FY07-09 proposal 200705900

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleDetermining the Effects of Predation on Reintroduced Anadromous Salmonids in Cle Elum Lake, Washington
Proposal ID200705900
OrganizationWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Short descriptionThe goal of this proposal is to maximize salmon smolt production from Cle Elum Lake by 1) assessing predation effects on reintroduced salmon smolts, and 2) recommending management actions that will reduce production bottlenecks, if they occur.
Information transferWe intend to report data (summarized), analyses, and management recommendations through BPA Pisces reporting (BPA's database), quarterly reporting, and annual reporting. We will also submit findings to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Katrina Simmons Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife simmokes@dfw.wa.gov
All assigned contacts

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Yakima

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
47.2457178°N 121.0731559°W Cle Elum Lake Cle Elum Lake is a 1,948-hectare lake located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range, approximately 160 km (99 miles) from Seattle, Washington, and 48 km (30 miles) northwest of Ellensburg, Washington.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Anadromous Fish
secondary: Chinook Mid-Columbia River Spring ESU
secondary: Coho Unspecified Population
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: Sockeye All Populations
secondary: Steelhead Middle Columbia River ESU
secondary: Bull Trout
Additional:

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199506325 YKFP - Monitoring & Evaluation The YKFP monitors interactions between wild and hatchery-supplemented fishes within the Yakima River. If the LLRT assisted the CMT in successfully reintroducing salmon to Cle Elum Lake, they would occupy the Yakima River for a portion of their life-history, and their interactions with other fishes would need to be evaluated by the YKFP. NEPA and SEPA documents for the YKFP also apply to Cle Elum Lake.
Other: USBR PN-YDFP-003 Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Plan, Storage Dam Fish Passage Study, Yakima Project, Washington The proposed Cle Elum Lake project is directly related to the Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Plan, Storage Dam Fish Passage Study, Yakima Project, Washington (2005). This plan will determine the feasibility of constructing passage at the Yakima River reservoirs/lakes and continue to monitor the tributaries to determine available spawning habitat. The LLRT would contribute data regarding limiting factors to reintroduction within Cle Elum Lake, and possibly, initiate similar studies of the other reservoirs/lakes where reintroduction is to occur.
BPA 199604000 Coho Restoration Mid-Columbia The coho being used as test fish for Cle Elum Lake are from this project.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
1)Determine predation effects on salmon We will use the Bioenergetics Model 3.0 (Hanson et al. 1997) to estimate prey consumption in Cle Elum Lake. Estimating dietary consumption using the bioenergetics model requires inputs of population abundance, growth increments, water temperature, dietary composition, and energy equivalents. Population abundance estimates will be obtained from hydroacoustics and netting and mark-recapture surveys. Growth simulations will be run from the initial time of stocking through 365 days to estimate prey consumption. We will collect water temperature data monthly from November to April and bi-weekly from May to October, using a Hydrolab Inc. Water Quality Data Sonde. Dietary information will be obtained from the diet analysis obtained from the field sampling. We will obtain dietary energy values (joules) from Cummins and Wuycheck (1971), Beauchamp et al. (1989) and Chipps and Bennett (2000). Dietary energy equivalents will remain constant throughout the year. Yakima The feasibility of sockeye reintroduction should receive study and they should be reintroduced where passage, habitat, and potential productivity are suitable to support populations. The LLRT believes this statement applies to all reintroduction efforts.
2)Implement & M&E a lake trout regulation change We will implement a fishing regulation change for lake trout. The new fishing regulation will likely eliminate both size limits and daily limits in an attempt to dramatically reduce the number of lake trout in Cle Elum Lake. The regulation change will be evaluated through the continuation of data collections described in Biological Objective 1. Yakima Lake trout predation on bull trout should be investigated, and if needed, managers should act to reduce their impact. The LLRT believes this statement applies to other potential prey species of lake trout in Cle Elum Lake.
3)M&E reg. change & remove lake trout by gill nets The regulation change will be evaluated through the continuation of data collections described in Biological Objective 1. If we determine that the population of lake trout did not significantly decrease following the regulation change, we will implement a vigorous gill netting program to remove lake trout using methods described by Ruzycki et al. (2003). Yakima Lake trout predation on bull trout should be investigated, and if needed, managers should act to reduce their impact. The LLRT believes this statement applies to other potential prey species of lake trout in Cle Elum Lake.
4)Administrative Duties of the Project The authors intend to report data (summarized), analyses, and any management recommendations through BPA Pisces reporting, quarterly reporting, and annual reporting. Furthermore, the authors intend to submit findings to peer-reviewed scientific journals. Due to the sensitive species we will be working with on this project, it will be necessary to obtain permits from NOAA and WDFW. Further consultation with these agencies may be required in order to reduce risks associated with the project. This task also includes the day-to-day operations associated with project personnel, agency policy, purchases, management of sub-contractors, additional inter- and intra-agency exercises and budget monitoring. None This objective is not listed in a subbasin plan. Obtaining the correct permits will allow us to adhere to our proposed methods. Information available in our writings will aid in adaptive management practices throughought the Columbia Basin and beyond.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Remove or Relocate Predaceous Animals Implement a fishing regulation change for lake trout in Cle Elum Lake. We will implement a fishing regulation change for lake trout. The new fishing regulation will likely eliminate both size limits and daily limits in an attempt to dramatically reduce the number of lake trout in Cle Elum Lake. The regulation change will be evaluated through the continuation of data collections described in Biological Objective 1. 4/1/2008 9/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
2)Implement & M&E a lake trout regulation change
Metrics
Remove or Relocate Predaceous Animals Implement a removal program for lake trout in Cle Elum Lake. If we determine that the population of lake trout did not significantly decrease following the regulation change, we will implement an extensive removal program using gill nets with mesh sizes and placement appropriate to lake trout following methods in Ruzycki et al. (2003). If these methods harm bull trout we will use tangle nets instead, release all bull trout, and exterminate captured lake trout. 8/1/2009 9/30/2009 $60,000
Biological objectives
3)M&E reg. change & remove lake trout by gill nets
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Follow proper procedures to change fishing regulation for lake trout. We will follow the proper procedures to change the lake trout fishing regulation. 4/1/2008 9/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
2)Implement & M&E a lake trout regulation change
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Follow proper procedures to implement a removal program for lake trout. We will follow the proper procedures to implement a removal program for lake trout. 8/1/2009 9/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
3)M&E reg. change & remove lake trout by gill nets
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Obtain necessary federal and state permits to perform proposed work. Due to the sensitive species we will be working with on this project, it will be necessary to obtain permits from NOAA and WDFW. Further consultation with these agencies may be required in order to reduce risks associated with the project. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $2,000
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Other Annual Reports. Originally Produce Annual Report (132). Annual reports will be completed each year and at the end of the contract period to present results and inform BPA of the project status. Annual reports will present data, analyses, and recommendations, should they be required. This will also be the appropriate time to request budget modifications or changes within the work plan. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $44,651
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Other Pisces reporting. Originally Produce Status Report (141). We will complete and enter status reports into BPA’s database Pisces, regarding completion of project schedules and fulfilling contractual obligations. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $44,650
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Other Quarterly reporting. Originally Produce Status Report (141). These quarterly reports will inform BPA of the status of the project, and include data and analyses when applicable. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $44,651
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Additional administrative duties. This task will include the day-to-day operations associated with project personnel, agency policy, purchases, management of sub-contractors, additional inter- and intra-agency exercises and budget monitoring. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report Submit findings to scientific journals. The culmination of this project will be to submit our findings to peer-reviewed scientific journals. 9/1/2008 9/30/2009 $133,952
Biological objectives
4)Administrative Duties of the Project
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Determine the ages of predatory fishes using the collected calcified structures. Scale and otolith samples will be sent to the WDFW aging laboratory in Olympia, Washington for age determination and we will incorporate the data into the bioenergetics model. 8/1/2007 9/30/2009 $2,572
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Determine the diet composition of piscivores using the collected stomach samples. Contents of stomach samples will be determined using identification keys (e.g. Merritt and Cummins 1996; Pennak 1989; Hansel et al. 1988), and a Leica Wild M3Z dissecting scope. The blotted-dry wet weight proportion of each diet taxon will be determined and averaged within each species and season. Dietary items will be lumped into 5-7 categories for quantification in the bioenergetics model. 6/15/2007 9/30/2009 $78,144
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Evaluation of fishing regulation change. Data obtained from the continuation of methods described in Biological Objective 1 will be used to evaluate the success of the fishing regulation change. For example, if we determine there is no decrease in lake trout abundance we will implement a removal program in FY 2009 to reduce lake trout abundance. 4/1/2008 9/30/2009 $172,801
Biological objectives
2)Implement & M&E a lake trout regulation change
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Perform bioenergetics modeling to determine piscivore consumption on reintroduced salmonids. We will use the Bioenergetics Model 3.0 (Hanson et al. 1997) to estimate prey consumption in Cle Elum Lake. We will use the original physiological parameters in the model for various species examined. Estimating dietary consumption using the bioenergetics model requires inputs of population abundance, growth increments, water temperature, dietary composition, and energy equivalents. We will assume that all fishes sought the highest water temperature available up to their preferred temperature (e.g. 15.5C; Brett et al. 1958). Population abundance estimates will be obtained from hydroacoustics and netting and mark-recapture surveys, growth simulations will be run from the initial time of stocking through 365 days to estimate prey consumption. Dietary information will be obtained from the diet analysis obtained from the field sampling. Water temperature will be obtained using sampling methods described in Methods 1.2. The bioenergetics model will extrapolate between sampling dates except when fine scale diet information is available such as during stocking events. We will obtain dietary energy values (joules) from Cummins and Wuycheck (1971), Beauchamp et al. (1989) and Chipps and Bennett (2000). Dietary energy equivalents will remain constant throughout the year. We will use approximately 5-7 categories of major food items in the simulations. Dietary items will be summed by month and their proportional contribution determined for each of the major food items within the diet. In addition to estimating the current prey consumption, we will perform bioenergetics simulations to determine possible effects of predation on future stocking events of anadromous salmon. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $20,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Repeat evaluation of fishing regulation change. Continue methods described in Work Element 2.2 (Evaluation of fishing regulation change). 1/1/2009 9/30/2009 $172,796
Biological objectives
3)M&E reg. change & remove lake trout by gill nets
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data To analyze results of water temperature monitoring. The LLRT will incorporate the temperature data into the bioenergetics model to determine piscivore consumption. 11/1/2007 9/30/2009 $1,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Analyze/Interpret Data Use hydroacoustic and tangle net data to determine the abundance of piscivores in Cle Elum Lake. The target tracking method of determining fish density will be used and extrapolated to reservoir area to determine abundance. Density (fish/m3) will be calculated for each transect and transect densities will be averaged together for a reservoir wide estimate of fish density. Mean fish density will be then multiplied by reservoir volume to estimate abundance. Two standard errors will be used to estimate the 95 % confidence interval of the acoustic abundance estimate. Species-specific abundance estimates will be calculated by multiplying the species composition of various size classes by the acoustic abundance estimates for the corresponding sizes. The assumption that fish species composition and size distribution is the same from 1.5- to 8 m (horizontal acoustics) and from 8- to 25 m will be validated with netting data. 7/1/2007 9/30/2009 $25,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect calcified structures to determine the ages of predatory fishes. We will use standard protocol from the WDFW Warm Water Fish Survey Manual (Bonar et al. 2000) to collect biological data to determine growth and age, which will be incorporated into the bioenergetics model. Surveys will be conducted during spring (ice off), summer, and fall. Capture methods will include boat electrofishing, horizontal tangle nets, and fyke nets. Horizontal net sizes and mesh array will be determined from the literature. Horizontal tangle nets and fyke nets (4 ft hoops with 100 ft lead line and 25 ft wings) will be set perpendicular to the shoreline just before dusk, and retrieved the following morning or within 24 h. Electrofishing will be conducted at night using a 5.5 m (18 ft) Smith Root 5.0 Generator Powered Pulsator (GPP) electrofishing boat. It has been shown that nighttime electrofishing catches more fishes, larger fish, and greater number of fish than daytime electrofishing (Murphy and Willis 1996). We will operate the electrofishing boat parallel to the shoreline for 600 consecutive s, at a rate of less than .2 m/s, maintaining a distance from shore that allows the inshore boom to fish entirely in the water and avoiding areas that exceed 2 m (6.5 ft) in depth. To initiate fish galvanotaxis, we will produce 1-2 amps by setting the voltage to low power, the frequency to 30 Hz DC and the range to 42-48% of duty cycle (Polacek et al. 2003), depending on fish response and conductivity in Cle Elum Lake. If these gear types do not adequately sample certain size classes of predators, other methods of capture may be employed such as night beach seining, set lines, trawling or angling. Sample sites will be created using Archview software and placing a starting point for each site every 400 m around the perimeter of the reservoir. We will then randomly select at least 20% of the sites. The standard warmwater protocol (Bonar et al. 2000) calls for a 3:2:2 ratio (electrofishing, gill netting and fyke netting), however, refinement of this effort and the ratio of methods may occur depending on basin morphology and sampling success. All shocked and netted predatory fish will be measured (TL-mm) and weighed (g). Scale samples will be taken from live fish, and scales and otoliths from dead fish. 6/1/2007 7/1/2009 $6,570
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect stomach samples to determine the diet composition of piscivores. Abundant piscivore consumption of salmon will be quantified by diet analysis, followed by application of bioenergetics modeling. While collecting aging structures from piscivores (Work Element Title 1.6), we will collect stomach samples. Stomach samples will be collected from live fish collected via electrofishing using gastric lavage (Light et al. 1983). Additional stomach samples will be taken from netted fish to supplement species and size classes that were not adequately sampled with electrofishing gear. We will also quantify the effects of piscivory on salmon smolts following net pen releases using methods in Baldwin et al. (2003). These data will be incorporated into the bioenergetics model to quantify loss of salmon smolts following stocking. Stomachs and stomach contents will be preserved in 95% ethanol. 6/1/2007 7/1/2009 $37,126
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Conduct hydroacoustic and netting surveys to determine predator abundance. Hydroacoustic surveys will be used to determine piscivore abundance by extrapolating mobile hydroacoustic density to reservoir area in late July. We will use a HTI model 241 echosounder with a pole-mounted 15° split-beam downlooking transducer, multiplexed with a 6° by 10° elliptical transducer in sidelooking orientation. Cle Elum Lake will be sampled on a single night, with transects conducted in an elongated zigzag pattern across the limnetic zone. Surveys will be conducted during moonless nights and transects will be at least 100 m from shore, deeper than 5 m, and conducted at a boat speed of 2- to 3 m/s. The sidelooking transducer will sample the near surface strata from 1- to 8 m. The downlooking transducer will be used to sample from 8 m to within 1 m of the bottom. Netting surveys will be used to provide species verification, depth distributions, and length frequencies of acoustic targets. The night of the survey and the following two nights, stacked horizontal tangle nets (Vander Haegen et al. 2004) will be randomly set in the limnetic zone. Our efforts will cover up to 30% of the potential limnetic sampling sites that are deep enough (at least 12 m) to sample. 7/1/2007 7/1/2009 $20,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data To monitor water temperatures in Cle Elum Lake for future incorporation into the bioenergetics model. The LLRT will measure water temperature to input into the bioenergetics model. We will collect data from the surface to the bottom at 1- to 3 m intervals at 5 offshore and 5 nearshore sites monthly from November to April and bi-weekly from May to October, using a Hydrolab Inc. Water Quality Data Sonde. If these data show little variation among locations, we shall reduce sampling locations to three each, nearshore and offshore. 11/1/2007 11/1/2009 $2,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Mark/Tag Animals Collect and tag piscivores to determine their abundance. As a comparison to hydroacoustics sampling, the LLRT will conduct a mark-recapture study to determine piscivore abundance. Piscivores collected during hydroacoustic tangle netting will be tagged using Floy anchor tags. Recapture events will occur two weeks later to increase probability of recapture after fish have been allowed to redistribute and reduce stress levels following handling and tagging. 7/1/2007 8/15/2009 $10,000
Biological objectives
1)Determine predation effects on salmon
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel 3 FTE's $124,212 $134,212 $144,212
Fringe Benefits = 33% of salaries $43,180 $46,656 $50,133
Supplies [blank] $36,845 $31,687 $28,657
Travel [blank] $7,235 $7,235 $7,235
Overhead 29% $63,502 $65,931 $68,981
Capital Equipment [blank] $0 $0 $0
Other subcontractor $6,000 $6,000 $6,000
Totals $280,974 $291,721 $305,218
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $877,913
Total work element budget: $877,913
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
USBR Boat Storage $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 In-Kind Under Development
WDFW Field Office $4,500 $4,500 $4,500 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Laboratory Space $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Fish Aging $3,500 $3,500 $3,500 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Electrofishing boat $38,000 $38,000 $38,000 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW 22' Gill netting boat $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 In-Kind Confirmed
Totals $73,200 $73,200 $73,200

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $364,075
FY 2011 estimated budget: $364,075
Comments: Implementation of alternate management strategies and monitoring and evaluation.

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: 9/30/2009
Comments: The goals and objectives of additional project phases will depend on the initial findings during FY 2007-2009. For example, if the implemented fishing regulation change or gill netting removal program are deemed unsuccessful at reducing lake trout predation, the net-pen rearing period for salmon could be extended to increase the size of the released fish to reduce their vulnerability to predators, or alternate release strategies could be evaluated. In conclusion, no matter what the objectives of this new work might be, the biological costs and benefits of any proposed management strategy will be evaluated through the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan.

Final deliverables: A final report will be submitted to BPA upon completion of the project, and portions will be published in scientific journals.

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

200705900n revised narrative.doc Jul 2006
Responses to ISRP comments for project 200705900n.doc Jul 2006

Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget FY08 budget FY09 budget Total budget Type Category Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Expense Basinwide Do Not Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Basinwide

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Not fundable

NPCC comments: The ISRP cannot recommend funding for this project; there is inadequate justification and serious doubts regarding the feasibility for success. The benefit to focal species is highly uncertain, especially since the target is sockeye, but initial passage experiments are to be performed with coho. Moreover, there are likely to be negative impacts on non-target species, but this is not addressed. Technical and scientific background: Although the broad goal of reestablishing salmon to Cle Elum Lake is certainly supportable, the fact that lake trout are present in this lake essentially eliminates this proposal from serious consideration. The authors apparently did not complete a rigorous study of the literature or study of the existing knowledge of fish communities that include this voracious predator. The technical and scientific background was rather sparse and was not presented in a way that logically set up the entire program. There are a number of technical issues remaining unresolved; the least of which was why such a large, ambitious project would be planned with so little knowledge of the aquatic community present. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The rationale for doing this project is not compelling, as a priority need. Relationships to other projects: The proposed work fits with (but should come after) efforts of the Yakama Nation and others to net pen rear and release fish in the lake to assess passage success. Objectives: "The goal of this proposal is to maximize salmon smolt production from Cle Elum Lake by: 1) assessing how abiotic and biotic factors may limit the production of sockeye salmon smolts released from net pens within Cle Elum Lake, and 2) recommending management actions that will reduce production bottlenecks, if they occur (Phase I)." A shotgun approach costing $1 million is outlined to try to anticipate the factors that might be important bottlenecks for salmon rearing. While that might succeed, it is much more indirect, risky and expensive than the alternate approach of waiting until salmon are indeed rearing and then assessing predation directly, and salmon food selection directly. In any case, initiation of this proposal should be contingent upon the successful demonstration that lake-river fish passage in both directions is adequate. Tasks (work elements) and methods: Methods are adequately described but not necessarily appropriate, as mentioned above. Monitoring and evaluation: There was very little information offered on how this aspect would really be conducted - at least on a whole experiment level - some data analysis methods were given, but they do not represent a substitute for real M&E planning. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: It is unclear the likelihood for success would be good with existing facilities, equipment, and personnel. Information transfer: There appears to be no clear information transfer.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Not fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal and response are inadequate. The ISRP's preliminary recommendation of "Not fundable" stands. The ISRP's preliminary comments from June 2006: The ISRP cannot recommend funding for this project; there is inadequate justification and serious doubts regarding the feasibility for success. The benefit to focal species is highly uncertain, especially since the target is sockeye, but initial passage experiments are to be performed with coho. Moreover, there are likely to be negative impacts on non-target species, but this is not addressed. Technical and scientific background: Although the broad goal of reestablishing salmon to Cle Elum Lake is certainly supportable, the fact that lake trout are present in this lake essentially eliminates this proposal from serious consideration. The authors apparently did not complete a rigorous study of the literature or study of the existing knowledge of fish communities that include this voracious predator. The technical and scientific background was rather sparse and was not presented in a way that logically set up the entire program. There are a number of technical issues remaining unresolved; the least of which was why such a large, ambitious project would be planned with so little knowledge of the aquatic community present. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The rationale for doing this project is not compelling, as a priority need. Relationships to other projects: The proposed work fits with (but should come after) efforts of the Yakama Nation and others to net pen rear and release fish in the lake to assess passage success. Objectives: "The goal of this proposal is to maximize salmon smolt production from Cle Elum Lake by: 1) assessing how abiotic and biotic factors may limit the production of sockeye salmon smolts released from net pens within Cle Elum Lake, and 2) recommending management actions that will reduce production bottlenecks, if they occur (Phase I)." A shotgun approach costing $1 million is outlined to try to anticipate the factors that might be important bottlenecks for salmon rearing. While that might succeed, it is much more indirect, risky and expensive than the alternate approach of waiting until salmon are indeed rearing and then assessing predation directly, and salmon food selection directly. In any case, initiation of this proposal should be contingent upon the successful demonstration that lake-river fish passage in both directions is adequate. Tasks (work elements) and methods: Methods are adequately described but not necessarily appropriate, as mentioned above. Monitoring and evaluation: There was very little information offered on how this aspect would really be conducted - at least on a whole experiment level - some data analysis methods were given, but they do not represent a substitute for real M&E planning. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: It is unclear the likelihood for success would be good with existing facilities, equipment, and personnel. Information transfer: There appears to be no clear information transfer.