FY 2002 Mountain Columbia proposal 199404700

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
199404700 Narrative	Narrative
Intermountain: Pend Oreille Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Intermountain: Pend Oreille Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Lake Pend Oreille Fishery Recovery Project
Proposal ID	199404700
Organization	Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Melo A. Maiolie, Ph.D.
Mailing address	PO Box 806 Bayview, ID 83803
Phone / email	2086833054 / mmaiolie@micron.net
Manager authorizing this project	Steve Yundt, State Research Manager
Review cycle	Mountain Columbia
Province / Subbasin	Mountain Columbia / Pend Oreille Upper
Short description	Project researches ways to recover the impacted fisheries of Lake Pend Oreille and the upper Pend Oreille River.
Target species	Kokanee, bull trout, rainbow trout

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
48.1565	-116.3342	Lake Pend Oreille

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
1997	This was the first year of the project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully changed the winter lake levels which added 1.8 million square feet of spawning gravel to the lake.
1997	Three University of Idaho projects were started.
1997	Kokanee population was successfully measured by hydroacoustics, trawling and spawner counts.
1997	Kokanee spawning activity was mapped on 100 miles of shoreline. Kokanee were documented to have moved into new shoreline areas for spawning.
1997	Depths of kokanee spawning were measured. Kokanee were found to have moved on to newly available gravel at shallower depths which should improve incubation success.
1997	Shrimp population was successfully measured by random sampling in three sections of the lake and was numerically stable. A stable shrimp population will benefit the experiment.
1997	Kokanee fry survival was measured but did not improve. This was also bad flood year ; a 100 year event which reduced all age classes of kokanee.
1998	Kokanee population successfully measured by trawling and hydroacoustics. Higher lake levels during the winter of 1997-98 may have contributed to higher egg-to-fry survival rate of 9.9% (up from 1.4% in 1995).
1998	Graduate student study successfully shows that newly emerged kokanee do not starve because of competition with Mysis shrimp. Study also shows that food was not limiting for kokanee in 1998.
1998	Extensive sampling of shoreline spawning gravel shows very little siltation due to changing lake levels during the first two years.
1999	Kokanee population successfully measured by mid-water trawling. Trawl estimates yielded population estimates with 90% confidence limits of + or - 28% to 64% for different age classes. Older age classes found to be declining.
1999	Kokanee population successfully measured by hydroacoustics. Hydroacoustics yielded population estimates with 90% confidence limits of + or - 9% for fry and 17.8% for 1 to 5 year olds.
1999	Higher lake levels during the winter of 1998-99 may have contributed to higher egg-to-fry survival rate of 6.0% (up from 1.4% in 1995.
1999	Graduate study on predation estimates 154 tons of kokanee are eaten per year from the lake. This was not a problem in 1996 but may have contributed to poor kokanee survival from ages 1 to 2 in 1999.
1999	Shrimp population in lake was successfully measured for fifth straight year and was found to be stable even though kokanee numbers declined. Shrimp abundance appears to be controlled from below (primary production) not above (by predation).
1999	Shrimp sampling conducted with both vertical net tows and a high speed Miller sampler. Density estimates can now be inter-converted between the two methodologies which allows us to use old data collected in the 1970's.
1999	Gravel sampling on shoreline areas shows strong movements in shoreline gravel. This indicates the need for lower lake levels approximately once ever 4 years to move gravel to lower pool level.
1999	Graduate study on the Pend Oreille River shows importance of over-winter habitat to the warm-water fish populations. Study is still in progress.
2000	Kokanee population successfully measured by mid-water trawling. Results are currently being analyzed to distinguish wild and hatchery fish, but preliminary estimates show record high numbers of kokanee fry, were in the lake in 2000 .
2000	Data from this project was used by the USFWS in their draft biological opinion for bull trout in Lake Pend Oreille. The USFWS requested that the Corps modify lake levels to improve kokanee spawning success and insure a good prey base for bull trout.
2000	Research in the Pend Oreille River (above the dam) finds that stronger year classes of warm water fish were produced in years of higher lake levels. Lower water years were found to nearly eliminate young-of-the-year fish.
2000	Hydroacoustic surveys were successfully completed which included 73 miles of transects. Pelagic predator (rainbow trout and bull trout) abundance were similar to previous years although confidence limits were wide, surveys for predators appear feasible.
2000	Hydroacoustic results supported the trawl findings that age 0 and age 1 kokanee are at, or near, record high densities.
2000	Gravel composition of spawning areas were successfully measured by scuba diving and core sampling. Composition of spawning areas found to be changing towards larger cobbles and less gravel, causing us to change lake level recommendations.
2000	Research conducted on predators successfully lead to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopting regulation changes to allow more harvest on rainbows and unlimited harvest on lake trout.
2000	Project results showed that there was no "harvestable surplus" of kokanee in the lake. Fish and Game Commission adopted regulations to close the kokanee fishery.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
0	Lake Pend Oreille Predator Research	This proposed project will examine the predator side of the ecosystem and will share equipment and office space with this project.
0	Upper Pend Oreille Subbasin Exotic Fish Control Project.	This is a proposed project which removes lake trout and brook trout from the Priest lakes and Pend Oreille Lake. Measures in this project will help to recover kokanee.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Recover kokanee abundance so that a harvest of 750,000 fish can be maintained on an annual basis. This would require an adult kokanee population of 3.7 million fish and an egg-to-fry survival rate exceeding 3.6%.	a. Assist US Fish and Wildlife Service with developing a lake level management plan to benefit kokanee and bull trout.	ongoing	$5,000
	b. Conduct mid-water trawling in the lake to determine population estimates, biomass, age, and size of kokanee. Estimate number of eggs being laid.	ongoing	$40,000
	c. Cold-brand the otoliths of all hatchery produced fry that are stocked into the lake. Read otoliths to separate wild and hatchery fish.	5	$15,000	Yes
	d. Conduct hydroacoustic surveys of the lake to get a more accurate, less bias, estimate of kokanee abundance.	ongoing	$40,000
	e. Trawl the lake with a small mesh fry net in a stratified-random survey design to determine proportion of hatchery and wild kokanee fry.	5	$20,000
	f. Compare kokanee population to past data and relate to changes in lake level using multiple regression analysis.	5	$1,000
	g. Conduct spawner counts of kokanee along shoreline and relate to past data, to gain a second index of kokanee abundance.	ongoing	$25,000
	h. Calculate survival rates of kokanee and determine if lake level changes cause changes in survival.	5	$5,000
	i. Map location and depth of kokanee spawning along 100+ miles of shoreline to determine if population is expanding into new areas.	3	$30,000
	j. Build artificial spawning area on the shoreline of the lake and/or in tributary streams and monitor the use, survival rate of eggs, and changes in gravel quality. Evaluate potential to improve kokanee on a lake-wide scale .	2	$40,000
2. Have no net change in the amount of shoreline spawning gravel due to erosion or siltation during this experiment (maintain 1.7 million sq. feet).	a. Monitor the quality of shoreline gravel by scuba diving and core sampling, then analyze the content of silt, sand, gravel, and cobble. Use data to make recommendations on future lake levels.	3	$45,000
3. Increase the warm water fish population in the Pend Oreille River seven fold.	a. Change the winter elevation of the river 4 feet. This is included in the USFWS biological opinion.		$0
	b. Monitor warm water fish populations in the Pend Oreille River by gillnetting , seining, and electrofishing and compare to data collected in 1991 and 1992 (start 2003).	2	$0	Yes
	c. Determine year class strength and over winter mortality of fish produced with changed river levels (start 2003).	2	$0	Yes
4. Monitor baseline limnological factors which influence the lake's fish populations.	a. Monitor temperature, oxygen, Secchi transparency, and nutrients throughout growing season.	3	$20,000
	b. Estimate the population of Mysis shrimp in the lake.		$20,000
5. Improve hatchery stocking program so that it contributes 375,000 kokanee to the harvest.	a. Determine where in the life history of a hatchery kokanee is survival relatively poor. Compare survival rates of hatchery and wild kokanee by analyzing otoliths.	3	$20,000
	b. Determine whether or not hatchery kokanee negatively affect the survival of wild kokanee. The survival rates of both types will be regressed against the number of kokanee stocked.	3	$1,000
	c. Collect otoliths from hatchery and naturally-spawning adult kokanee returning to Sullivan Springs Creek and determine survival rates. Enhance the portion of the run that appears to be surviving the best.	3	$30,000
6. Coordinate project findings with all interested parties.	a. Produce quarterly reports, news releases, annual reports, slide shows, radio shows, and publications.		$5,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
2. Have no net change in the amount of shoreline spawning gravel due to erosion or siltation during this experiment (maintain 1.7 million sq. feet).	2003	2006	$0
3. Increase the warm water fish population in the Pend Oreille River seven fold.	2005	2006	$50,000
5. Improve hatchery stocking program so that it contributes 375,000 kokanee to the harvest.	2003	2006	$51,000
1. Recover kokanee abundance so that a harvest of 750,000 fish can be maintained on an annual basis. This would require an adult kokanee population of 3.7 million fish and an egg-to-fry survival rate exceeding 3.6%.	2003	2006	$221,000
2. Have no net change in the amount of shoreline spawning gravel due to erosion or siltation during this experiment (maintain 1.7 million sq. feet).	2003	2006	$180,000
4. Monitor baseline limnological factors which influence the lake's fish populations.	2003	2006	$40,000
6. Coordinate project findings with all interested parties.	2003	2006	$5,000

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$362,000	$376,000	$391,000	$230,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
			$0
			$0
			$0
			$0
			$0

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Recover kokanee abundance so that a harvest of 750,000 fish can be maintained on an annual basis. This would require an adult kokanee population of 3.7 million fish and an egg-to-fry survival rate exceeding 3.6%.	2006	2006	$65,000
3. Monitor baseline limnological factors which influence the lake's fish populations.	2006	2006	$35,000
2. Have no net change in the amount of shoreline spawning gravel due to erosion or siltation during this experiment (maintain 1.7 million sq. feet).	2006	2006	$45,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2006
$145,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: total= 5.5, 1.5 biologists, 2 technicians, 2 bioaides.	$143,000
Fringe	35% average benefit rate for these positions	$50,000
Supplies		$86,000
Travel		$5,200
Indirect	about 21% set by state.	$62,800
NEPA		$0
PIT tags		$0
Subcontractor	Wash. Dept.of Fisheries for otoliths	$15,000
Other	362	$0
		$362,000

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$362,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$362,000
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$390,000
% change from forecast	-7.2%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Graduate student projects through the University of Idaho are finishing, and new studies on artificial spawning beds an hatchery kokanee are starting.

Reason for change in scope

Consistent with the subbasin summary, the project now includes the objective of determining why hatchery kokanee are not contributing to the fishery.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
USFWS	Develops lake level management plan within their biological opinion.	$30,000	in-kind
USACOE and BPA	Implements lake level changes., approximate cost.	$4,000,000	in-kind

Other budget explanation

Activities were planned to keep a flat level of funding with above totals reflect an increase due to inflation and salary raises. Study through the University of Idaho on the Pend Oreille will start as work on spawning areas finishes to keep funding level stable. Decline in 2006 is due to shifts towards more monitoring and less research and development.

Reviews and recommendations

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

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2001-2)

Recommendation:
Fundable - no response required

Date:
Feb 9, 2001

Comment:

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Mar 16, 2001

Comment:

As long as the lake levels follow the recommendations of this project the benefits from this project are likely to continue. The project is not directly targeted at a threatened, endangered or sensitive population although indirect impacts may be observed.

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2001-4)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Apr 6, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. This excellent proposal rates high on all counts. Favorable ISRP comments and recommendation from last year still apply. The researcher has consistently addressed concerns raised by the ISRP and other scientific peer reviews. Although not very different from last year, as much of the effort is a continuing monitoring and evaluation operation, the proposal is updated with the Subbasin Summary and FWS BiOp as further rationale for the project. During the public comment period, the PUD provided a summary status report on kokanee in Lake Pend Oreille and a set of questions and alternative approaches that seem relevant for IDFG to address in their research. This is a service to the Council, the ISRP, and the IDFG, but the reviewers did not see a compelling reason to change the recommendation regarding funding this project.

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fundable

Date:
May 30, 2001

Comment:

- Agree with the ISRP and CBFWA recommendation to fund and will meet BiOp requirements.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Oct 19, 2001

Comment:

Should the Council support continued funding of the monitoring of effects of lake levels on the kokanee fishery in Lake Pend Oreille (199404700)? The project was initially approved as a five-year study that would conclude this year but its scope of continued monitoring was endorsed by the ISRP (p. 15) and CBFWA. The staff noted that project reports don't appear to be current, as indexed on Bonneville's fish and wildlife website.

Council recommendation: Fund initially for one year, pending an assessment of the first five years' study. Condition contracting on assurance that past reporting requirements are completed. Recommend maintaining a placeholder budget for FY 2003 and 2004 pending the assessment.

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Decision

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Mar 25, 2002

Comment:

Bonneville will fund... as recommended to meet requirements of the USFWS's BiOp as described in the Action Agencies 2002 Annual Implementation Plan.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review

Funding category:
expense

Date:
May 2005

FY05 NPCC start of year:	FY06 NPCC staff preliminary:	FY06 NPCC July draft start of year:
$526,511	$526,511	$526,511

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website