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
Idaho Loss Assessment

BPA project number   9501400

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, IDFG, NPT

Sponsor type   ID-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Phil Havens, EWP 230-3543

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   10.1C.1

Short description
Assess losses and gains of resident fish at federal hydropower projects throughout the Columbia River Basin in Idaho. Focus will be on 6 dams in Idaho where wildlife loss assessments have been initiated or completed by BPA.

Project start year   1997    End year   2002

Start of operation and/or maintenance   

Project development phase   Planning & Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
Wildlife loss/gain assessments

Project history
In 1993 NPPC staff informed the RFC that loss assessments needed to be done for resident fish at all federal hydropower projects. Wildlife managers had already initiated or completed wildlife losses for most of these projects. In 1994 IDFG, SBT, and NPT submitted a proposal to do loss assessments in Idaho that was ranked high enough for funding in 1995. Soon thereafter a statement of work was completed and initiation of research was ready to begin upon funding; however, NPPC staff and RFC agreed that a comprehensive format and plan was first needed for the assessments, and that the assessments should be done on a basin wide scope. The initial draft of a working format will be presented to the RFC for review and at that time projects to be assessed will likely be prioritized basin wide.

Biological results achieved
None yet.

Annual reports and technical papers
None yet.

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
Create mathematical models for loss assessments that will quantify losses of native fish (numbers and species) due to hydropower development. Initiate research, and submit completed assessments to the NPPC for final approval.

Testable hypothesis
Construction and operation of hydropower dams and reservoirs cause a change in fish populations.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
Sufficient historical data is available to test hypothesis. Measurements of parameters is accurate and possible.

Methods
HEP habitat units. Much of these HEP data will already have been inventoried by wildlife assessments, and would be available for modification and use by resident fish researchers.

Brief schedule of activities
Assess current habitats and populations, research historic habitat and populations and define differences.

Biological need
Native fish populations damaged by hydropower system.

Critical uncertainties
That assessments are accurate and complete.

Summary of expected outcome
Initial and final assessment of resident fish losses or gains in Idaho.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
IDFG, NPT, SBT cost-share resources and personnel.

Risks

Monitoring activity
To be decided.

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   Resident Fish

Recommendation    Tier 2 - fund when funds available

Recommended funding level   $245,692