FY07-09 proposal 200722300

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleGenetic characteristics and movement patterns of bull trout populations between Chief Joseph and McNary Dams, within the Columbia Cascade and Columbia Plateau Provinces
Proposal ID200722300
OrganizationUS Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Short descriptionProposed work is to use existing and new bull trout population information. Approach will use genetic analysis techniques, radio telemetry and pit tagging will be used to look at populations (same as new project 200722200 in the Columbia Plateau Province
Information transferInformation will be available in report format, on computer disks, and givin in presentations, and likely publications. It will be in a format that is usable by all agencies in the Columbia River Basin.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Judy De La Vergne U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service judy_delavergne@fws.gov
All assigned contacts
William Ardren US Fish and Wildlife - Abernathy Fish Technology Center william_ardren@fws.gov
Judy De La Vergne U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service judy_delavergne@fws.gov
Denise Hawkins WDFW - Main Office in Olympia hawkidkh@DFW.WA.GOV

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Yakima

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
46°16' N 119°15' W Columbia River Point is located just upstream of the mouth of the Yakima River
47°27' N 120°18' W Columbia River Point is located just upstream of the Mouth of the Wenatchee River
47°39' N 120°13' W Entiat River and tributaries Mouth of the Entiat R.
48°2' N 119°54' W Methow River and tributaries Mouth of the Methow R
47°27' N 120°19' W Wenatchee River and tributaries Mouth of the Wenatchee R.
46°15' N 119°15' W Yakima River and tributaries Mouth of the Yakima R.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Bull Trout
secondary: Brook Trout

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 200301700 Integrated Status/Effect Progr Will coordinate with the USFS and use some existing data to assist with population evaluations (BPA intergovernmentat Contract # 00017492)
Other: Other:BPA 120°19' W Mouth Evaluate distribution, abundance, genetic structure, and habitat use of bull trout populaitons in the Columbia Cascades Province This project is similar to the proposal which was submitted/reviewed in 2003. It was recommended for funding and was ranked high priority by the ISRP at that time but did not get funded, see the review.
Other: Other: Federal NOAA 2000 NOAA FCRPS Biological Opinion This project actually relates to RPA #1, 7, 155, 167, 193, 198. It provides data necessary to develop plans to implement BO offsite mitigation, populatikon monitoring and adaptive management, and data management
Other: Other: Chelan/Douglas County PUDs Movement Of Bull Trout Within The Mid-Columbia River and Tributaries, 2001-2004 WIll use some existing data, genetic samples, snorkel survey and vi WIll use some existing data, genetic samples, snorkel survey and video tape data to assist with population evaluations
Other: Other: Chelan/Douglas County Reliscencing Bull trout management plans: Ongoing movement studies Will cooperate and calibrate with ongoing PUD radiotelemetry work as well as use existing data and genetic samples Will cooperate and calibrate with ongoing PUD radiotelemetry work as well as use existing data and genetic samples to assist with population evaluations
Other: Other: WDFW Smolt monitorin PUD/WDFW Smolt Monitoring Program Will collect genetic samples in same locations as smolt traps if needed. Existing samples
Other: Other: Univ of MT Wild Trout Gentics Lab Spruell, et al. Conservation genetics of bull trout: geographic distribution of variation at microsatellite loci. Existing data and genetic samples to assist with populaiton Existing data and genetic samples to assist with populaiton evaluations
Other: Other: Federal USFS USFS annal monitoring, including monitoring associated with thier BPA intergovernmentat Contract # 00017492, Integrated Status and Efficiency Monitoring Program Project #2003-17 Will use some existing data, genetic samples, snorkel surveys, and habitat surveys to assist with population evaluations
Other: Other: Federal USFS/USFWS/UofI Bull Trout Telemery Synthesis Data collected and techniques used will be used to assist with development of protocols for future telemetry work and assisst in larger scale adult habitat use across the range of bull trout
Other: Other: Federal USFWS-CRFPO Bull Trout Recovery Plan RM&E work This project will assist this team with efforts to desgin bull trout protocols for looking at adult movement, population surveys, and genetics across the species range
Other: Other: Federal USFWS-CWFO Movement Patterns of Adult Bull Trout in the Wenatchee River Basin,Washington Will use existing telemetry data, genetic samples, and spawning survey data to help with population evaluation
Other: Other: Federal USFWS-MCFRO Entiat Bull Trout Telemetry Project Will use existing telemetry data, genetic samples, spawning survey data to assist with population evaluation
Other: FederalOther: Federal USFWS-MCFRO Methow Bull Trout Telemetry Project Will use some existing data, genetic samples, snorkel surveys, and habitat surveys to assist with population evaluations
Other: Other: Federal USFWS-UCFWO 2000 USFWS FCRPS Biological Opinion This project will assist BPA with meeting Reasonable and Prudent Measure # 8; Term and Condition # 1,2,3; and Conservation Measure # 6
Other: Other: Federal USGS/BOR Lower Methow Tributaries Intensive Effectiveness Monitoring Study Will use existing and future pit tag and population data and genetic samples to assist with populaiton evaluations
Other: Other: Federal/WDFW WDFW Yakima Bull Trout Population Assessments Will use existing data and piggy back on to a re-analysis of Yuki Reiss's Thesis data to futher evaluate populations
Other: Other: Federal/WDFW WDFW/USFWS Yakima Basin Bull Trout Radio-Telemetry Study Will use some existing data, genetic samples, snorkel surveys and habitat data to assist with population evaluation

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia Address knowledge for data gaps identified in subbasin and recovery plans with respect to population assignments, distribution, habitat use, and hybridization with brook trout. This will occur in the Methow, Entiat, Wenatchee, Yakima sub basins and mainstem Columbia River. Measurable metrics will be at multiple scales and across subbasins in terms of distance traveled, timing of movement patterns, locations observed, distribution patterns, habitats used, fmorphological characteristics observed, and population assignment tests including brook trout hybridization tests Upper Middle Columbia Complete life history and habitat use studies
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia see same objective above Methow . Maintain current distribution of bull trout, and restore distribution within the Methow Core Area. 2. Maintain stable or increasing trends in abundance of bull trout. 4. Conserve genetic diversity and provide opportunity for genetic exchange
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia see this same objective above Methow Strategy 6. Reduce or eliminate effect from non-native species. This includes brook trout eradication and discontinuation of stocking non-native species.
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Methow 1. Complete genetic study on fluvial and resident bull trout. 2. Investigate the resident/fluvial interaction. 3. & 4. Complete a population and life history study throughout the basin
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Entiat - Evaluate bull trout populations
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Entiat Four parameters form the key to evaluating and measuring the status of a population’s health. They are: abundance (population size), population growth rate, population spatial structure and life history diversity. These parameters are reasonable predictor
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Wenatchee Evaluate and measure the status of a population’s health using 1)abundance (population size), 2)population growth rate, 3)population spatial structure and 4)life history diversity. These parameters are reasonable predictors for extinction risk
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Wenatchee control or eradicate brook trout
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Lower Middle Columbia The Council, Bonneville, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) intend to use adopted subbasin plans to help meet requirements of the 2000 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion. NOAA Fisheries and the USFWS have 3
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Yakima Eliminate brook trout in bull trout habitat
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia See same objective above Yakima -Examine bull trout habitat use - Examine risk of extinction in bull trout populations using redd surveys, snorkel surveys, or other population information such as genetics

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Produce Permits, NEPA compliance documentation, Produce permit reports Update permits to include work, develop NEPA documentation 10/1/2006 12/30/2009 $18,239
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Manage Project: Coordinate work, Oversee Budget and Agreements/contracts Develop agreements, coordinate work, hold informational meetings, assisst with reports and presentations, Oversee budget, Assisst with coordinating used of equipment. (Includes F&Wbiologist, admin, 1st line supervisor, and Field Office supervisor costs) 10/1/2006 12/30/2009 $39,792
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Genetics: Analyze and interprate/report results of data collection for the genetics samples collected at multiple scales and for brook trout hybridization Assess the population structure of bull trout samples gathered at the local, core, and Columbia River DPS scale and include brook trout hybridization and introgression analysis' 4/1/2007 9/30/2009 $64,768
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Focal Area: Tributary
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Focal Area: Emerging issues
Focal Area: Systemwide
Secondary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Secondary R, M, and E Type: status and trend monitoring - Tier 1
Analyze/Interpret Data Telmetry, pit tag, and population data: Analyze and Interpret results of telemetry, pit tagging, and other gathered data Conduct analysis of data and interpret/report result at multiple scales including in such a way as to overlay information from Genetics, telemetry, pit tagging, and other habitat or population data 12/1/2007 9/30/2009 $269,307
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Focal Area: Tributaries
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Focal Area: Emerging issues
Focal Area: Systemwide
Secondary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Secondary R, M, and E Type: status and trend monitoring-Tier 1 monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect telemetry and pit tag data (locations, seasonal, diurnal), temperature data, flow data, redd location data, snorkel data, from existing, ongioing, and new telemetry work to compile data in the mid-Columbia River Assess such life history attributes as distribution, spawning and rearing areas, overwinting areas, timing of migration, connectivity issues, etc.using existing, ongoing, and new radio telemetry and pit tag data, habitat data (Flow, temperature, etc) and spawning/rearing or other population data. Calibrate movement data with genetics assignments 4/1/2007 9/30/2009 $511,684
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Focal Area: Tributaries
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Secondary R, M, and E Type: status and trend monitoring-Tier 1 monitoring
Focal Area: Emerging issues
Focal Area: Systemwide
Secondary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Genetics: Gather existing and new samples to evaluate population assignments in mid-Columbia Area between the Cheif Joseph Dam and McNary Dam Genetics samples will be pooled from existing studies as applicable, while additional samples would be collected to reach a total of 30-50 samples for each local population. All samples will have assignment tests and brook trout bull trout hybrid tests ran on them using microsatellite analsysis. Additional analysis will be done to compare populations in the Mid-Columbia to populations in other portions of the Columbia basin or within the Columbia River Distinct Population Segment and conduct a pilot study analysis for hybrid introgression of the invasive brook trout into the American and Twisp populations of bull trout 4/1/2007 9/30/2009 $260,672
Biological objectives
Assess bull trout populations in the Mid-Columbia
Metrics
Focal Area: Tributaries
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Focal Area: Systemwide
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties research
Focal Area: Emerging issues
Secondary R, M, and E Type: status and trend monitoring-Tier 1 monitoring
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Disseminate Results of data from all studies in this project Present finding to managers and other interested parties. Combine results into format that can be shared. Disseminate in report, journal, and/or cd format 12/30/2007 9/30/2009 $9,120
Biological objectives
Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data Submit Pit tag data to PTAGIS and Telemetry data to the synthesis research for all bull trout work Submit data to be uploaded into PTAGIS and radio telemetry and habitat data into larger data sets for the Columbia Basin or across the range of bull trout 4/1/2007 9/30/2009 $26,931
Biological objectives
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Genetics: 2 USFS GS7 temp(6mos)- Tissue collection crew-Upper Col $36,000 $37,080 $38,192
Personnel 2 WDFW seasonals (Sci Tech & Bio 2)-Tissue collection/snorkel crew - Yakima $34,590 $35,628 $0
Travel USFS- Tissue col. crew travel/vehicle costs and misc equip.-Upper Col $6,000 $6,180 $6,365
Travel WDFW-Tissue col crew travel/vehicle and misc -Yakima $9,000 $9,270 $0
Other WDFW-Genetics sample analysis-Yakima&Brook Trout - (~220 samples) $0 $14,200 $0
Other USFWS-Gentics samples analysis-Upper Col. (~600) samples) $0 $0 $30,000
Other Univ of MT Genetic samples analysis - (150 samples) $0 $0 $7,500
Overhead Overhead assoc. with USFS Tissue sampling crew(19.8%) $8,316 $8,566 $8,822
Overhead Overhead assoc. with WDFW Tissue sampling crew-Yakima(28.8%) $12,544 $12,931 $0
Overhead Overhead assoc. with WDFW genetics analysis (28.8%) $0 $3,168 $0
Overhead Overhead assoc. with USFWS genetics analsysis(25.5%) $0 $0 $7,650
Personnel Telemetry: USFWS-MCFRO Telemetry crew (~1 GS11, 1 GS9, 2 GS5s, 1GS 7, admin) adding to the existing project which begins in 2006) $101,062 $105,684 $110,445
Personnel Extend 2 WDFW Twisp seasonals (Sci Techs)- $7,866 $8,102 $8,345
Travel USFWS-MCFRO Travel/Vehicle for telemetry crews $ $29,333 $30,212 $31,118
Travel WDFW-Travel/Vehicle for Twisp Telemetry Crews $2,450 $2,524 $2,600
Supplies USFWS- MCFRO Telemetry misc supplies $2,000 $2,060 $2,120
Other USFWS-MCFRO-radio tags (30) $7,787 $0 $0
Other USFWS-MCFRO Telemetry air flights (10/year) $9,000 $9,270 $9,548
Overhead Overhead assoc. with USFWS-MCFRO Telemetry costs (25.5%) $38,041 $37,543 $39,074
Overhead Overhead assoc. with WDFW telmetry/survey costs(28.8%) $2,971 $3,060 $3,152
Personnel USGS-Pit tag crew (extending and adding to exisiting infrastructure $37,625 $37,625 $45,299
Travel USGS Travel/Vehicle for pit tag crew $2,754 $2,754 $2,754
Supplies USGS Misc Pit tagging supplies, adding to and extending existing infrastructure $4,800 $1,500 $1,500
Other USGS Pit Tags $1,125 $1,125 $1,125
Other USGS Facilities in Twisp $1,355 $1,256 $1,487
Overhead Overhead associated with USGS pit tagging costs $19,337 $17,925 $21,210
Personnel USFWS:Project management/Administration: includeds permitting, disseminating data, contract managment, office management (rate = biologist rate and admin rates; (with 22% overhead on top of that for RO) $26,342 $17,123 $17,123
Totals $400,298 $404,786 $395,429
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $1,200,513
Total work element budget: $1,200,513
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Chelan Co PUD Cost of the genetic analysis for mainstem Columbia River bull trout that were radio tagged $4,000 $4,000 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Chelan Co PUD Cost of mainstem Col River radio telemetry, ongoing in Chelan County centered at Rock Island Dam $120,250 $120,250 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Douglas Co PUD Cost of the genetic analysis for mainstem Columbia River bull trout that were radio tagged $1,500 $1,500 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Douglas Co PUD Cost of mainstem Col River radio telemetry, ongoing in Douglas County centered at Wells Dam $96,667 $96,667 $96,667 In-Kind Confirmed
USFWS 53,000/year and 30 radio tags, 7 Rxs and stationary sight setup, etc. $156,000 $53,000 $53,000 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Genetic analysis of bull trout samples in the Yakima; rerunning existing samples with new loci $10,000 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Totals $388,417 $275,417 $149,667

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $0
FY 2011 estimated budget: $0
Comments:

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: 5/31/2010
Comments: Termination is into 2010 because of potential tracking still occurring into Winter of 2009/early spring 2010.

Final deliverables: Final Report, CD, Data, GIS layers, will be delivered in a format for use by managers within the Columbia River Basin. There will likely be a publication after the final report. Delivery will be in the fall/winter of 2010 depending on tracking time period

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

200722300ver2n.doc Jul 2006
Genetic sample tablejd7-06 Jul 2006
ISRPresponses7-14-06jdelavergne.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 problem identified is that there is widespread uncertainty about the population structure, distribution, abundance, and habitat use of bull trout in the Basin. Sponsors intend to reduce the uncertainty about bull trout metapopulation dynamics by tagging and following fish, and by inferring migration and interrelationships from genetic data. The genotyping to complete the population structure assessment of bull trout and hybridization dynamics is justified. However, given that bull trout move around so much, it is not clear what will be measured by evaluating allele frequency differences of fish from different streams. Many of them may reshuffle in another year or so, and the sponsors have not addressed that difficulty. For these same reasons using assignment tests may be meaningless under these biological conditions. A more thorough justification is needed to conclude that the telemetry work is not adequately being covered by other projects in the basin. In view of previous work on this topic by these people, it is disappointing that they did not clearly frame the bull trout problems based on their ongoing work. Before funding would be considered, the results of the ongoing study should be clearly used, evaluated, and understood, and there is no indication yet that they are, either with reference to the basin or more broadly in bull trout conservation in the basin and beyond. Chelan and Douglas PUDs are implementing radio telemetry within the mainstem Columbia River. The proposed work will extend that effort to the full basin. The technical background does not establish the necessity of this expanded work. How will this proposal lead to more complete assessments of bull trout, and reduce uncertainty in the management options facing the region? Reiman and Allendorf (2001) is not in the citations; Manel et al. (2005) has an incomplete citation. Deficiencies in the methods section include a lack of information on the number and location of samples needed to complete the genetic survey of population structure of bull trout. In the background section, a table of the locations that have been analyzed to date could be included, with a summary of the needed sampling to complete this effort in the Columbia River basin. More detail is needed on how each of the seven hypotheses will be evaluated. It is not clear what Hypothesis 5 means (Movements of bull trout depict how they are assigned using genetic assignment tests). If fish being tracked with telemetry go to reaches without arrays, how do you know it and incorporate that into the movement and survival estimates? Completing the population structure analysis will benefit bull trout management. It is much less clear that the telemetry work will add to the broader understanding of life-history diversity in bull trout. At what point can migration and life-history variation studies in other subbasins be generalized and incorporated into the habitat, water quality, and water diversion standards needed to protect and restore bull trout?


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: Sponsors of 200722300 responded to the questions raised by the ISRP and updated the proposal narrative. The ISRP preliminary review found weakness in the proposal because of apparent duplication of radio telemetry studies between this proposal and ongoing work in the mainstem Columbia River, and a lack of management purpose and linkage between the life-history investigations proposed and actions to protect or restore bull trout populations. Sponsors clarify the relationship between the proposed radio telemetry and other investigations. They also identify how telemetry investigations and genetic assignment are needed to fully understand the inter-relationships of the fish from different subbasins and tributaries. The response portion could have provided more convincing evidence of the management need for the data they are proposing to collect. However, when combined together with the additions to the narrative, a reasonable case is made for the need for this data to adequately protect bull trout. There is a continuing need to identify how this information can be used to develop management strategies to restore bull trout.