FY07-09 proposal 199101901
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Hungry Horse Mitigation/Flathead Lake |
| Proposal ID | 199101901 |
| Organization | Salish & Kootenai Confederated Tribes |
| Short description | This project mitigates the impacts of Hungry Horse Dam on downstream aquatic environments within the Flathead Indian Reservation. It includes components of monitoring, research, and implementation. |
| Information transfer | We use information transfer locally by educating the public about our projects. We actively transfer information between cooperating agencies with the Flathead Subbasin, we publish in journals when possible, and rely on BPA for online dissemination of information. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Barry Hansen | Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation | [email protected] |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Barry Hansen | Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation | [email protected] |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Mountain Columbia / Flathead
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47N & 48N | 114W & 115W | Flathead Lake and River | Flathead Subbasin |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Westslope Cutthroatprimary: Freshwater Mussels
primary: Bull Trout
secondary: Lake Trout
secondary: Rainbow Trout
Additional:
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1.Native species monitoring, 2.Lake creel survey, 3. Biological parameters of lake trout, 4. Evaluated off-site fish planting, 5. Bioenergetics model, 6. Monitored shoreline erosion, 7. removed 3.5 miles of road, 8. two non-native fishing contests |
| 2004 | 1.Native species monitoring, 2.Lake creel survey, 3. Biological parameters of lake trout, 4. Evaluated off-site fish planting, 5. Bioenergetics model, 6. Monitored shoreline erosion, 7. 3,000 m of riparian fence, 8. two non-native fishing contests |
| 2003 | 1.Native species monitoring, 2.Lake creel survey, 3. Biological parameters of lake trout, 4. Evaluated off-site fish planting, 5. Bioenergetics model, 6. Evaluated white sturgeon distribution, 7. Removed 1 streamside corral, and repaired one streambank. |
| 2002 | 1.Native species monitoring, 2. Removed 1.5 miles of road, 15 ft high dam, and 1 culvert, 3. Conducted lake creel survey, 4. Evaluated biological parameters of lake trout, 5. Partially developed bioenergetics model, 6. Quantified diet of Mysis relicta |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 199101903 | Hungry Horse Mitigation/Habita | This project operates with similar objectives within the Flathead Basin but off the Flathead Indian Reservation. Numerous objectives are coordinated between the agencies, including monitoring, implementation, and project identification. |
| BPA | 200200300 | Secure & Restore F&W Habitat | Land protection/preservation project. Sister project. This project often lays the groundwork with landowners leading to the possibility of acquisition or easement on candidate properties. |
| BPA | 199608701 | Montana Focus Watershed Coordi | This project provides the landowner contact component necessary for restoration activities on private lands. |
| BPA | 199101904 | Hungry Horse Mitigation - Koka | This project raises the fish for planting in off-site reservoirs to replace lost recreational and subsistence opportunity |
| BPA | [no entry] | Flathead Subbasin Flowering Rush and Yellow Flag Iris Project | We are a cooperator in this new project proposal. We have been closely involved with the problem identification and survey, and will conduct the macroinvertebrate portion of this project. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improve channel stability | Improve channel stability to a level equivalent to the channel stability habitat restoration score of reference streams. | Flathead | Upgrade or remove problem roads, restore bank integrity, and improve instream habitat |
| Improve forest management | Use appropriate silvicultural techniques to alter forest structure and composition | Flathead | Schedule and implement restoration treatments and full implementation of BMP's |
| Improve habitat connectivity | Restore passage to migratory fish by removing potential man-made barriers | Flathead | Restore connectivity by removing barriers related to entrainment, culverts, habitat degradation, low flows, etc. |
| Improve habitat diversity | Restore the habitat diversity of the mainstem to a level that supports sustainable, harvestable levels of focal species. | Flathead | Restore woody debris recruitment, sinuosity, and channel morphometry |
| Improve hydraulic regime | Reduce reservoir drawdown and implement Kerr License | Flathead | Reduce reservoir operational impacts and provide instream flow downstream of dams. |
| Improve riparian condition | Improve riparian condition to a level that supports sustainable, harvestable levels of focal species | Flathead | Revegetate denuded areas, improve grazing practices, control noxious weeds, and provide habitat protection |
| Improve riparian forest management | Restore forest communities on 10% of riparian/wetland watershed acres over the next 15 years | Flathead | Identify and prioritize areas in need of restoration and achieve full implementation of BMP's |
| Improve shoreline condition | Restore lake shoreline conditions to a level equivalent to the shoreline condition habitat restoration score of reference lakes | Flathead | Implement shoreline restoration techniques to stabilize shorelines that are destabilized by fluctuating lake levels |
| Increase bull trout population sizes | Achieve at least 5 local with more than 100 adult bull trout in all primary core areas. | Flathead | Minimize mortality, reduce non-native competitors, and conserve gene flow |
| Increase bull trout population stability | Achieve an overall bull trout population trend that is stable or increasing | Flathead | Minimize mortality, reduce non-native competitors, and conserve gene flow |
| Increase number of westslope cutthroat populations | Maintain or increase the total number of local populations of westslope cutthroat trout | Flathead | Minimize mortality, reduce non-native competitors, and conserve gene flow |
| Increase westslope cutthroat trout population size | Achieve at least 20 genetically pure populations with a minimum of 50 adults | Flathead | Minimize mortality, reduce non-native competitors, and conserve gene flow |
| Maintain number of local bull trout populations | Maintain or increase the total number of local populations of bull trout | Flathead | Minimize mortality, reduce non-native competitors, and conserve gene flow |
| Maintain tribal subsistence and angler harvest | Maintain or increase harvestable sportfish | Flathead | Create alternate harvest opportunities in off-site lakes |
| Protect Class I watersheds | Protect and maintain prime, functioning tributary habitat | None | Implement actions necessary to protect Class I status |
| Reduce fine sediments | Reduce the delivery of fine sediments in the mainstem to a level that supports sustainable, harvestable levels of focal species | Flathead | Eliminate or reduce sediment sources through road removal, BMP's, and riparian restoration |
| Reduce lake pollutants | Reduce pollution to a level equivalent to the pollution habitat restoration score of reference lakes | Flathead | Eliminate or reduce pollutant sources and implement water quality regulations |
| Reduce non-native species | Prevent further expansion, suppress, and where possible eradicate non-native species | Flathead | Prevent non-native introductions, upgrade fish hatchery practices, educate the public, and remove non-natives |
| Reduce non-native species in riparian areas | Treat an average of 10% of acres currently in a disturbed condition | Flathead | Develop and implement comprehensive weed management plans |
| Reduce overgrazing | Restore grassland or shrubland communities on 10% of grassland/shrubland acres over 10-15 years | Flathead | Coordinate with landowners to reduce stocking or exclude with fencing or other management techniques |
| Reduce rate of land conversion | Using acquisitions, conservation easements and management agreements, conserve and restore 10% over 10-15 years in those subunits for which the floodplain vegetation index in the TBA spreadsheet tool are 8 or lower | Flathead | Pursue acquisition, conservation easements, landowner incentives, and management plans |
| Reduce roads | Reduce road densities in watersheds exceeding 4 miles/section | Flathead | Schedule and implement road removals and BMP's |
| Restore hydrograph | Restore the hydrography within a natural range of variability on 10% of riparian/wetland acres over 10-15 years in those subunits for which the freshette impact index/water level difference Index in the TBA spreadsheet tool ranges from 4 thru 8 (riparian) below 8 (wetlands) | Flathead | Reduce reservoir operational impacts, improve instream flows, and restore functional channel morphometry |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor native species in Flathead Lake | Annual spring gillnetting in fixed locations to determine trends in abundance of bull and westslope cutthroat trout. | 5/1/2007 | 6/1/2009 | $16,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Flathead Lake creel survey | Year-round Flathead Lake creel survey conducted with roving angler interviews and aerial counts of pressure | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $126,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor lake trout biology | Collection of lake trout in fall with 48 gillnets consisting of 12 mesh sizes set randomly within five geographic areas and five depth strata. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $54,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze biological parameters of lake trout | Annual measurement and analysis of lake trout captured in fall to determine 1)age structure, 2)growth, 3)age at maturity, 4)mortality rate, 5)fecundity, and 6)condition. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $9,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor off-site stocking | Cost-effective creel surveys and stock assessments of off-site reservoirs stocked to increase angler opportunities | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $6,000 |
|
Biological objectives Maintain tribal subsistence and angler harvest |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Inventory population status and habitat associations of western pearl mussels | Determine distribution of western pearl mussels on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Quantify habitat parameters and identify possible sites for re-introduction and habitat restoration | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $31,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve channel stability |
Metrics |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Research food web interactions in Flathead Lake | Update and maintain Flathead Lake bioenergetics model and investigate dynamic food web interactions | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $16,000 |
|
Biological objectives Increase bull trout population stability Reduce non-native species |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Research aquatic invasives: flowering rush and yellow iris | Cooperative research conducted with Salish-Kootenai College and the University to understand in ecology and control of invasive aquatic plants. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $48,000 |
|
Biological objectives Protect Class I watersheds Reduce non-native species Reduce non-native species in riparian areas |
Metrics |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Research shoreline erosion processes | Monitor rates of shoreline erosion in Flathead Lake. Correlate erosion rates with wind data and shoreline type. Develop restoration methods specific to unique littoral cells. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $60,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve riparian condition Improve shoreline condition Protect Class I watersheds Reduce fine sediments Reduce lake pollutants |
Metrics |
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| Other | Construct gravel beach at Salish Point | Construct a gravel beach at Salish Point to predetermined slope, crest height, and particle size that is currently in a highly degraded state consisting of a failing wooden seawall | 4/1/2007 | 5/15/2007 | $50,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve riparian condition Improve shoreline condition Protect Class I watersheds Reduce lake pollutants |
Metrics |
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| Remove or Relocate Predaceous Animals | Conduct fishing contests for lake trout | Reduce lake trout abundance in Flathead Lake by means of fishing contests that engage the angling public. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2007 | $62,000 |
|
Biological objectives Reduce non-native species |
Metrics |
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| Remove or Relocate Non-predaceous Animals | Remove brook trout from westslope cutthroat trout streams | Apply piscicides to remove brook trout from tributaries of Flathead Lake that support native westslope cutthroat trout. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2008 | $75,000 |
|
Biological objectives Reduce non-native species |
Metrics |
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| Install Fence | Protect riparian areas from grazing by fencing | Restore riparian and channel condition by reducing grazing by excluding cows with fences | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $18,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve channel stability Improve riparian condition Increase bull trout population stability Protect Class I watersheds Reduce fine sediments Reduce overgrazing |
Metrics |
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| Decommission Road | Restore watershed function by recontouring roads | Recontour 3 miles of road and remove 2 stream crossings in the north Missions landscape | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $36,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve channel stability Improve habitat diversity Improve hydraulic regime Improve riparian condition Increase bull trout population sizes Maintain tribal subsistence and angler harvest Protect Class I watersheds Reduce fine sediments Reduce lake pollutants Reduce non-native species Reduce overgrazing Reduce roads |
Metrics * # of road miles decommissioned : 20 miles |
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| Realign, Connect, and/or Create Channel | Reconstruct degraded stream channels | Physically reconstruct over-widened, incised, channelized, or otherwise degraded stream channels | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $120,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve channel stability Improve habitat diversity Increase bull trout population stability Reduce fine sediments Reduce non-native species |
Metrics |
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| Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland | Construct wetlands to remediate polluted irrigation return flows | Construct wetlands to remediate polluted irrigation return flows | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $50,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve hydraulic regime Reduce fine sediments Reduce lake pollutants |
Metrics |
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| Plant Vegetation | Restore riparian vegetation and function | Restore riparian vegetation and function by planting and maintaining native vegetation | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $50,000 |
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Biological objectives Improve channel stability Improve forest management Improve habitat diversity Improve riparian condition Improve riparian forest management Improve shoreline condition Reduce fine sediments Reduce lake pollutants |
Metrics |
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| Develop Alternative Water Source | Develop off-channel water sources | Develop off-channel water sources to facilitate the removal of livestock from riparian areas | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $9,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve channel stability Reduce fine sediments Reduce overgrazing |
Metrics |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Remove/upgrade passage barriers | Remove/upgrade culverts that are improperly designed or placed and present passage barriers. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $30,000 |
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Biological objectives Improve habitat connectivity |
Metrics |
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| Install Fish Passage Structure | Install ladders at irrigation diversion sites | Install ladders at irrigation diversion sites | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $22,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve habitat connectivity |
Metrics |
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| Remove/Modify Dam | Remove in-channel dams | Remove in-channel dams that act as passage barriers and alter watershed processes | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $18,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve habitat connectivity |
Metrics |
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| Provide Public Access/Information | Maintain AM advisory radio system | Maintenance of AM traveler's advisory radio system to educate and inform anglers and boaters of the importance of prevention in the spread of disease and exotic organisms | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2007 | $3,000 |
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Biological objectives Reduce non-native species |
Metrics |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Conduct NEPA and permitting compliance for project implementation | Conduct NEPA and permitting compliance for project implementation | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $15,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Identify and Select Projects | Pre-planning and coordination of projects | The synthesis of physical/biological data, planning, and logistics required to identify priorities in watershed restoration | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $36,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Project management | The budgeting, contracting, purchasing, coordinating necessary to complete projects on the ground | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $27,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Annual Report | Annual report | Annual report | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $7,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | [blank] | $79,000 | $82,000 | $85,000 |
| Fringe Benefits | [blank] | $19,000 | $20,000 | $21,000 |
| Supplies | [blank] | $15,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Other | Sub-contracts | $27,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| Overhead | [blank] | $34,000 | $36,000 | $36,000 |
| Totals | $174,000 | $408,000 | $412,000 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $994,000 |
| Total work element budget: | $994,000 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSKT | technical support and facilities | $40,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| Flathead Lakers, Flathead Land Trust and others | technical assistance and landowner contacts | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | In-Kind | Under Development |
| NRCS | grant dollars and technical support | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | Cash | Under Development |
| ongoing recruitment | cost share | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | Cash | Under Development |
| USFWS | grant dollars | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Totals | $320,000 | $320,000 | $320,000 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $425,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $425,000 |
Comments: [Outyear comment field left blank] |
Future O&M costs: cannot make a reasonable estimate at this time
Termination date: NA
Comments: This project began in 1991 and is an on-going project of the CSKT to mitigate the impacts of Hungry Horse Dam.
Final deliverables: Annual reports
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| isrp response199101901_2006 | Jul 2006 |
| 199101901 Proposal: Fix-It-Loop Version | Nov 2006 |
| 199101901 Proposal: Fix-It-Loop Version | Nov 2006 |
| 199101901revisednarrative.doc | Dec 2006 |
| CSKT ISRP letter 2006.pdf | Dec 2006 |
| 199101901summaryISRP.pdf | Dec 2006 |
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $139,000 | $338,000 | $412,000 | $889,000 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $139,000 | $338,000 | $412,000 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: Funding contingent on ISRP, Council review of revised proposal. Revised proposal due end of December, 06. |
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ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Not fundable
NPCC comments: The project sponsors report that "The project began in 1992 with monitoring emphasis in order to evaluate the success of on-going mitigation efforts within the sub-basin.” Further, "Monitoring of ecosystem and biological responses to our mitigation projects is ongoing since 1992, and has grown to address targeted tributaries as well as biological population changes in the lake trout of Flathead Lake." However, the results provide no basis to assess progress in these original and expanded goals and objectives. Their results to date were described as follows: "Monitoring Results: (1) detailed monitoring of a five year kokanee reintroduction experiment (1993-1997) in Flathead Lake that identified and quantified the reason for the failure of the experiment. (2) accurate and repeatable quantification of baseline angler use of the Flathead Lake fishery in 1992-3 and development of a continuous dataset from 1998 to present. (3) continuation of annual trend monitoring of native westslope cutthroat and bull trout in Flathead Lake to establish a 24 year period of record. (4) quantification of parameters of lake trout biology used to measure population changes based on trends in mortality rates, age at maturity, growth, and fecundity. Research Results (1) Development of a bioenergetic model to quantify consumption rates of planted kokanee by lake trout in Flathead Lake resulting in the conclusion that lake trout consumed 87% of planted kokanee within one year of their release (2) Determination of limiting factors in Mysis relicta population dynamics resulting in the conclusion that the Mysis population is not resource limited but is top-down controlled. (3) Development of a lakewide, multispecies bioenergetic model that quantifies predation rates on bull and westslope cutthroat trout) (4) Quantification of erosion rates in South Bay of Flathead Lake and correlation with wave climates and reservoir pool elevations" This project needs to be justified based on results. The project has expended more than $1 million in just the past three years, and few results were provided. Only a brief list of activities with inadequate substantiating background detail or data synthesis was provided. Reviewers previously concluded, "…the funding agency should be assured that monitoring in a series of tributaries is rigorous and continuing so that diminishing returns from habitat renovation can be identified. If habitat measures are effective, there should be a tendency for juvenile abundance to increase at any given parent density. If efforts to improve escapement to the spawning grounds are successful there should be a tendency for parent numbers to increase along the curve (relating parents and offspring) described for the improved habitat conditions. The funding agency needs to be confident that strategies and methods exist for obtaining these data." This proposal provides no such assurance and no demonstrated progress toward initial objectives; thus, there is no basis for continuing the project.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Not fundable
NPCC comments: The tone of the response was so defensive that it was difficult to see the substance of the response. The project sponsor does include graphs in the response that surely should have been included in the original proposal. However, there still is no evidence of progress in meeting the initial goals and objectives regarding biological response to habitat initiatives. They do provide some assessment of trends in fish populations in Flathead Lake, but there is no effort to tie these trends to the habitat program. With regard to all the road restoration work, it is true that population-level improvements will take several generations to be apparent; however, monitoring fish presence above an improved road crossing is quite achievable and could yield a rough estimate of increased potential productivity if you knew how many miles of stream were now available. Indicating a willingness to adjust the M&E to address the ISRP's concerns would have been helpful. Reviewers remain of the opinion that Not Fundable is the appropriate recommendation. By any reasonable standard that we might apply, this effort falls short of demonstrating biologically significant results (and current/proposed actions) that benefit fish and wildlife.