FY 2002 LSRCP proposal 200118

Additional documents

TitleType
200118 Narrative Narrative
Lower Snake River Compensation Plan Overview Powerpoint Presentation Powerpoint Presentation

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleEvaluation of salmonids released in the Snake River under the LSRCP Program
Proposal ID200118
OrganizationWashington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameMark L. Schuck
Mailing address401 S. Cottonwood Dayton, WA 99328
Phone / email5093821004 / schucmls@dfw.wa.gov
Manager authorizing this projectLower Snake River Compensation Plan
Review cycleLSRCP
Province / SubbasinBlue Mountain / Snake Hells Canyon
Short descriptionEvaluate fall chinook production and releases into the Snake River basin above Lower Granite Dam, and document harvest / return of hatchery reared steelhead produced as part of the LSRCP program.
Target speciesFall chinook salmon Summer steelhead
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
46.5894 -118.2196 Lyons Ferry Hatchery
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
RM&E RPA Action 184

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
1984-2001 Annually monitored salmon/steelhead produced for release into the basin
1984-1997 Assessed multiple brood years of fall chinook yearling and subyearling releases and the effects of transportation on survival
1984-2001 Annually documented LSRCP origin fall chinook and steelhead returns to the basin
1990-1997 Cryopreserved fall chinook semen to provide stock and genetic integrity under critical (VSP) population conditions.
1990-2000 Removed identifiable stray non-Snake River fall chinook from the population at LGD
1986-2000 Conducted sport fishery surveys in the Snake River and documented returns and harvest of LSRCP origin hatchery fish.
1985-1990 Documented and reported fall chinook harvest in the Columbia Basin and its effect on Snake River escapements.
1996-2001 Coordinated with NPT and USFWS researchers on evaluation of yearling and subyearling, direct and acclimated, releases into the Snake River.
2001 Adjusted production protocol to improve survival: barged subyearlings from LFH to below Bonneville Dam during drought
1991-1997 Completed radio telemetry study of fall chinook migration behavior, including fall back rates at Snake River dams.
1987-1989 Conducted a steelhead radio telemetry study jointly with ODFW to document steelhead fallback behavior at LGD and migration into tributary rivers during winter and spring, and determine the availability of those fish to sport fisheries.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
199801004 Nez Perce Tribal Monitoring and Evaluation Program WDFW personnel coordinate closely with NPT biologists on the tagging, release and evaluation of acclimated and hatchery direct yearling and sub-yearling fall chinook
199801003 Snake River Radio Telemetry Study Assist USFWS personnel in conducting an adult fall chinook migration study through the Snake River between LGR and the Grande Ronde River.
Hells Canyon Mitigation Agreement Lyons Ferry Complex was constructed partially with funds from Idaho Power Co.. Fall chinook mitigation for Hells Canyon will come from LFH. Evaluations will work with IPC and Idaho Fish and Game personnel to implement monitoring and evaluation.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
N/A $0
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 2002 costSubcontractor
N/A $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
N/A $0
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
N/A $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
N/A $0
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1) Monitor and evaluate the quality of releases of hatchery fall chinook salmon produced from LFC. a. Evaluate mark/tag quality and retention [adipose/ventral fin clip, Coded-Wire tag (CWT), freeze brand, and Visual Implant elastomer tag (VI)] before release, including subyearlings for above LGR. indefinite $3,000
b. Document and report release size, general condition, degree of smoltification, sexual precocity, and blood hematocrit levels prior to release. indefinite $1,000
c. Summarize hatchery records for each brood year to document and report egg-to-fry, fry-to-smolt, and egg-to-smolt sur-vival rates at LFC. indefinite $2,500
2) Evaluate hatchery release strategies from all release sites (downstream survival rates). a. Recommend marks (Ad/CWT/VI) for all yearlings for release at LFH and upstream acclimation sites above LGD. Recommend marks (AD/CWT) for a portion of sub-yearlings for release at LFH (200,000). Each release group will receive a unique CWT code. indefinite $550
] b. Continue to coordinate and participate in cooperative study plans with the USFWS Fisheries Resource Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, Idaho Power, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the NPT for evaluating off-station releases in 2002/2003 2 yrs $1,000
c. PIT tag yearlings and subyearlings at LFH before release. Document migration timing and relative survivals. indefinite $4,000
3) Estimate adult returns and return rates, collect life history and genetic characteristics, and document distribution of salmon and steelhead to SE Washington streams and facilities. Provide lower River fishery contributions by LSRCP produced fish. Sub-objective 3.1: Estimate adult returns and return rates, collect life history and genetic characteristics, and document distribution of adult fall chinook to southeast Washington streams and facilities. $0
a. Document the magnitude, return distribution, run timing, peak spawning, fish size, age, sex, and genetic information of the fall chinook returning to LFH. Document the same data for fish hauled from Lower Granite Dam (LGD) to LFH for spawning. indefinite $10,000
b. Recover and process CWTs from hatchery fall chinook returning to LFH and hauled from LGD. indefinite $8,000
c. Obtain estimates of down-river harvest of LFH origin fall chinook. indefinite $550
d. Participate with USFWS and NPT in a cooperative radio telemetry study of fall chinook returning from hatchery releases upstream of LGD. 1 yr $500
e. Utilize age composition data and adult escapement estimates to calculate smolt-to-adult survival rates on hatchery fall chinook from LFH. indefinite $2,500
Sub-objective 3.2: Estimate adult returns and return rates, collect life history and genetic characteristics, and document distribution of adult summer steelhead to southeast Washington streams and to LSRCP facilities $0
a. Document hatchery returns to Lower Granite Dam. indefinite $1,000
b. Conduct creel surveys on the Snake River to collect information (length, CWT, scales and sex) on harvested untagged and CWT tagged LFH origin adult steelhead. 3-4 years $30,500
c. Process recovered CWTs and scales for age composition. indefinite $4,000
d. Use catch record card estimates and CWT codes collected during creel surveys to estimate the return and sport harvest of all groups of released LFH origin steelhead within the LSRCP area of Washington. Obtain harvest estimates of LFH origin steelhead indefinite $1,800
e. Utilize age composition data, adult escapement estimates, and creel data to calculate smolt-to-adult survival rates on hatchery steelhead produced from LFC. indefinite $2,000
f. Assess the nature and extent of straying of LFH origin steelhead within the Snake River basin and provide recommendations to minimize straying. indefinite $2,500
4) Maintain phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of salmon and steelhead stocks used at Lyons Ferry Complex. a. Scan all fish for tag wire and examine fish for marks. Extract and read all CWTs of fall chinook . Collect scales on fish which are untagged and unmarked to determine origin after spawning. (see 3. b. above) indefinite $4,500
5) Assess LSRCP hatchery evaluation actions to determine potential effects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Develop Section 7 LSRCP Biological Assessments and submit Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for stocks produced at LFC. a. Obtain quantitative data necessary to evaluate LSRCP funded programs. indefinite $1,300
b. Coordinate and assist WDFW and USFWS-LSRCP research staff with quantitative analysis for the development or modifications of Biological Assessments and HGMPs. indefinite $6,000
c. Assess effects of all proposed actions and estimate direct and indirect takes of listed species using tasks and results listed in proposal and any relevant literature. indefinite $2,750
d. Develop and recommend alternatives to reduce deleterious effects on all listed species within the program. indefinite $2,500
e. Act as the liaison between the USFWS and WDFW during the formal consultation period to fulfill the cooperator's role in the process indefinite $650
f. Provide additional documentation, as requested, for the LSRCP Section 7 formal consultation between NMFS and the USFWS-LSRCP Office. indefinite $1,200
g. Recommend changes in Washington’s fish management and research plans to ensure compliance with decisions made during consultations between NMFS and FWS. indefinite $2,500
h. Review special conditions of Section 10 permits, special conditions of Section 7 consultations, and coordinate with WDFW personnel who will implement the actions to ensure that all actions are permitted and consistent with permit requirements. indefinite $2,000
i. Where appropriate, provide input to WDFW responses to the NMFS Biological Assessments, Opinions, and Recovery Plans. indefinite $3,000
6) Complete annual reports to summarize results of all LSRCP funded work conducted during the contract period. Disseminate to interested parties in Columbia Basin. a. Summarize results from objective tasks, assemble into species specific reports indefinite $15,000
b. Submit a draft report on Lyons Ferry fall chinook research and activities to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 60 days after contract is completed (due 1 June). After formal review, submit a final report within 120 days of contract completion. indefinite $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1) Monitor and evaluate the quality of releases of hatchery fall chinook salmon produced from LFC. 2003 2006 $29,435
2) Evaluate hatchery release strategies from all release sites (downstream survival rates). 2003 2006 $24,950
3) Estimate adult returns and return rates, collect life history and genetic characteristics, and document distribution of fall chinook salmon to SE Washington streams and facilities. Provide lower River fishery contributions by LSRCP produced fish. 2003 2006 $203,575
4) Maintain phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of salmon and steelhead stocks used at Lyons Ferry Complex. 2003 2006 $20,385
5) Assess LSRCP hatchery evaluation actions to determine potential effects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Develop Section 7 LSRCP Biological Assessments and submit Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for stocks produced at LFC. 2003 2006 $99,138
6) Complete annual reports to summarize results of all LSRCP funded work conducted during the contract period. Disseminate to interested parties in Columbia Basin. 2003 2006 $67,890
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$96,400$101,250$106,350$141,980

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2002 cost
Personnel FTE: 3 biologist and 4 technicians for part of a year. $44,000
Fringe @ 28.5% $12,540
Supplies $4,200
Travel Vehicle maintenance and gas $5,000
Indirect @ 25.2% $16,560
Capital $25,000
NEPA $0
PIT tags # of tags: 2000 $4,500
Other DNA samples (100 @ $50/ea) $5,000
$116,800
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$116,800
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$116,800
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
Other budget explanation

The LSRCP Program is a direct reimbursable cost to BPA as directed by Congress. Budget figures do not represent a request, but are provided here for informational purposes.


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:
Dec 21, 2001

Comment:

A response is required. This project is part of a set of projects 200118, 200112, 200114, and 200115: Production and evaluation of salmonids released in the Snake River of Washington under the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) Program. The proposal is mostly for personal costs for participation in evaluation studies and for minor components of the PIT and DNA sampling costs (details were not provided for a capital request of $25K). This proposal is integrated with a larger evaluation proposal submitted by the Nez Perce (project #199801004). These proposals constitute the core assessment of this production. The proposal lists objectives and tasks in section 9f but the methods are very limited in description and require clarification. As with many of other LSRCP proposals, we recommend not funding the hatchery monitoring component until evidence is given that monitoring data are stored in an appropriate consistent database for all LSRCP hatcheries and are available through a distributed system via the Internet. The data and evaluation should be consistent with the Dworshak use of the Idaho FRO system (see Task 3.c in Proposal 200101). Results must be given in the proposal even if analyzed by a different project. Given the amount of data and metadata collected, there must be a database in use by this project, but we did not see a description of the database or associated costs.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Apr 23, 2002

Comment:

Fundable. The respondents presented a helpful package of information and responses to ISRP questions. Their responses amply address the ISRP's preliminary review requests for description of the scientific basis for the program; reference to relevant literature on steelhead residualization and reproductive performance; clarification of technical matters such as sample site selection and assessment of data quality; description of broodstock development; and clarification of harvest goals. If future preparations for review build on this, the processing of the resultant materials should be efficient. WDFW should be congratulated on their efforts to reduce straying, production, and to protect endemic gene pools.

Although they have taken considerable action to prevent their program from causing further jeopardy for wild stocks, and will continue to do so, they inform the ISRP that they will not stop mitigation actions authorized under the LSRCP. They blame NMFS in one instance, for not providing guidance on the amount of reduction needed to preclude deleterious effects in wild fish, but WDFW should take responsibility in determining what steps to take to avoid potential harm caused by the fish they release. The intent of this program is to use LSRCP authorization to produce fish for harvest, but a primary intent of other basin programs is to conserve native species and increase abundance to useful and persistent levels. These differing views of "basin management" may have several incompatibilities.

If hatchery production (Project 200114) was reduced by 7,000 lb annually to redirect some money into habitat structure construction (p 4), does that habitat structure work continue today?