Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

Confirmed.

Accomplishments since the last review

The ISAB fosters a scientific approach to fish and wildlife recovery and the use of sound scientific methods in research related to the programs of NOAA Fisheries, the Council, and the Tribes. Since the Systemwide project funding decisions in 2003, the ISAB has released approximately 11 reports. These reports include: ISRP/ISAB2005-5 Review of the All-H Analyzer (AHA) 2005-3 Recommendation to Study Effects of Load Following on Juvenile Salmon Migratory Behavior and Survival 2005-2 Viability of ESUs Containing Multiple Types of Populations 2005-1 Review of the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership's "Study Design for Comparing Monitoring Protocols" ISRP/ISAB2004-13 Scientific Review of Subbasin Plans for the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program 2004-2 ISAB Findings from the Reservoir Operations / Flow Survival Symposium 2004-1 Review of Draft Action Agency and NOAA Fisheries RME Plan 2003-4 Comments on Draft NOAA Technical Recovery Team Documents Identifying Independent Salmonid Populations Within Evolutionarily Significant Units 2003-3 Review of Salmon and Steelhead Supplementation 2003-2 Review of Strategies for Recovering Tributary Habitat 2003-1 Review of Flow Augmentation: Update and Clarification See the ISAB webpage at: www.nwcouncil.org/fw/isab/Default.htm These reports have assisted the Council in considering subbasin plans for adoption into the Fish and Wildlife Program, aided NOAA Fisheries in how to best consider the viability of listed salmon populations, and synthesized the state of the science in such areas as tributary habitat recovery strategies and salmon supplementation.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

The ISAB’s basic work elements are to conduct technical reviews and produce reports to the Council, Tribes, and NMFS. Specific ISAB assignments are commonly generated within the fiscal year and often span fiscal years. The ISAB’s general tasks include: 1) Evaluate the Council’s Program scientific principles to ensure they are consistent with the best available science. 2) Evaluate the Council’s Program on its scientific merits in time to inform amendments to the fish and wildlife program. 3) Provide scientific review of NMFS recovery planning activities for Columbia River Basin stocks. 4) Review the scientific and technical issues associated with efforts to improve anadromous fish survival through all life stages, based on adaptive management approaches. 5) Review and provide advice on priorities for conservation and recovery efforts, including research, monitoring, and evaluation and data management. 6) Provide scientific reviews of topics identified as critical to fish recovery and conservation in the Columbia River Basin. (Including questions and issues posed by the region’s management agencies and other parties.) 7) Evaluate the scientific merits of plans and measures proposed to ensure satisfaction and continuation of tribal treaty fishing rights in the Columbia River Basin and other tribal efforts to restore and manage fish and wildlife resources. 8) Compare the various plans, strategies, analytical tools and methods employed by the Council, NOAA Fisheries, the Columbia River Basin Indian Tribes, and others related to the management of Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife to identify areas of consensus, disagreement, uncertainty, and opportunity. In FY 2006, the ISAB may be asked to conduct a variety of reviews associated with NOAA’s Technical Recovery Team efforts, the Council’s subbasin planning process, the Council’s mainstem amendments, and regional research, monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

In 2004, the ISRP and ISAB reviewed the draft subbasin plans for their scientific soundness and consistency with the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program and the Subbasin Planning Technical Guide. In FY06, the ISAB will likely participate in reviews of Council efforts to establish provincial objectives and related NMFS TRT efforts that should inform implementation and future revision of subbasin plans.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

See above.

Other comments

NA