The goal and objectives of this contract are as follows:  

1. What are the current habitat conditions and abundance, distribution, life-stage survival, and age-composition of fish  in the Upper Columbia Basin (status monitoring)?
2. How do these factors change over time (trend monitoring)?
3. What effects do tributary habitat actions have on fish populations and habitat conditions (effectiveness monitoring)?

The plan is designed to address these questions and at the same time eliminate duplication of work, reduce costs, and increase monitoring efficiency.  The implementation of valid statistical designs, probabilistic sampling designs, standardized data collection protocols, consistent data reporting methods, and selection of sensitive indicators will increase monitoring efficiency (Currens et al. 2000; Bayley 2002).  

DOE will measure these physical habitat indicators.    In sum, these  indicators address  "outcome" variables (e.g.,  sediment, woody debris, pools, riparian habitat, etc.), as outlined in Hillman and Giorgi (2002) and the Action Agencies/NOAA Fisheries RME Plan.    
(The above is from Hillman 2004 Monitoring Plan for the Upper Columbia)

This contract is one of several contracts that will implement this project.  The FINAL REPORT for this contract will contain data that will 1) be submitted to NOAA FISHERIES (also a contractor under this project) for use in a  project level integrated Annual Report and 2) be submitted to BPA as a contract final report according to the terms of this contract.

Completion of this SOW by the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) will be dependent on the implementation of interrelated Project components, including:

1) Initial site selection will be provided by the ISEMP staff.
2) Reconnaissance of sampling sites will be performed by the an ISEMP designated "Recon Coordinator" from among those ISEMP agencies contracted to BPA.  Prior to the field season, the Recon Coordinator will provide WDOE with directions for physical access and authorization for access to sites on federal lands.
3) Reconnaissance of sampling sites will be performed by Chelan County Conservation District (CCCD) on non-federal properties: Prior to the field season, CCCD will provide WDOE with directions for physical access and authorization from property owners for access to privately-owned sites.
4) Prior to the field season, RTT/NOAA-Fisheries will provide a field sampling protocol (manual) and field forms, each based on Hillman (2004)*, in order that WDOE may properly train its field staff.
5) The WDOE budget is dependent upon their ability to lease a USFS bunkhouse for 5 staff.

*Hillman, T.W. 2004. Monitoring strategy for the Upper Columbia Basin: Draft report February 1, 2004. Prepared for Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team, Wenatchee, Washington