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
Operation of the Independent Scientific Advisory Board

BPA project number   9600500

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
CBFWF

Sponsor type   CBFWF

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   ,

Biological opinion ID   Recovery Plan Task 0.1.b

NWPPC Program number   3.3C.1, 5.0C.3, 5.0F

Short description
This project provides the administrative and fiscal support to the ISAB established by the NPPC and NMFS. It also includes the funds to reimburse the ISAB members for time and expenses.

Project start year   1989    End year   

Start of operation and/or maintenance   0

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history
Background: As part of the Implementation Process agreement between BPA and CBFWA, in the late 1980s the Scientific Review Group (SRG) was created to provide independent scientific evaluation on a variety of topics. The Council�s fish and wildlife program, as amended December 1994, calls for BPA to establish an Independent Scientific Group (ISG) to review the science of the program once every two years. The SRG has since been designated as the ISG.

SRG/ISG Products/Milestones: 1) Participated in review of studies to estimate smolt survival; 2) Provided comments to BPA on its Project Review, indicating it served well as a vehicle for information exchange. Recommendations: 1) Develop a conceptual foundation for the Fish and Wildlife Program that is based on review and synthesis of existing scientific information; 2) Implement a peer review process in the F & W Program; 3) Immediately develop and implement a systemwide monitoring and evaluation program.

1994: 1) Developed guidelines for the review of proposals submitted to BPA for funding, and a process for peer review of funded projects; 2) Began development of an ecosystem management concept as it might apply to salmon recovery and the NPPC�s F & W Program; 3) Began review of Smolt Monitoring Program; 4) Began review of Hungry Horse Reservoir Fisheries Mitigation Plan; 5) Reviewed NPPC�s proposed language on mainstem passage hypotheses; 6) Developed recommendations for the formation of the Independent Scientific Group.

Biological results achieved
N/A

Annual reports and technical papers
1990: Review of five supplementation proposals; review of hatchery effectiveness workplan; guidelines for research proposals; review of three supplementation proposals; 1989-90 Annual Report.

1991: Habitat improvement standards; review of Clay manuscript; 1990-91 Annual Report; review of RASP draft status report; review of fish disease activities; review of fish habitat classification project; review of Miller et al. supplementation report.

1992: 1991-92 Annual Report; review of Skalski & Giorgi document; review of NMFS/UW proposal for survival estimates.

1993: Evaluation of need for new scoping groups; evaluation of BPA Projects Review; Critical Uncertainties Report; guidelines for SRG in review process; comments on structure of an ISG; 1992-93 Annual Report; recommendations regarding peer review of projects; review of Hilborn et al. manuscript.

1994: recommendation procedures for peer review and proposal review; 1993-94 Annual Report.

1995: Smolt Monitoring Review; Strategy for the Biennial Evaluation of the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program.

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
N/A

Testable hypothesis
N/A

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
We assume that the ISAB will have 12 members, paid at the current ISG members' rates, and that Dr. C.C. Coutant will continue to be funded directly by BPA through a DOE-to-DOE transfer. Dr. Coutant's costs are not reflected in our budget.

Methods
N/A

Brief schedule of activities
Plans for FY 1997 have not been developed yet. They will be based on the needs of the NPPC and NMFS.

Biological need

Critical uncertainties
N/A

Summary of expected outcome
N/A

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation

Risks
None

Monitoring activity
CBFWA staff monitor financial aspects of the ISAB effort and provide reports to the NPPC, NMFS, and BPA as needed.

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   System Policy

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $620,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $620,000