The Anadromous Fish Program (AFP) is responsible for implementing five fishery restoration projects in the Salmon River basin. Each fishery restoration project was uniquely developed to meet Tribal harvest, culture, and conservation objectives. During the performance period, the AFP will finalize the Narrative Proposal, long-term Monitoring, Research, and Evaluation (MR&E) Plan, and assist with planning the Crystal Springs Fish Hatchery (FH) Program. In addition, the AFP will implement the Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Project, the Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Project, and the Steelhead Streamside Incubation Project.

The Panther Creek and Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Projects are components of the Crystal Springs FH Program. Crystal Springs FH, although not yet constructed, is being developed to produce 1,000,000 Chinook salmon smolts. The plan is to release 400,000 summer Chinook salmon smolts in Panther Creek and 600,000 spring Chinook salmon smolts in Yankee Fork. The AFP will provide input, guidance, and reviews on all documents pertaining to the design and construction of the Crystal Springs FH and Panther Creek and Yankee Fork Satellite Facilities.

The Panther Creek Chinook Salmon Project was initiated in 2010 with the collection of baseline data. We intend to continue and expand the collection of baseline data to further inform management decisions and initiate reintroduction efforts. During the performance period, we intend to (1) finalize the section of the MR&E Plan that addresses the project; (2) conduct spawning ground surveys; (3) conduct electrofishing surveys; (4) conduct habitat surveys; (5) install and operate the Panther Creek rotary screw trap; (6) install and operate the Panther Creek PIT tag array; (7) outplant ~1,000,000 summer Chinook salmon eyed-eggs in treatment tributaries; and (8) assist with hatchery planning activities associated with the development and construction of the Crystal Springs FH Program and Panther Creek Satellite Facility.

The Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Project was initiated in 2006 with the release of juvenile Chinook salmon smolts. The majority of the project activities are funded by the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP). However, with BPA funds we intend to (1) finalize the section of the MR&E Plan that addresses the project; (2) construct a permanent anchor system for the Pole Flat and West Fork screw traps and install traps; (3) conduct electrofishing surveys; (4) conduct habitat surveys; (5) assist with the "Nutrient Enrichment Study" (e.g., live and dead carcass outplants); (6) manage, analyze and report on PIT tag array fish-in fish-out production estimates; (7) assist with hatchery planning activities associated with the development and construction of the Crystal Springs FH Program and Yankee Fork Satellite Facility; (8) and fund a graduate project at Idaho State University to address project-related research questions.

The Steelhead Streamside Incubation Project was initiated in 1995. A total of 1,000,000 eyed-eggs are annually outplanted into Yankee Fork, Panther Creek, and Indian Creek. MR&E activities associated with the Panther Creek and Yankee Fork Chinook Salmon Projects complement this project, therefore, it is inherent that evaluations will be completed in those basins. In addition, we intend to (1) finalize the section of the MR&E Plan that addresses the project; (2) design a juvenile fish trapping system for Indian Creek; (3) design an adult fish trapping system for Indian Creek; (4) conduct electrofishing surveys in Indian Creek; (5) conduct habitat surveys in Indian Creek; and (6) and fund a graduate project at Idaho State University to address project-related research questions.