FY 2001 High Priority proposal 200104600

Section 1. Administrative

Project location

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Total estimated budget

Cost sharing

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

Comment:

Comment:

Comment:

Response: The CRITFC agrees in essence with the conclusions of the CBFWA and ISRP that this proposal does not fit some the criteria as written. Namely, the proposal failed to demonstrate "that the anticipated benefits to the target species will be secured with the initial funding" (Giese memo, 20 Dec 2000). However, project funding must be obtained in the present fiscal year in order to have the desired impact on ongoing technical activities related to ESA listing and to dovetail into University of Idaho construction schedules. Failure to do so will prevent or delay construction or increase significantly the costs of expansion of the Hagerman Fish Experimental Culture Station to accommodate increased technical activities planned in the present year. Dovetailing into the University's construction schedule should result in savings of about $1 million dollars. Further, this proposal will provide the critical technical support necessary for successful implementation of already-funded NWPPC programs.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) represents the fisheries management and conservation interests of the Columbia River treaty tribes. Within the CRITFC, the Fish Science Department is mandated to provide technical support for tribal recovery efforts. Emphasis is recent years has been on genetics and life history research and monitoring (see Table 3). Future endeavors will include pathology, nutrition, habitat use and ecological interactions of hatchery and wild fish. Science staff are co-principal investigators on a number of BPA-funded projects on chinook and steelhead salmon population structure. Further, the tribes wish to significantly improve their education program for tribal members, with emphasis on advanced degrees in biological research.

The Hagerman Fish Culture Experimental Station (HFCES), part of the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) of the University of Idaho, has provided DNA assessment and interpretation services to the CRITFC regarding salmonid, sturgeon and lamprey population genetics for a number of years. In July 2001, the CRITFC and the University have joined in a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will assemble key research and technical staff at the HFCES to form the Collaborative Center for Applied Fish Science (CCAFS).

Under the MOA, the CCAFS will become a first class, applied regional center in fish genetics and other areas of artificial propagation. To achieve this goal, the CRITFC hopes to contribute to renovation and enhancement of the facilities, share operating expenses, and provide up to 5 research staff and substantial equipment. This is of utmost interest to the tribes, who wish to advance the science of recovery significantly and independently of political matters. It is also of interest to the University, which plans to devote their substantial resources for resolving scientific uncertainties pertaining to fish conservation issues.

Also of major significance are the educational opportunities that this partnership will offer to tribal members. The increasing lead role that the tribes are taking in fish production and research and the MOA link to tribal production centers and programs is the building block for an education program that would be unlike any other, regionally or nationally.

The CRITFC asks for your support of this program in its efforts to secure funding for structural expansion of the Hagerman facilities, to provide for funding for a core of scientists and technicians working in support of tribal and regional restoration efforts, and to provide seed money for our education program.

Table 3. Listing of ESA-related projects directly related to the Collaborative Center for Applied Fish Science Proposal

Some past and on-going projects

Fall Chinook ESU determination
Determination of Deschutes River/Snake River fall chinook ESU. Required genetic (electrophoresis and mtDNA) collection and analysis, life history analysis, coded-wire tag analysis and ocean distribution.

NEOH conceptual monitoring and evaluation plan
Lays out monitoring and evaluation methods for supplementation projects

Imnaha Steelhead genetics
Determination of metapopulation structure in the Imnaha and other Snake River tributaries.

Lamprey genetics
Determination of stock structure and homing fidelity of pacific lampreys. Development of a DNA-based species key.

Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Benefit/Risk Analysis
Benefit/Risk Analysis, broodstock management plan, and HGMP for fall chinook.

Johnson Creek Artificial Production and enhancement Program
Benefit/Risk Analysis, broodstock management plan, HGMP and Population Management Plan for summer chinook.

Hatchery Uses
Tracking of use of hatchery fishes throughout Columbia Basin.

Toolbox development
Development of methods for monitoring impact of supplementation of naturally-spawning populations, development of management protocols and guidelines. (PSC-funded activity).

Comment:

Comment:

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website