BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Snake River Native Salmonid Assessment

BPA project number   5502000

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
IDFG

Sponsor type   ID-State/Local Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   , EWN

Biological opinion ID   

NWPPC Program number   10.5B.1

Short description
Investigate life history, habitat needs, and threats to persistence of native salmonids (bull trout, cutthroat trout, redband trout) in the Snake River and tributaries upstream of the Hell’s Canyon Dam complex.

Project start year   1997    End year   2006

Start of operation and/or maintenance   0

Project development phase   Planning/Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
9990057 - Genetic analysis of Snake River salmonids. The genetic work is an integral part of the overall assessment. They will occur simultaneously.

9501400 - Resident Fish Loss Assessment. Data collected in the salmonid assessment provide baseline information for those losses.

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
Determine stock status of native salmonid populations upstream of Hell’s Canyon Dam, focusing efforts in drainages where data is lacking.

Determine factors responsible for the decline of weak stocks.

Develop and implement recovery plans that will remove threats from weak stocks, thus allowing natural rebuilding of those stocks.

Testable hypothesis
Native salmonid populations have not been impacted by human activities.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
We are assuming that hydropower developments are a major threat to the existence of native salmonids. We are also assuming that declines in native salmonid populations can be reversed.

Methods
A combination of snorkeling and electrofishing will be used to estimate population sizes, age structures, and fish assemblage structure. Habitat surveys will follow the guidelines of Platts et al. 1983 and 1987. Multivariate statistics will be used to relate habitat variables and condition to population size and structure. The focus of the project will be native salmonid populations (bull trout, cutthroat trout, and redband trout) in the Snake River and tributaries upstream of Hell’s Canyon Dam.

Brief schedule of activities
1997 - Develop a detailed experimental design and work plan with the cooperators. Conduct a literature search to determine where data is lacking. Begin implementing field work.

1998-2001 - Implementation of the project with field work and data analysis.

Biological need
In order to better manage our fisheries, we need to know the stock status, populations trend, causes of declining populations or threats to long term existence before corrective action or mitigation can occur. Most of Idaho’s native salmonid populations are weak. This project will investigate avenues for recovery. In order to strengthen these populations we need to know the underlying causes for their declines.

Critical uncertainties
Factors limiting population sizes in a wide variety of streams and habitats.

Summary of expected outcome
The expected outcome is that we will have on the ground activities that will reduce or eliminate threats to the existence of native salmonids in the upper Snake River basin. These activities may include (but are not limited to) habitat improvement, changes in hydropower operations, diversion screening, protective fishing regulations et al.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
This is a multi-agency project that will be coordinated with and responsibilities shared among IDFG, the Sho-Ban tribes, Sho-Pai tribes, ODFW, and the Burns - Paiute tribe.

Risks
We will not be able to identify the limiting factors.

Monitoring activity
Snorkeling and electrofishing will be used to monitor populations responses to mitigation/management efforts. Periodic (once every 2 or 3 years) habitat surveys will be conducted to monitor changes in physical habitat.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   Resident Fish

Recommendation    Tier 2 - fund when funds available

Recommended funding level   $191,200