This project expands RM & E activities conducted by the co-managers in the Yakima Basin (Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) to better evaluate VSP parameters (abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity) for Yakima steelhead populations.  It was developed to fill critical monitoring gaps identified in the 2009 Columbia Basin monitoring strategy review and the FCRPS Biological Opinion RPA review. This proposal builds upon the infrastructure and monitoring capacities of the YKFP umbrella M&E project (199506325).  Data from this project will be used to evaluate population status and trends, inform NOAA status reviews and implementation of the FCRPS Biological Opinion, and address critical uncertainties (e.g., the relationship between resident and anadromous life histories in the Upper Yakima and Naches populations), consistent with the NPCC Fish and Wildlife program, Columbia Basin research plan (uncertainties 3.1, 7.1 & 7.3), NOAA mid-Columbia steelhead recovery plan, and Fish Accords.  The improved understanding of steelhead population performance produced by this project will directly inform efforts to recover steelhead populations in the Yakima Basin.

Specific proposed activities include:

1.  Increased biological and DNA sampling at the Chandler juvenile, and Prosser and Roza adult monitoring facilities (Abundance, Productivity),

2.  Adult radio telemetry tagging at Prosser and Roza facilities and subsequent tracking throughout the Yakima Basin (Abundance, Productivity, Spatial Structure),

3.  Increased PIT tagging and detection throughout the Yakima Basin (Abundance, Productivity, Spatial Structure),

4.  Evaluation of flow and entrainment relationships at the Chandler (Prosser) Diversion Dam to refine steelhead smolt outmigration estimates (Abundance and Productivity),

5.  Analysis of existing and additional steelhead DNA samples to improve the genetic profile for all four populations in the MPG (Abundance, Productivity, Diversity, Spatial Structure),

6.  Expand spawner surveys and redd counts for steelhead populations (Spatial Structure),

7.  Evaluate interactions in the upper Yakima between resident rainbow and steelhead trout (Diversity, Productivity).
This project addresses reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) 50 and 62 in the FCRPS biological opinion.