Pit Tagging Wild Chinook proposal 199102800

FY07-09 proposal 199102800

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Pit Tagging Wild Chinook
Proposal ID	199102800
Organization	National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Short description	Collect time series information to examine migration/survival characteristics of wild ESA-listed Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon stocks. PIT tag wild chinook salmon parr annually; then monitor as parr/smolts at instream monitors, traps, and dams.
Information transfer	Information (will and have been) transferred by publications in peer reviewed journals, symposium proceeding (http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/congress/pub.htm), reports (BPA website), DART website, water quality website (http://devwas/wqbemp), and oral presentations at professional meetings. Information is used to guide FCRPS operations.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Stephen Achord	NOAA Fisheries	Steve.Achord@noaa.gov
All assigned contacts
Stephen Achord	NOAA Fisheries	Steve.Achord@noaa.gov

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Salmon

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
N45 6 21	W114 51 06	Big Creek (lower)	Between river km 9 and 13
N45 6 52	W115 19 65	Big Creek (upper)	Between river km 54 and 58
N44 49 91	W114 30 28	Camas Creek	Between river km 20 and 23
N44 22 6	W115 11 5	Cape Horn Creek	Between river km 0 and 6
N45 22 31	W115 11 2	Chamberlain Creek	Between river km 25 and 27
N44 11 2	W114 17 0	East Fork Salmon River	Between river km 13 and 32
N44 24 85	W115 23 19	Elk Creek	Between river km 0 and 10
N44 11 1	W114 15 3	Herd Creek	Between river km 0 and 5
N45 16 11	W115 54 67	Lake Creek	Between river km 1 and 3
N44 35 0	W114 50 0	Loon Creek	Between river km 33 and 36
N44 25 1	W115 9 2	Marsh Creek	Between river km 10 and 14
N45 6 23	W114 51 71	Rush Creek	Between river km 0 and 2
N45 12 72	W115 48 6	Secesh River	Between river km 25 and 30
N44 38 51	W115 41 66	South Fork Salmon River	Between river km 112 and 122
N44 30 87	W115 19 24	Sulphur Creek	Between river km 4 and 7
N44 13 7	W114 58 3	Valley Creek	Between river km 1 and 18
N45 23 1	W115 10 99	West Fork Chamberlain Creek	Between river km 1 and 3
N44 24 74	W115 22 06	Bear Valley Creek	Between river km 9 and 16

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chinook Snake River Spring/Summer ESU
secondary: Steelhead Snake River ESU

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at instream PIT-tag monitors and LGD. Collected parr-to-smolt growth data at LGoD. We PIT tagged and released 12,805 parr from 14 Idaho streams. Constructed more instream monitoring antennas.
2004	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at instream PIT-tag monitors and LGD. Collected parr-to-smolt growth data at LGoD. We PIT tagged and released 19,871 parr from 15 Idaho streams. Co-authored a publication related to this work.
2003	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at instream PIT-tag monitors and LGD. Collected parr-to-smolt growth data at LGoD. We PIT tagged and released 18,346 parr from 16 Idaho streams. Authored a publication related to this work.
2002	Monitored timing and parr-to-smolt survival for previously tagged fish at LGD. We installed instream PIT tag monitoring systems in Valley Creek. We PIT tagged and released 14,290 parr from 15 Idaho streams. Collected parr-to-smolt growth data at LGoD.
2001	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at LGD. We started collecting parr-to-smolt growth data on these fish at L.Goose Dam (LGoD). We PIT tagged and released 10,242 parr from 11 Idaho streams. Co-authored a publication (2002).
2000	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at LGD. Retrospectively, calculated annual parr-to-smolt survival estimates to LGD since 1993. We PIT tagged and released 3,536 parr from 6 Idaho streams. Authored a related Proceedings Publication.
1999	Monitored timing and parr-to-smolt survival for previously tagged fish at LGD. We PIT tagged and released 10,402 parr from 15 Idaho streams.
1998	Monitored timing and survival for previously tagged fish at L Granite D(LGD). We PIT tagged and released 9,931 parr from 13 Idaho streams. Established water quality database on the Internet and started reporting water quality parameters vs fish movement.
1997	Monitored migration timing of previously tagged fish (1996) at traps and dams. We PIT tagged and released 2,685 parr from 5 Idaho streams. We took over all water quality monitoring from PNNL.
1996	Monitored migration timing of previously tagged fish (1995) at traps and dams. We PIT tagged and released 1,360 parr from 3 Idaho streams. Authored a publication related to this work.
1995	Monitored migration timing of previously tagged fish (1994) at traps and dams. We PIT tagged and released 1,407 parr from 3 Idaho streams.
1994	Monitored migration timing of previously tagged fish (1993) at dams. We PIT tagged and released 18,459 parr from 17 Idaho streams. Continued development of water quality monitoring with PNNL.
1993	Monitored migration timing of previously tagged fish (1992) at the dams. The information was used in FCRPS operations (same for all years). We PIT tagged and released 8,065 parr in 15 Idaho streams. Developed water quality moitoring with PNNL.
1992	We monitored the migration timing of previously tagged fish (in 1991) at the dams. The information was used for real-time management decisions on operations of the FCRPS. We PIT tagged and released 9,774 parr from 16 Idaho streams.
1991	Began to establish streams to monitor in 1991 in Idaho. We PIT tagged 12,086 wild chinook parr in 13 Idaho and 3 Oregon streams.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	198909800	Salmon Studies Id Rvrs IDFC	Reciprocal transfer of data/coordination
BPA	198909802	Salmon Studies Id Rvrs NPT	Reciprocal transfer of data/coordination
BPA	198909803	Salmon Studies Id Rvrs SBT	Reciprocal transfer of data/coordination/do some fish tagging
BPA	198909600	Genetic M&E Prog For Sal/Steel	Coordination/do some fish collection for this project
BPA	200105500	Salmonid Response to Fertiliza	Coordination/do some fish collection for this project
BPA	198331900	New Marking & Monitoring Tech	Coordinated with this project to develop instream PIT tag monitoring
BPA	199005500	Id Steelhead M&E Studies	Reciprocal transfer of data/coordination/do some fish tagging for this project
BPA	199107300	Idaho Natural Production Monit	Reciprocal transfer of data/coordination

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Determine migration timing and survival	Determine migration timing and survival differences between and within years for individual and combined populations of wild Snake R sp/su chinook juveniles at instream PIT-tag monitors and L Granite Dam.	Salmon	Strategy 2A1. Protect and monitor abundance and productivity of wild stocks....Need migration timing and parr-to-smolt survival information from natal rearing areas to the first dam. Additional pages 126,153,186, and 187
Determine parr-to-smolt growth rates	Determine parr-to-smolt growth rates for these wild PIT-tagged fish populations, annually, by utilizing the separation-by-code system at Little Goose Dam juvenile fish bypass system.	Salmon	Strategy 3A1. Use new and existing projects to further the knowledge of egg to smolt survival and the mechanisms that affect survival (to fill said data gaps). (This information directly applies to survival, nutrient, and ecosystem studies in the region).
Water quality parameters vs fish movement	Determine relationships between water quality and environmental/climatic factors where wild parr reside and subsequent movements/survival of parr/smolts through downstream instream PIT-tag monitors and at L Granite Dam.	Salmon	Strategy 3B1--Evaluate habitat and water quality conditions at monitoring (index) sites (page 114). Measure temperature, turbidity, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous (Page 187).

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Submit all required Permits to BPA for Project 199102800	As State, Federal, or local Permits are required to conduct field work for Project 199102800, apply for, and receive needed permits and submit to BPA, NEPA personnel. List of Permits follows for this project: 1) ESA Scientific Research Permit #1406, Study 1, this Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, Permit authorizes annual takes of ESA-listed salmonids (Chinook and steelhead) from 6/30/2003 to 12/31/2007; 2) Biological Opinion Amendment File #403.0101 0ALS#1-4-04-F-289, Section 7 Consultation with USFWS for incidental collection of bull trout from 4/15/2004 to 12/31/2008; 3) Idaho Collecting Permit # F-31-88, 1/1/2005 to 12/31/2005, renewed yearly; 4) Payette National Forest Special Use Permit-MCC035, Permit for field crews to work and stay on this National Forest from 6/2/2003 to 10/1/2007; 5) Boise National Forest Special Use Permit-BO1003603, Permit for field crews to work and stay on this National Forest from 6/3/2003 to 11/15/2007; 6) Salmon-Challis National Forest Special Use Permit-MFK23, Permit for field crews to work and stay on this National Forest from 6/3/2003 to 12/31/2007; 7) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint Permit NWW # 022200780, Permit to install instream PIT-tag monitors in Valley Creek in 2002; 8) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Joint Permit NWW # 050600023, Permit to install instream PIT-tag monitors in lower Big Creek in 2006; 9) Idaho Department of Water Resources Permit # 71-S-74, Permit for installing instream PIT-tag monitors in Valley Creek in 2002; 10) Idaho Department of Environmental Quality 401 Water Quality Certification for installing PIT-tag monitors in Valley Creek in 2002; 11) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Scientific Collecting Permit # 05-105, permit renewed each year for handling fish at Little Goose Dam in the PIT-tag separation-by-code system.	4/1/2007	9/30/2009	$34,464
Biological objectives			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Project scheduling, agency coordinations, conferences, and training	Acquire all necessary Permits, prepare and acquire all needed equipment for field work, prepare and distribute field work scheduling, hire personnel, coordinate field activities with other agencies, and attend conferences and training as needed or required.	4/1/2007	7/1/2009	$137,174
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce Annual Report	Write Annual Report	Compilation of annual report entitled: "Monitoring the migrations of wild Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon juveniles."	4/1/2007	7/1/2009	$76,222
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Publish findings in a peer-reviewed journal	Information generated from project 199102800 will be published in peer-reviewed journals as well as reported on the BPA Fish and Wildlife website.	4/1/2007	9/30/2009	$64,290
Biological objectives			Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data	Analyze, Interpret, and compile all tagging, monitoring, and growth data	Analyze, interpret, and compile all data from wild fish monitoring at instream PIT-tag monitoring sites (timing/survival information), at Lower Granite Dam (timing/survival information), from water quality environmental monitors (water quality parameters), at Little Goose Dam (parr-to-smolt growth information), and at area weather stations (weather/climate information).	4/1/2007	9/30/2009	$97,209
Biological objectives			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Collect PIT tag monitoring, water quality, and growth data	Monitor the migration timing and parr-to-smolt survival of PIT-tagged wild fish at Lower Granite Dam. Collect instream PIT-tag monitoring data on wild fish and develop instream monitoring in selected streams. Collect water quality/weather-climate data and parr-to-smolt growth information on wild fish.	4/1/2007	9/30/2009	$232,590
Biological objectives			Metrics
Mark/Tag Animals	Collect and PIT tag wild Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon parr	Depending upon annual permitting numbers, PIT tag up to 39,000 chinook salmon parr in up to 17 streams of the Salmon River basin of Idaho. See tagging details in other sections of this document.	7/15/2007	9/1/2009	$1,187,833
Biological objectives			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	[blank]	$193,000	$198,790	$204,754
Fringe Benefits	[blank]	$51,145	$52,679	$54,260
Supplies	[blank]	$104,500	$107,635	$110,864
Travel	[blank]	$45,000	$46,350	$47,741
Overhead	[blank]	$128,345	$132,195	$136,161
Other	Contracts, utilities, PIT tags	$70,000	$72,100	$74,263
Totals		$591,990	$609,749	$628,043

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$1,829,782
Total work element budget:	$1,829,782

Cost sharing

Funding source/org	Item or service provided	FY 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: $646,883
FY 2011 estimated budget: $646,883

Comments: [Outyear comment field left blank]

Future O&M costs:

Termination date:
Comments:

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]
$350,000	$350,000	$350,000	$1,050,000	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$350,000	$350,000	$350,000	$0		ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is a high priority project deserving support. Significant peer reviewed publications are continuing to be produced by this project. As the proposal indicates, with the development of additional PIT-tag detection capabilities at dams, research biologists can now estimate survival from parr to smolt stages. The proposal makes a good case for continuing this project to make these estimates, which may allow in-season management decisions regarding timing of hydropower system operations within season (spill, flow, and transportation) to provide the most benefits for juvenile wild Chinook. In the 2003 Mainstem/Systemwide Review, the ISRP concluded that, "This is a good smolt-monitoring project that provides invaluable basic data for management decisions affecting the stocks involved." This conclusion still applies.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable