FY07-09 proposal 200735900

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleApplication and enhancement of monitoring protocols for assessing productivity and watershed condition in headwater subcatchments of the John Day subbasin
Proposal ID200735900
OrganizationPNW Research Station -- Wenatchee
Short descriptionWe developed monitoring protocols for assessing watershed condition in the headwaters of the Wenatchee sub-basin and we propose to test the same techniques and evaluate the effects of landscape-scale factors in the John Day sub-basin.
Information transferResults will be reported in progress reports, presentations at professional and client meetings, and refereed publications, including peer-review journals. Professional meetings may include workshops, meetings of interested parties, such as subbasin planning units, or meetings of professional, scientific societies. These presentations are intended to convey the context of the work in terms of its application to salmon recovery efforts in the ICRB, actual analyses and results, and recommendations for further studies to continue clarification of scientific uncertainties associated with monitoring of status, trends, and effectiveness of recovery actions.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Karl Polivka USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station kpolivka@fs.fed.us
All assigned contacts
Karl Polivka USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station kpolivka@fs.fed.us

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / John Day

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
John Day Headwater streams throughout the John Day subbasin, subject to distribution within selected ecological subregions (see Work Elements)

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Anadromous Salmonids
secondary: All Resident Fish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 200301700 Integrated Status/Effect Progr Our work in the Wenatchee sub-basin is encompassed in the overall fish habitat montoring program in that subbasin. We propose to apply similar techniques to headwater monintoring in the John Day subbasin
BPA 200303600 CBFWA Monitor/Eval Program [Relationship field left blank]

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Overall Aquatic Ecosystem Health The John Day Subbasin Plan states a goal to improve focal fish species performance following the establishment of habitat objectives. John Day Our work contributes to this objective because it establishes a direct link between the regional factors that control the delivery of important food resources from fishless reaches to fish-bearing reaches of headwater streams.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Analyze/Interpret Data Data Analysis A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (SAS 1990) will be used to test for significant effects of land-use and ecoregion, and for land-use × ecoregion interaction (a = 0.05). Response variables (dependent variables) will be nutrient concentrations, total invertebrate count density (number of macroinvertebrates?m-3 water), total biomass density (mg dry mass of macroinvertebrates ?m-3 water), macroinvertebrate species richness and diversity, functional feeding group composition, detritus density (mg AFDM?m-3 water), PAR and periphyton AFDM, and fish standing stock, density, growth and lipid levels. Fish behavioral responses will include the effects of group size, individual fish dominance rank, and productivity on foraging attempts per minute, patch residence time, and number of aggressive interactions per minute. All response variables will be logarithmic transformed (ln (x + 0.1)) to meet ANOVA assumptions of normally distributed residuals and equal variances among groups if needed. We will further compare invertebrate community similarity among headwater streams, among ecoregion and land-use category, and between headwater streams and fish-bearing regions using multivariate ordination methods. For analysis of subcatchment-scale physical variables, the following will be treated as independent variables that hypothetically affect dependent variables characterizing aquatic productivity: patterns of discharge, water temperature, turbidity, precipitation, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, channel type (and associated components such as gradient and channel geometry), recency and of channel-modifying disturbance, and generalized frequency and severity of such disturbances. Because these dependent variables will not be measured continuously, categories of independent variables will be created based on the magnitude range and pattern of each. Variables measured at only eight of the sites will initially be assessed by qualitatively relating associated time series with dynamics of aquatic productivity and productivity surrogates. Although replication will be too limited to quantitatively establish relationships among many independent and dependent variables, observed trends in time series of data will provide a foundation for hypothesis generation and perhaps statistical power analyses that estimate sample sizes required for rigorous hypothesis testing in future study designs more focused on these particular questions, thereby informing future restoration planning and guiding protocol development for cause and effect monitoring of restoration actions.. 10/1/2008 9/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect and process invertebrate transport data Invertebrates (aquatic and terrestrial) and organic detritus (i.e., particulate organic matter =250-µm) will be collected with a 250-µm net attached to one end of a 75-cm long, 10-cm diameter plastic pipe frame, which will rest on the stream bottom. One frame per stream with attached net will be secured with sandbags in the middle of each stream. Because the sampler will be placed on the stream bottom, seston will be captured (suspended particulate organic matter) as well as bedload particulate organic matter, which will be collectively labeled detritus, and macroinvertebrates in the drift as well as those moving downstream along the streambed. Facilitated by high stream gradient, the downstream end of each horizontal pipe will rest above the stream surface; discharge through the sampler will be determined by recording the time taken to fill a container of known volume. Discharge will be measured during each sampling period, a mean calculated, and this value used to determine the density of invertebrates (individuals m-3) and detritus (= 250-µm diameter, g m-3). Most of the streams are expected to be sufficiently small to allow for the entire streamflow to pass through the pipes. If not, the percentage relative to the total streamflow will be estimated. This fraction will be used to extrapolate the transport measured through the net for the whole stream. Replicates will be streams within each land-use and ecoregion (n = 15). Streams will be sampled continuously for invertebrates and detritus over a 48-h period once every two months annually for all sites. In addition, we will deploy drift nets in fish-bearing reaches to estimate productivity and macroinvertebrate community similarity where fish are foraging. Invertebrates will be sorted from detritus after being placed in 70% EtOH in the field. They will be identified to the lowest reliable taxon, their body lengths measured, and dry mass determined using taxon-specific length-mass regression equations (Rogers et al. 1977; Smock 1980; Meyer 1989; Sample et al. 1993; Burgherr and Meyer 1997). Invertebrates will be categorized as either aquatic or terrestrial if they were a product of aquatic or terrestrial secondary production, respectively (Wipfli 1997). Expertise of our personnel enables taxonomic identification of aquatic invertebrates usually to genus. Terrestrial invertebrates, which are common in stream drift, will be identified to Order and Family for most taxa; and to Genus for the most common taxa. The remainder of the sample (detrital component) will be oven-dried, weighed, ashed (at 500º C for 5 h), and reweighed to determine ash-free dry mass (AFDM). 7/1/2007 9/30/2009 $255,108
Biological objectives
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Collect population and behavioral data on fish Fish will be captured with baited Gee minnow traps, electrofishing when necessary, and by seining in pools within 50-m downstream of the zone of contact between the fishless and fish-bearing habitats (headwater ‘treatment’), and in pools within 50-m upstream of this zone (control), for determining fish responses (including diet) resulting from prey delivery from the headwater tributaries. Because we will likely encounter ESA-listed anadromous salmonids such as spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. myskiss), we will use the most passive methods possible to estimate fish population size after obtaining the necessary permissions. Removal methods using minnow traps are much less harmful than electrofishing and impart less mechanical stress to fish than seining. With a careful sampling protocol, removal sampling with minnow traps can estimate fish density in a short (~ 1 d) time period (Bryant 2000). All captured fish will be placed in buckets of fresh stream water and monitored constantly until being returned alive to the stream. Additional estimates of fish population size will be made by snorkeling during both daytime and evening hours to account for variation in fish activity. We will conduct additional sampling of fish at pools 100 m and 150 m downstream to gain further information on the spatial extent of any effects generated by prey and nutrient input from headwater streams. In order to link the relative contribution of invertebrate-based food webs found in the headwater streams and that of the fish-bearing streams to the condition of relevant fish populations, we must use some direct measures of fish responses to differences in food availability. Analysis of fish diet, condition and behavior will enable us to establish how strongly connected the energetic inputs of headwater streams are to the persistence of resident and anadromous species. During regular sampling of fish at our study sites we will anesthetize individuals of all species with MS-222® and use gastric lavage techniques (Meehan and Miller 1978) to obtain a sample of consumed prey. Although somewhat invasive, Meehan and Miller (1978) obtained high survival rates and pilot studies on hatchery-derived juvenile coho salmon (O. kisutch) in our study system resulted in full recovery with no immediate mortality (Polivka unpubl. data). Following sample collection and preservation, gut contents will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine whether the assemblage of taxa consumed by fish can be linked to either headwater or mainstem production. Finally, we will sacrifice 5-10 individuals of each species not listed under the ESA as permitting stipulations and local densities allow at each site for whole-body lipid analysis, a reliable indicator of fish condition (Simpkins et al. 2003). Measurement of foraging behavior Foraging behavior of actively foraging drift-feeding anadromous salmonids will be quantified in the field by a single observer using focal animal surveys (Altmann 1974) in stream pools or other occupied microhabitat patches. Observations will generally not be conducted for benthic sit-and-wait foragers such as sculpins. For each fish observed, the number of foraging attempts per minute will be recorded for a thirty minute period or until the individual quits foraging in the given patch, whichever comes first. Patch residence times of shorter duration than 30 min. will be documented. Additionally, the number and identity of other individuals foraging in the patch will be recorded as will aggressive behaviors such as displays, nips, and chases between individuals. Physical dimensions of the patch will be measured and productivity estimated from drift samples described above to determine mechanistic relationships between fish production and the carrying capacity of stream reaches. Foraging theory predicts that productivity is an important determinant of group size and dynamics such as residence time at the patch scale (Giraldeau and Caraco 2000) and the use of and competition for foraging patches may be an important indicator of fish carrying capacity, particularly where headwaters may contribute to productivity. Measurement of density dependence During regular fish censuses (see above), we will mark fish with visual implant elastomer marking and assign each fish unique color patterns for individual growth and survival estimates. Whole season trends in growth and condition will enable us to make corrections for size-dependent growth functions typically encountered in fish populations (Ricker 1975) and avoid analysis errors that occur by encountering different size fish in our growth assays. We will further compare the performance of fish after repeated estimates of density obtained through snorkeling, trapping, electrofishing (in accordance with permitting limitations) or seining. We will compare growth and survivorship of fish immediately downstream of the non-fish-bearing reach with those in reaches further downstream such as main tributaries which are not as likely to be influenced by processes that act only in headwaters. Because mark and recapture data are effective means of obtaining growth rates, density manipulations can be performed in the fish bearing reaches of headwater streams. We will construct small rectangular enclosures in 4-5 replicate streams within each ecoregion, 1.5 m2 in size with 6 mm mesh hardware cloth to permit the inflow of drifting macroinvertebrates. Three density treatments will consist of ambient density of fish based on pilot observations and initial censuses, double the ambient density and 0.5 ambient density. Fish in enclosures will be censused weekly for growth and condition and performance in terms of growth will be used as a correlate of habitat suitability. We expect this relationship to be linear and different for natural vs. artificial pools. We will analyze growth data with a split-plot ANOVA where the type of pool will be the whole-plot factor and the density treatment will be the subplot factor. From growth and density data, we will calculate isodars and expect them to reflect different levels of habitat suitability depending on the top-down spatial factors that regulate macroinvertebrate drift if fish production is strongly coupled with headwater delivery in such a way that the system can be described as a subsidy. Thus, isodars will serve an essential role in determining whether headwater streams mechanistically influence population-level processes for fish immediately downstream, thereby providing managers with a stronger means of assessing the effectiveness of projects of this type. 7/1/2008 9/30/2009 $127,020
Biological objectives
Metrics
Secondary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Data Collection -- Physical attributes of streams Study streams will be small (bed width generally <2 m; drainage area < 40 ha). Streams selected will contain surface flow during all sampling bouts, but flow may be negligible for some streams during dry periods. Their high gradient and lack of fish habitat will likely be the factors preventing fish from colonizing reaches upstream of our sampling sites, although fish will be present downstream of study reaches. Sampling sites (points along the stream) will be selected that contain no fish, but upstream of systems with fish, to assess the actual contribution of material from fishless headwaters to fish-bearing habitats. We will confirm that our study streams lack fish by electrofishing, minnow-trapping and dip-netting reaches that plausibly could contain fish (i.e, that lack major barriers to movement such as high gradients or waterfalls). Nutrient transport will be measured by taking two 1-L grab samples at each site every two months beginning in April for three years. Samples will immediately be placed on ice in the field and brought to the laboratory and refrigerated overnight before being express mailed to an aquatic chemistry testing facility (to be determined). Water will be tested for total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen, nutrient forms that commonly limit freshwater productivity in the Pacific Northwest (Perrin et al. 1987, Johnston et al. 1997, Ashley and Slaney 1997). At all 8 field sites identified in this project for monitoring subcatchment-scale physical processes, a process-based classification of channel type will be conducted {Montgomery, 1997 #958}. In addition, a field- and aerial photo-based geomorphic analysis will assess disturbance type, recency, and frequency. This analysis will build upon riparian and upslope vegetation analyses by adding geomorphic assessment of sediment delivery from upslope and channel form and stratigraphic analyses of depositional features in both upland fishless streams and at headwater-mainstem junctions. These analyses will generate the following independent, categorical variables to be analyzed as controls on aquatic productivity: channel type (and associated components such as gradient and channel geometry), recency of channel-modifying disturbance such as debris flows (based on upland scars, channel substrate, and riparian vegetation characteristics), and generalized frequency and severity of such disturbances (based on channel morphology and stratigraphic analyses of sediment deposits). At gaging stations, discharge will be calculated from stage height and rating equations specific to the gaging equipment utilized (e.g. flumes). Stage height will be measured with pressure transducers and water temperature and turbidity will be measured with electronic sensors. These variables will be measured and recorded to data loggers at 15-minute intervals. Frequency and interval of sampling and instrument specifications suggested in (Hillman, 2004) will be treated as minimum requirements. In order to approximate turbidity-suspended sediment concentration (SSC) relationships, suspended sediment samples will be collected using handheld samplers and a depth-integrated procedure over a wide range of discharge and season. Frequency of sampling will vary with the runoff regime of the stream, e.g. snowmelt- vs. rainfall-dominated runoff and will be far more comprehensive than the single annual sampling suggested in (Hillman, 2004) for status/trend monitoring of fine sediment in the upper Columbia River basin. Analysis of samples to determine SSC will follow the protocols in ASTM Method D 3977-97 (ASTM, 1999). This methodology employs wet filtration of samples and drying and weighing the separated inorganic component to determine SSC. This is the USGS standard protocol and found to yield accurate estimates of SSC, in contrast to biased estimates derived from total suspended solids (TSS) methodologies, also in common use (Gordon, 2000). At meteorological stations, precipitation, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed will be recorded to data loggers at 15-minute intervals. Data from loggers will be downloaded at least monthly, transferred to PNW computers, and backed up as appropriate. All instrumentation will be maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Accuracy of turbidity measurements will be checked against calibrated portable instrument measurements using instrumentation that meets or exceeds specifications suggested in (Hillman, 2004). This QA/QC sampling will be done at each gaging station a minimum of three times annually: near peak discharge, near the end of the snowmelt period, and during the lowest flow period in late summer or early fall. Intensively sampling only eight sites will not be sufficient to rigorously quantify relationships between subcatchments-scale physical variables and productivity, but it will be sufficient to allow hypotheses to be developed regarding these relationships that can be tested in future, more focused studies. 8/1/2007 9/30/2009 $127,020
Biological objectives
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Uncertainties Research
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Characterize field sites All subcatchments will be characterized by land use and ecoregion. In addition, riparian vegetation (overstory and understory) type, percent canopy cover, PAR, and physical attributes of streams (gradient, aspect, in-stream habitat, etc.) will be quantified during site visits for each site. Sampling (export of nutrients, organic matter, and macroinvertebrates; and downstream fish densities and biomass) will begin in summer 2007. Site characterizations will take place throughout the spring and summer in 2007. Sites will be characterized once unless a major disturbance event (flood, fire) dramatically changes the stream or riparian zone at any given site, in which another characterization will be completed for every disturbed site. 5/1/2007 9/30/2007 $169,360
Biological objectives
Metrics
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Deploy stream monitoring equipment Existing stream gaging stations will be utilized if available. At most locations, stream gaging stations will be established employing semi-portable flumes, weirs, or open-channel flow instrumentation as appropriate for the stream size. Gaging stations will be instrumented with stage height recorders and sensors to continuously measure water temperature and turbidity, all recording to data loggers. Meteorological stations will be established near each monitoring site to characterize climatic conditions and events that may affect aquatic productivity. Measurements will include precipitation, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed, all recording to data loggers at 15-minute intervals. 5/1/2007 7/31/2007 $127,020
Biological objectives
Metrics
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Site selection Stream sites will be selected based on their accessibility and congruence with other stream sites in the same ecoregion. Sites will be selected with similar landscape characteristics (stream size, elevation, not containing fish, etc.) across two primary ecoregions (ESR 9, ESR 34; see attached file in "Documents") and land-use conditions. From our work in the Wenatchee subbasin we determined that impacts on the landscape could be natural or anthropogenic, but should be collapsed into two categories: “high impact” and “low impact,” in order to maintain the stratification structure and consistently defined categorical variables for multivariate analysis. Stratification by ecoregions will generate four landscape-level categories for field analysis. ESR 9, High impact ESR 34, High impact ESR 9, Low impact ESR 34, Low impact 10/1/2006 7/31/2007 $42,340
Biological objectives
Metrics
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Publication Quarterly, annual, and Pisces status reports will be prepared in standard formats and submitted to Bonneville Power Administration, on a common schedule to allow compilation with concurrent monitoring work in the John Day Basin. A comprehensive completion report will be submitted following the last year of sampling. Peer-reviewed publications will be submitted primarily by the PNW Research station. 7/1/2009 9/30/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Post-doc, GS-11 (0.8 to 1.0 FTE) $64,800 $85,000 $89,000
Personnel GS-5 Technician (0.6 to 1.0 FTE) $19,130 $33,480 $35,150
Personnel GS-5 Technician (0.6 to 1.0 FTE) $19,130 $33,480 $35,150
Capital Equipment Stream sampling: flumes, water level loggers, turbidity sensors, data loggers @8.0 per site $64,000 $3,100 $3,200
Capital Equipment Meteorological stations: precipitation, wind speed/direction, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, data loggers, structural components @ 2.0 per site $16,000 $440 $460
Supplies Laboratory: analytic balance, laptop computer, vacuum pump $4,980 $0 $0
Supplies Laboratory: glassware, filter paper, alcohol, vials $1,600 $1,050 $1,100
Supplies Field supplies (safety equipment, batteries, field notebooks, hand tools, etc.) $1,500 $1,580 $1,650
Supplies Field supplies (drift nets, fish marking and diet analysis) $1,200 $200 $200
Other Direct facilities costs (per FTE basis), 2.0 to 3.0 FTE $40,000 $60,000 $60,000
Travel Vehicle charges (GSA) $5,010 $5,260 $5,525
Travel Vehicle mileage costs $3,240 $3,400 $3,580
Overhead Indirect costs, PNW Research Station $28,940 $27,048 $28,035
Travel Field housing and per diem @ $100/day/person*3 people*60 days $18,000 $18,900 $19,850
Capital Equipment Aerial photography $4,500 $0 $0
Totals $292,030 $272,938 $282,900
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $847,868
Total work element budget: $847,868
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
USFS, PNW Research Station PI Salary (Polivka, 0.35 FTE) $26,950 $28,300 $29,710 In-Kind Under Review
USFS, PNW Research Station PI facility cost $6,900 $7,240 $7,600 In-Kind Under Review
USFS, PNW Research Station PI Salary (Hessburg 0.10 FTE) $13,920 $14,620 $15,350 In-Kind Under Review
USFS, PNW Research Station PI facility cost $1,970 $2,070 $2,170 In-Kind Under Review
USFS, PNW Research Station PI Salary (Woodsmith, 0.25 FTE) $34,790 $35,480 $37,260 In-Kind Under Review
USFS, PNW Research Station PI facility cost $4,920 $5,170 $5,430 In-Kind Under Review
Totals $89,450 $92,880 $97,520

Section 9. Project future

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

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: 30 Sept 2009
Comments: We expect to complete the field portion of the study in three years. Some peer-reviewed publications will be submitted at the end of the project period with publication occurring in subsequent years.

Final deliverables: Results will be reported in progress reports, presentations at professional and client meetings, and refereed publications, including peer-review journals. Professional meetings may include workshops, meetings of interested parties, such as subbasin planning units, or meetings of professional, scientific societies. These presentations are intended to convey the context of the work in terms of its application to salmon recovery efforts in the ICRB, actual analyses and results, and recommendations for further studies to continue clarification of scientific uncertainties associated with monitoring of status, trends, and effectiveness of recovery actions. Metadata will be stored and made available on a USFS, PNW website. Data will be made available on this website following peer-review publication and agency QA/QC approval. Long-term data storage will be in USFS, PNW and other databanks as appropriate. We will produce a final technical report that 1) describes the major landscape-level patterns in headwater stream productivity and invertebrate transport for the John Day basin, 2) provides new methodology for assessing the effects of headwater transport on fish population dynamics and foraging behavior, and 3) synthesizes major trends in landscape effects on watersheds through a meta-analysis of our results from the Wenatchee and John Day sub-basins. Peer reviewed publications: We will publish papers that address the three major themes listed above. Papers involving landscape effects on macroinvertebrate transport will be authored by Polivka. Papers that expand the link between hydrological regime and landscape-level features will be authored by Woodsmith. Papers that describe the effects of variation in macroinvertebrate transport on fish production will be authored by Polivka. Synthesis of cross-basin comparisons of landscape-scale effects on watershed quality will be authored primarily by Hessburg, in cooperation with previous collaborators at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. This collaboration was established during the development of these protocols in related work in the Wenatchee subbasin.

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]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Expense ProvinceExpense Do Not Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Basinwide
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 ProvinceExpense
Comments: Also reviewed by MSRT

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The number of proposed activities is quite large. The proposal makes a good connection between biological and physical components by examining the relationship between food web productivity surrogates and the health of downstream fish communities in multiple basins. The project location is in headwaters in nearly fishless areas, therefore this study looks at watershed processes and the influence of headwaters on downstream areas with fish. The proposal would be stronger with more assurances on collaboration with other John Day and regional projects. Some projects are mentioned, but there are several other projects in the John Day that could complement this work (SWCD, ODFW, NOAA). The proposal ties the project to the goals of the Fish and Wildlife Program, the BiOp (RME), the monitoring programs ISEMP, PNAMP (through the intensively monitored watersheds), and the John Day Subbasin Plan objective of achieving aquatic ecosystem health. The objectives, identified as components in the proposal, are reasonably specified, and a rationale is presented for each. Methods for the site selection work element are described in detail, with timelines and deliverables. The characterization of the 60 selected sites is described in less detail, but with timelines and deliverables. Sampling and measurement is described at length. Statistical analysis is described in good detail. The statistical design shows good awareness and appears technically sound. Facilities and personnel are reasonable. Similar work by this team has focused on the effects of headwater restoration on downstream fish productivity in Lake Wenatchee. Plans for information transfer are reasonable.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The number of proposed activities is quite large. The proposal makes a good connection between biological and physical components by examining the relationship between food web productivity surrogates and the health of downstream fish communities in multiple basins. The project location is in headwaters in nearly fishless areas, therefore this study looks at watershed processes and the influence of headwaters on downstream areas with fish. The proposal would be stronger with more assurances on collaboration with other John Day and regional projects. Some projects are mentioned, but there are several other projects in the John Day that could complement this work (SWCD, ODFW, NOAA). The proposal ties the project to the goals of the Fish and Wildlife Program, the BiOp (RME), the monitoring programs ISEMP, PNAMP (through the intensively monitored watersheds), and the John Day Subbasin Plan objective of achieving aquatic ecosystem health. The objectives, identified as components in the proposal, are reasonably specified, and a rationale is presented for each. Methods for the site selection work element are described in detail, with timelines and deliverables. The characterization of the 60 selected sites is described in less detail, but with timelines and deliverables. Sampling and measurement is described at length. Statistical analysis is described in good detail. The statistical design shows good awareness and appears technically sound. Facilities and personnel are reasonable. Similar work by this team has focused on the effects of headwater restoration on downstream fish productivity in Lake Wenatchee. Plans for information transfer are reasonable.