FY07-09 proposal 200723300

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleDistribution and Abundance Monitoring of Oncorhynchus mykiss within the Lower Clearwater Subbasin
Proposal ID200723300
OrganizationNez Perce Tribe Dept. Fisheries Resource Management Watershed Division
Short descriptionProject will address the lack of spatial distribution and abundance data for the Lower Clearwater River subpopulation of the Snake River Basin steelhead DPS through electrofishing surveys conducted at probabilistically located sites.
Information transferSummaries of undeveloped fish and stream habitat data will be provided to the StreamNet database on an annual basis. Raw data will also be provided to agencies requesting site-specific information prior to data analysis and report development. Both annual summations of analyzed data and a final report of project findings will be produced and provided to federal, tribal, state and local departments and agencies including the Bonneville Power Administration. In addition to being housed within a Nez Perce Tribe fisheries office database, data will be transferred offsite to a Microsoft SQL Server database management system maintained by the Nez Perce Tribe Land Services Department. This relational database will be linked to an ESRI spatial data engine (ArcSDE) to facilitate secure inter-agency data mining while an ESRI ArcIMS (internet mapping service) will provide web-based geospatial data access and visualization to all internet users. GIS shapefiles developed from coordinate-linked textual fish and habitat data will be utilized in conjunction with existing land management, land cover, sedimentation, road crossing, and remote thermal imagery shapefiles to assist prioritization of watershed protection and enhancement strategies.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Clint Chandler Nez Perce Tribe clintc@nezperce.org
All assigned contacts
Clint Chandler Nez Perce Tribe clintc@nezperce.org

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Clearwater

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
46.4199 116.9908 stream Perennial tributaries to the Clearwater River (with exception of streams within the Potlatch River, Lapwai Creek, Big Canyon Creek and Lolo Creek watersheds); perennial tributaries to the South Fork Clearwater River between the Clearwater River confluence and Butcher Creek; and Maggie Creek, tributary to the Middle Fork Clearwater River.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Steelhead Snake River ESU
secondary: Coho Unspecified Population
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: All Resident Fish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199608600 Clearwater Focus Program-IDSCC Information generated from proposed project will enable this project to effectively address directive of guiding watershed protection and restoration strategies within the subbasin.
BPA 199706000 Clearwater Focus Watershed Np Information generated from proposed project will enable this project to effectively address directive of guiding watershed protection and restoration strategies within the subbasin.
BPA 199901600 Protect/Restore Big Canyon Cr. Information generated by proposed project will complement fish and habitat data collected within lower Clearwater subbasin by this project.
BPA 199901700 Rehabilitate Lapwai Creek Information generated by proposed project will complement fish and habitat data collected within lower Clearwater subbasin by this project.
PCSRF - Idaho 027 05 CW Potlatch River Steelhead Popul Abundance data generated by proposed project will complement subbasin A-run steelhead abundance data to be produced by this project.
PCSRF - CRITFC 2005-1-02 Clearwater River Coho Salmon M Proposed project will assist this project in monitoring and evaluating current extent of natural production, distribution of cultured and naturally produced coho, and stock lineage.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A Increase the number of naturally spawning A-run Steelhead adults to 4,900 as measured at Lower Granite Dam within 24 years. Clearwater 2. Define and establish anadromous index stocks within the Clearwater subbasin to evaluate...life history characteristics...as a measure of productivity.
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B Increase anadromous fish productivity and production, and life stage specific survival through habitat improvement. Clearwater 1. Identify and prioritize primary limiting factors in each PMU by anadromous life stage...Areas should be identified for protection as well as restoration.
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB Protect and restore an additional 300 miles of riparian habitats by 2017. Clearwater 1. Identify and prioritize riparian habitats for protection and restoration...Give highest priority to riparian habitats supporting spawning and rearing for anadromous and native resident salmonids.
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S Reduce instream sedimentation to levels meeting applicable water quality standards and measures, with an established upward trend in the number of stream miles meeting such criterion by 2017. Clearwater 3. Prioritize areas-inventory and prioritize areas where sediment reductions would be most beneficial to various target species.
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective U Improve aquatic habitat diversity and complexity to levels consistent with other objectives outlined in this document, with particular emphasis on recovery of anadromous (Table 3) and fluvial stocks. Clearwater 1...identify habitats that have been simplified to a degree detrimental to anadromous and resident populations.
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E Evaluate needs and opportunities to increase native resident populations of westslope cutthroat and bull trout throughout the subbasin by 2005. Clearwater 1...conduct subbasin-wide assessment of native resident fish populations to delineate areas of probable impacts and opportunities for restoration or enhancement.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Procure environmental compliance documents for data collection activities Provide BPA Environmental Compliance Group with information to support a NEPA categorical exclusion for data collection activities. Provide Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management with information to include within application for a NMFS scientific research permit authorizing take of species listed under section 10 (a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act. 3/1/2007 3/15/2007 $5,220
Biological objectives
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E
Metrics
Coordination Acquire survey access on privately owned lands Contact landowners, present project objectives and methods, request access to perform surveys at sample units located on private property. 4/16/2007 6/30/2009 $32,550
Biological objectives
Metrics
Coordination Coordinate with federal, state, tribal, local and private activities Coordinate project plan with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies to insure cooperation and collaboration between projects, avoiding interference with other projects or duplicity of resource expenditures. Disseminate project ideas, issues and preliminary findings with cooperating and interested departments and agencies. 3/1/2007 8/31/2009 $31,319
Biological objectives
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Management, Coordination and Communication Coordinate project activities, manage personnel, attend trainings and meetings, seek additional funding, manage budgets, and prepare and submit statements of work. 3/1/2007 2/28/2010 $136,284
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Produce Annual Report Produce annual report describing yearly activities, achievements and problems encountered. Include summary of data collected generated by project for year. 9/1/2007 2/28/2010 $31,314
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Pisces Status Report BPA Quarterly Reports Submit quarterly project status reports to BPA utilizing Pisces. 3/1/2007 12/1/2009 $15,660
Biological objectives
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Analysis of fish and habitat data Calculate O. mykiss length-age frequencies and condition factors. Analyze relationships between salmonid abundance and aquatic habitat parameters. Analyze salmonid capture efficiency relative to aquatic habitat variables and salmonid length. Calculate salmonid abundance estimates for each year of project and abundance mean for span of project. Calculate estimated salmonid abundance densities per m² and m³ as well as observed (captured) densities of all fish species per m² and m³. Analyze efficacy of open and closed-population models within study area. 9/1/2007 2/27/2010 $97,034
Biological objectives
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective U
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect Aquatic Habitat Data Collect data for ten aquatic habitat parameters; water temperature, conductivity, pH, turbidity, channel geomorphology, channel gradient, LWD, undercut bank, channel substrate and stream canopy cover. 7/1/2007 8/31/2007 $332,308
Biological objectives
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective U
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect Fish Distribution and Abundance Data Collect data from multiple pass mark-recapture and single pass electrofishing surveys. Identify, enumerate, weigh and measure all species. Collect DNA and scale samples from salmonid species subsamples. 7/1/2007 8/31/2009 $345,108
Biological objectives
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Determine locations of probabilistically selected sample units Identify universe, create sampling frame, draw sample points, subject points to reverse hierarchical ordering and identify probabilistic sample unit locations for collection of field data. 4/1/2007 4/15/2007 $5,220
Biological objectives
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective U
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E
Metrics
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Dissemination of data and results Summaries of undeveloped fish and stream habitat data will be provided to StreamNet database on an annual basis. Raw data will be provided to agencies requesting site-specific information prior to report development. Summations of data will be included within annual reports to BPA , while a final summary report of project results will be produced and provided to federal, tribal, state and local departments and agencies as well as BPA. Data will also be housed within a database storage system maintained by the NPT Land Services Department to provide web-based geospatial data access. 9/1/2007 2/28/2010 $42,579
Biological objectives
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 1, Objective A
Anadromous Fish Species, Problem 2, Objective B
Environmental, Problem 10, Objective BB
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective S
Environmental, Problem 7, Objective U
Resident Fish Species, Problem 4, Objective E
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel [blank] $179,322 $179,322 $179,322
Fringe Benefits [blank] $53,797 $53,797 $53,797
Supplies [blank] $20,980 $13,301 $13,301
Capital Equipment [blank] $12,800 $0 $0
Travel Includes GSA expenses $21,017 $21,017 $21,017
Overhead [blank] $82,352 $80,079 $80,079
Other Training $3,099 $3,099 $3,099
Totals $373,366 $350,614 $350,614
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $1,074,594
Total work element budget: $1,074,596
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)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: $0
FY 2011 estimated budget: $0
Comments:

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: 02/28/2010
Comments:

Final deliverables: Raw and processed data stored within sponsor database and a database management system maintained by the Nez Perce Tribe Land Services Department (database management system will be linked to both a spatial data engine to facilitate secure inter-agency data mining and an internet mapping service to provide web-based geospatial data access and visualization to all internet users). Final report summation of analyzed and manipulated data. GIS shapefiles developed from coordinate-linked textual data. Report of scientific findings if final analysis of abundance estimation techniques reveal clear conclusions.

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]
$220,000 $220,000 $220,000 $660,000 Expense ProvinceExpense Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$220,000 $220,000 $220,000 $0 ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is a thorough, well-written proposal that is targeted on priority species and habitats. The methods should yield good quality data to help guide restoration and habitat management in the Lower Clearwater Basin. The summary of the geographic area and the lack of data on salmonids in these streams are emphasized. The proposal identifies that the subbasin plan calls for improving the data on status and trends of steelhead in these ignored habitats. It would be helpful to include the VSP metrics (abundance, productivity, diversity, and geographic distribution) for steelhead that is expected by the Interior Columbia TRT in these streams when "recovered." The proponents have developed linkages and potential collaborations with a number of key agencies concerned with the Clearwater Basin. There is good potential for integration. The goal of the project to assist in recovery serves as an overarching biological objective. The objectives are clearly defined, and measurable: "to obtain reliable data on abundance and distribution of steelhead in the Lower Clearwater Basin" The methods were well described and show that a lot of thought has gone into the proposed fieldwork. The use of randomized site selection and thoughtful consideration of fish sampling methods (open versus blocked sample areas, mark/recapture versus depletion estimation of abundance) is excellent. A minor comment, the proponents should consider a physiological measure (possibly lipid content) instead of the usual condition factor (Carlander 1969) that they propose. A missing element is evaluating upland watershed conditions that drive the status of the in stream habitat and likely the steelhead populations. Ultimately correcting these watershed elements is going to be needed. The project will primarily benefit steelhead because new data on these populations will be obtained. The information should stimulate further habitat restoration such as vegetation planting to control sediment (p. 5 of narrative). Preliminary observations indicate coho have expanded their range in the Basin, and if confirmed this could be an important finding providing benefits for coho salmon as well.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is a thorough, well-written proposal that is targeted on priority species and habitats. The methods should yield good quality data to help guide restoration and habitat management in the Lower Clearwater Basin. The summary of the geographic area and the lack of data on salmonids in these streams are emphasized. The proposal identifies that the subbasin plan calls for improving the data on status and trends of steelhead in these ignored habitats. It would be helpful to include the VSP metrics (abundance, productivity, diversity, and geographic distribution) for steelhead that is expected by the Interior Columbia TRT in these streams when "recovered." The proponents have developed linkages and potential collaborations with a number of key agencies concerned with the Clearwater Basin. There is good potential for integration. The goal of the project to assist in recovery serves as an overarching biological objective. The objectives are clearly defined, and measurable: "to obtain reliable data on abundance and distribution of steelhead in the Lower Clearwater Basin" The methods were well described and show that a lot of thought has gone into the proposed fieldwork. The use of randomized site selection and thoughtful consideration of fish sampling methods (open versus blocked sample areas, mark/recapture versus depletion estimation of abundance) is excellent. A minor comment, the proponents should consider a physiological measure (possibly lipid content) instead of the usual condition factor (Carlander 1969) that they propose. A missing element is evaluating upland watershed conditions that drive the status of the in stream habitat and likely the steelhead populations. Ultimately correcting these watershed elements is going to be needed. The project will primarily benefit steelhead because new data on these populations will be obtained. The information should stimulate further habitat restoration such as vegetation planting to control sediment (p. 5 of narrative). Preliminary observations indicate coho have expanded their range in the Basin, and if confirmed this could be an important finding providing benefits for coho salmon as well.