The Anadromous Fish Program (AFP) is responsible for implementing five fishery restoration projects for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) Fish and Wildlife Department (Department).  All of these projects are implemented in the Salmon River basin, with one project occurring in the South Fork Salmon River basin, and four in the upper Salmon River basin.  Each fishery restoration project was developed to help the Department meet Tribal harvest, cultural, and conservation objectives.  These projects are implemented in coordination with several other projects which focus on improving freshwater rearing habitats.  This comprehensive approach allows us to maximize benefits in specific watersheds (i.e., Yankee Fork Salmon River and Panther Creek).

During this contract period, the AFP will implement 15 work elements.  Specifically, we will acquire all the necessary permits to implement these five fishery restoration projects, finalize the Narrative Proposal, conduct a SWOT analysis for our Monitoring, Research, and Evaluation (MR&E) Plan, install a PIT tag array in Panther Creek, complete reporting, conduct four genetic evaluations, and develop an Annual Operation Plan for these projects.  The AFP will also focus on collecting baseline data for the Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Project.  In addition, we will implement the Steelhead Streamside Incubation Project and conduct a SWOT analysis on the Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Project.

The Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Project was initiated in 2010 with the collection of baseline data.  We intend to continue the collection of baseline data, which will be instrumental for MR&E and informing management decisions.  In 2016, the AFP will (1) conduct salmon spawning ground surveys; (2) operate a screw trap; (3) conduct electrofishing surveys; (4) operate a picket weir; and (5) conduct eDNA and stream microchemistry surveys.  In addition, we will monitor the results of the broodyear 2015 RSI outplants and outplant an additional 800,000 broodyear 2016 eyed-eggs.

The Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Project was initiated in 2006 with the collection of baseline data.  Project activities are currently funded by the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP), but additional funds are needed, specifically to address our genetic research questions.  With BPA funds we intend to conduct a SWOT analysis using data acquired from 2006 - 2015.  It is anticipated that this academic exercise will help us understand how to monitor, research, and evaluate all of our fishery restoration projects.

The Steelhead Streamside Incubation Project was initiated in 1995.  A total of 1,000,000 eyed-eggs are annually outplanted into Yankee Fork (500K), Panther Creek (400K), and Indian Creek (100K).  MR&E activities associated with the Yankee Fork and Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Project provide the necessary information to monitor, research, and evaluate this project.  However, funding is needed to fund a genetics research project to test the feasibility of using genetics markers to monitor and evaluate the project and to outplant 1,000,000 eyed eggs.