answer to this question is not possible without proper defination.Present kokanee numbers utilize all available habitat. Habitat availability and utilizations is not the limiting factor.

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
Historiclly these fish were sockeye and supported a subsistence fishery that was self supporting.We assume that the populations of native resident fish remained constant during the time frame prior to the construction and operation of the third powerhouse at Grand Coulee dam and that native and resident species utilized habitat with constant population numbers below Grand Coulee Dam and upstream from the present site of Chirf Joseph Dam.

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
The populations of native resident fish and distributions, abundance, size composition genetic characteristics and habitat associations remain constant and provide a harvesteable surplus of fish for subsistence and recreational fpurposes.

Contribution toward long-term goal
Evaluate natural production of kokanee above Chief Joseph Dam.

Indirect biological or environmental changes
NA

Physical products
Project will yield annual reports with summaries of adult escapement. Comparative summaries of egg to fry survival and genetic make-up of the tatget specie. Hydroacoustic report will contain actual numbers of entrained fish on a daily, weekly, monthly basis with monthly peaks identified and identification of hydropower operation responsible.

Environmental attributes affected by the project
Study may result in recommendations for hydropower operations that would result in increased water retention times, modified reservoir operation to reduce entrainment,elevated water temperatures for optimal plankton growth and a reduction in downstream levels of nitrogen gas saturation thus reducing fish losses to gas bubble trauma.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Reduced entrainment levels for targeted species and reduced levels of dissolved gas for all species and reservoir operations that approach the operating guidelines (detailed in the NPPC fish and wildlife program) for Lake Roosevelt as close as the hydrological conditions will allow.

Measure of attribute changes
NA

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
Ongoing monitoring and compilation of data regarding temperature, food availability, gas saturation levels, adult recruitment levels, egg to fry survival and entrainment through present project phases and ongoing creel census figures for target species..

Information products
Monthly report to Marcella LaFayette regarding ongoing work. Monthly summaries received from Biosonics the hydroacoustic contractor. Weekly catch report to Washjngton Department of Fish and Wildlife on species composition. Annual report to Bonneville Power Administration from project biologist that provides entrainment numbers, trends, peaks, identification of powerhouse and facility operation responsible for highest entrainment. Report also includes data on adult escapement, egg to fry survival and genetic make-up of existing stocks.

Coordination outcomes
N/A. We receive quarterly reports from the coordinator of the project, which explain the tasks being accomplished on the project. This project also coordinated activities with other Bonneville Power funded projects such as the Lake Roosevelt Rainbow Trout Habitat/Passage Improvement Project and the L: ake Roosevelt Monitoring Project.

MONITORING APPROACH
The biological/environmental outcomes of the project should be measured aganist the goals and objectives of the sub-basis, sub-region and region for this species as well as project type/location.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
Phase I monitors spawning escapement with annual weir trapping/counting program. Phase II monitors egg to fry survival using fry traps and a rotary screw trap to enumerate outmigrating fry. Phase IV monitors entrainment rates through Grand Coulee dam using the technology of hydroacoustics.

Data analysis and evaluation
Literature review and comparison of current vs past data regarding spawner escpement, comparison of current and past creel census data, trends over time regarding fishery and entrainment rates, and decision regarding compliance with short and long term goals and plan of the Northwest Power Planning Council. past fishery population work

Information feed back to management decisions
Annual report reviews by BPA , and NPPC. Comparison of data collected before and after any proposed changes to hydropower operations, habitat alterations or fishery regulations.

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
Review of data, evaluation of rearing habitat, contribution of natural production fish, evaluation on any genetic impacts by hatchery outplants. Possible broader scale work could include a cataloging of existing spawning areas, determination of habitat loss with regard to draw down levels on a foot by foot basis. Possible recommendation of a habitat planting project and/or recommendation for change in fish catch regulations.

Evaluation
Review annual report of all funded projects. One assessment tool could be an evaluation of satisfaction of area anglers. The projects overall performance should be measured as to it's achievement or positive direction toward project goals and objectives.

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
By a re-evaluation of project goals and objectives. Possible proposal for additional work if major data gaps are evident . and request for fishing regulation change by regulating agency.

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
Articles contributed on a regular basis to local papers in the form of project up-dates and public relation stories. Dessimination of annual report to regional acencies and other interested parties. Poll area fishermen on angling satisfaction

Section 7. Relationships

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. Currently this project shares information collected by screw trapping operations with the Lake Roosevelt Habitat Improvement Project and with the Ambient Monitoring Project. Wier panels and equipment are utilized by both projects, ie CJKE and LRHPI

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $573,600

Other non-financial supporters
NA

Project extension maybe required if research data indicates the need. Costs are unknown at this time and would be dependant upon project needs.

How does percentage apply to direct costs
Indirect rate applies only to the salary portion of the project cost.

Supplemental anadromous fish evaluation factors
This project was accepted into the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program in 1994 as resident fish substitution for anadromous fish losses above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams. The program is funded by BPA as partial mitigation for anadromous fish losses due to federal hydropower facilities in the Columbia River basin, including the blocked area above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams (federally operated hydroelectric projects above the blocked area).The project will provide improved knowledge of natural production kokanee in the blocked area and identify operational and biological constraints to production as well as identify future enhancement options for natural production kokanee populations. Lake Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt (impoundments above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dam) have wintering and nesting populations of bald eagles, nesting and summering populations of osprey and other fish eating birds. In addition the area has resident population of black bear, mink, and river otter that utilize