The Monitoring and Evaluation Project for the Chief Joseph Hatchery collects and analyzes data that is critical to understanding the successes, failures, and effects of the hatchery production.  Data is needed to establish status and trends for hatchery and natural origin fish and to answer key management questions.  Answering key management questions is critical to guiding the program to meet its objectives.  The data collection efforts, analyses, coordination and planning described in this scope of work are intended to be focused on the information that is necessary to manage the hatchery program, maintain the natural populations, answer critical uncertainties, and provide a feedback loop for changing the program if its effects or risks are unacceptable.

1.    What is the current status and recent historical trend of the naturally-spawning population in terms of Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters?  
2.    What is the current status and recent historical trends for hatchery returns and harvest?
3.    Is the hatchery program meeting target in-hatchery performance standards?
4.    Are the hatchery post-release targets met for survival and total catch contribution?
5.    Are targets for total catch contribution and selectivity for HORs met in fisheries above Wells Dam?
6.    Are CJH Program benefits consistent with conservation of summer/fall and spring Chinook natural populations?
7.    Are assumptions about natural production potential valid?
8.    How should the program be operated in the coming year (management targets for pNOB, PNI, pHOS)?

The work elements and milestones described in this statement of work are intended to answer the above management questions and to coordinate the program with other CCT subdivisions, fish managers, BPA, PUDs, and other stakeholders.  The project includes the following field data collection efforts;
1.    rotary screw trap
2.    beach seining to PIT tag wild juveniles
3.    lower Okanogan River weir
4.    spawning ground surveys
5.    water samples for eDNA
6.     tissue samples for PBT
7.     tribal harvest including the Chief Joseph Hatchery snag fishery and purse seine
8.     summer Chinook egg-to-fry study

Many related lab work and analysis tasks are linked to these basic field activities, in order to process the information, assimilate information from other work (PTAGIS, RMIS, CJH CWT lab database etc.), and synthesize the information in order to answer or contribute to the key management questions described above.  Additionally, several work elements and milestones are focused on organizing the information (ISIT, APPT) and sharing the information within CCT and to regional stakeholder before, during, and after the Annual Program Review, which also serves as the beginning of in season planning for implementing the program in the coming year.