FY 2003 Lower Columbia proposal 31005

Additional documents

TitleType
31005 Narrative Narrative
31005 and 31017 Sponsor Response to the ISRP Response
31005 Powerpoint Presentation Powerpoint Presentation

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleIncorporating Pit Tag Technology to Evaluate and Monitor the Reintroduction Effort for Anadromous Salmonids in the Upper Cowlitz Watershed
Proposal ID31005
OrganizationWashington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameCharles Morrill
Mailing addressFish Program, 600 North Capitol Way Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Phone / email3609022747 / cfwdfw@aol.com
Manager authorizing this projectWolf Dammers, Region V District Fish Biologist
Review cycleLower Columbia
Province / SubbasinLower Columbia / Cowlitz
Short descriptionWe propose to update pit tag system to basin ISO standards at the Cowlitz Falls Dam and Fish Facility and use pit tags to monitor and measure collection, collection efficiency, smolt production, and a prototype surface collector entrance.
Target speciesLate Winter Steelhead, Coho, Cutthroat and Spring Chinook, All part of the Lower Columbia River ESU
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
46.4597 -122.1037 Location of the Cowlitz Falls Dam and Fish Facility, Range 6E, Township 11N, Sectin 6, About 17 miles East of Morton , WA off of Highway 12 at 1379 Falls Road, Randle, WA
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Section 9.6.1.1 Action 85
Section 9.6.5.3 Action182
Section 9.6.1.1 Action 86

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2001 Total Smolt collection of 434,000 including nearly 335,000 coho smolts from hatchery adult spawners
2001 Flaired entrance to collection flume evaluated: tests with this prototype showed no improvement in collection
2001 Estimates of collection efficiency: 58 % for steelhead, 42 % for coho, 23 % for chinook
2001 No Coho fry released in the upper watershed
2001 Number of adult coho transported and released to spawn naturally in the upper watershed will exceed 30,000
2001 Estimates of egg to smolt yield from hatchery origin coho that spawned naturally of 1.5 % with no correction for sport harvest prior to spawning
2001 Initial estimate of smolt to adult survival for returns in 2000-01 from smolts collected and released in '99 of ~ 5.0 %
2001 Estimates of smolt yield from chinook fry plants: 32 %,
2001 Estimates of smolt yield from steelhead fingerling plants: 13 %
2001 Over 730 late winter adult steelhead released in the upper watershed to spawn naturally; potential egg deposition of 1.2 million
2001 Over 200 adult spring chinook released in the Cispus and allowed to spawn naturally; potential egg deposition of 381,000
2001 Documented emigration of juvenile spring chinook from hatchery adults that spawned in the Cispus in the fall of 2000.
2000 Total Smolt collection of 178,000
2000 Baffle panels modified to improve flow dynamics approaching entrance to collection flume, monitoring indicated nearly 66 % of fish collected entered over modified baffle panels. Sampling the collection flumes showed that 75 to 83 % of the fish
2000 Sampling in the collection flumes showed that 75 to 83 % of fish collected came over the unit with the modified baffle panel configuration
2000 Estimates of collection efficiency: 65 % for steelhead, 45 % for coho, 24 % for chinook
2000 Radio telemetry estimates of collection efficiency for steelhead of 66 %
2000 Radio telemetry data showed that over 92 % of the tagged steelhead smolts entered the area behind the baffle panels. Nearly twice as many fish were collected behind the modified baffle panel configuration as the original.
2000 Radio telemetry data showed that all tagged steelhead smolts were detected at the entrances to the collection flumes.
2000 Visual observations by project staff early in season with clear water indicated steelhead smolts readily found collection flume entrances, oriented to entrance flows, then choose to reject or accept
2000 Second evaluation of directed flow, tests with coho showed increase in collection of up to 38 % over control
2000 Estimates of smolt yield from coho and chinook fry plants: 22 % and 25 %
2000 Estimates of smolt yield from steelhead fingerlings: 8.3 %
2000 Over 400 late winter adult steelhead released in the upper watershed to spawn naturally; potential egg depostion of 651,000
2000 Initial estimate of coho smolt to adult return from smolts collected and transported in 1998 of ~ 1.85 %
2000 Over 200 adult spring chinook released in the Cispus and allowed to spawn naturally; potential egg deposition of 206,000
2000 A total of 42,000 adult coho released in the upper watershed and allowed to spawn naturally, potential egg deposition of nearly 62 million eggs
1999 Total Smolt collection of 52,000
1999 Tested Strobe lights installed in induction slot to reduce steelhead passage through the induction slot to the turbine. Strobe lights as tested increased passage through induction slot
1999 Radio telemetry estimates of guidance though baffle panel slots for steelhead in conjunction with the strobe light study of 54 % in the unit with strobe lights and 46 % in the control unit.
1999 Radio telemetry estimates of collection efficiency for steelhead in conjunction with the strobe light study of xx % in the unit with strobe lights and xx % in the control unit.
1999 First radio telemetry estimate of guidance efficiency (passage through baffle panel slots) for coho of ~ 63 % associated with Directed Flow research
1999 First radio telemetry estimate of collection efficiency for coho of ~ 42 % as part of Directed Flow research
1999 Estimates of collection efficiency: 41 % for steelhead, 17 % for coho, 24 % for chinook
1999 Estimates of smolt yield from coho and chinook fry plants: 9 % and 16 %
1999 Estimates of smolt yield from steelhead fingerlings: 4.0 %
1999 More than 34,000 coho adults released in the upper watershed and allowed to spawn naturally, potential egg deposition of more than 52 million eggs
1998 Total Smolt collection of 168,000
1998 First radio telemetry estimate of collection efficiency for steelhead of 55 % (pilot study with 52 tags)
1998 Estimates of collection efficiency: 38 % for steelhead, 32 % for coho, 18 % for chinook
1998 Estimates of smolt yield from coho and chinook fry plants: 19 % and 8 %
1998 Estimates of smolt yield from steelhead fingerlings: 5.4 %
1998 More than 11,000 coho adults released in the upper watershed and allowed to spawn naturally, potential egg deposition of more than 11 million eggs
1997 Total Smolt collection of 46,000
1997 Estimates of collection efficiency: 45 % for steelhead, 21 % for coho, 17 % for chinook
1997 Estimates of smolt yield from coho and chinook fry plants: 5 % and 18 %
1997 Estimates of smolt yield from steelhead fingerlings: 1.7 %
1997 Juvenile Fish Collection Facility at the Cowlitz Falls Dam completed and turned over to BPA at a cost of 18 millian dollars
1997 Acclimation ponds for the reintroduction program at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery completed and turned over to BPA at a cost of 4 million dollars
1996 First season (only 12 weeks) of smolt collection at the Cowlitz Falls Project for the reintroduction of spring chinook, late winter steelhead and coho to the upper watershed

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
Cowlitz Falls Project Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Program BPA owns the power generation at the Cowlitz Falls Project through 2032 and funds the current level Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Program through the Contract Generating Resources Office in Richland, WA

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Objective 1. Upgrade Fish Facility Pit Tag Detection system at the Cowlitz Falls Project to Basin ISO standards a. Consult with Vendors and solicit formal proposal to upgrade outdated Pit Tag Detection system 0ne $2,100
Obj. 1. b. Review and approve final proposal One $1,500
Obj. 1. c. Schedule and coordinate installation prior to smolt migration beginning in April, 2003 with BPA and LCPUD One $1,500
Objective 2. Develop and refine plans to utilize pit tags as a long term tool to monitor smolt emigration, timing, smolt yields, collection efficiency, and response to changes in the collection system in-season and long term a. Work with a consulting statistician to define the numbers of pit tags and tagging strategy to measure and monitor each component with appropriate levels of accuracy, precision and confidence levels for each species on-going $7,600 Yes
Objective 3. Initial planning to install pit tag detection in two of four collection flumes to support research efforts to improve and monitor smolt entrance into the collection flumes in 2004 a. Consult with LCPUD Project Engineers on project feasibility, design criteria, safety issues, and logistics to add additional pit tag detectors to existing flumes two $3,700 Yes
Obj. 3. b. Review results of monitoring and research during the '03 season on entrance behavior One $2,000
Objective 4. Continue work begun prior to 2003 on the modified prototype surface collector entrance design a. Complete engineering design work to modify prototype surface collector entrance One $20,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Objective 1. Complete plans to install two two coil detectors in two of the four collection flumes prior to the March 2004 2004 2004 $6,400
Objective 2. At the end of the 2004 season, review results from 2004 work and plans for pit tag detection in the remaining two collection flumes to support efforts to monitor and improve smolt collection 2005 2005 $3,400
Objective 3. Complete plans to install last two two coil detectors in the remaining collection flumes prior to March 2005 2005 2005 $3,000
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$8,000$11,400$6,400

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Objective 1. Upgrade Pit Tag Detection system at Project Fish Facility a. Contract with Selected Vendor to complete upgrade prior to beginning of smolt migration season in March of 2003 one $60,000 Yes
Objective 2. Train staff in Pit Tagging techniques a. Have staff gain learn proper techniques and gain experience working with experienced staff from other agencies in the basin one $3,500
Objective 3. Complete fabrication of modified surface collection prototype a. Engineering firm to complete the modified surface collector entrance prototype and deliver it to the project one $30,000 Yes
Objective 4. Install modified surface collector entrance prototype a. LCPUD staff to install modified surface prototype entance collector one $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Objective 1. Install Pit tag detection on two collection flumes 2004 2004 $75,000
Objective 2. Install Pit tag detection on last two collection flumes 2005 2005 $75,000
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
FY 2004FY 2005
$75,000$75,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Objective 1. Service and Maintain Pit Tag Equipment a. Set up service contract with Vendor for service as needed in-season on-going $2,500 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Objective 1. Continue Service and Maintenance Agreement with Vendor for Pit Tag Equipment 2004 2007 $8,000
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006FY 2007
$2,500$2,500$2,500$2,500

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
Objective 1. Pit Tag juveniles to measure smolt collection efficiency over the migration season a. Pit tag up to 2,000 smolts for standard facility mark/recapture estimates of collection efficiency five $6,135
Objective 2. Pit Tag smolts to assist in evaluating measures to improve collection a. Pit tag up to 2,000 smolts to evaluate efforts to improve collection five $6,135
Obj. 2. b. Coordinate tagging and releases with study efforts to improve collection five $2,455
Objective 3. Pit Tag up to 4,000 juveniles to help monitor emigration, timing, and yield from the upper watershed a. Capture and tag juveniles at one or more locations in the upper watershed throughout the migration season five $24,545
Obj. 3 b. Evaluate use of a screw trap at the mouth of the Cispus to collect and tag juvenile emigrants five $24,545
Obj. 3 c. Evaluate use of a Lake Merwin trap in the reservoir to collect and tag juvenile emigrants five $24,545
Objective 4. Submit all tagging files to regional Pit Tag Data Base (Ptagis) a. Validate and submit all tagging files upon releasing tagged fish five $18,410
Objective 5. Monitor recovery of pit tags in lower Columbia River to supplement timing and life history information as tagged juveniles migrate to the ocean a. Access Ptagis for tags recovered in esturary trawl program conducted by NMFS five $1,230
Obj. 5. b. Access Ptagis for tags recovered in on-going sampling of avian nesting sites and Estuary life history studies five $1,230
Objective 6. Complete annual reports a. Prepare and complete annual reports on project activities and accomplishments five $13,500
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Objective 1. Pit Tag juveniles to measure smolt collection efficiency over the migration season 2004 2007 $26,400
Objective 2. Pit Tag smolts to assist in evaluating measures to improve collection 2004 2007 $37,000
Objective 3. Pit Tag juveniles to help monitor emigration, timing, and yield from the upper watershed 2004 2007 $317,300
Objective 4. Submit all tagging files to regional Pit Tag Data Base (Ptagis) 2004 2007 $79,300
Objective 5. Monitor recovery of pit tags in lower Columbia River from Ptagis data base to supplement timing and life history information of tagged juveniles from the upper Cowlitz watershed 2004 2007 $10,600
Objective 6. Complete annual reports 2004 2007 $58,200
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006FY 2007
$126,400$130,200$134,100$138,100

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2003 cost
Personnel FTE: 19.0 $58,600
Fringe Avg. Benefit rate of .289 $16,960
Supplies office space, phones, computer, office supplies $10,200
Travel $3,000
Indirect Indirect rate of .252, rounded to nearest 10 $22,370
Capital Pit Tag Detection equipment to upgrade current system to ISO basin standards $52,000
NEPA Addressed by Agency $0
PIT tags # of tags: 8,000 $18,000
Subcontractor Pit Tag Equipment Installation $8,000
Subcontractor Pit Tag Equipment Maintainence $2,500
Subcontractor Engineering Support for Pit Tag Detectors in Collection Flumes $3,000
Subcontractor Statistical Support for pit tagging studies $4,500
Subcontractor Engineering design work to complete prototype surface entrance collector $20,000
Subcontractor Fabrication costs for prototype surface collector $30,000
Other Pit tagging needles, syringes, and supplies $8,000
$257,130
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2003 cost$257,130
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2003 budget request$257,130
FY 2003 forecast from 2002$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
BPA, Power Generating Resources Funds Basic Components of the Cowlitz Falls Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Program $305,000 cash
USGS-BRD, Cook Washington Equipment and staff services including an acoustic camera for monitoring fish behavior and response to the entrances of the surface collector flumes $0 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 proposal is part of a larger initiative to improve collection and passage efficiency of salmonids at the Surface Collection and Fish Facility at the Cowlitz Falls Dam. BPA funded the completion of this facility in 1996 marking the beginning of a unique opportunity to restore anadromous salmonids to an estimated 240 miles of productive habitat in the upper Cowlitz and Cispus watersheds. Based on recent success in juvenile production from those watersheds, the proposal states "upper Cowlitz and Cispus Rivers clearly are still capable of producing significant numbers of salmonid smolts. Pathological examinations of smolts have found them healthy, robust, and typically disease free." However, downstream of the Cowlitz Falls dam, the downstream passage of smolts is blocked by Riffe Lake and two more dams. Smolts are collected at Cowlitz Falls dam and transported to the lower Cowlitz for release. If smolts are not collected they are likely lost to production in Riffe or Scanewa lakes. Collection efficiency at the Fish Facility though is well less than the target of 95% and efforts are planned to re-design the entrance of the surface collector. Installation of the pit tag detection system would enable the researchers to use pit tags to:
  1. Reduce our sampling rates to monitor and enumerate the smolt collection to low levels and reduce the numbers of fish exposed to the stresses of handling and sampling;
  2. Monitor smolt emigration, timing and smolt yields from the upper watershed;
  3. Measure collection efficiency and estimate total smolt production from the upper watershed, critical to monitor the reintroduction effort over time;
  4. Measure the response to modifications and improvements to the collection system, which are critical to achieving self-sustaining populations in the upper watershed.

The upper Cowlitz watershed apparently shows excellent potential for the Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Program. This proposal would provide an assessment tool for development of an improved surface collection design and for assessment of production from the upper basin. The combination of the collection system and the need to transport all adults into the upper basin for spawning provides a unique opportunity to examine salmon restoration and the productivity of "hatchery" based brood stock allowed to spawn naturally in a barren habitat (Section 9c in proposal). The system for study would be essentially "closed" (no input or output without monitoring), provides highly productive natural habitat, and would have good evaluation capability with this PIT development at the Fish Facility.

The following comment also applies to project 31017 and a joint response is likely warranted. A response is requested on how the Anadromous Fish Reintroduction Program is being evaluated. This project could potentially be very worthwhile but its value needs to be assessed within the context of the evaluation, what are the objectives of the evaluation, what are the results of the evaluation to date? The ISRP would strongly recommend the development of an experimental design to utilize this unique opportunity. Further, the PIT equipment would provide the tool for assessing collector designs but what is being done to re-design this system for improved efficiency?

BPA has already invested heavily in the Cowlitz watershed by building the Fish Facility ($22 million) but this proposal has good cost sharing and local support. There is an opportunity for exciting and informative research programs concerning salmon restoration, role of nutrients in the ecosystem, and hatchery versus wild comparisons in the upper Cowlitz watershed.


Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Date:
May 17, 2002

Comment:

This project should be considered under the Mainstem and Systemwide Province. The data collected would contribute to a larger database for evaluating populations. NMFS has identified that this project is a BiOp project.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jun 7, 2002

Comment:

See comments on project #31017.
Recommendation:
Date:
Jul 19, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Expand the fish collection and detection abilities in the Upper Cowlitz (at hydro projects) to monitor fish passage. Indirect benefit to unlisted steelhead.

Comments
It appears they may presently have some capability to detect 400 khz tags, but this technology is outdated and will require installation of ISO equipment. The overall design also looks good, but some of the expected results will require that NMFS (or someone else) continue trawling in the lower river.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? No


Recommendation:
D
Date:
Jul 23, 2002

Comment:

The Cowlitz Falls Dam is not an FCRPS project. The mitigation effort proposed by this project may more appropriately be addressed with Lewis County PUD rather than the Program.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Oct 30, 2002

Comment: