Burnt, Malheur and Powder Rivers

The purpose of this work is to better understand the potential for the reintroduction of anadromous fish in the Burnt, Malheur, and Powder River sub-basins by completing an assessment. This assessment will describe how a reintroduction study will be conducted with consideration given to a historical fishery, historical physical and biological conditions, current physical and biological conditions, and a restoration plan that describes the actions for addressing limiting factors.  This effort will assess the potential for the reintroduction of anadromous fish species since anadromous fish are currently extirpated in the Burnt, Malheur, and Powder Rivers.

Once the tasks in this SOW have been completed, we will develop an outline, proposal, and a plan using existing data from basins in which summer steelhead have been reintroduced, supplemented, or that occur naturally.  This outcome will include an assessment that adequately uses available data and will determine what new information is needed that is not already included in previous reports and plans.  The focus will be on habitat for anadromous fish reintroduction at the watershed scale if fish passage barriers could be removed or surmounted (e.g., using fish ladders or by trapping and hauling fish).