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
Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon

BPA project number   9502700

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Spokane Tribe

Sponsor type   WA-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Rick Westerhof, EWI 503/230-5061

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   10.4A.6

Short description
Three year base-line assessment of sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt from Grand Coulee Dam to the international border, including the Spokane River arm on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

Project start year   1997    End year   1999

Start of operation and/or maintenance   

Project development phase   Planning

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
The Lake Roosevelt Monitoring / Data Collection Program (BPA No. 9404300) monitors and evaluates the effects of kokanee salmon and rainbow trout outplanting into Lake Roosevelt by the Spokane Tribal Hatchery (BPA No. 9104600), Sherman Creek Hatchery (BPA NO. 9501100), The Native Fish Stock Status (NPPC No. 10.8.B26) will provide information essential to the development of biological / integrated rule curves. Additionally, Canadian white sturgeon projects will be related to this project.

Project history
NA

Biological results achieved
NA

Annual reports and technical papers
NA

Management implications
Project will establish the status of white sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt. The sturgeon may warrant ESA protection.

Specific measureable objectives
Conduct an assessment of sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt including estimates of current populations size, abundance of each age class, age/length frequency, recruitment rate, natural and fishing mortalities, distribution patterns, harvest, life history, habitat usage, environmental factors effecting abundance and an assessment of the potential for artificial propagation.

Testable hypothesis
The population of Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon is decreasing at an alarming rate.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods
Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon will be sampled to determine the current population size, abundance of each age class, age/length frequency, recruitment rate, mortalities, distribution and migration patterns. Methods for sampling fish will follow those summarized by Stetter and Brannon.

Brief schedule of activities
The Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon project will begin in 1997 and continue through 1999. Continue white sturgeon population research including evaluating the development and maintenance of operations and facilities to enhance white sturgeon production by supplementation.

Biological need
Data on Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon is sparse. Due to recent declines in catch and harvest rates attention must be given to this dwindling species, and action taken to ensure the survival of the Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon.

Critical uncertainties
What is the white sturgeon status in Lake Roosevelt?

Summary of expected outcome
The Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon project will assess the current population of white sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt. Operation facilities to enhance white sturgeon production by supplementation for depressed populations in the impounded portions of the Columbia and Snake Rivers will be developed and maintained. Experimental white sturgeon research on contaminants, reproduction and genetics will be developed and maintained.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
The Lake Roosevelt Monitoring / Data Collection Program (BPA No. 9404300) monitors and evaluates the effects of kokanee salmon and rainbow trout outplanting into Lake Roosevelt by the Spokane Tribal Hatchery (BPA No. 9104600), Sherman Creek Hatchery (BPA NO. 9501100), The Native Fish Stock Status (NPPC No. 10.8.B26) will provide information essential to the development of biological / integrated rule curves.

Risks
Without knowing the white sturgeon status, appropriate management plans are lacking. As a result the stock may be lost.

Monitoring activity
The Lake Roosevelt Hatchery Coordination Committee could be expanded to review work completed by this project.

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   $252,384