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
Effects of Avian Predation in the Estuary

BPA project number   5517000

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
TBD

Sponsor type   Placeholder

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

 NameTBD
 Mailing address
 Phone

BPA technical contact   ,

Biological opinion ID   Research M&E Program; hyp C.1.2

NWPPC Program number   5.7B.21

Short description
Effects of avian predation in the estuary.

Project start year   1997    End year   

Start of operation and/or maintenance   0

Project development phase   PLANNING

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications
Cormorants, Caspian terns, and other fish-eating birds have increased in abundance in recent years in the estuary of the Columbia River. Intensity of their predation upon juvenile salmon has not been quantified. Some work on the Oregon coast has indicated that avian predation can be an important factor in reducing coho salmon numbers (McNeil et al. 1989).

Specific measureable objectives

Testable hypothesis
Hypothesis C.1.2: Smolt survival in the estuary cannot be increased by control of avian predation.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods
The study initially would focus on foods of common fish-eating birds in the estuary. Conceptually, control of avian predators found to consume large numbers of salmon smolts does not differ from control of squawfish in the migration corridor. The Recovery Plan [Task No. 2.8.a.2)] recommended research to determine extent of predation and evaluate predation controls.

Abundance of avian predators and their timing of use in the estuary should be examined as a parallel to food habits work. Use of the Columbia River estuary by large numbers of breeding terns and cormorants during the peak of the smolt migration may have increased predation rates

Brief schedule of activities

Biological need

Critical uncertainties

Summary of expected outcome

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation

Risks

Monitoring activity

Section 3. Budget

Data shown are the total of expense and capital obligations by fiscal year. Obligations for any given year may not equal actual expenditures or accruals within the year, due to carryover, pre-funding, capitalization and difference between operating year and BPA fiscal year.

Historic costsFY 1996 budget data*Current and future funding needs
(none) New project - no FY96 data available 1997: 500,000
1998: 500,000
1999: 500,000
2000: 500,000
2001: 500,000

* 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   System Policy

Recommendation    Tier 2 - fund when funds available

Recommended funding level   $500,000