Snake River Native Salmonid Assessment
Project 1998-002-00
Contract Renewal Statement of Work and Budget for BPA's FY05
Performance Period: July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006

Prepared for
Bonneville Power Administration
11 April 2005

Principal Investigator: Kevin Meyer
Project Technician: Tony Lamansky
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
1414 East Locust Lane
Nampa, ID  83686
208-465-8404
kmeyer@idfg.idaho.gov

SUMMARY OF PROJECT AND CURRENT STATUS

This is a multi-phased project with the overall goal of protecting and restoring populations of native salmonids (redband trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, whitefish) in the Snake River Basin, above Hell's Canyon Dam in Idaho, to self-sustaining, harvestable levels.  The overall objectives, broken out into individual phases of the project, are to: 1) Assess stock status, population trends, and fish habitat; 2) Identify life history and habitat needs, and limiting factors; and 3) Develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of recovery and protection plans for populations at risk.  The first phase of inventorying fish populations and their habitat will be completed by the end of FY05.  Transition to phase II of the project has already begun.

To elaborate, the objective of the first phase of the project is to assess the current distribution and abundance of existing populations of native salmonids throughout the Upper Snake River Basin, and to assess what factors influence this status.  We have nearly finalized the status report for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and bull trout to date.  The status report for redband trout will be incorporated into the 2005 annual report, once sampling is finished (FY2004).  The mountain whitefish status report will begin once field work is finished in the 2005 field season.  Currently over 50% of our effort has shifted to limiting factor analysis (Phase II).

The work elements for this project fall into 6 different Objectives:

Objective 1:  Coordination with other ongoing projects and other entities.
Task 1a:  Coordinate with other entities to avoid data duplication.
Task lb:   Data dissemination with other and cooperating agencies and entities.

Objective 2:  Assess current stock status of native salmonids in the Upper Snake River Basin.
Task 2a:  In FY05, survey mountain whitefish (MWF) at 70 locations and compile existing data from other sources.  
Task 2b:  Identify, describe, and measure habitat characteristics at sites.
Task 2c:  Collect water temperature data at sites.
Task 2d:  Identify populations at risk and analyze factors limiting MWF.
Task 2e:  Finish analysis and writing of Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) status assessment.

Objective 3:  Compile data into a basin-wide Native Salmonid Assessment (NSA) database.
Task 3a:  Enter MWF and habitat data into NSA database.
Task 3b:  Use GIS analysis to further assess current status, trends, and limiting factors.  

Objective 4:  Determine genetic purity/diversity/variability among redband trout (RBT) populations.
Task 4a:  Collect and preserve remaining samples (fin sections) from RBT populations.
Task 4b:  Work with IDFG genetics lab to process genetic samples.
Task 4c:  Work with IDFG genetics lab to analyze results and publish findings.

Objective 5:  Evaluate removing brook trout (BKT) with pheromones for YCT conservation through a graduate project.  
Task 5a:  Use passive trapping during spawning season to capture BKT.
Task 5b:  Assess removal effects on BKT and native YCT population dynamics.
Task 5c:  Compare technique to controls and to additive electrofishing removals.

Objective 6:  Evaluate growth of RBT from desert vs. montane streams to assess differences through a graduate student project and in conjunction with matching BLM money.
Task 6a:  Obtain RBT from desert and montane streams and compare growth in a lab.
Task 6b:  Repeat growth study in a field environment if possible.