Comment:

The ISRP encourages the proponents to investigate (1) solutions to the problem of longholding times that increase prespawn mortality and (2) ways to minimize the impact of American shad at Lower Granite Dam.

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

This project continues to make valuable contributions to the region. This proposal requests support to continue operating the Lower Granite Dam adult trap to provide information to managers on age class structure, wild/hatchery proportions, predator and harvest wounds and other data that are useful to manage restoration programs. Operating the adult trap also provides access to returning adult fall Chinook, coho, and sockeye to obtain adults for hatchery and recovery program needs. Data collected are used by several agencies and tribes. Data that benefit other projects are uploaded several times a day and available in near-real time.

The technical background describing how adults are diverted into the trap holding area is adequately explained. Improvements to the data collection system are briefly described in the proposal.

2. Results and Adaptive Management

Scales from returning PIT-tagged fall Chinook salmon are collected to better understand their life history diversity. These data indicate that a large percentage of returning adults each year are yearling or reservoir type migrants. These results have led to the design of other research projects such as transport studies, overwintering telemetry studies, and otolith microchemistry studies.

3. Methods: Project Relationships, Work Types, and Deliverables

Project relationships involving broodstock collection, transport studies, and run reconstruction are mentioned. The proposal mentions that the Lower Granite Dam is the best location for examining the physical effects on adults resulting from passage through the downstream hydropower system. No mention is made of how these data are used. Similarly, adult passage times through the ladder are monitored for the effects of the trapping facility on passage, but it is not clear what is done with this information. More details are needed in future proposals.

The importance of the facility continues to increase with the focus on improved monitoring to better understand the impact of hydrosystem operations, or actions that impact fish, while also taking account of mainstem habitat research and the effects of climate change.

This project has proven its value in the past, and its continuation is certainly justified. The importance of the facility continues to increase, especially with the escalation of the number and scope of upper basin PIT tag studies. The project is thoroughly, logically, and concisely explained.

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

This proposal is requesting continued support to run the adult collection trap at Lower Granite Dam. It is straight forward in its goals and objectives and outlines a valuable activity that should continue to provide important information on adults and brood fish for hatcheries in the process. This trapping project serves other programs. It has clear and diverse significance to them.

Project objectives are to provide information (data) and to provide broodstock to groups and agencies. From the proposal: “Collection and sampling of adult salmonids at Lower Granite Dam is an integral part of many studies. Past operation of the adult trap has been conducted primarily by NOAA Fisheries staff, in cooperation with other agencies. The demands on use of the Lower Granite Dam adult trap have increased in recent years, and are expected to increase in future years. Current uses of the adult trap include fall Chinook broodstock collection, run-reconstruction sampling, sampling of PIT-tagged fish from transportation studies to determine life history type (reservoir- or ocean-type migrant) for PIT tagged fish with known passage histories (i.e., transported, bypassed as a subyearling, bypassed as a yearling, or never detected), radio telemetry studies (both tagging and tag removal at the adult trap), PIT tagging of wild adult steelhead and wild adult Chinook to assess the efficacy of using genetic stock identification (GSI) and PIT tags to estimate the population characteristics of naturally produced steelhead and Chinook salmon, and starting in 2010, collection of sockeye salmon broodstock.”

The background for the project has been clearly stated.

2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management

The history of the activity and its accomplishments has been clearly described. The data obtained are changing management decisions at several levels. Reviewers commend project staff for their continued involvement with scientific publications. The project is clearly of value.

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

There is a clear and close working relationship between this project and a variety of other entities/projects within the region.

4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods

Deliverables and metrics associated with the work plan are clearly delineated.

This project has proven its value in the past, and its continuation is certainly justified. The importance of the facility continues to increase, especially with the escalation of the number and scope of upper basin PIT tag studies. The project is thoroughly, logically, and concisely explained. 1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives This proposal is requesting continued support to run the adult collection trap at Lower Granite Dam. It is straight forward in its goals and objectives and outlines a valuable activity that should continue to provide important information on adults and brood fish for hatcheries in the process. This trapping project serves other programs. It has clear and diverse significance to them. Project objectives are to provide information (data) and to provide broodstock to groups and agencies. From the proposal: “Collection and sampling of adult salmonids at Lower Granite Dam is an integral part of many studies. Past operation of the adult trap has been conducted primarily by NOAA Fisheries staff, in cooperation with other agencies. The demands on use of the Lower Granite Dam adult trap have increased in recent years, and are expected to increase in future years. Current uses of the adult trap include fall Chinook broodstock collection, run-reconstruction sampling, sampling of PIT-tagged fish from transportation studies to determine life history type (reservoir- or ocean-type migrant) for PIT tagged fish with known passage histories (i.e., transported, bypassed as a subyearling, bypassed as a yearling, or never detected), radio telemetry studies (both tagging and tag removal at the adult trap), PIT tagging of wild adult steelhead and wild adult Chinook to assess the efficacy of using genetic stock identification (GSI) and PIT tags to estimate the population characteristics of naturally produced steelhead and Chinook salmon, and starting in 2010, collection of sockeye salmon broodstock.” The background for the project has been clearly stated. 2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management The history of the activity and its accomplishments has been clearly described. The data obtained are changing management decisions at several levels. Reviewers commend project staff for their continued involvement with scientific publications. The project is clearly of value. 3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging) There is a clear and close working relationship between this project and a variety of other entities/projects within the region. 4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods Deliverables and metrics associated with the work plan are clearly delineated.

The importance of the Lower Granite Dam adult trap is described in good detail. This project is clearly linked to several other high priority projects, and the proposal provides adequate justification for continued funding support. Although the justification focuses upon NOAA Fisheries requirements, there is an obvious benefit to Council's Fish and Wildlife Program by providing data need for implementation of several subbasin plans.