PROJECT PURPOSE:
The Klickitat Fishery YKFP Design Project (K, D&C) will complete Step 2 requirements of capital construction elements identified in the Klickitat River Anadromous Fisheries Master Plan (KMP).  As identified in the KMP (March, 2008) the primary project goal is to increase the number and distribution of steelhead, spring Chinook, fall Chinook, and coho within the Klickitat Subbasin, through hatchery reform and habitat restoration. The KMP has established biological goals and objectives that will contribute to the accomplishment of the overall goal of increasing fish numbers and distribution within the Subbasin.  The biological goals, which are consistent with the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program (NPCC 2000), are designed to achieve both the biological performance of the target species and improve environmental conditions to allow sustainable populations.

This project addresses Step 2 requirements for construct improvements, related design work, and NEPA requirements to the existing Klickitat Hatchery near Glenwood, Washington, as well as to the Lyle Falls Fishway and broodstock collection facility, Castile Falls Fishway Escapement Monitoring Facility, and Wahkiacus Hatchery & Acclimation Facility.  In addition, it addresses the design and permitting of the Klickitat Hatchery Vehicle Bridge and basinwide PIT detection installation.  These facilities are needed to support programs for spring Chinook salmon, fall Chinook, steelhead, and coho salmon.  The location of the Wahkiacus facility will allow release of hatchery coho and fall Chinook salmon to the lower river which will limit adverse impacts to native fish species.

Klickitat Design & Construction Project Outline, with Work Element Title letter designations;

G.          Klickitat  Hatchery EIS Pre-Scoping
H.          Lyle Falls Fishway Improvements;
I             Lyle Falls Brood Collection Design;
J.           Castile Falls Fishway Improvements;
K.           Klickitat Hatchery Vehicle Bridge;
L.           Klickitat Hatchery PIT tag & Enumeration Design;
M.          Klickitat Hatchery Conceptual Design Study.
        


BACKGROUND:
The Yakama Nation has actively managed fish and wildlife on their Tribal lands for more than 50 years.  During this time, wild and artificially produced spring Chinook (Onchorynchus tshawytscha), fall Chinook (O . tshawytscha), coho (O. kisutch), and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Klickitat Subbasin have been managed to ensure their long-term existence and provide fishing opportunities in an effort to mitigate for the loss of fisheries due to construction of the Columbia River hydroelectric dams.

The Klickitat Hatchery, Lyle Falls Fishway, and Castile Falls Fishway were built as part of an effort to mitigate for lost fishing opportunities.  The ownership and operation of the three facilities, which was previously operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, was transferred to the Yakama Nation in December 2005.  They are operated under the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Program (YKFP). The YKFP uses artificial production to re-establish, supplement, and/or increase natural production of anadromous salmonids and harvest opportunities while maintaining long-term fitness of the target populations and minimizing or avoiding impacts on non-target species.