The goal of the Status and Trend Annual Report (STAR) project is to support mitigation described in the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion, the 2008 Fish Accords and the obligations and commitments encompassed by the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, by annually reporting implementation and monitoring progress associated with salmon recovery efforts relevant to the Columbia Cascade Province.  These efforts are directed towards FCRPS Biological Opinion status reporting, with an emphasis on identifying and reporting progress towards habitat restoration.  STAR Project products will measure and describe restoration progress, expressed in terms of improved habitat condition and increased habitat function.  As described in the 2008 FCRPS BiOp, improvements in habitat functionality correlate directly to assumed improvements to juvenile salmonid productivity.  

The Status and Trend Annual Report is designed to complement the 2008 FCRPS BiOp -- using Primary Limiting Factors identified in the NPCC Subbasin Plans as the reference for habitat restoration progress.  Work completed under prior contracts focused on the Wenatchee Subbasin.  A report template has been developed that specifically details: 1) how habitat restoration projects funded by BPA, and other entities, are consolidated at the watershed scale - per the Subbasin Plans;  2) how these projects either have or will address identified Primary Limiting Factors; and, 3) the logic and manner in which estimates associated with changed habitat functionality are derived, consistent with the methods outlined in the 2008 Fish Accords.  Although the majority of the work focused at the Watershed scale, contract efforts also significantly advanced development of the method by which local improvements can be “rolled up” to the population scale.  

This report template is expected to serve as the basis to expand the Status and Trend report process to include all of the key subbasins within the Ceded Lands of the Yakama Nation (YN).  In addition, within the next 2-4 years, the Yakama Nation intends to continue to expand this effort beyond habitat contributions -- to include the integration, and reporting, of progress for the other "H's" -- Hydro, Hatchery and Harvest.  The Yakama Nation will continue to participate in ongoing regional and sub-regional efforts that directly relate to the development of STAR products addressed to these purposes.  Draft report products will continue to be designed and developed in coordination with Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board, the State of Washington, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, BPA and the NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, and are intended to support local and regional efforts.  Guided by specific planning considerations, we will continue to identify and inventory data resources and data gaps, coordinate efforts to increase efficiency and reduce potential redundancy, and identify ways and means for long-term sharing of information and collaboration.  

Key ongoing regional and sub-regional efforts directly relate to these project purposes, and to the subsequent development of STAR components and report products.  Although the primary audience for this Status and Trend Annual Report is the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board and the Bonneville Power Administration, other local, state and federal interests are recognized and encouraged.  To ensure adequate coordination and the broadest possible collaboration, the Yakama Nation will continue to:  a) establish professional networks at the regional level, and initiate and manage discussions focused on development of annual status and trend reports; and, b) maintain coordination with BPA, CBFWA, NOAA-Fisheries and the Fish Passage Center to insure that STAR components are consistent with, and complementary to, other regional efforts, and reflective of the obligations of FCRPS BiOp .  

The Yakama Nation will continue to participate in at least the following:

1) 2008 FCRPS BiOp status reporting.  This process is still in formulation, but as a signatory to the Fish Accords, the Yakama Nation intends to be fully engaged throughout the life of the BiOp.

2) Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board.  The Yakama Nation is a member of the UCSRB, which is currently and fully engaged in implementing the NOAA Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan.  Although substantial efforts have been ongoing in developing a coherent and standard monitoring process, significant efforts are needed to provide periodic reporting of implementation and monitoring progress, which will largely inform the Adaptive Management process envisioned by the UCSRB.  This STAR will contribute largely to that effort.

3) The Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program (ISEMP) [Bonneville Power Administration, project #2003-0017], was created as a cost-effective means of developing protocols and new technologies, novel indicators, sample designs, analytical, data management and communication tools and skills, and restoration experiments.  The STAR is intended to be a logical extension of the ISEMP.

4) Okanogan Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Program (OBMEP), Colville Tribes.  This program began in 2003 and provides comprehensive research by collecting and evaluating data on a system-wide basis in support of salmon recovery.  

5) Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority: Status of the Resource Report.

6) State of Washington: State of the Salmon Watersheds Report.

During the next contract period, work will proceed in four key areas:  1) the Wenatchee template will be further refined beyond an annotated “Table of Contents,” and a Draft 1.0 Wenatchee Subbasin Status and Trends Annual Report (STAR) will be completed for local and regional review;  2) a preliminary template will be developed addressing status and trend for the FCRPS hydroelectric system, relative to the Fish Accords and 2008 BiOp;  3) initial templates, similar to the existing Wenatchee template, may be developed for the Methow and Entiat subbasins;  and, 4) a preliminary document may be refined and advanced for a FCRPS hydrosystem operations STAR (Draft 1.0).  Tasks associated with this next contract period will be supported through contracted services, and it is envisioned that a permanent, full time employee will be brought on staff to support and carry this work forward into future years.  (During the initial stages of this effort [Contract # 42224] the Yakama Nation had unforeseen complications in hiring a STAR Coordinator, and redirected funding to utilize contract services.)