Nonnative brook trout exist in high numbers in the Upper Malheur. The introduced fish poses serious threats to the long term viability of bull trout because of its ability to outcompete and hybridize with the native. Resource competition and hybridization between the two species is documented in the Upper Malheur. Brook trout threats, along with other environmental and anthropogenic factors, have imperiled the native in the Upper Malheur and led to the population being classified as having a “high risk” of extinction. Recovery Criteria for the Malheur Recovery Unit cites stable or increasing abundance trends in both local populations and the reestablishment of connectivity between the separated populations as actions necessary to achieve delisting. However, it has also been deemed necessary to achieve a reduction or elimination of threats from brook trout interaction in the Upper Malheur prior to restoration of passage. Full recovery of Malheur River bull trout is therefore contingent upon minimizing the threats posed by brook trout interaction in the basin. Brook trout are a primary limiting factor to bull trout recovery.

Reducing the effect of brook trout on bull trout is strategized under Objective 4.1 of the Subbasin Plan. The task of implementing a feasible and biologically supportable brook trout removal project received priority one designation under the plan for the Malheur Recovery Unit (Task 2.5.1). According to Task 6.1.2 for the recovery unit, BPT proposes to take the lead in implementing this effort. The draft Malheur River Bull Trout Implementation Strategies and recent draft updates to the USFWS Recovery Plan also identifies reduction of brook trout populations as a priority limiting factor necessitating immediate action.

Implementation of mechanical methodology to control brook trout in the Malheur River began through this project in FY2011.  BPT considers current use of mechanical methodology and baseline data collection as “Phase I” of suppression efforts, as approved in the FY2012 Categorical Review of Resident Fish projects.  "Phase II" will consist of a prioritized and tiered approach to velocity barrier installation and chemical treatment of the seventy plus miles of tributary habitat affected by brook trout.  “Phase II” will be contingent upon the results and baseline establishment in “Phase I” (e.g., barrier site selections, success of electrofishing/weir removal efforts, etc.), and the continued collaboration between state and federal agencies and BPT.

Project work elements in 2013 will include:
1)  operation of a weir and contiguous electrofishing removal in Lake Creek to exclude brook trout from bull trout spawning areas in reaches of high documented rates of hybridization;
2)  operation of a weir in Meadow Fork Big Creek to evaluate the efficacy of utilizing velocity barriers to preserve bull trout strongholds;
3)  snorkel surveys in Meadow Fork Big Creek to delineate the upper limits of brook trout distribution and further define proposed actions for "Phase II";
4)  limited spawning surveys and regular night checks in Meadow Fork Big Creek to ensure that the weir causes minimal impacts to use of reach by fluvial bull trout;
5)  product oriented interagency coordination to a) attract cost share to this project, b) identify critical uncertainties that will shape implementation of "Phase II", c) disseminate information to project partners and the public in order to preemptively solicit peer review and feedback, and d) move forward with statutory and regulatory processes that must be completed before "Phase II" is implemented.

These efforts coincide with additional projects funded by other sources: use of quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect changes in abundance of brook trout and to monitor resulting trends in bull trout (Bureau of Reclamation funding); gill net, angling, and electroshocking removal in the primary seed source area that occur above habitat occupied by bull trout and severed from upstream movement by natural barriers (Bureau of Reclamation funding); and installation of a PIT tag array at the confluence of the two tributaries currently targeted for brook trout removal (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding).   As of December 2012, BPT currently has two additional proposals pending consideration which, if funded, will include intensive spawning surveys to assist project partners in developing better site specific methodology for bull trout monitoring.

The current FY2013 contract is truncated in order to align the fiscal years of Project No. 1997-019-00 with BPT existing Wildlife Projects (Project No. 2000-027-00 and Project No. 2000-009-00) to therefore facilitate sharing of staff and resources between all BPT BPA projects.  Accordingly, BPT asks BPA to note the following:
1)  FY2013 budget is based of FY2012 contracted (12 month) amount of $212,016.
2)  The estimated amount in this budget is not $212,016/12 months x 9 months in new contract period.
3)  The nine months proposed for the FY2013 contract covers the field season during which more costs are accrued due to:
a)  More staff employed.
b)  Estimated $10,000 in fuel (minimum of 140 mi round trip to field sites), most of which is consumed during field season.  Gas is budgeted at $3.95/gal because over the last two years Burns, OR has hovered around that rate during summer.  Burns gas prices tend to be higher than most places in Oregon.
c)  Most wear and tear on vehicles occurs from April-December.
4)  Each staff is budgeted at six months even though the contract is a nine month period.
a)  With the exception of one three month seasonal rehire (entire duration of position)
b)  One permanent technician is budgeted for five months in anticipation of assisting our wildlife projects for at least one month.  
c)  BPA no longer covers annual costs associated with project 1997-019-00.  Out of necessity BPT has had to attract cost share since major cuts to this project between FY2006 and FY2008, hence BPT’s recent request to increase contracted amount by approximately $50,000/year beginning in 2014 (and to partially recover the 40% budget cuts made between FY2006 and FY2008 to this project).  
d)  The six months excluded for Fisheries Manager, Fish Biologist, and Lead Fish Technician will have to be cost shared by additional funding sources.
5)  A cost for one weir is added to conduct baseline data collection, for future brook trout removal (mechanical or chemical), in a creek adjacent to the one in which efforts were focused in 2011-2012.  Estimated cost is $7,000 for new weir.  BPT is working with a local welder to fine tune the estimate but do not expect it to deviate much.
6)  $1000 is included for purchase of dry suits to conduct snorkel surveys above and below new weir.
7)  All other costs are adjusted for nine months instead of twelve.

All work elements were approved in the FY2013-2017 Categorical Review by NPCC.