Native resident salmonid populations are in decline throughout much of their range.  Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus have been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri are listed as a State of Oregon sensitive species. Prior to project implementation, little was known on resident fish populations in the Malheur River Subbasin relative to many other Subbasins located in the Columbia Basin.  This project intent is to investigate the life history of native salmonids that reside in the Malheur River Subbasin.  In 2009, the project will focus on developing a long term monitoring strategy for native salmonids, particularly redband trout, with the assistance of local federal and state entities.  This project will allow the agencies to coordinate efforts and develop an effective monitoring and evaluation plan that will track the population trend of salmonids.  The sampling effort will identify drainages of high and low densities of native salmonids and associated habitat conditions.  In incorporating past data collected with the proposed data collected in 2009, the Tribe anticipates that habitat and population data shall result in the development of a quantifiable population objectives for native fish in the Malheur River Subbasin.  Such information shall be incorporated into the Northwest Power and Conservation Council Fish and Wildlife Program that shall provide policy personnel better defined biological objectives for native fish in the Malheur Subbasin/Middle Snake Province.