Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
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Project Summary

Project 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Please Note: This project is the product of one or more merges and/or splits from other projects. Historical data automatically included here are limited to the current project and previous generation (the “parent” projects) only. The Project Relationships section details the nature of the relationships between this project and the previous generation. To learn about the complete ancestry of this project, please review the Project Relationships section on the Project Summary page of each parent project.

Project Number:
2000-039-00
Title:
Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Summary:
The Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation Project (WWM & E) is funded by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA, project No. 2000-039-00) under the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords Memorandum of Agreement between the Three Treaty Tribes and Federal Columbia River Power System. The purpose of this collaborative project is to conduct natural production, tributary habitat, and hatchery research, monitoring and evaluation. Our goal is to provide ecological information and technical services to decision makers in support of adaptive management for restoration, conservation, and preservation of cultural, social, and economic salmonid resources. We plan to do this by collecting Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) criteria including estimates of abundance, productivity, survival rates, and distribution of reintroduced spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) salmon, ESA-listed summer steelhead (O. mykiss), and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Project results, including fish per redd, smolts per redd, smolt-to-adult return, recruit per spawner, etc. are used to help inform and adapt salmonid management and recovery goals.

Project Work elements include Adult Enumeration, Spawning Surveys, Out-migrant monitoring, PIT-tagging, and Fish Salvage. We believe these monitoring and evaluation actions meet the highest priorities for fish population monitoring as identified by the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan and Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan. This collaborative project is conducted by the CTUIR and WDFW as funded by the Columbia River Fish Accords through 2017. The work location is the Walla Walla River Basin and tributaries (e.g. Touchet River, South Fork, and Mill Creek). Project methods were adapted from the Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook: Techniques for Assessing Status and Trends in Salmonid and Trout Populations (http://www.stateofthesalmon.org/fieldprotocols/). A major focus of ours is to estimate “adults in” and “juveniles out” as a measure of salmonid population viability; for example, adult salmonids entering the basin to spawn are enumerated using weirs and video, spawning fish and carcasses are enumerated by multiple pass ground surveys, while the juvenile emigrant population is estimated using rotary screw traps and PIT-tags.

CTUIR and WDFW project partners collaborate on the project proposal, budget, statements of work and annual report; but retain their individual contracts with BPA. CTUIR project offices are located at the William A. Grant Water and Science Center at Walla Walla Community College; while the WDFW South East Washington District Offices are located in Dayton, Washington. Previously, CTUIR and WDFW conducted separate studies and reported to BPA in separate annual reports, under project numbers 199802000 and 20003900. Previous project reports, data and metadata are found at the CTUIR website www.data.umatilla.nsn.us/fisheries/index.aspx, or WDFW website at www.wdfw.wa.gov, or the BPA website (efw.bpa.gov).
Proposer:
None
Proponent Orgs:
Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) (Tribe)
Starting FY:
2000
Ending FY:
2032
BPA PM:
Stage:
Implementation - Project Status Report
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Columbia Plateau Walla Walla 100.00%
Purpose:
Programmatic
Emphasis:
RM and E
Focal Species:
Chinook - All Populations
Chinook - Mid-Columbia River Spring ESU
Chinook - Snake River Spring/Summer
Chinook - Upper Columbia River Spring ESU
Steelhead - Middle Columbia River DPS
Trout, Bull
Trout, Rainbow
Whitefish, Mountain
Species Benefit:
Anadromous: 100.0%   Resident: 0.0%   Wildlife: 0.0%
Special:
None

Description: Page: 20 Figure 1: Walla Walla River Basin and major tributaries.

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 1430 x 1105

Description: Page: 22 Figure 2: Location of the Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Tucannon subbasins.

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 1430 x 1105

Description: Page: 36 Figure 12: Distribution and density of spring Chinook redd observations in the upper mainstem and South Fork WWR and Mill Creek, 2006-2010 (See Appendices B and F).

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 861 x 665

Description: Page: 39 Figure 15: Location of rotary screw traps and PIT tag detection arrays in the Walla Walla Subbasin, 2009-2010.

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 1430 x 1105

Description: Page: 47 Figure 23: Map of the Mill Creek and Yellowhawk Creek fish passage routes (adapted from Tice 2006). Garrison Creek is screened and not shown, but it splits from upper Yellowhawk Creek and parallels that creek to join the WWR.

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 552 x 328

Description: Page: 51 Figure 26: Distribution and density of summer steelhead redd observations by WDFW and CTUIR over several years (See appendix J).

Project(s): 2000-039-00

Document: P121538

Dimensions: 970 x 749


Summary of Budgets

To view all expenditures for all fiscal years, click "Project Exp. by FY"

To see more detailed project budget information, please visit the "Project Budget" page

Decided Budget Transfers  (FY2024 - FY2026)

Acct FY Acct Type Amount Fund Budget Decision Date
FY2024 Expense $960,056 From: Fish Accord - LRT - Umatilla Umatilla Tribe (CTUIR) 2023-2025 Accord Extension 09/30/2022
FY2024 Expense $96,318 From: Fish Accord - LRT - Umatilla 2000-039-00 FY24 12/20/2023
FY2024 Expense $222,464 From: Fish Accord - LRT - Umatilla 2000-039-00 FY24 12/20/2023
FY2024 Expense $6,256 From: Fish Accord - LRT - Umatilla 2000-039-00 FY24 12/20/2023
FY2025 Expense $984,058 From: Fish Accord - LRT - Umatilla Umatilla Tribe (CTUIR) 2023-2025 Accord Extension 09/30/2022

Pending Budget Decision?  No


Actual Project Cost Share

Current Fiscal Year — 2025   DRAFT
Cost Share Partner Total Proposed Contribution Total Confirmed Contribution
There are no project cost share contributions to show.
Previous Fiscal Years
Fiscal Year Total Contributions % of Budget
2024 $40,848 3%
2023 $40,848 4%
2022 $40,800 4%
2021 $10,800 1%
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 $330,000 28%
2014 $342,000 26%
2013 $336,000 27%
2012 $428,490 33%
2011 $293,900 27%
2010 $295,400 27%
2009 $1,424,350 64%
2008 $2,372,050 75%
2007 $809,250 53%

Contracts

The table below contains contracts with the following statuses: Active, Closed, Complete, History, Issued.
* "Total Contracted Amount" column includes contracted amount from both capital and expense components of the contract.
Expense Contracts:
Number Contractor Name Title Status Total Contracted Amount Dates
13171 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 WALLA WALLA NATURAL PRODUCTION MONITORING &EVALUATION Closed $877,769 1/1/2003 - 12/31/2004
20678 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 WALLA WALLA BASIN NATURAL PRODUCTION M&E Closed $474,177 1/1/2005 - 12/31/2005
25722 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA BASIN NATURAL PRODUCTION M&E Closed $761,531 1/1/2006 - 5/31/2007
BPA-003328 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - 2007 WW River Basin M&E Active $11,625 10/1/2006 - 9/30/2007
33613 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT-CTUIR Closed $376,454 6/1/2007 - 2/29/2008
33657 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT - WDFW Closed $129,365 6/1/2007 - 2/29/2008
BPA-004290 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags -2008 WW River Basin M&E Active $29,063 10/1/2007 - 9/30/2008
36928 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT-CTUIR Closed $584,126 3/1/2008 - 2/28/2009
37130 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT - WDFW Closed $179,553 3/1/2008 - 2/28/2009
BPA-004337 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - 2009 Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring Active $30,683 10/1/2008 - 9/30/2009
41915 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT-CTUIR Closed $609,531 3/1/2009 - 2/28/2010
41736 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E PROJECT - WDFW Closed $173,107 3/1/2009 - 2/28/2010
BPA-004882 Bonneville Power Administration PIT tags - 2010 WW River Basin M&E Active $34,816 10/1/2009 - 9/30/2010
46155 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID M&E - CTUIR Closed $569,776 3/1/2010 - 2/28/2011
46440 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW - WALLA2 SALMONID M&E Closed $185,478 3/1/2010 - 2/28/2011
BPA-005608 Bonneville Power Administration PIT tags - 2011 WWRBME Active $41,724 10/1/2010 - 9/30/2011
51994 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP CTUIR WW SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $577,043 3/1/2011 - 2/29/2012
51995 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW WW SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $174,876 3/1/2011 - 2/29/2012
BPA-006385 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - 2012 WW River Basin M&E Active $40,325 10/1/2011 - 9/30/2012
56615 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP CTUIR WW SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $679,320 3/1/2012 - 2/28/2013
56940 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW WW SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $156,110 3/1/2012 - 2/28/2013
BPA-007218 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $9,286 10/1/2012 - 9/30/2013
60695 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $711,314 3/1/2013 - 2/28/2014
61347 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW WW SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $171,913 3/1/2013 - 2/28/2014
BPA-007734 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $22,429 10/1/2013 - 9/30/2014
64891 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $224,221 3/1/2014 - 2/28/2015
65224 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP CTUIR WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $702,751 3/1/2014 - 2/28/2015
BPA-008396 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $7,509 10/1/2014 - 9/30/2015
68603 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $227,627 3/1/2015 - 2/29/2016
68666 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $594,748 3/1/2015 - 2/29/2016
BPA-008919 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $45,546 10/1/2015 - 9/30/2016
72135 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $711,130 3/1/2016 - 2/28/2017
71852 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $231,622 3/1/2016 - 3/31/2017
BPA-009559 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $45,693 10/1/2016 - 9/30/2017
73982 REL 14 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $726,869 3/1/2017 - 2/28/2018
75381 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WDFW WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $300,800 4/1/2017 - 3/31/2018
BPA-010191 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $38,155 10/1/2017 - 9/30/2018
73982 REL 45 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $821,442 3/1/2018 - 2/28/2019
74314 REL 32 SOW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $201,890 4/1/2018 - 3/31/2019
BPA-010771 Bonneville Power Administration PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Active $0 10/1/2018 - 9/30/2019
73982 REL 73 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $904,523 3/1/2019 - 2/29/2020
BPA-011599 Bonneville Power Administration FY20 Internal Services/PIT tags Active $39,611 10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020
73982 REL 99 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $923,546 3/1/2020 - 2/28/2021
BPA-012078 Bonneville Power Administration FY21 PIT Tags Active $29,700 10/1/2020 - 9/30/2021
73982 REL 131 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $752,609 3/1/2021 - 2/28/2022
BPA-012891 Bonneville Power Administration FY22 PIT tags Active $24,480 10/1/2021 - 9/30/2022
73982 REL 154 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Closed $880,471 3/1/2022 - 2/28/2023
BPA-013474 Bonneville Power Administration FY23 PIT tags Active $91,799 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2023
73982 REL 183 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Issued $1,018,000 3/1/2023 - 2/29/2024
BPA-013818 Bonneville Power Administration FY24 PIT tags Active $91,800 10/1/2023 - 9/30/2024
73982 REL 216 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Issued $1,193,294 3/1/2024 - 2/28/2025
BPA-014285 Bonneville Power Administration FY25 PIT Tags Active $91,800 10/1/2024 - 9/30/2025
CR-374454 SOW Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Pending $984,058 3/1/2025 - 2/28/2026



Annual Progress Reports
Expected (since FY2004):40
Completed:22
On time:22
Status Reports
Completed:124
On time:67
Avg Days Late:2

                Count of Contract Deliverables
Earliest Contract Subsequent Contracts Title Contractor Earliest Start Latest End Latest Status Accepted Reports Complete Green Yellow Red Total % Green and Complete Canceled
13171 20678, 25722, 33613, 36928, 41915, 46155, 51994, 56615, 60695, 65224, 68666, 72135, 73982 REL 14, 73982 REL 45, 73982 REL 73, 73982 REL 99, 73982 REL 131, 73982 REL 154, 73982 REL 183, 73982 REL 216, CR-374454 2000-039-00 EXP WALLA WALLA SALMONID PRODUCTION M&E Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR) 01/01/2003 02/28/2026 Pending 77 263 12 0 12 287 95.82% 0
BPA-3328 PIT Tags - 2007 WW River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2006 09/30/2007 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33657 37130, 41736, 46440, 51995, 56940, 61347, 64891, 68603, 71852, 75381, 74314 REL 32, 74314 REL 68, 74314 REL 100, 74314 REL 129, 84042 REL 1, 84042 REL 30, 84042 REL 64, CR-374455 2000-039-01 WDFW WALLA WALLA RIVER BASIN M Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 06/01/2007 03/31/2026 Pending 69 202 9 0 15 226 93.36% 6
BPA-4290 PIT Tags -2008 WW River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2007 09/30/2008 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-4337 PIT Tags - 2009 Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2008 09/30/2009 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-4882 PIT tags - 2010 WW River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2009 09/30/2010 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-5608 PIT tags - 2011 WWRBME Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2010 09/30/2011 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-6385 PIT Tags - 2012 WW River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2011 09/30/2012 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-7218 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2012 09/30/2013 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-7734 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2013 09/30/2014 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-8396 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2014 09/30/2015 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-8919 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2015 09/30/2016 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-9559 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2016 09/30/2017 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-10191 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2017 09/30/2018 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-10771 PIT Tags - Walla Walla River Basin M&E Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2018 09/30/2019 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-11599 FY20 Internal Services/PIT tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2019 09/30/2020 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-12078 FY21 PIT Tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2020 09/30/2021 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-12891 FY22 PIT tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2021 09/30/2022 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-13474 FY23 PIT tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2022 09/30/2023 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-13818 FY24 PIT tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2023 09/30/2024 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-14285 FY25 PIT Tags Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2024 09/30/2025 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Project Totals 146 465 21 0 27 513 94.74% 6


The table content is updated frequently and thus contains more recent information than what was in the original proposal reviewed by ISRP and Council.

Review: 2022 Anadromous Fish Habitat & Hatchery Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-NPCC-20230310
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: 2022 Anadromous Fish Habitat & Hatchery Review
Approved Date: 4/15/2022
Recommendation: Implement
Comments: Bonneville and Sponsor to take the review remarks into consideration in project documentation. Implement as confirmed in the Council's Step
Review decision. This project supports hatchery mitigation authorized under the Northwest Power Act (Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program) for the Walla Walla Spring Chinook Hatchery program. See Policy Issue I.b., II.a. and II.b.

[Background: See https://www.nwcouncil.org/2021-2022-anadromous-habitat-and-hatchery-review/]

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-ISRP-20230313
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: 2022 Anadromous Fish Habitat & Hatchery Review
Completed Date: 3/14/2023
Final Round ISRP Date: 2/10/2022
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:

In our preliminary review, we requested responses on the following topics:

1. M&E matrix – lead. In their response, the proponents provided a table of 17 project activities for seven BPA-funded projects in the Walla Walla subbasin with brief descriptions of the sponsors, locations, focal species, types of monitoring, timing of monitoring, and data storage and archiving. The response also included a map of the monitoring locations for 19 types of monitoring in the subbasin (Figure 1). Three support projects provided information to the lead project. The proponents created a table that briefly identified the connections between implementation and M&E projects and described their current collaborations with other projects to develop a summary or framework for M&E in the Walla Walla subbasin. The response did not fully describe linkages between the implementation and M&E projects. Information on the type of ongoing or past M&E activities, locations, timeframe, and transfer of information between projects would have been useful in the M&E summary. The ISRP has provided additional information on the summary of monitoring and evaluation for geographic areas in the Programmatic Comments of this report. We anticipate that the Fish and Wildlife Program will identify the specific elements and formats for these RM&E summaries and matrices in the future. The ISRP anticipates that this project will coordinate with Council staff to provide important information for the coordinated future M&E summaries for this geographic area.

CTUIR’s GIS department is addressing an important regional need by creating a web mapping application to assist projects in assigning monitoring locations with associated habitat projects in the CDMS database. Additional attributes will link M&E datasets with habitat projects to identify data sets associated with specific habitat projects. The project is exploring issues that need to be addressed for the final M&E coordination summary. The proponents plan to expand the mapping application to include M&E activities of other cooperators in the future.

2. Project evaluation and adjustment. The proponents provided a satisfactory overview of the Adaptive Management process being used by the project. The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (CTUIR 2018) indicates that reviews of status and trends data, working hypotheses, key assumptions, and decision rules occur annually. Methods used by the project also are reviewed and changed when necessary. Several examples of how methods were changed were given. These included changing the location of the project’s rotary screw traps in the upper Walla Walla subbasin, doubling the application of PIT tags on hatchery origin smolts, and the use of two PIT tag detection barges installed close to the mouth of the Walla Walla River. All changes were made to increase the accuracy of smolt survival and abundance estimates. However, changes in methods may not permit sound data comparisons among years as abrupt increases/decreases in trends associated with these methodological changes may reflect a reduction in measurement bias rather than a real response to management actions. Consequently, whenever such substantial methodological changes are made, it is important to note their occurrence in the project’s databases. Additionally, when possible, efforts should be made to collect data using both the old and new methods to allow data calibration.

Relationship of WDFW spring Chinook releases to CTUIR release

The proponents also gave a complete and informative response to our questions regarding the planned annual of release of 100,000 yearling spring Chinook salmon from the Walla Walla Hatchery into the Touchet River. Currently, these fish will not be released into the Touchet River. Instead, it is anticipated that the 2012 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the co-managers will be modified so these fish can be released into Mill Creek. The proponents supplied a brief, but satisfactory, explanation of how PIT and CWT tags plus PitPro software will be used to estimate the smolt survival, SAR, and SAS values of these fish.

Preliminary ISRP report comments: response requested (Provided for context. The proponents responded to the ISRP’s questions; see response link and final review above.)

Response request comment:

The primary emphasis of the project has been to collect VSP (abundance, productivity, survival rates, and distribution) data on re-introduced spring Chinook and to a lesser extent on ESAlisted summer steelhead in Mill Creek, South Fork Walla Walla, and the mainstem Walla Walla River. Although bull trout are another ESA-listed species in the watershed, observations on these fish have been restricted to video monitoring at the Nursery Bridge Dam (located downstream of the North and South Forks of the Walla Walla River). The project has provided important monitoring and evaluation data to CTUIR, ODFW, and WDFW fishery managers. For example, the abundance and SAR values of summer run steelhead and spring Chinook salmon have been tracked since 2002 and these data are being used to guide future management actions. Data collected on spring Chinook, for instance, indicated that CTUIR objectives for harvest and conservation would not be reached using ongoing adult out-plants and releases of smolts into the subbasin. A spring Chinook salmon hatchery located on the South Fork of the Walla Walla River was recently built and will be used to augment the spring Chinook reintroduction program.

The hatchery will begin fish culture operations in 2021 and a pilot release of ~125,000 yearling smolts is scheduled to occur in 2023. Releases of ~500,000 yearling smolts are expected to begin in 2024 and annually thereafter. In 2013, 2015, and 2018, the ISRP reviewed the Master Plan and the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Walla Walla spring Chinook Hatchery. Our 2018 review (ISRP 2018-9) produced a finding of meets scientific review with eight qualifications. Two of the qualifications asked for more information on within hatchery operations. The remaining six dealt with post-release topics. During the project’s presentation it was made clear that hatchery personnel would be responsible for monitoring and reporting of within hatchery performance metrics (200003802). Conversely, post-release performance of the hatchery’s yearling spring Chinook salmon releases will be monitored, assessed, and reported by personnel associated with this project (200003900).

Data from the project are being incorporated into an adaptive management process by fishery managers to adjust the spring Chinook salmon reintroduction program and to track VSP parameters of these fish and of summer steelhead in Mill Creek and the South Fork of the Walla Walla River. The proposal does not explain how the project reviews its own procedures and determines when changes to its methods and objectives may be necessary, however.

The ISRP requests the proponents to address the following in a point-by-point response to assist our review of the proposal:

1. M&E matrix - lead. One of the challenges for ISRP reviewers is understanding the specific monitoring that is being conducted for multiple implementation projects. Habitat restoration projects or hatchery projects implement actions that are intended to address limiting factors and benefit fish and wildlife. Most of these projects do not directly monitor habitat conditions or biological outcomes, but most identify other projects in the basin that monitor aspects of physical habitat or focal fish species. The monitoring project(s) in the basin provides essential monitoring data for habitat, juvenile salmonid abundance and distribution, outmigration, survival, and adult returns for salmon and steelhead. Some monitoring projects focus on status and trends in basins, while others focus on habitat relationships and responses to local actions. It is unclear what monitoring the monitoring project(s) conducts for each implementation project.

Given the regional leadership responsibilities of this M&E project, the ISRP is requesting the Walla Walla Sub-Basin Salmonid Monitoring and Evaluation Project (200003900) to summarize the linkages between implementation and monitoring projects in the geographic area. The summary should provide a table or matrix to identify what is being monitored for each implementation project and where and when the monitoring occurs. The summary also should explain how the projects are working together to evaluate progress toward addressing limiting factors and identify future actions. A map or maps could help identify the locations of monitoring actions. The monitoring information should clearly explain whether the biological monitoring is local information for the specific implementation site or basin scale monitoring of status and trends or fish in/fish out. We are asking implementation and other monitoring projects to assist your project in producing this summary.

2. Project evaluation and adjustment. The ISRP requests that the proponents explain the adaptive management process used to evaluate their methods and objectives. The ISRP encourages the proponents to highlight examples of project adjustments based on M&E results.

3. Relationship of WDFW spring Chinook releases to CTUIR release. 100,000 yearling spring Chinook salmon originating from the South Fork Walla Walla Hatchery were scheduled to be annually released into the Touchet River beginning in 2024. This release was curtailed due to planned releases of 250,000 yearling spring Chinook salmon by WDFW into the Touchet subbasin. A clear description or explanation of the relationship of the WDFW releases to the CTUIR release is warranted. Information on where the 100,000 smolts from three South Fork Walla Walla Hatchery will now be released and how their in-river survival, SAR values, etc. will be evaluated should also be described in the response.

Q1: Clearly defined objectives and outcomes

The proposal narrative clearly states the overall aims and expected outcomes of the project. General biological and implementation goals were presented for natural- (NOR) and hatcheryorigin (HOR) spring Chinook and summer run steelhead originating from the South Fork Walla Walla River and Mill Creek. A supplementary general goal of assisting in bull trout spawner surveys and documenting trout movements in the South Fork Walla Walla were also described.

Annual project objectives by fish species are shown in a flow chart and more completely described in the proposal’s Method section. Although not presented as SMART objectives, the project’s annual workflow and assorted tasks are easily understood. However, to facilitate the project’s annual adaptive process, we recommend that the proponents develop SMART objectives and use them in an annual adaptive management cycle. With some slight reconfigurations, such objectives could be produced from the proposal’s Methods and Objectives sections. The proposed work directly benefits tribal and non-tribal fishery managers. Data derived from the project’s tasks will track the effects of hatchery and habitat improvements on the subbasin’s salmonid populations.

Q2: Methods

The description of the methods being employed provides understandable summaries of the steps, procedures, and tools being used. Additional information about specific methods is also provided by links to finalized methods in the MonitoringResources.org web site.

Methods used by fishery biologists conducting “adult in” and “smolts out” evaluations have evolved over time in the Pacific Northwest. The ISRP commends the proponents for using upto-date methods and for breaking ground on new approaches. The Walla Walla Barge PIT tag array is an example of an innovative approach the project is successfully using to detect and quantify PIT tagged salmonids in a large river and deep-water environment where tag detection is often problematic.

Q3: Provisions for M&E

The proponents indicate that once the South Fork Walla Walla Hatchery has become fully operational (2022) that CTUIR, ODFW, and WDFW will draft an Annual Operations Plan that will be informed by results of monitoring and evaluation activities occurring in the subbasin. No formal annual adaptive management process was, however, described. The ISRP recommends that an annual adaptive management process be developed and implemented by proponents to include measurable benchmarks for viability along with if/then actions responding to measured outcomes. For example, adaptive scenarios will differ if returns are small versus those that are large. With some additional thought, for instance, the project’s described implementation objectives, data analyses, and work products could be folded into an annual adaptive management process. Because the project has been in place for over a decade, the ISRP recognizes that substantial changes in most of the project’s M&E activities are not likely. However, once the hatchery is operational and releases of spring Chinook smolts start to occur new monitoring and evaluation opportunities and challenges may occur.

Q4: Results – benefits to fish and wildlife

One long-term goal of the project is to establish a locally adapted spring Chinook population via a hatchery program. The hatchery will become fully operational in 2022, with smolt releases occurring during the spring of 2024. To promote local adaption, broodstock for the hatchery is expected to originate from HOR and NOR spring Chinook adults returning to the South Fork Walla Walla River. Eggs from spring Chinook trapped at Three Mile Dam on the Umatilla River will be utilized, as necessary, to reach the new hatchery’s production goals. Smolts from the hatchery will be used to help with the spring Chinook reintroduction effort taking place in the Walla Walla subbasin.

Data from the project has demonstrated the feasibility of reintroducing spring Chinook into the subbasin. Releases of out-of-basin smolts have occurred, adults have been produced, and natural reproduction has taken place in the South Fork Walla Walla River and Mill Creek. The project found no difference in the survival of HOR or NOR smolts as they emigrated through the subbasin. However, monitoring data indicated that a survival bottleneck for emigrating smolts occurs in the Walla Walla Valley. Knowledge of this problem has prompted the proponents to explore alternative release locations to enhance juvenile survival. Additionally, the project’s use of new equipment (two Barges with vertical PIT tag detectors) capable of perceiving PIT tagged fish in a large river environment is providing researchers and managers with an important opportunity to evaluate the utility of this approach throughout the Columbia River Basin.

Documentation Links:
Review: RME / AP Category Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-NPCC-20101014
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal: RMECAT-2000-039-00
Proposal State: Pending BPA Response
Approved Date: 6/10/2011
Recommendation: Fund
Comments: Implement through FY 2016.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-ISRP-20101015
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2000-039-00
Completed Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
The proposed work is important and is well justified. The project will provide important information on status and trends of steelhead and reintroduced spring Chinook in the Walla Walla River and its tributaries. Major results of the project were presented comprehensively in the proposal and progress to date is in line with project objectives. The presentation to the ISRP was well done and addressed many of our questions.

1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives

The project directly addresses objectives of the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan and is consistent with its RM&E needs and recommendations. It emphasizes meeting NOAA-Fisheries VSP monitoring needs and guidelines. It is also consistent with the Lower Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan, the mid-Columbia River Steelhead DPS Recovery Plan (2009), and the Council’s MERR.

The objectives presented in the Objectives and Project Deliverables section provide a general idea of what the project is about. Specific objectives can be inferred from the study design and methods, but it would have been helpful if they had been clearly stated.

2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management

The project has made significant progress in evaluating adult and juvenile salmonid abundance, distribution, and productivity and is continuing to find ways to improve reliability of data. For example, it has been hampered to a degree by several problems that have complicated adult enumeration including different enumeration methods (video cameras, weirs) at different locations within the subbasin with dissimilar detection or capture, and adult spawning below detection facilities. Due to these factors the reliability and comparability between tributaries of adult estimates is somewhat uncertain. The proponents are exploring ways to improve accuracy of adult counts and establish additional counting sites. It would have been helpful if they had discussed these potential improvements and indicated how (or how much) they would improve estimates of returns.

Results presented were rather extensive and included redd count data, genetic analyses, movement patterns of radiotagged fish, returns of hatchery and naturally spawning adults, and estimates of recruits per spawner, in-basin smolt survival, and SARs. The presentation of results could have been made more concise if extraneous information pertaining primarily to operations and activities were omitted.

In relation to adaptive management, the proponents did not specifically indicate changes made in the project based on previous results. They did indicate how information from the project is used by managers. It is apparent, though, that adaptive changes are being made to improve accuracy and precision of data such as adult returns. These changes are a good indication that the project will continue to operate in an adaptive mode and seek ways to improve data collection.

3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging)

The project cooperates and coordinates with watershed councils, irrigation districts, state and federal agencies, and numerous other organizations. It is closely associated with two other fish monitoring and evaluation projects in the Walla Walla Subbasin. It is also related to a number of other BPA funded projects.

4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods

Methods and metrics are reasonably detailed, are standard for assessing salmonid abundance and survival, and appear appropriate for addressing the objectives. The proposal could be better organized, extraneous material eliminated, and redundancy reduced. At least in part these problems could be attributed to the proposal format.

The proposal would have been easier to follow if specific objectives were first stated (e.g., enumerate adults), then the methods and metrics for accomplishing each objective for each species were provided. For example, for each species:
• How will number of returning adults be enumerated (facility location, method of enumeration, measurements, time frame, relative precision and accuracy of enumeration methods, problems encountered that reduce precision and accuracy, how these problems will be dealt with, etc.)?
• How will hatchery and naturally spawning fish be differentiated?
• How many fish will be marked and where, what information will be gained from the marked fish?
• How will the data be analyzed?

Most of this information is provided in the proposal, but it is difficult to associate it with individual species and tributaries. There certainly are elements of the study design, methods, metrics, and estimation of parameters such as SARs that are common to all species and these could have been pointed out and consolidated, but there appear to be some important differences between species, for example in the way adults are enumerated, and special problems presented due to the differing life histories. It appears that all of the necessary elements are present in the proposal. The proponents just need to present it in a more concise, logical, and understandable way. Maps of the basin, river channels and names, and locations of facilities are not clear, perhaps due to the Taurus format. It would be helpful if a map showing major spawning distributions of each species with an explanation would have been provided.
First Round ISRP Date: 10/18/2010
First Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
First Round ISRP Comment:

The proposed work is important and is well justified. The project will provide important information on status and trends of steelhead and reintroduced spring Chinook in the Walla Walla River and its tributaries. Major results of the project were presented comprehensively in the proposal and progress to date is in line with project objectives. The presentation to the ISRP was well done and addressed many of our questions. 1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives The project directly addresses objectives of the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan and is consistent with its RM&E needs and recommendations. It emphasizes meeting NOAA-Fisheries VSP monitoring needs and guidelines. It is also consistent with the Lower Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan, the mid-Columbia River Steelhead DPS Recovery Plan (2009), and the Council’s MERR. The objectives presented in the Objectives and Project Deliverables section provide a general idea of what the project is about. Specific objectives can be inferred from the study design and methods, but it would have been helpful if they had been clearly stated. 2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management The project has made significant progress in evaluating adult and juvenile salmonid abundance, distribution, and productivity and is continuing to find ways to improve reliability of data. For example, it has been hampered to a degree by several problems that have complicated adult enumeration including different enumeration methods (video cameras, weirs) at different locations within the subbasin with dissimilar detection or capture, and adult spawning below detection facilities. Due to these factors the reliability and comparability between tributaries of adult estimates is somewhat uncertain. The proponents are exploring ways to improve accuracy of adult counts and establish additional counting sites. It would have been helpful if they had discussed these potential improvements and indicated how (or how much) they would improve estimates of returns. Results presented were rather extensive and included redd count data, genetic analyses, movement patterns of radiotagged fish, returns of hatchery and naturally spawning adults, and estimates of recruits per spawner, in-basin smolt survival, and SARs. The presentation of results could have been made more concise if extraneous information pertaining primarily to operations and activities were omitted. In relation to adaptive management, the proponents did not specifically indicate changes made in the project based on previous results. They did indicate how information from the project is used by managers. It is apparent, though, that adaptive changes are being made to improve accuracy and precision of data such as adult returns. These changes are a good indication that the project will continue to operate in an adaptive mode and seek ways to improve data collection. 3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging) The project cooperates and coordinates with watershed councils, irrigation districts, state and federal agencies, and numerous other organizations. It is closely associated with two other fish monitoring and evaluation projects in the Walla Walla Subbasin. It is also related to a number of other BPA funded projects. 4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods Methods and metrics are reasonably detailed, are standard for assessing salmonid abundance and survival, and appear appropriate for addressing the objectives. The proposal could be better organized, extraneous material eliminated, and redundancy reduced. At least in part these problems could be attributed to the proposal format. The proposal would have been easier to follow if specific objectives were first stated (e.g., enumerate adults), then the methods and metrics for accomplishing each objective for each species were provided. For example, for each species: • How will number of returning adults be enumerated (facility location, method of enumeration, measurements, time frame, relative precision and accuracy of enumeration methods, problems encountered that reduce precision and accuracy, how these problems will be dealt with, etc.)? • How will hatchery and naturally spawning fish be differentiated? • How many fish will be marked and where, what information will be gained from the marked fish? • How will the data be analyzed? Most of this information is provided in the proposal, but it is difficult to associate it with individual species and tributaries. There certainly are elements of the study design, methods, metrics, and estimation of parameters such as SARs that are common to all species and these could have been pointed out and consolidated, but there appear to be some important differences between species, for example in the way adults are enumerated, and special problems presented due to the differing life histories. It appears that all of the necessary elements are present in the proposal. The proponents just need to present it in a more concise, logical, and understandable way. Maps of the basin, river channels and names, and locations of facilities are not clear, perhaps due to the Taurus format. It would be helpful if a map showing major spawning distributions of each species with an explanation would have been provided.

Documentation Links:

2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Assessment

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-BIOP-20101105
Project Number: 2000-039-00
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2000-039-00
Completed Date: None
2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Rating: Supports 2008 FCRPS BiOp
Comments: BiOp Workgroup Comments: No BiOp Workgroup comments

The BiOp RM&E Workgroups made the following determinations regarding the proposal's ability or need to support BiOp Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) RPAs. If you have questions regarding these RPA association conclusions, please contact your BPA COTR and they will help clarify, or they will arrange further discussion with the appropriate RM&E Workgroup Leads. BiOp RPA associations for the proposed work are: (64.2)
All Questionable RPA Associations ( ) and
All Deleted RPA Associations (50.1 50.2 50.3 50.6 50.8 56.1 )
Proponent Response:
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-NPCC-20090924
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Approved Date: 10/23/2006
Recommendation: Fund
Comments: Sponsor should address ISRP concerns the next time they report to Bonneville (copy to Council staff) and in the next project review process.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-ISRP-20060831
Project: 2000-039-00 - Walla Walla River Basin Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 8/31/2006
Final Round ISRP Date: None
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria (Qualified)
Final Round ISRP Comment:
Most of the ISRP's comments were adequately addressed. The sponsors, however, did not truly address the need for prioritization of M&E actions to answer key management questions. The ISRP recognizes that the sponsors provided sound justification for their basic monitoring designs, taking an EMAP approach to assess smolt emigration and adult returns. Moreover, the conceptual Venn diagram is a good heuristic tool and the sponsors did provide better information on completion of tasks and activities, but they did not provide much quantitative data of findings to date. Thus, while the response represents an important improvement, the originally identified deficiency remains in place. Ultimately, the ISRP will need some detailed specifics to more fully evaluate the rigor of the science behind this collaborative M&E project.

The ISRP also identifies the need for this project (and directly related projects) to undergo an independent, comprehensive, site review to assess the integration of M&E data with management decisions before the next cycle of project funding. The sponsors have been conducting this project for six years. What is the justification for continuing project and what has been learned (and management adapted or maintained to date)?

Qualification: Finally, a decision analysis framework for fisheries management is required that incorporates risk assessment and options. As presented, the response (which is similar to that from Proposal #199905001) did not address the alignment of M&E tasks with key management decisions and objectives (as provided reasonably well within the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan (see Table 7.9)). In short, Objectives as listed in the proposal and response do not provide a clear program of data-driven evaluation and adaptive management.
Documentation Links:

Legal Assessment (In-Lieu)

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-INLIEU-20090521
Project Number: 2000-039-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 10/6/2006
In Lieu Rating: Problems May Exist
Cost Share Rating: 3 - Does not appear reasonable
Comment: M&E throughout the basin; fishery managers authorized/required; query whether cost share is sufficient.

Capital Assessment

Assessment Number: 2000-039-00-CAPITAL-20090618
Project Number: 2000-039-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 2/27/2007
Capital Rating: Does Not Qualify for Capital Funding
Capital Asset Category: None
Comment: None
Assessment Number: 2000-038-03-CAPITAL-20090618
Project Number: 2000-038-03
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 2/27/2007
Capital Rating: Does Not Qualify for Capital Funding
Capital Asset Category: None
Comment: None

Project Relationships: This project Merged From 2000-038-03 effective on 11/30/2009
Relationship Description: Project 2000-038-03 is an expansion of Walla Walla Hatchery M&E work. Therefore for contract efficiencies, all M&E work should be combined into a single project. The expanded work will still need ISRP review.

This project Split To 2000-039-01 effective on 4/1/2019
Relationship Description: Co-manager for subbasin RM&E


Name Role Organization
Peter Lofy Supervisor Bonneville Power Administration
Gene Shippentower Supervisor Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR)
Travis Olsen Project Lead Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR)
Robert Hogg Technical Contact Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR)
Lindsey Arotin Env. Compliance Lead Bonneville Power Administration
Martin Allen Project Manager Bonneville Power Administration
Jacquelyn Schei Interested Party Bonneville Power Administration