| Proposal title | Evaluate An Experimental Re-introduction of Sockeye Salmon into Skaha Lake |
| Proposal ID | 200001300 |
| Organization | Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation (CCT) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator |
| Name | Christopher J. Fisher |
| Mailing address | P. O. Box 862 Omak, WA 98841 |
| Phone / email | 5094227427 / [email protected] |
| Manager authorizing this project | Gerald Marco |
| Review cycle | FY 2001 Ongoing |
| Province / Subbasin | Columbia Cascade / Okanogan |
| Short description | Evaluation of an experimental re-introduction of sockeye salmon into Skaha Lake in the Okanogan River Basin. Assess risks benefits, formulate hypotheses, develop an experimental design and analytical tools. |
| Target species | |
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2001 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
| 1) Disease Risk assessment |
a) Project management/administration |
2003 |
$10,382 |
|
|
b) Compare the disease and infection status of fish above and below the dams (including diagnostic tests - $46,000) |
2002 |
$75,592 |
Yes |
|
c) Determine if there are environmental conditions specific to the lakes in question that would either put fish at extraordinary risk for developing disease or that would maintain introduced infectious agents |
2002 |
$5,724 |
Yes |
|
d) Assess the opportunity for re-introduced fish to interact with susceptible resident fish or to extend the distribution of important pathogens |
2002 |
$5,724 |
Yes |
|
e) Multi-agency meetings to review disease prevalence from first sampling season and provide opportunities to modify sampling or processing methods (2 meetings November & March) |
2002 |
$21,024 |
Yes |
| 2) Exotic species re-introduction risk assessment |
a) Inventory exotic fish species and habitat use in each of these two areas |
2001 |
$25,792 |
Yes |
|
b) Assess the availability of suitable habitat for species of concern in Skaha and Okanogan Lakes |
2001 |
$4,300 |
Yes |
|
c) Compile information from tasks a and b and literature review identified in FY 2000 proposal |
2001 |
$2,592 |
Yes |
|
d) Multi-agency meetings to review exotic species inventory results. (see Objective 1) |
2001 |
$0 |
Yes |
| 3) Inventory existing habitat and opportunities for habitat enhancement |
a) Identification of potential areas of beach-spawning habitat in Skaha Lake |
2001 |
$1,296 |
Yes |
|
b) Assessment of potential areas of beach-spawning habitat in Skaha Lake |
2001 |
$3,362 |
Yes |
|
c) Field inventory of potential sockeye spawning/incubation habitat in the Okanogan River between Okanogan and Skaha Lakes and Okanogan River and Skaha Lake tributaries |
2001 |
$1,531 |
Yes |
|
d) Identification of opportunities for sockeye habitat enhancement and development (e.g. spawning channels, lower tributary spawning gravel placement, etc.) and preliminary engineering feasibility assessments |
2001 |
$2,743 |
Yes |
|
e) Assess potential rearing conditions in Skaha and Okanogan Lakes (temperature, dissolved oxygen, stratification, spring/fall overturn) |
2002 |
$26,300 |
Yes |
|
f) Multi-agency meetings to review results from habitat assessment and discuss potential habitat enhancement opportunities (See objective 1) |
2001 |
$0 |
Yes |
| 4) Develop life-cycle model of Okanogan River Basin salmonids including interaction with resident kokanee |
a) Literature review to compile information on life-cycle of Okanogan salmonids |
2001 |
$5,475 |
Yes |
|
b) Design document that describes general structure and assumptions of life-cycle model |
2001 |
$4,095 |
Yes |
|
c) Mult-agency workshop to review model structure and assumptions |
2001 |
$6,925 |
Yes |
|
d) Model development |
2001 |
$13,250 |
Yes |
|
e) Develop user interface |
2001 |
$6,900 |
Yes |
|
f) Documentation |
2001 |
$6,350 |
Yes |
| 5) Develop experimental design |
a) Multi-agency workshop to review existing information and formulate hypotheses about potential effects of experimental reintroduction on sockeye salmon and resident species |
2002 |
$0 |
Yes |
|
b) Survey/compile baseline data to test hypotheses (including assessment of Wenatchee stock as quasi-control) |
2002 |
$0 |
Yes |
|
c) Design alternative implementation designs and monitoring programs collect data |
2002 |
$0 |
Yes |
|
d) Test alternative designs and monitoring programs in context of entire life-cycle using life-cycle model |
2002 |
$0 |
Yes |
| 6) Finalize plan for experimental re-introduction of sockeye salmon into Skaha Lake and associated monitoring programs |
a) Multi-agency workshop to: review results of Objectives 1-5 and develop experimental management plan; develop workplan for obtaining necessary approval and additional funding |
2003 |
$0 |
Yes |
|
b) Multi-agency workshop to review progress on obtaining approval/funding; finalize plans for experimental re-introduction |
2003 |
$0 |
Yes |
An additional task (task e) to Objective 3 was added to investigate the amount of rearing habitat in Skaha and Okanogan Lake. This task will include sockeye fry rearing potential in Skaha Lake, including water quality measurements in Skaha Lake and the Okanogan River upstream and downstream of the lake and measuring the composition, distribution, growth and abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities (including Mysis) in Skaha Lake.
Objective 4, which was initially identified to be conducted during FY 2000, was delayed one year to FY 2001. The reason for the delay was because members of the Sub-regional team felt a model could not be developed until sufficient data was collected. Therefore Objective 4 was delayed until FY 2001.
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
The WA SRT supports the additional task as an expansion of the project based on new information. This task is a natural part of a feasibility study and should not be considered as entirely new work.
Objective 4, which was initially to be conducted during FY 2000, was delayed one year to FY 2001. The reason for the delay was because members of the Sub-regional team felt a model could not be developed until sufficient data was collected. There is no change in scope of work.