FY 2002 Blue Mountain proposal 200205300

Section 1. General administrative information
Section 2. Past accomplishments
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
Section 4. Budgets for planning/design phase
Section 5. Budgets for construction/implementation phase
Section 6. Budgets for operations/maintenance phase
Section 7. Budgets for monitoring/evaluation phase
Section 8. Budget summary

Reviews and Recommendations

Additional documents

Title	Type
27002 Narrative	Narrative
27002 Sponsor Response to ISRP	Response
Blue Mountain: Asotin Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Blue Mountain: Asotin Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Assess Salmonids in the Asotin Creek Watershed
Proposal ID	200205300
Organization	Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Mark L. Schuck
Mailing address	401 South Cottonwood Dayton, WA 99328
Phone / email	5093821004 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	James Scott
Review cycle	Blue Mountain
Province / Subbasin	Blue Mountain / Asotin
Short description	Evaluate the current productivity and survival rates of anadromous and resident salmonids in Asotin Creek. Develop a habitat based spring chinook reintroduction plan and determine if supplementation is required to sustain a wild steelhead population.
Target species	Steelhead/redband trout, bull trout and spring chinook salmon

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
46.33	-117.19	Asotin River

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Hatchery RPA Action 169
RM&E RPA Action 182

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agency	Action #	BiOp Agency	Description
NMFS	Action 180	NMFS	The Action Agencies and NMFS shall work within regional prioritization and congressional appropriation processes to establish and provide the level of FCRPS funding to develop and implement a basinwide hierarchical monitoring program. This program shall be developed collaboratively with appropriate regional agencies and shall determine population and environmental status (including assessment of performance measures and standards) and allow ground-truthing of regional databases. A draft program including protocols for specific data to be collected, frequency of samples, and sampling sites shall be developed by September 2001. Implementation should begin no later than the spring of 2002 and will be fully implemented no later than 2003.
NMFS/BPA	Action 180	NMFS	The Action Agencies and NMFS shall work within regional prioritization and congressional appropriation processes to establish and provide the level of FCRPS funding to develop and implement a basinwide hierarchical monitoring program. This program shall be developed collaboratively with appropriate regional agencies and shall determine population and environmental status (including assessment of performance measures and standards) and allow ground-truthing of regional databases. A draft program including protocols for specific data to be collected, frequency of samples, and sampling sites shall be developed by September 2001. Implementation should begin no later than the spring of 2002 and will be fully implemented no later than 2003.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishment
	N/A

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199401805	Implement Asotin Watershed Plan	Watershed recovery is under way in Asotin Creek, but limited monitoring of the effects of habitat work have been undertaken. This project will provide direct biological sampling of populations over time.
	LSRCP Monitoring	Project will build from biological database developed by LSRCP monitoring. Staff will be shared with LSRCP program for efficiency, coordination of effort and continuity of data collection.
	LSRCP Production	Part of the proposed project will develop a chinook reintroduction plan for the watershed. Supplementation is a likely means for reintroduction, and existing LSRCP production facilities will be used to raise an appropriate stock of fish.
	USFWS Bull Trout Status Review	The project will provide data on adult bull trout movement and juvenile abundance to the ESA status review and recovery plan, and may provide adult data to the Snake River bull trout radio telemetry study proposed under the Columbia Plateau Province.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Estimate escapement of hatchery and wild steelhead and salmon into the Asotin Creek drainage above George Creek.	a. Design and obtain permits for construction activities to improve fish passage and build a trap at Headgate Dam.	1	$50,000	Yes
	b. Complete NEPA review.		$20,000
2. Document juvenile steelhead life history patterns and survival rates and smolt production from Asotin Creek.	a. Complete ESA Section 10 permit application	1	$16,600
3. Coordinate with comanagers the development of a spring chinook reintroduction plan for Asotin Creek.	a. Develop a draft spring chinook reintroduction plan based on habitat indices, and chinook stock analysis from historic WDFW and LSRCP data.	2	$42,500
	b. Submit draft plan to NMFS for approval. Respond to queries and concerns	1	$0

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Estimate escapement of hatchery and wild steelhead and salmon into the Asotin Creek drainage above George Creek.	2003	2004	$10,000
2. Document juvenile steelhead life history patterns and survival rates and smolt production from Asotin Creek.	2003	2006	$21,000
3. Coordinate with comanagers the development of a spring chinook reintroduction plan for Asotin Creek.	2003	2004	$21,500

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$25,250	$16,500	$5,250	$5,500

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1. Estimate escapement of hatchery and wild steelhead and salmon into the Asotin Creek drainage above George Creek.	a. Operate an adult resistivity counter and/or adult trap on Asotin Creek at Headgate Dam throughout the adult salmonid migration period. Document adult salmonid passage. Assess the resistivity counter's usefullness for future tributary sampling.	1-3	$37,000
	b. Continue, or expand, spawning surveys in each tributary during late Feb. through the end of spawning in May. Locate and mark each redd and record the data.	indefinite	$4,200
	c. Estimate total steelhead/salmon redds in each drainage. Use index area counts, redd visibility duration, and other means as necessary to estimate the total redds.	indefinite	$1,185
	d. Calculate the number of redds per female and per spawner. Estimate total egg deposition within each basin based on average fecundity from fish collected at LSRCP traps in Tucannon and Walla Walla basins for local broodstock development.	indefinite	$1,600
	e. Use LSRCP estimates of chinook redds in Asotin Creek and spring chinook fecundity from Tucannon River to calculate egg deposition in the subbasin.	indefinite	$0
2. Evaluate bull trout use of Asotin Creek watershed.	a. implement tasks 1.a, b, c and d above to count and biologically sample bull trout passing the trap.	indefinite	$0
	b. PIT tag captured adult bull trout to document multiple spawning migrations and/or spawning in subsequent years, and annual growth.	indefinite	$0
	c. Remove a fin clip from adult bull trout for tissue to genetically characterize the populations. Archive the samples.	4-5 years	$0
	d. Provide bull trout tagging data to managers and assist with existing bull trout spawning surveys as needed.	indefinite	$1,000
	e. Continue noting juvenile bull trout distribution as part of LSRCP, USFS and WDFW management surveys with electrofishing or snorkeling.	indefinite	$0
3. Document juvenile steelhead/ salmon life history patterns, survival rates, and smolt production from Asotin Creek.	a. Electrofish to collect parr and presmolts to mark fish (PIT tags) and determine abundance and distribution	indefinite	$12,500
	b. Operate and maintain a rotary screw trap in Asotin Creek near the adult trap.	indefinite	$52,000
	c. Capture, enumerate, and PIT tag steelhead/salmon migrants.	indefinite	$8,000
	d. Collect length, weight, and scale samples from juvenile steelhead/salmon to determine age structure of the population.	indefinite	$0
	e. Remove a fin clip and tissue sample trap mortalities to genetically characterize the populations.	3-4 years	$500
	f. Mark and release known numbers of naturally produced steelhead/salmon migrants upstream of the trap to recapture and calibrate trap efficiency.	indefinite	$0
	g. Estimate the number of steelhead /salmon smolts annually leaving Asotin Creek.	indefinite	$6,800
4. Evaluate smolt-to-adult return rates and parent to progeny rates of naturally produced steelhead / salmon in Asotin Creek.	a. Collect information on detected PIT tagged juveniles during downstream migration at Lower Granite Dam etc.,and from returning steelhead/salmon detected at Columbia and Snake River dams and sampled in commercial fisheries.	4-5 years	$0
	b. Estimate smolt-to-adult survival rates based on PIT tag recoveries of adults captured in Columbia / Snake basin traps.	4-5 years	$0
	c. Determine adult returns produced by natural spawners (parent to progeny rates) to evaluate the status of the steelhead /salmon populations and their response to habitat improvement, and the potential need for LSRCP supplementation in the future.	4-5 years	$0
	d. Relate salmonid survivals to habitat improvements in the subbasin using monitoring and evaluation data collected by multiple agencies.	once every 3-5 years	$0
5. Continue / expand steelhead genetic sampling and analysis within the subbasin to determine the reproductive contributions by hatchery fish. Sample adult chinook were appropriate	a. Gather steelhead/salmon genetic samples from adults and juveniles from other tasks.	3-4 years	$0
	b. send the samples to the WDFW genetics lab. and conduct DNA analyses.	3-4 years	$20,000
6. Implement, with comanagers, the spring chinook reintroduction plan for Asotin Creek.	a. Based on habitat condition and spring chinook population status in the Snake Basin, and measures of those factors in Asotin Creek, initiate reintroduction of spring chinook according to an agreed upon plan.	5 years	$0
7. Coordinate, compile, analyze and report results.	a. Compile and report results monthly or quarterly from each task to interested parties and co-managers within the basin, as well as to BPA.	indefinite	$37,500
	b. Provide annual reports in hardcopy and electronic format to BPA and interested parties within the basin.	indefinite	$2,000
	c. coordinate all actions with fishery co-managers, watershed coordinators and other interested parties in the basin. Provide written and oral summaries to interested parties as necessary to ensure timely inclusion of results in planning efforts.	indefinite	$3,500

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Estimate escapement of hatchery and wild steelhead and salmon into the Asotin Creek drainage above George Creek.	2003	2006	$97,075
2. Evaluate bull trout use of Asotin Creek watershed.	2003	2006	$6,500
3. Document juvenile steelhead/ salmon life history patterns, survival rates, and smolt production from Asotin Creek.	2003	2006	$375,355
4. Evaluate smolt-to-adult return rates and parent to progeny rates of naturally produced steelhead / salmon in Asotin Creek.	2004	2006	$13,300
5. Continue / expand steelhead genetic sampling and analysis within the subbasin to determine the reproductive contributions by hatchery fish.	2003	2005	$90,700
6. Implement, with comanagers, the spring chinook reintroduction plan for Asotin Creek.	2005	2006	$82,000
7. Coordinate, compile, analyze and report results.	2003	2006	$194,925

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$178,850	$188,205	$238,750	$254,050

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Operate and maintain the adult trap at Headgate Dam	a. Develop a cooperative agreement with WDFW maintenance personnel for maintenance of the trap facility.		$0	Yes
	b. Annually supply personnel to check the trap daily and collect biological information from fish in the trap (February- June).	indefinite	$0

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Operate and maintain the adult trap at Headgate Dam	2003	2006	$105,575

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$24,500	$25,725	$27,000	$28,350

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
8. Monitor and evaluate the reintroduction of spring chinook salmon into Asotin Creek.	a. Implement tasks of Objective 1, 3 and 4 under construction/implementation Phase to evaluate chinook reintroduction success.	one chinook generation (5 yrs).	$0
	b. Provide recommendation on reintroduction actions after one generation.	one chinook generation.	$0
7. Coordinate, compile, analyze and report results.	a. Compile and report results monthly or quarterly from each task to interested parties and co-managers within the basin, as well as to BPA.	indefinite	$0
	b. Provide annual reports in hardcopy and electronic format to BPA and interested parties within the basin.	indefinite	$0
	c. Coordinate all actions with fishery co-managers, watershed coordinators and other interested parties in the basin. Provide written and oral summaries to interested parties as necessary to ensure timely inclusion of results in planning efforts.	indefinite	$0
	d. Prepare results for publication in a refereed journal.	1	$0

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
8. Monitor and evaluate the reintroduction of spring chinook salmon into Asotin Creek.	2005	2006	$0
7. Coordinate, compile, analyze and report results.	2006	2006	$5,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2006
$5,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: 1.0 Biologist 3 0.08 Biologist 4 1.75 Technician 2 0.75 Technician 1	$101,000
Fringe	calculated at 28.5% of salaries	$28,785
Supplies	portable generator walkways, lighting, safety materials boots/waders nets, PIT detector, gram scale	$12,500
Travel	lease and maintenance of two vehicles	$15,000
Indirect	@25.2%	$39,600
Capital	Smolt trap and resistivity counter	$30,000
NEPA		$20,000
PIT tags	# of tags: 4000	$9,000
Subcontractor	A&E design of adult salmonid trap	$40,000
Other	DNA samples	$21,000
		$316,885

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$316,885
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$316,885
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$0
% change from forecast	0.0%

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
LSRCP	Electrofishing, chinook and steelhead spawning ground surveys, vehicles, supervision.	$24,590	cash
WDFW / SRFB / ACCD	George Creek surveys (adult, juvenile, DNA samples, habitat measurements)	$11,000	cash

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2001-9)

Recommendation:
Fundable only if response is adequate

Date:
Sep 28, 2001

Comment:

A response is needed. This project provides the biological monitoring for 199401805 and has other objectives. The proposal addresses the goals of evaluating current productivity and survival of salmonids in Asotin Creek, but gives virtually no explanation of how the goals of developing a reintroduction plan for spring chinook or determining if supplementation is required to sustain a wild population of steelhead. One also might well ask if supplementation is compatible with the sustenance of a wild population of steelhead, and some detail as to how data address these questions should be presented. It should be clear how the monitoring data will address the evaluation goals.

The method(s) for performing Task 3a (determine abundance of juvenile steelhead) missing. The proposal references only gray literature, so the scientific background and methods are inadequately presented. The field tour and presentation, however, amply showed that the personnel have the necessary methods well in mind.

The proposal includes development of a plan to reintroduce spring chinook back in to the subbasin (Objective 8). Comprehensive review and data collection plans for adult and juvenile life history life stages for steelhead, spring chinook and bull trout. Plan for adult trapping station at Headgate Park - discussion of the difficulties in steelhead trapping at times of possible peak flows. May lead to a fish ladder with trap, or a combination of permanent structures with temporary seasonal trapping features

We need more information on how the decision of whether to supplement spring chinook would occur. The presentation provided a general discussion of this, but did not provide details of how that decision could be made. How will the collected data on spring chinook be used to determine whether or not supplementation should be used to enhance spring chinook abundance in Asotin Creek? This was not specified in the proposal or presentation. How does one get from the data (population and life history) to determining whether supplementation is needed? The response should more clearly explain how personnel intend to collect data on the key parameters and provide the analysis to inform their primary goals. Language in the proposal suggests that success of recovery is assumed and that the monitoring and evaluation will be used to document this expected outcome. The approach should explicitly be cast as a test and clear criteria for evaluating success versus failure should be stated.

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Nov 30, 2001

Comment:

This proposal represents an attempt to address the concerns that the ISRP has had for the last 3-5 years relative to Project 199401805. Project 199401805 has provided field measurements of water flows and temperatures, and extensive riparian and upland measurements coupled with WDFW data on salmonid rearing and spawning distribution and abundance. With the extensive planning document and preliminary habitat improvements, the proposed work would build from baseline monitoring and focus on collecting data to address more specific concerns about naturally produced steelhead and general salmonid productivity in Asotin Creek. These data are key elements necessary for watershed and fish stock restoration planning and implementation within the subbasin. The proposed work provides monitoring for proposal 27014. Project addresses RPA 180.

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2001-12A)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Dec 21, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. High Priority. Adequate response. Reviewers remain concerned that sampling sites for fish population estimates should be much longer than 50 meters—more like 200 meters, so that representative stream channel features, such as pools and riffles, occur within the sample reach more frequently. This should lead to statistically more accurate sampling and inferences. Project sponsors need to consider winter habitat as well as other seasons. They should be coordinating with the monitoring plans and protocols being used in the John Day basin developed through the Oregon Plan. To assist in establishing a sound basinwide monitoring program, the proponents are referred to the programmatic section of this report on Monitoring, the specific comments on Aquatic Monitoring and Evaluation, and the specific comments on Terrestrial Monitoring and Evaluation.

REVIEW:
NMFS Review

Recommendation:

Date:
Feb 1, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Benefits are indirect. Monitoring of adults and juveniles will provide some information about the status of salmonids in Asotin Creek.

Comments
Better description of how decision to supplement steelhead will be made, and what role monitoring data will play in that decision is needed. Genetic studies poorly defined.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? Yes

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
C

Date:
Feb 11, 2002

Comment:

Do not recommend funding at this time, but project appears to have high potential and should be reviewed after the regional RM&E plan is completed.

BPA RPA RPM:
--

NMFS RPA/USFWS RPM:
180

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Apr 19, 2002

Comment:

Council Recommendation:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed this new project to conduct a stock assessment of all anadromous and resident salmonids in Asotin Creek. Bonneville commented that the "project appears to have high potential and should be reviewed after the regional RM&E plan is completed," but did not recommend funding. ISRP recommended funding the project as a high priority, but expressed some concern about methodology and recommended close coordination with the monitoring program in the John Day basin (Project 199801600).

The Council encourages a more regionalized approach to monitoring and evaluation. The Council, however, believes Project 27002 is essential in a subbasin where little is known of the status of most salmonid stocks. The Council suggests an exception to the general funding consideration that does not support additional assessment work because it appears that, for this particular subbasin, such an assessment would provide valuable information in the development of a subbasin plan. ISRP has supported the development of stock assessments and has given strong support to this project. The NMFS comments identify this project as corresponding to RPA 180, which is important in that the general funding considerations support new work that addresses Bonneville's ESA needs.

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Decision

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Jun 13, 2002

Comment:

Fund with following conditions: Scope of Work and budget will be developed in coordination with NMFS and BPA to meet the needs of RPA's 180 and/or 183. Project management will require adherence to specific timelines (at least annually) for analysis and reporting to assess needs for project modifications and scope change. Project may be modified after the Regional RM&E plan is developed. The spring chinook portion of this project will require a review of its coordination with the Lower Snake River Compensation Program to assure there is no duplication of effort and distill the scope of effort for this project component. Final funding level will be determined in contract negotiations.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

Contract finally signed. Project did not start in FY02 and most FY03. Engineering task needed for 150K to construct fishway/trap. Some tasks were being dropped because of late start, so that will result in 50K savings for the rest of the construction costs. Will not buy rotary smolt trap in first year. Engineers would not give estimate for the construction at project proposal time. Project proposal had the construction in the proposal, but with no dollar amount.

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

The revised FY2004 budget represents a significant increase for two primary reasons. 1: The proposal submitted for FY2002 included funds for the design of an adult fishway/trap, but no funds for construction. This occurred because no preliminary assessment of costs had been completed by WDFW engineers. With initiation of the project in July 2003, engineering costs went down from original estimates and a preliminary construction cost of the fishway/trap was estimated at $200,000. Cost savings planned in the FY2003 budget because of the late start should defray up to $50,000, with the remainder of construction costs ($150 K) needed in FY2004 monies. Once engineering design is complete, construction costs may decrease. However, the fishway/trap is crucial to completion of the project. 2: Because of the delayed project start in 2003, purchase and complete outfitting of the rotary smolt trap ($35 K) is planned for FY2004. Cost savings from this line item will be used to initiate construction, but it is an essential piece of equipment and will need to be available for operation in the fall of 2004. Operation costs for FY 2005 are unchanged from the original project proposal, but may go down depending upon work tasks negotiated with BPA.

REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review

Funding category:
expense

Date:
May 2005

FY05 NPCC start of year:	FY06 NPCC staff preliminary:	FY06 NPCC July draft start of year:
$230,000	$200,000	$200,000

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website