FY07-09 proposal 199800200

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleSnake River Native Salmonid Assessment
Proposal ID199800200
OrganizationIdaho Department of Fish & Game
Short descriptionThe goal is to secure long-term persistence of native salmonids in the Upper Snake River Basin, ideally at self-sustaining harvestable levels, by: 1) assessing current status; 2) identifying limiting factors; 3) developing recovery plans where necessary.
Information transferRecovery strategies and plans that we develop for native salmonids in the Upper Snake River Basin (phase III of project) will be based largely on what is learned in the first two phases of the project (current status assessment and limiting factor analysis). Basically we are trying to identify (1) what the pattern of distribution and abundance is for native salmonids, (2) why we see the patterns we see, and (3) what steps need to be taken to remedy situations where current status is inadequate to maintain long-term population viability.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Kevin Meyer IDFG kmeyer@idfg.idaho.gov
All assigned contacts
Kevin Meyer IDFG kmeyer@idfg.idaho.gov

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Middle Snake / Snake Upper Middle

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
Snake River and all tributaries No exact location; this work includes all of the middle and upper Snake Provinces from Hell's Canyon Dam to the Wyoming state line. Work has occurred mostly in Idaho but also in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Yellowstone Cutthroat
primary: Bull Trout
primary: Interior Redband Trout
secondary: Mountain Whitefish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments
2005 190 fish and habitat surveys completed (redband trout surveys complete). Yellowstone cutthroat genetic analysis and status assessment completed, 3 papers submitted to journals. Brook trout pheromone research (for a new removal method) completed.
2004 399 fish and habitat surveys completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout status assessment initiated. Bull trout status assessment conducted. Redband trout genetic analysis continued. Brook trout pheromone research (for a new removal method) initiated.
2003 474 fish and habitat surveys completed. Final year of brook trout removal completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout (1) trend and (2) maturity studies both published in journals. Redband trout genetic study initiated.
2002 359 fish and habitat surveys completed (Yellowstone cutthroat inventorying completed). Yellowstone cutthroat trout genetic analysis continued.
2001 365 fish and habitat surveys completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout limiting factor analysis initiated. Yellowstone cutthroat trout genetic collections initiated.
2000 254 fish and habitat surveys completed. Third year of brook trout removal evaluation completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout trend analysis completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout maturity schedule study initiated.
1999 198 fish and habitat surveys completed. Second year of brook trout removal evaluation completed. Yellowstone cutthroat trout trend analysis initiated.
1998 Started project in August 1998. 99 fish and habitat surveys completed. First year of brook trout removal evaluation (study to test the effectiveness of electrofishing to remove unwanted non-native fish from streams) initiated.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
Other: BLM [no entry] Challenge Cost Share Grant BLM provided funding ($67,000) to help pay for genetic analysis of redband trout to determine genetic purity, and genetic diversity and differentiation.
Other: BLM [no entry] Challenge Cost Share Grant BLM provided funding ($40,000) to help pay for a study on redband trout growth. This study will directly address the hypothesis that desert redband trout have a distinct ability to survive in water temperatures too high for other salmonids to survive. We are testing this ability in desert vs. nearby montane populations to investigate whether desert redband trout are truly unique in this ability. Such an ability would have ramifications for any management plan, status assessment, or recovery strategies for redband trout in the Upper Snake River Basin.
Other: BOR [no entry] BOR Fish and Wildlife Investigations The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has several ongoing projects in the Boise and Payette river basins. In conjunction with the Boise National Forest, BOR is monitoring trends in bull trout migration and abundance, and determining genetic population structure. We have used their fish inventories in our analyses of redband trout and bull trout status assessments. Results have been and will continue to be shared between projects. We are currently working with BOR and the Boise National Forest in their desire to start using the database constructed by us on our project. This database is fully compatible with the IDFG Statewide Stream Database that was recently finalized.
Other: US Forest Service [no entry] Fish and stream habitat inventorying USFS fish and stream habitat inventorying crews. We have gathered data from and shared data with several national forests (NF), including the Boise, Payette, Sawtooth, and Caribou-Targhee NFs. Such sharing has contributed to status assessments and limiting factor analyses for native salmonids throughout the Upper Snake River Basin. The Caribou-Targhee staff has worked with us on several projects and will provide cost-share in FY07-09 by assisting in determining brook trout distribution in four Sinks Drainage streams where we propose to conduct related chemical treatments to remove brook trout and restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Other: BLM [no entry] BLM Aquatic Investigations BLM has many ongoing projects in the Bruneau Field Office that we have been closely involved in and shared many resources, mostly personnel. They have regularly assisted us in our fish and habitat inventorying, and we participated in their study to determine redband trout trends in distribution and abundance (Zoellick et al. 2005).
BPA [no entry] New Proposal - 200721800 - Development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) genetic markers diagnostic between coastal rainbow trout and interior redband trout This proposed project would develop the ability to genetically identify redband trout populations that have hybridized with hatchery rainbow trout in the past. Such identification would be extremely useful for the redband trout status assessment the NSA project will be finalizing in the next 1-2 years.
Other: Private NGO [no entry] Henry's Fork Foundation Fish Research Crew We have worked directly with this entity (and others, such as Friends of the Teton River) on stream surveys in Yellowstone cutthroat trout range, and have shared data and obtained data from them for our status assessments.
Other: Idaho Department of Fish and Game D-J & License $ Wild Trout Research Project Over the span of 5 years, we will be and have been sharing expenses on native salmonid inventorying and status assessment and genetic analyses ($982,000 in cost-share). Their work has directly compliments ours and reduced the need for us to perform surveys in the Bruneau River subbasin and other adjacent watersheds.
Other: Idaho Department of Fish and Game D-J & License $ Regional Fisheries Staff IDFG regional biologists have contributed much time and effort collecting population distribution and abundance data that has been used extensively by this BPA project. An estimated 10% of the data summarized via the NSA project was actually collected by other IDFG staff using Dingell-Johnson (DJ) and license-supported dollars (estimated $247,000 in cost-share). They will be joint partners in conducting chemical treatments in the four Sinks Drainage streams in FY07-FY09 to remove brook trout and restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and will also participate in the rainbow trout hybridization reduction study from FY06-FY08.
Other: multiple state/federal/private sources [no entry] Pike's Fork Brook Trout Removal Project A Watershed Advisory Group (WAG) funded a project to remove brook trout from Pike’s Fork, and in a cost-share arrangement, we evaluated the success of the project to assess the value of such projects for any future restoration efforts we might implement for native salmonids in the Upper Snake River Basin. The cost of the project was estimated to be around $61,200, which did not include our evaluation.
Other: BLM and USFS [no entry] Mountain whitefish genetic analyses. For several years IDFG has worked with BLM and USFS on genetic analyses of mountain whitefish (USFS, BLM task DLF050569: $9,215 in cost-share). Genetic results from mitochondrial DNA sequencing from 11 populations support previous allozyme and microsatellite investigations that suggest that mountain whitefish across the study area are comprised of three distinct genetic assemblages: 1) Snake River (upstream from Shoshone Falls) and the Bonneville Basin; 2) the upper Missouri River Basin, and 3) the Snake River (downstream from Shoshone Falls) and the Salmon River Basin (IDFG unpublished data).

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Finalize status assessment for redband trout This objective will be to use all the existing data that was collected for this purpose, and finalize the status assessment for redband trout. It will include population delineation, population size estimates, genetic purity, diversity, and differentiation, and management recommendations. Boise/Payette/Weiser 3B1, 3C1, 3C2. Also applies to Bruneau and Mid-Snake plans.
Identify limiting factors for redband trout This objective will be to analyze (from already existing data on this project) factors that affect the distribution and abundance of redband trout. These products will identify many limiting factors, including landscape-level GIS data and water temperature data that is directly tied to redband trout distribution and abundance. It will help outline any further studies on limiting factors for redband trout. Boise/Payette/Weiser 3B1, 3C1, 3C2. Also applies to Bruneau and Mid-Snake plans
Reduce hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow This objective will be to evaluate whether two hybridized populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout can be reverted back to pure or nearly pure (< 10% hybridized) conditions. Upper Snake Limiting Factor L, Biological Objective 1, strategy d and e.
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout This objective the Yellowstone cutthroat trout status assessment to identify high-priority restoration streams where brook trout have replaced or nearly replaced cutthroat trout, and remove the brook trout with chemical treatments before re-establishing cutthroat trout. Upper Snake Limiting Factor L, Biological Objective 1, strategy d and e.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Remove or Relocate Non-predaceous Animals Remove brook trout and restore cutthroat trout. Remove brook trout from two streams using chemical treatment, and after brook trout are verified to by completely eradicated, translocate cutthroat trout from adjacent watersheds for restoration and range expansion. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $116,116
Biological objectives
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation NEPA Information to BPA for Project Activities Administering NEPA compliance will be done throughout this project, but it does not tie directly to any biological objective. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $10,556
Biological objectives
Metrics
Coordination Coordinating With Other Agencies and Entities Collaboration with other IDFG redband trout research project to finish redband trout status assessment and analyze limiting factors from existing data. Also, coordinate with USFS, NGO, IDFG regional staff, and others on finalizing candidate treatment streams for chemical treatment to remove brook trout and restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout. 7/1/2007 8/31/2010 $68,614
Biological objectives
Finalize status assessment for redband trout
Identify limiting factors for redband trout
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Management and Communication Managing and administering the project will be done throughout this project, but it does not tie directly to a biological objective. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $73,895
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Produce Annual Reports Annual reports will be produced each year and will report the findings from all project activities, studies, or recovery strategies implemented. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $58,058
Biological objectives
Finalize status assessment for redband trout
Identify limiting factors for redband trout
Reduce hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Analyze Collected Data to identify limiting factors for redband trout, assess the effectiveness of reducing hybridization in streams, and monitoring the success of the chemical treatment to remove brook trout. Data analysis and interpretation will be necessary for all biological objectives 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $232,233
Biological objectives
Finalize status assessment for redband trout
Identify limiting factors for redband trout
Reduce hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Remove rainbow trout and hybrids from streams and collect fin clips, and identify delineate brook trout distribution in candidate streams for chemical treatment Rainbow trout and hybrids will be removed in treatment streams for at least 2 but not more than 4 years to assess if Yellowstone cutthroat trout purity in the population increases; fin clips will be collected during these treatments. Also, exact brook trout distribution will be determined so the chemical treatment adequately removes all brook trout from the system. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $422,242
Biological objectives
Reduce hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database Manage data in the Basin-Wide Database Inventorying has for the most part been completed so further entry will be minimal, but maintaining the database and sharing data upon requests will go on indefinitely. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $21,112
Biological objectives
Metrics
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Presentations and Data Dissemination Presentations at chapter and divisional American Fisheries Society meetings will be made, and data will be shared with all interested and collaborative parties. 7/1/2007 6/30/2010 $52,780
Biological objectives
Finalize status assessment for redband trout
Identify limiting factors for redband trout
Reduce hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow
Restore cutthroat in streams with brook trout
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel permanent (2) and temporary (4+) staff $145,192 $149,549 $154,035
Fringe Benefits permanent (2) and temporary (4+) staff $41,416 $42,658 $43,938
Overhead 23.3% of operating and personnel $64,537 $66,473 $68,467
Travel gas and vehicles only $13,498 $13,903 $14,321
Supplies field gear, camp groceries, etc., $54,377 $56,008 $57,689
Other genetic labwork and analyses $22,500 $23,175 $23,870
Totals $341,520 $351,766 $362,320
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $1,055,606
Total work element budget: $1,055,606
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Difficult to predict cost-sharing 2-4 years away. A good predictor of future cost-share is looking at past cost-share and assuming a similar rate. $122,947 $126,636 $130,435 In-Kind Under Development
Totals $122,947 $126,636 $130,435

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $373,190
FY 2011 estimated budget: $373,190
Comments: These are estimates only.

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: 6/30/2016
Comments: We are on schedule to accomplish what was planned and outlined in the timeline originally proposed, thus we anticipate this project will terminate June 30, 2016. Phase I is basically finished with work commencing full-scale on Phase II - limiting factor analysis. Phase III is already being implemented on an experimental basis.

Final deliverables: 1) Status assessments for all four native salmonids in Upper Snake River Basin (Yellowstone cutthroat, redband trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish). 2) Complete analysis of the main factors that are most limiting populations of native salmonids in the Upper Snake River Basin, especially for those populations most at risk of extirpation. 3) Recovery plans for all four native salmonids outlining necessary actions, and implementation of the plans. 4) Over 2,500 population estimates of native salmonids. 5) qualitative data on non-game fish from these same 2,500 survey locations. 6) Genetic analyses from over 120 sites throughout the Upper Snake River Basin, describing genetic purity, genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, etc. 6) Sixteen annual reports, and numerous scientific journal articles (seven to date, 20+ anticipated).

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]
$341,520 $351,766 $362,320 $1,055,606 Expense ProvinceExpense Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$341,520 $351,766 $362,320 $0 ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is an exemplary outstanding proposal that continues the high standard of work and proposal writing previously presented by the sponsors. They are to be commended on a project that is clearly laid out, is marching steadily along toward its well-defined objectives, and is setting a standard for such work in the interior Rocky Mountain West. It should serve as a model for proposal writing and reporting of results for an ongoing proposal. The relationships to other projects section is exceptionally strong. The project history is very nicely done, with a truly impressive set of reports and manuscripts in press and already published.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is an exemplary outstanding proposal that continues the high standard of work and proposal writing previously presented by the sponsors. They are to be commended on a project that is clearly laid out, is marching steadily along toward its well-defined objectives, and is setting a standard for such work in the interior Rocky Mountain West. It should serve as a model for proposal writing and reporting of results for an ongoing proposal. The relationships to other projects section is exceptionally strong. The project history is very nicely done, with a truly impressive set of reports and manuscripts in press and already published.