FY 2003 Columbia Cascade proposal 29038

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleSupplement Summer Steelhead Eightmile Creek/Chewuch River
Proposal ID29038
OrganizationMethow Salmon Recovery Foundation, Chewuch Basin Council (co-sponsor), Colville Confederated Tribes (co-sponsor), Yakama Nation (co-sponsor), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (co-sponsor) (MSRF)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameTerry M. O'Reilly
Mailing addressPO Box 756 Winthrop, WA. 98862
Phone / email5099962787 / msrf@methow.com
Manager authorizing this projectTerry M. O'Reilly
Review cycleColumbia Cascade
Province / SubbasinColumbia Cascade / Methow
Short descriptionDevelop a "natural" acclimation/rearing site on Eightmile Creek to supplement native fish stocks.
Target speciesSummer steelhead (targeted-endangered upper Columbia ESU), spring chinook (affected- endangered upper Columbia ESU)
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
48.6036 -120.1723 Approximately 8 miles North on West Chewuch Road
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
150
167
184

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
9604000 Mid-Columbia Coho Feasability Reintroduction Study- gather data to develop and implement a plan to restore coho to the Methow Provides potential long term acclimation facility for the program. this site has been utilized for the coho program in past years.
Mid-Columbia River Hatchery Program Provides additional facility to contribute to the recovery of naturally spawning populations
WDFW/ Wells Hatchery Steelhead Program Provides satellite acclimation facility to assist in maintaining supplementation programs and provide for improved distribution. Provides summer steelhead site to facilitate on-going and future studies.
9026 Respect the River Provides additional information for public education on recovery options

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Planning, Design, and Permitting 1a. Complete design phase 1 $40,000 Yes
1b. Complete permitting 1 $10,000 Yes
1c. Develop HGMP and Fish Production Plan 1 $16,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
2. Construct Facility 2a.Construct pond/control structures 1 $91,500 Yes
Water supply system Construct well and supply system 1 $25,000 Yes
Install fish protection/feed systems Fish protection 1 $7,500 Yes
Re-vegatation of disturbed areas Landscaping 1 $10,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
3. Acclimate and Release 2004 2007 $20,000
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006FY 2007
$5,000$5,000$5,000$5,000

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
4. Monitor and Evaluate a.Assess juvenile migration ongoing $0 Yes
4b.Assess adult return ongoing $0 Yes
4c. Reporting $5,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
4. Monitor and evaluate 2004 2007 $0
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2003 cost
Personnel FTE: 0.333 $20,000
Fringe 50% $10,000
Supplies 25% $7,500
Travel To and from site $3,000
NEPA inc. other permits $10,000
Subcontractor Golder Assoc.design/engineering- contractor for all equipment and supplies $154,500
$205,000
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2003 cost$205,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2003 budget request$205,000
FY 2003 forecast from 2002$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
MSRF/WDFW Monitoring $30,000 in-kind
MSRF/WDFW Reporting $8,000 in-kind
Mason family Land use donation/long term access agreement $75,000 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
Date:
Mar 1, 2002

Comment:

A response is needed. This is a well-done proposal under the premise that supplementation is a good idea. Good background section. This proposal and project 29006 could provide some insight into the data supporting acclimation benefits versus direct release.

The proposal is to enlarge and otherwise improve the acclimation ponds on the Mason property on Eightmile Creek to provide for summer steelhead acclimation. The source of fish would be the Wells Dam Hatchery. However, as the current practice of direct release from the trucks appears effective, and the benefits of the project are speculative, the reviewers would like assurance in terms of discussion and appropriate literature citations, that the anticipated benefits are likely to be achieved and the associated expenditures are justified. The proposal lacked supporting data or references for this assertion.

The existing site offers opportunities not available if the land had to be purchased. It is justified under FWP by its naturalizing approach and also justified by Subbasin Summary objectives and strategies. This facility would provide a location for the recommended studies. The project advances NMFS's natural rearing approaches to hatchery reform (BiOp). Twisp River acclimation ponds are being developed in the same manner (on a schedule ahead of this one). The staff appear to be well-qualified.

The proposal anticipates sunsetting (termination) after natural production has risen to expected levels, but how realistic is this? Would wild fish actually use the site? Would the fisheries managers let go of it? The reviewers would like assurance that the project would "sunset" and would like to review the criteria for determining how and when to terminate the program.


Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Date:
May 17, 2002

Comment:

Need more definitive data to be sure project will succeed. The hatchery programs in the Methow are currently undergoing evaluation and potentially restructuring. The PUD hatchery committee will be organizing and planning in the near future. The BOR hatchery program is considering moving towards supplementation, but decisions have not been made. This project may be ahead of those efforts and cannot be tied to specific planning documents at this time. This project may be a key element in the future, but at this time that cannot be determined.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jun 7, 2002

Comment:

Fundable. This is a well-done proposal under the premise that supplementation is a good idea. Good background section. This proposal and project 29006 could provide some insight into the data supporting acclimation benefits versus direct release. The response adequately addresses the ISRP's preliminary concerns with this issue. A plan is incorporated for testing the effectiveness of acclimation.

The proposal is to enlarge and otherwise improve the acclimation ponds on the Mason property on Eightmile Creek to provide for summer steelhead acclimation. The source of fish would be the Wells Dam Hatchery. The existing site offers opportunities not available if the land had to be purchased. It is justified under the FWP by its naturalizing approach and also justified by Subbasin Summary objectives and strategies. This facility would provide a location for the recommended studies. The project advances NMFS's natural rearing approaches to hatchery reform (BiOp). Twisp River acclimation ponds are being developed in the same manner (on a schedule ahead of this one). The staff appear to be well-qualified.


Recommendation:
Date:
Jul 19, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Hatchery/Supplementation project may provide increase in survival of steelhead smolts.

Comments
Potential benefits of acclimation appear to be small with steelhead. Current planting method seems to disperse adults and not contribute to straying of steelhead adults on return. May be yet another good test of NATURES rearing concept, but what hatchery is being reformed? Initiation under auspices of FCRPS Biop assumes an approved HGMP listing this as an action. Small scale evaluation will confirm case specific benefits prior to full scale acclimation for steelhead smolts.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? No


Recommendation:
C
Date:
Jul 26, 2002

Comment:

Recommend deferral to Subbasin Planning
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Oct 30, 2002

Comment: