This project is a small-scale supplementation initiative designed to increase the survival of a weak but recoverable spawning aggregate of summer Chinook salmon.  The goal of this project is to prevent the extirpation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Johnson Creek summer Chinook and begin their recovery through supplementation.  This project is permitted by the NOAA Fisheries to rear up to 150,000 Chinook salmon smolts each year for release into Johnson Creek.

The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project (JCAPE) is identified in the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion in RPA Hatchery Strategy 2, Action 41 – Implement Safety Net Programs to Preserve Genetic Resources and Reduce Short-term Extinction Risk. Specifically, for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook.  It is further stated in this RPA to fund the Johnson Creek/South Fork Salmon River safety net supplementation program, as described in the existing Section 10 permit.  This action funds the actual implementation, operation, and monitoring of a safety net project.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement project, a safety net project, utilizes existing hatchery facilities (McCall Fish Hatchery) to conduct salmon supplementation release of up to 100,000 smolts per year.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project is the only Chinook salmon supplementation project in the Salmon River Basin.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project had been issued an ESA Section 10 permit (Permit number 1250) by NOAA Fisheries to conduct salmon supplementation activities through 2010.  In 2017, the project received ESA permitting through a 4d Rule and Biological Opinion through the HGMP process with NOAA Fisheries.  

This contract will provide funds to:
·        Conduct Salmon Supplementation of the Johnson Creek Summer Chinook Salmon, a safety net program;
·        Provide for administrative oversight of the project; and
·        Share project results through Reports and Presentations

In 2023, installation and operation of a temporary adult Chinook salmon weir and trap will continue with the collection of brood stock for use in the Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project.  Juvenile salmon (smolts) from the 2021 brood year will be released into Johnson Creek in March or April of 2023.  Juvenile salmon from the 2022 brood year will continue to be reared at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  These fish will be marked with CWT in July 2023.  Specifically, in 2023 the project will:

-         Operate an adult salmon trap on Johnson Creek.
-         Collect and spawn up to 52 pairs of adult salmon.
-         Release 140,000 BY20 smolts back into Johnson Creek.
-         Rear up to 160,000 BY 21 juveniles at the McCall Fish Hatchery.
-         Update Annual Operating Plan and submit to NOAA Fisheries prior to adult salmon trapping season.
-         Prepare Brood Year 2021 Report and 2022 Adult Trapping Report.

Since 1998, salmon supplementation has been occurring on Johnson Creek.  This action was taken to begin the recovery of the Johnson Creek spawning aggregate.  The JCAPE project has worked with the Idaho Department of Fish and game (IDFG) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to rear a limited number of smolts each year at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  The JCAPE project is currently allowed to rear up to 150,000 Johnson Creek smolts to at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  Brood stock has been collected in 1998 and 2000 through 2022.  Smolts from brood stock collection have been released in 2000 and 2002 through 2022.  The JCAPE O&M program is currently rearing fish from brood years from 2021 and 2022.