FY07-09 proposal 199506325

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleYakima Klickitat Fisheries Project - Monitoring And Evaluation
Proposal ID199506325
OrganizationYakama Nation and WDFW
Short descriptionUmbrella proposal for monitoring and evaluation of natural production, harvest, ecological and genetic impacts for spring chinook, fall chinook, and coho fisheries enhancement projects in the Yakima Basin. M&E results guide adaptive management decisions.
Information transferStatus, quarterly, and annual reporting will be via the BPA project reporting process. Project information is posted to the ykfp.org, DART, and BPA web sites. The project produces technical reports and peer-reviewed journal publications. The project also presents findings annually at the Yakima Basin Aquatic Science and Management Conference.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Bill Bosch Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation bbosch@yakama.com
All assigned contacts
Dave Fast Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation fast@yakama.com
Todd Pearsons Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife pearstnp@dfw.wa.gov
Todd Pearsons Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife pearstnp@dfw.wa.gov
melvin sampson yakama nation mel@yakama.com

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Yakima

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
Yakima subbasin Yakima subbasin from origin to confluence with Columbia

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Anadromous Salmonids
secondary: Cutthroat Trout
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: Northern Pikeminnow
secondary: Bull Trout
secondary: Interior Redband Trout
secondary: Mountain Whitefish
secondary: Other Resident
Additional: Piscivorous birds, pathogens, invertebrates, dace, sculpins, suckers, redside shiner

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments
2005 First hatchery control jacks return; first CESRF F2 adults return; adult PIT detection systems installed at Prosser; Peer-review of coho naturalization paper for AFS NAJFM
2004 Wild control line initiated in the Naches subbasin in response to ISRP review
2003 Hatchery control line initiated in response to ISRP review
2002 Prepared responses to ISRP provincial review of this project.
2001 First age 4 CESRF fish return and spawn in the river; continued spawning channel research;
2000 First CESRF spring chinook jacks return to Yakima; Artificial spawning channel constructed and used to evaluate potential differences in reproductive ecology of hatchery versus wild origin returns; used marked coho to estimate natural production.
1999 Released first CESRF smolts; estimated smolt survival to McNary (>50% for spring chinook and coho releases); predation indices for birds and fish; radio tracking of coho spawners; draft EDT models for all species; accelerate smoltification in fall chinook
1998 Developed conservation objectives for non-target taxa; performed power analysis of OCT/SNT survival; continued EDT and genetic modeling of project effects; refined smolt outmigration estimates; first ethological description of wild spawning sp ch behavior
1997 Produced Spring Chinook Supplementation Monitoring Plan (DOE/BP-64878-1);Broodstock collection at Roza Dam using genetic guidelines (Busack et al. 1997); developed locally-adapted coho and fall chinook broodstocks; initiated EDT analysis for Yakima stocks
1996 Completed Project EIS (DOE/EIS-0169, DOE/BP-2784); Developed "Pedigree" computer model for investigation of monitoring power using DNA markers.
1995 Prepared draft environmental impact statements for the project (DOE/EIS-0169).
1994 Produced report "Experimental designs for testing differences in survival among salmonid populations" (DOE/BP-00029-3)

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199701325 Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Pro This proposal supports O & M of YKFP fish production facilities in the Yakima Subbasin.
BPA 198812025 YKFP Management, Data, Habitat Core management and Administrative Support Services for all YKFP Tasks; includes habitat restoration and data management activities
BPA 198811525 YKFP - Design & Construction This proposal supports YKFP design and construction projects/activities in the Yakima Subbasin.
BPA 198811500 Cle Elum Mon/Eval Bldg Capital expenses for construction of the upper Yakima River spring chinook hatchery at Cle Elum, Washington, and three satellite acclimation facilities in the upper Yakima River Basin.
BPA 199506425 YKFP Policy/Plan/Technical WDFW policy and technical oversight of the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project via the project's Policy Group and Scientific and Technical Advisory Group as dilineated in the agreed-upon project management structure.
BPA 199603501 Satus Creek Watershed Restorat This is a watershed scale restoration project intended to protect and enhance habitat for the native threatened summer steelhead stock, and a variety of cultural and natural resources.
BPA 199704700 Yakima R Basin Side Channels This reach of the watershed provides the "last stop" for summer migrating chinook parr. Below this reach, water quality degrades to lethal levels for all native salmonids. Historic shoreline mismanagement has blocked tributaries, eliminated side channel habitat, etc.
BPA 199705200 Yakima R Rearing Habitat Enhan Protect, restore, enhance, and reestablish access into productive habitats to optimize juvenile rearing success immediately upstream of Sunnyside Diversion Dam.
BPA 199704900 Teanaway R Flow Restore Bor Implement delivery system and on-farm water conservation projects, such as piping head ditches or conversion to sprinkler irrigation, and transfer saved water to instream flows in the Teanaway River. (Old # 5510900)
BPA 199705000 Little Naches Riparian Channel Enhance and restore degraded riparian and habitat conditions in the Little Naches River by revegetating eroding banks and unstable channels, restricting vehicular traffic in the floodplain, and enhancing habitat by placement of trees and boulders.
BPA 199705100 Yakima Basin Side Channels This project supports the Yakama Nation's (YN) activities related to YKFP habitat improvement and acquisition activities in the Yakima Subbasin. The project goal is to protect and restore off-channel rearing habitats in priority mainstem reaches.
BPA 199705300 Toppenish/Simcoe Instream Flow Identify extent of anadromous populations, identify land status, characterize habitat and discharge; model irrigation use; restore instream flows by land lease or purchase and/or water substitution; modify irrigation diversions to mimic natural runoff.
BPA 199803100 Implement Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kis Provide effective and efficient watershed restoration through coordination and support of tribal restoration planning and project implementation consistent with the Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit and the NPPC Fish & Wildlife Program.
BPA 199803300 Upper Toppenish Creek Watershe Moderate flow regime in Toppenish Creek by increasing the retentiveness of natural soil water storage areas, such as headwater meadows and floodplains, following prioritized plan generated by FY98-99 watershed assessment.
BPA 199803400 Establish Safe Access Tributar This proposal supports the Yakama Nation's (YN) activities related to YKFP habitat improvement and acquisition activities in the Yakima Subbasin. The project rebuilds migratory passage into historically-productive tributary habitats.
BPA 199901300 Ahtanum Creek Watershed Assess Conduct a watershed assessment in the agricultural portion of the Ahtanum Creek watershed to complete assessment of the entire watershed, facilitate protection and restoration of salmon, steelhead, bull trout.
BPA 200107100 Wapatox Water Rights Purchase Cost share with Bureau of Reclamation to purchase and retire PacifiCorp's Wapatox Power Plant to benefit salmon and steelhead by increasing instream flows and enhance spawning and rearing habitat in the Naches River.
BPA 200201400 Sunnyside Wildlife Mitigation Restore, protect and enhance native floodplain wetland and riparian habitats and shrubsteppe uplands in the lower Yakima River Valley.
BPA 200202100 Reduce Teanaway Water Temps Implement actions to reduce stream temperatures, reduce suspended sediment, meet water quality standards and improve salmonid habitat. Actions implemented will include irrigation improvements, tree planting, bank stabilization and road improvements.
BPA 200202200 Big Creek Passage & Screening The project would provide fish passage over a concrete dam with a series of weirs in combination with a short fishway, opening up 10 miles of habitat.
BPA 200202400 Secure Salmonid Spawning Habit Purchase of 370 acres of upper Yakima River wetlands through fee simple acquisition to secure spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids.
BPA 200202500 Tributary Access & Habitat Implement YTAHP Objective 1: Early Actions which include fish enhancements (fish passagescreens and riparian habitat) at selected high priority locations on Yakima tributaries through a collaborative approach of local, state, federal & tribal interests.
BPA 200203800 Acquire Yakima Basin Habitat Acquisition of lands for: protection of aquatic/terrestrial habitat; improvements of water quality; reconnection of the flood plain; restoration/protection of the riparian habitat and antural hydrologic regime.
BPA 200205200 Naches R Water Treatment Intak Screen City of Yakima's Naches Water Treatment Plant intake to eliminate mortality of ESA listed and non-listed salmonids at this location.
PCSRF - CRITFC CCT 04-1 Habitat Assessment and Restora Cost-share for various habitat assessment and improvement projects in the Yakima Basin.
PCSRF - WSRFB 00-1004 Union Gap Reach Acquisition [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 01-1238 Ahtanum Creek Fish Screens [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 01-1256 Cowiche Creek Barrier Removal [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1672 NF Teanaway River Floodplain - [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1675 YTAHP Lower Reecer Creek Fish [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1676 YTAHP Wilson Creek Riparian Re [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1679 Upper Yakima River Easton Reac [Relationship field left blank]
PCSRF - WSRFB 04-1680 Holmes Floodplain Property Pro [Relationship field left blank]
BPA 199506301 YKFP/YIN Chandler Juv Facility Historical project id for operation of this facility used for montioring smolt outmigration and estimating smolt productivity in the Yakima Basin.
BPA 199506424 WDFW/YKFP Supp Monitor Activit Historical id for M&E of Yakima Basin YKFP genetic and species interactions variables.
BPA 199105700 Yakima Bas Screen Fab Ph 2 WDFW, YSS fabricates and installs fish screens and miscellaneous metalwork for Yakima Basin Phase II screening projects. New fish screens prevent mortality and/or injury to all life stages of anadromous and resident fish in irrigation diversions.
BPA 199200900 Yakima Ph Ii/Huntsvill Scr O&M WDFW, YSS performs preventative and emergency maintenance and operational adjustment on completed Phase II fish screen facilities to assure optimal fish protection performance and to extend facility life, thereby protecting BPA's capital investment.
BPA 200001700 Recondition Wild Steelhead Kel Continue to test and evaluate methods to recondition steelhead kelts and/or transport them around hydo system, generate science-based management recommendations, and assist in their implementation to rebuild wild steelhead populations throughout the Columbia Basin. A large part of this work is conducted in the Yakima Subbasin.
BPA 200306200 Eval Repro Success Kelt Steel This evaluation program is designed to investigate the reproductive success of hatchery-reared, natural-origin, and reconditioned kelt steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in three different evolutionary significant units (Upper Columbia, Mid Columbia, and Snake River) under natural conditions. The two major goals are 1) directly examine reproductive success in several streams; and, 2) replicate and evaluate kelt reconditioning procedures and protocols at a variety of locations. A large part of this work is conducted in the Yakima Subbasin.
BPA 200203100 Spring Chinook Growth Modulati Develop hatchery rearing protocols to reduce excessive production of early maturing male chinook salmon, improve smolt-to-adult survival and reduce negative ecological impacts of hatchery fish on wild fish.
Other: NOAA A. Dittman Spatial scales of homing efficacy of hatchery supplementation on wild populations Monitor the homing and straying of adult supplemented spring Chinook from the CESRF in relation to their juvenile acclimation release site.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Ecological Interactions Monitor and evaluate ecological impacts of supplementation on non-target taxa, and impacts of strong interactor taxa on productivity of targeted stocks. Yakima See tables 16 to 22 of subbasin supplement (http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/yakima/plan/Supplement.pdf)
Genetics Monitor and evaluate genetic change due to domestication and potential genetic change due to in-basin and out-of-basin stray rates. Yakima See table 8 of subbasin supplement (http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/yakima/plan/Supplement.pdf)
Harvest Monitor and evaluate changes in harvest of YKFP targeted stocks. Yakima See table 8 of subbasin supplement (http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/yakima/plan/Supplement.pdf)
Natural Production Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. Yakima See tables 3 to 22 of subbasin supplement (http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/yakima/plan/Supplement.pdf)

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Participate in ESA/NEPA Compliance for Yakima Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Supply BPA and other appropriate agencies with information necessary to comply with environmental laws. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $3,000
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Produce environmental compliance documentation - WDFW Supply BPA and other appropriate agencies with information necessary to comply with environmental laws. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $3,302
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Yakama Nation M&E Management Component Prepare SOW, Annual Accruals and Budgets for YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Project. Also Attend various fisheries related conferences and training. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $30,000
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects YKFP M & E Project Contract Administration - WDFW Manage and administer the various components of the Yakima Fisheries Project’s monitoring and evaluation project. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $33,026
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Annual Report - WDFW Prepare annual reports documenting the accomplishments and results of evaluation and monitoring studies supported by this contract. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $825,660
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Yakama Nation Yakima Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report Prepare an annual report documenting the accomplishments and results of evaluation and monitoring studies supported by this contract. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $30,000
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce Status Report Status Reporting - WDFW Prepare quarterly and annual reports documenting the accomplishments and results of evaluation and monitoring studies supported by this contract. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $3,302
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce Status Report Yakama Nation Yakima Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Status Report Prepare quarterly reports documenting the accomplishments and results of evaluation and monitoring studies supported by this contract. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $1,500
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report Yakima Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Peer-Reviewed Publications Prepare peer reviewed publications of work supported by this contract and submit to appropriate scientific journals. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $15,000
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report Yakima Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Peer-Reviewed Publications - WDFW Prepare peer reviewed publications of work supported by this contract and submit to appropriate scientific journals. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $191,553
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Genetics
Harvest
Natural Production
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Ecological Interactions Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin - WDFW Monitor and evaluate ecological impacts of supplementation on non-target taxa, and impacts of strong interactor taxa on productivity of targeted stocks. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $462,370
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Genetic Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin - WDFW Monitor and evaluate genetic change due to domestication and potential genetic change due to in-basin and out-of-basin stray rates. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $1,321,056
Biological objectives
Genetics
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Natural Production Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin - WDFW Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $462,370
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Yakama Nation Ecological Interactions Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin Monitor and evaluate ecological impacts of supplementation on non-target taxa, and impacts of strong interactor taxa on productivity of targeted stocks. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $993,306
Biological objectives
Ecological Interactions
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Yakama Nation Genetic Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin Monitor and evaluate pre- and post-supplementation genetic changes in targeted stocks as reflected by changes in extinction risk, within-stock genetic variability, between-stock genetic variability, and domestication. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $357,764
Biological objectives
Genetics
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Yakama Nation Harvest Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin Monitor and evaluate changes in harvest of YKFP targeted stocks. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $228,145
Biological objectives
Harvest
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Yakama Nation Natural Production Monitoring and Evaluation in the Yakima River Basin Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $6,135,550
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics
Mark/Tag Animals Fin Clip 600,000 Coho at Eagle Creek National Fish hatchery Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $477,423
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics
Mark/Tag Animals Fin Clip Coho at Yakima Prosser Hatchery Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $250,800
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics
Mark/Tag Animals Fin Clip Upriver Bright Chinook at Yakima Prosser Hatchery Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $335,316
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics
Mark/Tag Animals Yakama Nation Marking and Tagging Fish in the Yakima River Basin Determine if supplementation and habitat actions increase natural production. Evaluate changes in natural production with specified statistical power. 5/1/2007 4/30/2010 $1,620,803
Biological objectives
Natural Production
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel 50.5 FTE Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife combined $1,949,061 $1,949,061 $2,026,232
Fringe Benefits Fringe for Yakama Nation averages 18.9% and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife averages 36% $434,583 $438,459 $455,362
Supplies This includes but not limited to GSA vehicle rental,insurance,field supplies,sensitive equipment, repairs and maintenance, coded wire and elastomer tags. $690,640 $679,848 $689,460
Travel Meeting with Power Council, BPA, NOAA, etc. and various scientific conferences $21,635 $21,880 $22,773
Overhead Overhead for the Yakama Nation is 18.89% and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife averages 35% $691,744 $713,877 $760,350
Other Consultants for biometrician, modeling and domestication $247,886 $251,683 $255,591
Other BPA direct to USF&W to assist with marking $187,313 $187,313 $187,313
Other BPA direct purchase 146,600 PIT tags $306,394 $306,394 $306,394
Totals $4,529,256 $4,548,515 $4,703,475
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $13,781,246
Total work element budget: $13,781,246
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Totals $0 $0 $0

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $4,891,614
FY 2011 estimated budget: $4,891,614
Comments: Estimated annual budget increase of 4%.

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: None
Comments: Continuing project to meet YKFP objectives and/or the Yakima Subbasin Management and Recovery Plans. See Section 10 F narrative 199506325n.

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents


Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget FY08 budget FY09 budget Total budget Type Category Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$4,500,000 $4,500,000 $4,500,000 $13,500,000 Expense ProvinceExpense Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$4,500,000 $4,500,000 $4,500,000 $0 ProvinceExpense
Comments: ISRP fundable qualified: ISRP recommends that the broader YKFP program be the subject of an organized program review. Project sponsor should consider focusing the next annual review for this purpose, otherwise review will need to occur as part of the next project review cycle. As Council has asked for in the past, a Master Plan is needed for fall chinook and coho elements of the project.

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: See the overall comments for the five related Yakima/Klickitat Fishery Projects under proposal 19881205. Comments specific to this M&E proposal. Technical and scientific background: The M&E project is the omnibus scientific component (a large share) of the broader YKFP and is the most amenable to scientific review. This project essentially provides the rigor and measurement to test the basic assumptions of supplementation within the Yakima subbasin. The background treatment is actually a bit light, instead, referring to previous efforts, e.g., "The YKFP monitoring program is built on a foundation laid in a number of earlier projects. The general elements of a monitoring plan were first outlined in the YKFP’s 1993 Project Status Report (BPA 1993)." Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: This project is the key tool for comprehensively measuring assumptions and strategies long in place within the Yakima subbasin regarding supplementation and other programs. These are expressly detailed in the Yakima Subbasin Plan and need to be better articulated within the proposal. Relationships to other projects: This project is the umbrella or omnibus M&E activity for the others in the Yakima subbasin by both the Yakima Nation and the WDFW. It is designed to address the basic assumptions underlying the YKFP with intensive and explicit examination of the subcomponents of supplementation (and presumably habitat restoration and other H's). Project history: The project history is extensive. The table is quite data heavy. This proposal represents a major leap forward in the monitoring and evaluation of supplementation as a restoration and mitigation strategy within not only the Yakima subbasin, but basinwide. It addresses many of the key risks long assumed to be negligible with artificial production, as well as other critical variables (uncertainties). As such, the information generated will be highly relevant to future decisions as to ongoing efforts in the basin and subbasin. Objectives: The list of measurable biological objectives is quite lengthy. There needs to some thought to prioritizing these such that “measure everything” philosophy yields to “measure critical variables”. These critical variables must address the key decision points in a logic path or decision tree. Non-biological objectives overlap somewhat with other proposals (e.g., unclear as to how NEPA for this project differs from NEPA for O&M project, etc.). Ultimately, while some individual hypotheses may be addressed rapidly, the timeline to gather information on the broader question of whether supplementation is “contributing to” versus “detracting from” natural reproduction may require a few generations (i.e., 10-15 years). Tasks (work elements) and methods: The methods are extensively and adequately described. The sponsors appear to have responded well to earlier comments/critiques/suggestions by ISRP (specifically) and ISAB (more generally re: supplementation). The M&E component of YKFP should address the appropriateness and soundness of assumptions. The techniques are largely appropriate for each of the tasks and include some references/controls, as well as involvement of statistical and design expertise. Monitoring and evaluation: This is a monitoring and evaluation component to the broader program. We look forward to a site and program review with summarized data and results of various activities ongoing in the Subbasin. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: There will be a large staff associated with these efforts (50+ fulltime and numerous part time/seasonal). The large staff is commensurate with scale and scope of the undertaking. Information transfer: The described intent is to make data (raw) available through various institutional means throughout the basin as well as to provide annual reporting and periodic evaluation. There is intent to produce high quality and credible summary in peer-reviewed outlets. There is also a web site with up-to-date fish counts, links to reports, cartoons (not skewering the ISRP) and swimming fish.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: See the overall comments for the five related Yakima/Klickitat Fishery Projects under proposal 19881205. Comments specific to this M&E proposal. Technical and scientific background: The M&E project is the omnibus scientific component (a large share) of the broader YKFP and is the most amenable to scientific review. This project essentially provides the rigor and measurement to test the basic assumptions of supplementation within the Yakima subbasin. The background treatment is actually a bit light, instead, referring to previous efforts, e.g., "The YKFP monitoring program is built on a foundation laid in a number of earlier projects. The general elements of a monitoring plan were first outlined in the YKFP’s 1993 Project Status Report (BPA 1993)." Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: This project is the key tool for comprehensively measuring assumptions and strategies long in place within the Yakima subbasin regarding supplementation and other programs. These are expressly detailed in the Yakima Subbasin Plan and need to be better articulated within the proposal. Relationships to other projects: This project is the umbrella or omnibus M&E activity for the others in the Yakima subbasin by both the Yakima Nation and the WDFW. It is designed to address the basic assumptions underlying the YKFP with intensive and explicit examination of the subcomponents of supplementation (and presumably habitat restoration and other H's). Project history: The project history is extensive. The table is quite data heavy. This proposal represents a major leap forward in the monitoring and evaluation of supplementation as a restoration and mitigation strategy within not only the Yakima subbasin, but basinwide. It addresses many of the key risks long assumed to be negligible with artificial production, as well as other critical variables (uncertainties). As such, the information generated will be highly relevant to future decisions as to ongoing efforts in the basin and subbasin. Objectives: The list of measurable biological objectives is quite lengthy. There needs to some thought to prioritizing these such that “measure everything” philosophy yields to “measure critical variables”. These critical variables must address the key decision points in a logic path or decision tree. Non-biological objectives overlap somewhat with other proposals (e.g., unclear as to how NEPA for this project differs from NEPA for O&M project, etc.). Ultimately, while some individual hypotheses may be addressed rapidly, the timeline to gather information on the broader question of whether supplementation is “contributing to” versus “detracting from” natural reproduction may require a few generations (i.e., 10-15 years). Tasks (work elements) and methods: The methods are extensively and adequately described. The sponsors appear to have responded well to earlier comments/critiques/suggestions by ISRP (specifically) and ISAB (more generally re: supplementation). The M&E component of YKFP should address the appropriateness and soundness of assumptions. The techniques are largely appropriate for each of the tasks and include some references/controls, as well as involvement of statistical and design expertise. Monitoring and evaluation: This is a monitoring and evaluation component to the broader program. We look forward to a site and program review with summarized data and results of various activities ongoing in the Subbasin. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: There will be a large staff associated with these efforts (50+ fulltime and numerous part time/seasonal). The large staff is commensurate with scale and scope of the undertaking. Information transfer: The described intent is to make data (raw) available through various institutional means throughout the basin as well as to provide annual reporting and periodic evaluation. There is intent to produce high quality and credible summary in peer-reviewed outlets. There is also a web site with up-to-date fish counts, links to reports, cartoons (not skewering the ISRP) and swimming fish.