This contract provides funding to expand BPA project # 2010-034-00 into the Okanogan subbasin to complete coverage of the entire Upper Columbia ESU for summer steelhead. The master project is part of a unique, well coordinated,  and standardized group of monitoring and evaluation program(s) that exist in the Upper Columbia River Basin.  Monitoring and evaluation programs are funded by a combination of  federal (BPA, BOR, USFWS), State, Tribal, and regional (PUDs) entities.  While all these various program contribute data to estimate VSP parameters for spring Chinook and summer steelhead, these programs also share common deficiencies related to precision and accuracy of the abundance estimates.  Existing M & E activities combined with recent advances in PIT tag technology provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the data generated in order to make proper management decisions concerning ESA listed species.  The overall objectives of the project are to: 1) evaluate precision and accuracy of the smolt monitoring methodology for both steelhead and spring Chinook , 2) estimate the proportion of hatchery steelhead in each primary population, 3) estimate the precision of redd counts for both steelhead and spring Chinook and 4) evaluate the accuracy of the steelhead spawning ground survey design.  We also intend to conduct a steelhead radio telemetry study to independently validate estimates generated from PIT tags and to estimate steelhead population characteristics (overwinter survival, number of redds per female).  These tasks address in part or fully the critical uncertainties identified under Supplementation in the Columbia River Basin Research Plan (2006-03) and steelhead population characteristics (abundance, productivity, and ratio of hatchery fish) under the Fish and Wildlife Program.  Additionally, all of the studies in this proposal are directly consistent with RPAs for the FCRPS BiOp.  In summary, this project seeks to build on the existing programs in all the subbasins and provide information and equipment needed for long term monitoring of VSP parameters with a known level of accuracy and precision. This contract will allow for inclusion of the Okanogan subbasins summer steelhead population to be a part of the relevant parts this experiment i.e. PITtag array deployment and development of precision and accuracy estimates, hatchery estimates, and enhanced age data collection.

During the 2012 contract period we plan to accomplish the following tasks; 1) work with landowners to secure agreements to place PIT-tag arrays on private property to locate detection sites at select sites, 2) Survey these properties and assess the best location for each PIT-tag array to be installed, 3) Install both permanent and temporary arrays prior to summer steelhead spawning activity (March) in 2013 and remove the temporary arrays once data collection has been completed, 4) Upload data to the PITAGIS database and trouble shoot these arrays to assure continuous data flow when operating, 5) Collect and assess critical age and origin data on upper Columbia summer steelhead.

WDFW will be the research lead for the project and will conduct all the analysis and complete research reports, obtain all necessary environmental compliance permits under CR-218583 for the project which includes CR-218583. Andrew Murdoch will be the point of contact for WDFW.  Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) will be the primary contractor array installation, operation, and maintenance of sites located within the Okanogan Basin.  John Arterburn is the point of contact for the CCT.