The qualification of the fundable recommendation is based on continuing concern about linkages between the research and ultimate management actions.

The project sponsors provide adequate responses to the ISRP request for clarification of the design of the model development, the standardized monitoring protocol, and the need to continue to collect life-history data on bull trout in multiple subbasins. The ISRP continues to believe the sponsors need to improve the argument that this project will contribute to the development of recovery actions/plans for bull trout. The responses do not indicate that this proposed research is closely integrated with actual management decisions. It is not clear that the management branch of the sponsoring agency is even adequately integrated into this proposal. This is a weakness in the proposal. If this project is continued the sponsors should be able to better demonstrate that the information generated is influencing management decisions.

As an ongoing project, reporting of results has been good with consistent production on Annual Reports to BPA and several peer-reviewed papers. A complete list of these reports and papers (inserted in Section E) would be helpful.