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
Monitoring of Supplementation Response Variables for YKFP

BPA project number   5507700

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
WDFW

Sponsor type   WA-State/Local Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   , EWN

Biological opinion ID   

NWPPC Program number   7.4K.1

Short description
This task will implement monitoring and evaluation of key biological response variables in the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project test of supplementation. The biological response variables are reproductive success and long-term fitness. Detailed monitoring plans now under development will state major objectives, experimental hypotheses, risk containment measures, and specific field protocols. Additional biological response variables are post-release survival and ecological interactions which will be addressed through other WDFW tasks (Yakima Species Interactions) or other contractors.

Project start year   1997    End year   2005

Start of operation and/or maintenance   0

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
9506400 - The Intergovernmental Agreement "Yakima Fisheries Project Scientific and Management Services" which provides the contract for WDFW policy oversight and technical direction for this and other priority tasks within the adaptive management framework of the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project.

9506401 -"Refinement of Marking Methods for the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project" is developing the marking technology necessary to identify project fish at the treatment replicate level and recover information about those fish by benign sampling. Evaluation of project success is dependent upon this assumption.

9506402 - "Upper Yakima Species Interactions Studies" established the biological baseline for spawning, rearing, and production of rainbow trout, steelhead, spring chinook salmon, and non-target species that may be important effectors or respond to supplementation. This task also develops monitoring techniques and specific monitoring plans that must be in place at the inception of YKFP supplementation and continue as the system responds. Evaluation of project objectives and success is dependent upon this assumption.

9506403 - "Development of the Genetic Management Framework for Upper Yakima Spring Chinook' provides the genetic management component, a complement to the ecological interactions component described above. Both are central to Project objectives as defined by the NPPC. Evaluation of project objectives and success is dependent upon this assumption.

950604 - "Policy/Technical Involvement and Planning in the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project" provides for WDFW policy and technical planning and coordination for the Project.

9506405 - "Further Development of the "NIT" and "LNIT" Strategies for the Yakima Fisheries Project" provides field testing and final definition of the new innovative treatments to be used for fish rearing to produce individuals with traits similar to their wild counterparts. Evaluation of project objectives and success is dependent upon this assumption.

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
Under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Testable hypothesis
Under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
Under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Methods
Under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Brief schedule of activities
Monitoring will begin no later than the scheduled initiation of brood stock collection in April, 1997. The YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group is developing a detailed monitoring plan based on pre-facility baseline work in genetics, reproductive success, species interactions and post-release survival.

Biological need
Implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan. A detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is now under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Critical uncertainties
Under development by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Summary of expected outcome
Under development by the YKDP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
The cooperating fishery managers on the YKFP are the Yakama Indian Nation and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. A project management framework stipulates that project management is directed by a Policy Group consisting of representatives of the fishery managers. The USBOR is an interested party in the basin and several proposed monitoring facilities are operated by BOR. BPA is the funding entity and has the lead responsibility for NEPA development and compliance. A Final EIS has been printed and announced in the Federal Register. A Record of Decision is scheduled for February 26, 1996. Biological Assessments are being processed by NMFS and USFWS. State of Washington SEPA requirements will be met by adoption of the NEPA EIS. Failure of one or more of these processes is unlikely but could delay construction of the Cle Elum Hatchery and delay implementation of the supplementation monitoring and evaluation plan.

Risks
Risk monitoring and containment measures will be developed by the YKFP Monitoring and Evaluation Work Group based on risks identified in the Final EIS via the adaptive management process used by the YKFP.

Monitoring activity
An initial monitoring plan is included in the FESIS. A more detailed monitoring plan is being developed to include the following biological variables; ecological interactions, reproductive success, long-term fitness, post-release survival. This task will implement the plan as it pertains to long-term fitness and reproductive success response variables.

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   Bonneville Dam - Priest Rapids Dam

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $200,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $136,000