FY 2002 Mountain Columbia proposal 198806400
Contents
Section 1. General administrative information
Section 2. Past accomplishments
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
Section 4. Budgets for planning/design phase
Section 5. Budgets for construction/implementation phase
Section 6. Budgets for operations/maintenance phase
Section 7. Budgets for monitoring/evaluation phase
Section 8. Budget summary
Reviews and Recommendations
Additional documents
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| 198806400 Narrative | Narrative |
| 198806400 Sponsor Response to ISRP | Response |
| 198806400 Powerpoint Presentation: 2003 Update | Powerpoint Presentation |
| Mountain Columbia: Kootenai Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
| Mountain Columbia: Kootenai Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Kootenai River White Sturgeon Studies and Conservation Aquaculture |
| Proposal ID | 198806400 |
| Organization | Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
| Name | Susan Ireland |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 1269 Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 |
| Phone / email | 2082673620 / ireland@kootenai.org |
| Manager authorizing this project | Susan Ireland |
| Review cycle | Mountain Columbia |
| Province / Subbasin | Mountain Columbia / Kootenai |
| Short description | Prevent extinction, preserve existing gene pool, and begin rebuilding healthy age class structure of the endangered white sturgeon in the Kootenai River using conservation aquaculture techniques with wild broodstock. |
| Target species | White sturgeon |
Project location
| Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 48.8 | -116.38 | Kootenai River |
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)
Sponsor-reported:
| RPA |
|---|
Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:
| Reviewing agency | Action # | BiOp Agency | Description |
|---|
Section 2. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 1991-2000 | (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) Successfully captured wild white sturgeon broodstock for use in the conservation aquaculture program. |
| 1991-2000 | (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) Successfully spawned wild white sturgeon broodstock. |
| 1991-2000 | (1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000) Succesfully produced white sturgeon offspring from wild adults. |
| 1992-2000 | (1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) Released white sturgeon juveniles into the Kootenai River. |
| 1995-2000- | (1995-present) IDFG, KTOI, and BC ME recaptured hatchery released white sturgeon juveniles from the Kootenai River. Recapture data has provided the first habitat use, movement, survival, and growth information for juveniles in the Kootenai system. |
| 1993-2000 | (1993-present) Developed and implemented hand-stripping technique for spawning white sturgeon females. Technique used successfully, replacing the need for cesarian section. |
| 1997-2000 | (1997-present) Determined DNA haplotype frequency of 23 wild white sturgeon broodstock spawned in the Kootenai Hatchery. All five mtDNA haplotypes found in the wild population were represented at least once by spawned broodstock. |
| 1999-2000 | Identified maternal lineage of each wild white sturgeon spawned at Kootenai Hatchery. |
| 2000 | Preliminary assessment of inheritance of mtDNA markers (D-loop length variants) completed (n=60). Results to date support the use of this marker as an informative and legitimate population marker. |
| 1996-2000 | (1996-present) Developed and implemented disease testing protocol for juvenile white sturgeon. |
| 1997 | Developed and implemented non-lethal sampling method for detection of white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV). |
| 1991-2000 | (1991-present) Contributed monitoring information to IDFG for wild white sturgeon adults and hatchery produced juveniles released into the Kootenai River. |
| 1998 | Created partnership with BC Ministry of Fisheries to provide a "fail-safe" back-up facility for the sturgeon conservation aquaculture program. |
| 1999-2000 | (1999-present) Back-up facility in Canada for the sturgeon conservation aquaculture program fully operational. |
| 1999-2000 | Conducted replicated research at College of Southern Idaho and U of I Aquaculture Research Institute (Hagerman) concerning rearing densities and manifestation of WSIV - results will be integrated into program management |
| 2000 | Assessed the effects of aquatic contaminants on sturgeon embryos. |
| 2000 | Successfully fertilized sturgeon eggs with cryopreserved sperm from wild white sturgeon (U of I research). Results need to be replicated using 5 mL straws. |
| 2000 | USGS began assessment (seismic profiles, cores, and transport modeling) of sediment transport in the white sturgeon spawning reach. |
| 1993-2000 | (1993-present) Conducted kokanee spawning surveys in lower Kootenai River tributaries in Idaho. |
| 1997-1999 | (1997-1999) Reintroduced Kootenay Lake kokanee into lower Kootenai River tributaries in Idaho. |
| 1991-2000 | Participated in the CBFWA and NWPPC process for implementation and funding of two projects funded through the NWPPC program. |
| PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS | |
| 1991-1999 | (1991-1999) Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Annual Project Reports to Bonneville Power Administration (Contract No. 88 BI 97343) |
| 2000 | Ireland, S.C. 2000. Hatchery and Genetics Management Plan for the Kootenai River White Sturgeon Conservation Aquaculture Program. Prepared for NWPPC Mountain Columbia Provincial Review/Artificial Production Reivew. Portland, OR |
| 2000 | Ireland, S.C. and J.T. Siple. 2000. Conservation Aquaculture of White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from the Kootenai River, Idaho: Establishing Standards to Evaluate Program Performance for a Long Lived Species. Manuscript in prep for: 4th |
| 2000 | Ireland, S.C., P.J. Anders, and J.T. Siple. 2000. Conservation aquaculture: An adaptive approach to prevent extinction of an endangered white sturgeon population. In prep. Poster presented at 2000 National AFS sturgeon symposium in St. Louis, MO |
| 1999 | Lapatra, S.E., S.C. Ireland, J.M. Groff, K.M. Clemens, and J.T. Siple. 1999. Adaptive disease management strategies for the endangered population of Kootenai River white sturgeon. Fisheries 24 (5):6-13. |
| 2000 | (1995-present) Contributions to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Recovery plan for the Kootenai River white sturgeon. Region 1. Portland, OR |
| 1999 | Duke, S., P. Anders, G. Ennis, R. Hallock, J. Hammond, S. Ireland, J. Laufle, R. Lauzier, L. Lockard, B. Marotz, V. Paragamian, and R. Westerhof. 1999. Recovery plan for the Kootenai River white sturgeon. J. Appl. Ichthyo. 15:157-163. |
| 1997 | Bonneville Power Administration. 1997. Kootenai River white sturgeon aquaculture project: environmental assessment. Bonneville Power Administration, DOE/EA-1169, Portland, OR. |
| 1996 | Anders, P.J. and R.E. Westerhof. 1996. Conservation Aquaculture of endangered white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from the the Kootenai River, Idaho. Pages 51-62 in S. Doroshov, F. Binkowski, T. Thuemeler, and D. MacKinlay, eds. Culture and Manag |
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
| Project ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 198806500 | Kootenai River Fisheries Investigations (IDFG) | Determines the status and limiting factors for the Kootenai River white sturgeon, burbot, whitefish, bull trout and redband rainbow trout stocks in the Kootenai River and effects of water fluctuations and ecosystem changes on these stocks |
| 199404900 | Kootenai River Ecosystem Improvements (KTOI) | Implements assessments, data analysis, and research in order to identify best management strategies to enhance aquatic biota in the Kootenai River ecosystem to recover native species assemblages across multiple trophic levels. |
| Assess Feasibility of Enhancing White Sturgeon Spawning Habitat, Kootenai R., Idaho (USGS/KTOI) | New project to design scenarios and assess feasibility to enhance white sturgeon spawning substrate and study temporal/transient changes in sediment type, bed form, and erosion/deposition of spawning substrate to address | |
| Reconnection of Floodplain Slough Habitat to the Kootenai River (KTOI) | New project to evaluate potential slough sites for reconnection, estimate the ecological benefit reconnection will provide, and implement reconnection. | |
| Implement floodplain operational loss assessment, protection, mitigation, and rehabilitation on the lower Kootenai River watershed ecosystem (KTOI) | New project to implement largescale watershed assessment and restoration in the lower Kootenai River. | |
| 199500400 | Mitigation for the Construction and Operation of Libby Dam (MFWP) | Implements watershed-based enhancement and fish recovery actions to mitigate the losses caused by hydropower in the Kootenai subbasin |
| 199608702 | Focus Watershed Coordination in the Kootenai River Watershed (MWFP) | Fosters 'grass-roots' public involvement and interagency cooperation for habitat restoration |
| 199902200 | Assessing Genetic Variation Among Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Populations (U of I) | Complementary work to provide a management tool to guide supplementation and propagation outside the geographical bounds of project 198806400. |
| 198605000 | White Sturgeon Mitigation and Restoration in the Columbia and Snake Rivers (ODFW) | Complementary work to restore white sturgeon outside the geographical bounds of project 198806400. |
| 199700900 | Evaluate Means of Rebuilding White Sturgeon Populations in the Snake River (NPT) | Complementary work to restore white sturgeon outside the geographical bounds of project 198806400. |
| 199502700 | Develop and Implement Recovery Plan for Depressed Lake Roosevelt White Sturgeon Populations (STOI) | Complementary work to restore white sturgeon outside the geographical bounds of project 198806400. |
| 199004400 | Implement Fisheries Enhancement Opportunities: Coeur d Alene Reservation (CDA Tribe) | Implements compensatory harvest opportunites and enhances critical watershed habitat to mitigate limiting factors for westslope cutthroat and bull trout in the Coeur d'Alene subbasin. |
Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Establish an experimental white sturgeon population outside the current occupied range. | a. Identify appropriate location in consultation with the recovery team and complete NEPA process. (USFWS Recovery Measure 2.24.245) | 1 | $10,000 | Yes |
| 2. Implement planning process for second facility to be used for: 1) additional rearing space for white sturgeon produced in the conservation aquaculture program and 2) restoration/preservation of declining native fish populations. | a. Complete Step 1 (master planning) of NWPPC 3 step process and begin Step 2 (preliminary design). | 1.5 | $80,000 | Yes |
| 3. Provide compensatory harvest opportunities for Tribal members while actions are implemented to benefit declining native fish stocks. | 3a. Assess feasibility of developing a trout pond on Tribal land to provide compensatory harvest opportunities for Tribal members. | 1 | $5,000 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Establish an experimental white sturgeon population outside the current occupied range. | 2003 | 2004 | $10,000 |
| 2. Finish planning process for second facility to be used for: 1) additional rearing space for white sturgeon produced in the conservation aquaculture program and 2) restoration/preservation of declining native fish populations. (Complete Step 2 ) | 2003 | 2003 | $20,000 |
| 3. Provide compensatory harvest opportunities for Tribal members while actions are implemented to benefit declining native fish stocks. (preliminary design) | 2003 | 2003 | $5,000 |
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
| FY 2003 |
|---|
| $35,000 |
Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Refine elements of white sturgeon conservation aquaculture program using research with direct management implications. (Recovery measure 2.24) | 1a. Investigate cryopreservation techniques, as well as assessment of viability of sperm collected in the field for Kootenai River white sturgeon. | 5 | $25,000 | Yes |
| 1b. Develop and evaluate permanent tagging or marking technologies or techniques to identify larval, fingerling, and YOY white sturgeon to allow for early release. (Recovery measure 2.24.243) | 3 | $25,000 | Yes | |
| 2. Investigate factors limiting sturgeon recruitment using research with direct management implications. (Recovery Measure 2 and 3) | 2a. Determine mortality, growth, development, and deformity rates for sturgeon sac-fry reared under simulated river conditions and test for metals and organochlorine pesticides in substrates (USFWS recovery measure 3.34.342) | 1 | $40,000 | Yes |
| 2b. Conduct analysis of blood and sperm from male broodstock fish to determine contaminant levels of metal and organochlorine compounds contributed through sperm to offspring. | 3 | $12,000 | ||
| 2c. Conduct metal and organochlorine contaminant analysis of eggs from broodstock female sturgeon in order to determine the level of contaminants contributed through eggs to offspring. | 3 | $3,000 | ||
| 2d. Correlate survival rate of broodstock families to total parental contributions of metal and organochlorine compounds contributed to offspring through sperm and eggs. | 3 | $2,000 | ||
| 2e. Measure the effects of fungal and bacterial growth on incubating white sturgeon embryos. | 2 | $2,000 | ||
| 2f. Measure and monitor the bioavailability of contaminants related to sediment, organic matter and food-base organisms in the Kootenai River (USFWS recovery measure 3.34.341) | 3 | $60,000 | ||
| 3. Evaluate the feasibility of developing burbot donor stock sources from Kootenay/Duncan Reservoir for recovery of declining native burbot stocks in the lower Kootenai. | 3a. Participate in developing burbot recovery measures. | 2 | $5,000 | |
| 3b. In cooperation with BC Ministry of Environment and IDFG, capture mature burbot for transplant to the Kootenai River and/or for use in developing culture techniques at the Kootenai Hatchery. | 3 | $10,000 | Yes |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Refine elements of white sturgeon conservation aquaculture program using research with direct management implications. (Recovery measure 2.24) | 2003 | 2006 | $200,000 |
| 2. Investigate factors limiting sturgeon recruitment using research with direct management implications. (Recovery Measure 2 and 3) | 2003 | 2006 | $600,000 |
| 3. Construction of second facility to be used for: 1) additional rearing space for white sturgeon produced in the conservation aquaculture program and 2) restoration/preservation of declining native fish populations. (Complete Step 3 ) | 2003 | 2005 | $2,200,000 |
| 4. Construction of pond to provide compensatory harvest opportunities for Tribal members while actions are implemented to benefit declining native fish stocks. | 2004 | 2004 | $40,000 |
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000,000 | $640,000 | $400,000 | $200,000 |
Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prevent extinction, preserve genetic variability, and restore demographic viability of the Kootenai River white sturgeon populatin through the propagation and rearing of up to twelve families per year from wild white sturgeon from the Kootenai River. | 1a. Collect and spawn wild broodstock following protocol outlined in breeding plan for white sturgeon (Kincaid 1993) (Recovery measure 2.23). | ongoing | $80,000 | |
| Recovery Measure 2. | 1b. Incubate, hatch, and rear progeny at the Kootenai Tribal hatchery until ready for release. (Recovery measure 2). | ongoing | $308,000 | |
| 1c. Rear progeny in at least two separate facilities to prevent fish loss due to unforeseen circumstances. (Recovery measure 2.22.223). | ongoing | $75,000 | ||
| 1d. Develop and implement experimental larval release strategies. (Recovery measure 2.25). | at discretion of recovery team | $20,000 | ||
| 1e. Retain family identities by keeping individual families separate during egg, larvae, YOY, and juvenile stages. Mark juvenile white sturgeon with PIT tag and scute removal before release. (Recovery measure 2.23) | ongoing | $80,000 | ||
| 1f. Release up to 1,000 white sturgeon juveniles per family into the Kootenai River following release protocol outlined in the breeding plan. (Recovery measure 2.25) | ongoing | $50,000 | ||
| 1g. Hatch and rear certified disease-free rainbow trout as bait and food for wild sturgeon broodstock held in the facility. | ongoing | $5,000 | ||
| 1h. Implement information/education/outreach program. (Recovery measure 4.45) | ongoing | $17,000 | ||
| 2. Provide administrative and technical oversight of Kootenai Tribal Fisheries Program. | 2a. Participate in the NWPPC and CBFWA process to secure funding for fish mitigation due to the operation of Libby Dam. (Recovery measure 4.42) | ongoing | $0 | |
| 2b. Provide quarterly and annual reports to BPA. | ongoing | $0 | ||
| 3. Provide facilities and expertise to allow for additional recovery, research and training programs. | 3a. Provide space in the hatchery for the development of research methods for IDFG burbot and rainbow trout projects. | ongoing | $0 | |
| 3b. Provide technical assistance and training to others involved in white sturgeon conservation in the Columbia Basin. | ongoing | $0 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prevent extinction, preserve genetic variability, and restore demographic viability of the Kootenai River white sturgeon populatin through the propagation and rearing of up to twelve families per year from wild white sturgeon from the Kootenai River. | 2003 | 2006 | $2,600,000 |
| 2. Provide administrative and technical oversight of Kootenai Tribal Fisheries Program. | 2003 | 2006 | $0 |
| 3. O&M for second facility | 2004 | 2006 | $500,000 |
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $650,000 | $650,000 | $900,000 | $900,000 |
Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Monitor, evaluate, and report genetic variability and diversity of hatchery white sturgeon juveniles produced and wild broodstock spawned in the Kootenai Hatchery. (Recovery measure 2.23) (Addresses ISRP concerns about genetics.) | 1a. Optimize and use nuclear and mitochondrial DNA marker analyses (sequencing, RFLP's, and microsatellites) to document existing variability and diversity of wild broodstock and hatchery progeny. | ongoing | $55,000 | Yes |
| 1b. Compare genetic variability and diversity of hatchery progeny and wild broodstock with that of the wild population to assess genetic representation in hatchery progeny. | ongoing | $0 | Yes | |
| 1c. Provide annual report of results from genetic analyses, including hatchery management recommendations from annual completion of tasks 1a and b. | ongoing | $0 | Yes | |
| 2. Monitor and evaluate survival, condition, growth, movement, and habitat use of hatchery reared juvenile white sturgeon released into the Kootenai River. (Recovery measure 3.31) | 2a. Sample juvenile white sturgeon to collect information pertaining to life history characteristics using gillnets, hoopnets, and angling. (Recovery measure 3.31) | ongoing | $109,000 | |
| 2b. Conduct sonic tracking studies to determine movement and habitat use of juvenile white sturgeon. (Recovery measure 3.31) | ongoing | $50,000 | ||
| 2c. Contribute all data to cooperative IDFG database for use in numerous analyses. (Recovery measure 3.31.313) | ongoing | $10,000 | ||
| 2d. Monitor and evaluate biological condition and related population dynamics of white sturgeon in the Kootenai River. (Recovery measure 2.26 and 3.31.314). | ongoing | $25,000 | Yes | |
| 2e. Monitor and evaluate juvenile and adult sturgeon and burbot in Kootenay Lake, BC (Recovery measure 3.31.311 and 3.32.323). | ongoing | $40,000 | Yes | |
| 3. Monitor and evaluate hatchery water quality (Recovery measure 2.22) | 3a. Develop water quality standards for Tribal Hatchery (Recovery measure 2.22) | ongoing | $2,000 | |
| 3b. Collect monthly water samples | ongoing | $10,000 | ||
| 4. Monitor and evaluate animal health of hatchery reared juvenile white sturgeon (Recovery measure 2.24.242) | 4a. Perform routine disease testing analysis of broodstock gametes and tissue and juvenile white sturgeon tissue during rearing and prior to and after release. (Recovery measure 2.24.242) | ongoing | $15,000 | Yes |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Monitor, evaluate, and report genetic variability and diversity of hatchery white sturgeon juveniles produced and wild broodstock spawned in the Kootenai Hatchery. (Recovery measure 2.23) | 2003 | 2006 | $220,000 |
| 2. Monitor and evaluate survival, condition, growth, movement, and habitat use of hatchery reared juvenile white sturgeon released into the Kootenai River. (Recovery measure 3.31) | 2003 | 2006 | $936,000 |
| 3. Monitor and evaluate hatchery water quality (Recovery measure 2.22) | 2003 | 2006 | $40,000 |
| 4. Monitor and evaluate animal health of hatchery reared juvenile white sturgeon (Recovery measure 2.24.242) | 2003 | 2006 | $60,000 |
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $314,000 | $314,000 | $314,000 | $314,000 |
Section 8. Estimated budget summary
Itemized budget
| Item | Note | FY 2002 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | FTE: 6.5 | $282,000 |
| Fringe | 33% | $93,000 |
| Supplies | aquaculture supplies, spawning hormone, sampling gear, sonic tags, PIT tags (400 khz), educ. mat. | $93,250 |
| Travel | $18,000 | |
| Indirect | 57% of personnel and fringe | $213,750 |
| NEPA | $10,000 | |
| Subcontractor | BC Ministry of Fisheries | $75,000 |
| Subcontractor | BC Ministry of Environment, Land, and Parks | $40,000 |
| Subcontractor | U of I Center for Species at Risk | $80,000 |
| Subcontractor | U of I Biology Dept | $25,000 |
| Subcontractor | Free-Run Aquatic Research and associated lab costs | $112,000 |
| Subcontractor | S.P. Kramer and Associates, Inc. | $30,000 |
| Subcontractor | Subcontractor for master plan and preliminary design | $80,000 |
| Subcontractor | U of I F&W Department | $40,000 |
| Other | IDFG database management, building and vehicle maintenance | $38,000 |
| $1,230,000 | ||
Total estimated budget
| Total FY 2002 cost | $1,230,000 |
| Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds | $0 |
| Total FY 2002 budget request | $1,230,000 |
| FY 2002 forecast from 2001 | $1,230,000 |
| % change from forecast | 0.0% |
Cost sharing
| Organization | Item or service provided | Amount | Cash or in-kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Columbia United Tribes | KTOI Fish and Wildlife Program Support | $40,000 | cash |
| British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries | Back-up facility staffing and expertise | $60,000 | in-kind |
| British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks | Kootenay River and Lake Management - data collection, analysis, lake fertilization to benefit Kootenay Lake stocks, burbot gamete collection for experimental culture | $500,000 | in-kind |
| Clear Springs Foods - Research and Development - Twin Falls, Idaho | WSIV analysis, animal health consulting, experiments to futher knowledge of sturgeon pathogens | $20,000 | in-kind |
| IDFG Eagle Fish Health Lab | Fish transport and release permits, animal health consulting | $3,000 | in-kind |
| USFWS Dworshak Fish Health Center | Disease testing | $10,000 | in-kind |
| United States Geological Survey | Cost share for assessment of feasibility of improving white sturgeon spawning habitat | $0 | cash |
| University of California - Davis and College of Southern Idaho | Information transfer about sturgeon culture issues | $5,000 | in-kind |
| University of Idaho- Department of Biology | Cost share provided by U of I, UC Davis, and WRAC for developing cryopreservation techniques for sturgeon | $30,000 | in-kind |
Reviews and recommendations
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
Recommendation:
Fundable only if response is adequate
Fundable only if response is adequate
Date:
Feb 9, 2001
Feb 9, 2001
Comment:
Fundable in part, but a response is needed for the trout pond component, which does not fit well with the remainder of the work and is not justified under this proposal. This is an exceptionally well-done proposal. Questions raised by the ISRP in previous reviews have been thoroughly answered. There is an excellent scientific background with plenty of references cited. The work is clearly and explicitly tied to relevant plans, including the white sturgeon Biological Opinion and Recovery Plan, the Council's FWP, and the Artificial Production Review items. The project plans and efforts are clearly given in the context of other projects, both in the up-front listing and in the narrative section. The narrative specifically relates the sturgeon work to other sturgeon work funded by BPA. Evidence of such linkage to regional plans and project coordination was specifically requested in previous ISRP reviews. The rationale for both new construction and work with kokanee (both questioned in previous ISRP reviews) is now clearly presented. The history of accomplishments is well presented both in the up-front listing and in the narrative, where results are well grouped by topic. Again, relevant literature citations are given, as are web sites for additional information. The objectives and tasks are clearly laid out and keyed to specific elements of the Recovery Plan and Subbasin Summary. Methods are clearly presented (with references) for each task. Monitoring and evaluation comprise a large part of the project, and these objectives and tasks are clearly presented. Facilities and equipment were not discussed as a separate heading, but were woven into the narrative sections on tasks, which was a logical approach given the wide diversity of topics covered. Information transfer appears to be excellent with the thorough coordination among cooperators and users that is shown. Benefit to fish and wildlife is well demonstrated, assuming that the mutual planning reflected in BiOp, Recovery Plan, and other synthesis efforts are on the right track.Reviewers were somewhat uneasy, however, because of no indication of success in dealing with the real problem (sturgeon survival in the Kootenai) and little apparent program accountability. It would be helpful to provide more information on milestones for operation of the hatchery. The trout pond work needs further justification.
Comment:
The ongoing sturgeon supplementation tasks are considered an urgent need in this province. The portion of the proposal detailing an effort for Burbot culture needs further discussion among the co-managers, but is considered a high priority. Development for the Burbot Master Plan should be initiated. Expansion of the hatchery should be dealt with under the 3-step process.FY 02 Budget Review Comments: Funding for burbot hatchery expansion should be reviewed by project sponsor.
Comment:
Funding for burbot hatchery expansion should be reviewed by project sponsor.Comment:
Fundable. This was an outstanding response. The overall concern for solving the problem in the field is clearly recognized, and other projects and proposed projects have been developed (with good coordination with this project) to address the relevant ecological issues. There does seem to be excellent project accountability, despite the ISRP's initial question based on the original proposal. The hatchery milestones are clear. Whether one agrees with the somewhat peripheral trout-pond work or not, this project is using the hatchery facilities in an understandable way to create a thoroughly managed, put-and-take fishery. This trout-pond work is only justified on a small scale. Whether a trout pond reduces fishing pressure on native stocks would need to be monitored and evaluated.Comment:
Agree with the ISRP and CBFWA recommendation to fund and will meet BiOp requirements.Comment:
Define the scope of requirements of the Kootenai white sturgeon recovery plan (198806400) for Bonneville. The proposed projects received positive ISRP reviews. What of the new or expanded funding proposals are required by the recovery plan?
Recovery team members, including staff of the Fish and Wildlife Service assured Council staff that the scope of the proposals for Kootenai white sturgeon are consistent with Bonneville's obligations under the recovery plan and the Biological Opinion for the hydropower system. Bonneville's comments also concur that these projects meet Biological Opinion requirements.
Council recommendation: Fund as proposed. Note that funding support for FY 03 (Section 4, objective 1, 2 and 3) and beyond will be subject to progress through the three-step review process for artificial production. Specifically this will address the possible expansion of the white sturgeon facility and a trout pond. In addition the M&E concern raised by the ISRP regarding the trout pond needs to be addressed at the time of step determination and review. The Council urges that Bonneville obtain formal concurrence from the Fish and Wildlife Service that the federal power system obligations for the Kootenai sturgeon recovery plan will be satisfied by this project package. The Council considers this example of the use of the provincial review process to define and fund the power system's obligations to be a precedent for implementing the Biological Opinion for listed salmon species in the Columbia Basin. It is important to use clear procedures to define the power system's obligations and be assured that those obligations will be met if the provincial review recommendations are funded.
Comment:
Bonneville will fund... as recommended to meet requirements of the USFWS's BiOp as described in the Action Agencies 2002 Annual Implementation Plan.Comment:
Recovery team decision pending, step process to kick in after other decisions. - 04 - some realignment for entering 2004. Amount over 1.395 million (1,604,000) = capital. No firm numbers yet. Realignment of 04 $ to 05. CAPITAL PORTION ONLY. See exensComment:
Recovery team decision pending, step process to kick in after other decisions. - 04 - some realignment for entering 2004. Amount over 1.395 million (1,604,000) = capital. No firm numbers yet. Realignment of 04 $ to 05.Comment:
Comment:
REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
Funding category:
capital
capital
Date:
May 2005
May 2005
| FY05 NPCC start of year: | FY06 NPCC staff preliminary: | FY06 NPCC July draft start of year: |
| $1,604,000 | $0 | $0 |
Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website