This project provides: 1) hatchery (supplementation and conventional) monitoring on B-run steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) released in the Clearwater River subbasin, 2) trend estimates of adult abundance, 3) descriptive biological data on natural-origin returns, and 4) facilitation of a run-reconstruction of Snake Basin steelhead to known and unknown areas (formally proposal 2010-04-800). Carried out by co-managers, the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), this project will play a critical role in increasing the existing understanding of two significant populations of B-run steelhead in the Clearwater River major population group (MPG), the Lolo Creek and the South Fork Clearwater River (SFCR) populations. Data generated through the implementation of this project is required under the FCRPS BiOp (RPAs 50.5, 50.6 & 63.1) and is consistent with the Coordinated Anadromous Workshop Snake Basin strategy for high precision abundance data, hatchery effectiveness monitoring, and data management.

The 2008-2017 U.S. vs Oregon Management Agreement designated 200,000 unclipped (supplementation) steelhead reared at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH) released into Lolo Creek and 330,000 unclipped steelhead reared at the Clearwater Anadromous Fish Hatchery (CAFH) released into tributaries of the South Fork Clearwater River (SFCR). These releases are in addition to the 840,000 conventionally reared, AD-clipped, steelhead smolts released into the SFCR each year. The motivation behind the unclipped fish releases is escapement from down-river fisheries and increased contribution to natural production to bolster natural steelhead population abundances. The brood stock composition of the supplementation releases (e.g., integration of natural adults into the brood stock) and the increase of these releases from 60,000 into Lolo Creek to full production (200,000) will be decided by tribal, state, and federal co-managers. Therefore, this project is structured as an observational study of management actions, as per the recommendation of ISRP/ISAB.

This project aims to evaluate the efficacy of these actions by 1) monitoring the population abundances of Lolo Creek and SFCR steelhead, 2) assessing the survival and life history characteristics of natural steelhead in Lolo Creek and SFCR, and 3) assess adult steelhead passage over a possible velocity barrier on the SFCR near Golden, ID. Finally, working in coordination with all co-managers in the Snake River Basin, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department Fish & Wildlife, and The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the data collected through the activities of this project will be integrated with that of other monitoring projects to account for the final disposition of adults upstream of Lower Granite Dam for the purposes of run-reconstruction.

To perform these tasks the project will operate and collect data at a juvenile fish trap on the lower South Fork Clearwater River and utilize data from related projects; Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Monitoring and Evaluation Project (BPA project 1983-350-03) for juvenile abundance, and the Nez Perce Tribe Integrated Status & Effectiveness Monitoring Program (BPA project QCIN2010) for adult steelhead escapement.  The project will also attempt to radio tag 15 returning Supplemental hatchery steelhead adults at Lower Granite Dam in the fall of 2018 to monitor passage at the possible velocity barrier in 2019.  

An important goal of this project is the timely reporting of science-based data. The Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resource Management (DFRM) now has the equipment infrastructure necessary to ensure that this will be achieved. With additional funding for a data steward, DFRM annual reports, metadata, and performance measure data will be available on the new DFRM website http://www.nptfisheries.org. Appropriate components of program data and results will also be provided to the following websites: Snake Basin Data Group; Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), including: PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS), the Regional Mark Information System (RMIS); Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program (STEM); Fish Passage Center (FPC); StreamNet; and NOAA Northwest Science Center. This proposal seeks to enable DFRM participation in regional data management and sharing forums and processes (e.g. PNAMP) as required by RPAs 71 and 72.