Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

The Nez Perce Tribe desires funding in 2006 to support the implementation of the Captive Broodstock Artificial Propagation project. The budget as listed, while consistent with Bonneville's approved budget, will not fully cover work planned for in 2006 and potentially jeopordize the tasks associated with travel. To complete the monitoring and evaluation work at Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Manchester Research Station, the Tribe requires an additional $2,369.50 for per diem costs and $1,622 for vehicle/mileage costs. Therefore the Tribe requests $179,612 for its 2006 Captive Broodstock budget. Since 2002, funding has remained static as recommended by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council until the sponsors of the project (ODFW, NOAA Fisheries and NPT) adequately address “Programmatic Issue 12” and “until subbasin plans are in place” (NPCC Memorandum, April 28, 2002). The project sponsors responded to the Council in early 2004. The ISRP published its review Nov. 8 2004. The Panel concluded that: “The Grande Ronde experimental design has the potential to provide meaningful insight into whether or not captive propagation can provide anything more than hatchery-origin adults retuning from the ocean. The ISRP recommends that the experimental design remain intake.” (ISRP 2004-14, pg 7). The Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan was formally adopted May 10, 2005 by the Council. The Plan states: “The Grande Ronde Captive Broodstock programs likely have prevented the extirpation of the local natural populations and are now providing a level of preservation of the genetic stock”(GRSP supplement, pg 5). Since 2002, indirect rates, fuel and travel costs, medical insurance, salary increases, and annual inflation have all impacted this static budget and the Tribe’s ability to implement the project. The Tribe desires the ability to adjust the budget to reflect needs in 2006.

Accomplishments since the last review

Each captive brood cycle begins when 300/500 wild parr are collected from each of the three streams. Collections have occurred every year since 1995. In-hatchery monitoring continues from the parr-smolt transformation at Wallowa Fish Hatchery through adult spawning at Bonneville Hatchery. F1 generation monitoring occurs from eye-up through adult return in the natural environment. 1994 Cohort A total of 498, 110 and 499 parr were collected from Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers, respectively, in 1995. Of the 1,107 fish removed from the captive populations, 621 survived to gamete collection – spawned or had semen cryo-preserved. 1995 Cohort A total of 500 and 481 parr were collected from Catherine Creek and Lostine River, respectively, in 1996. Of the 981 fish removed from the natural populations, 513 survived to gamete collection. 1996 Cohort A total of 500, 500 and 501 parr were collected from Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers, respectively, in 1997. Of the 1,496 fish removed from the captive populations, 1,012 survived to gamete collection. 1997 Cohort Five hundred parr were collected in 1998 from each of Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers, respectively. Of the original 1500 fish 1082 survived to produce gametes. 1998 Cohort A total of 500, 500 and 498 parr were collected in 1999 from Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers, respectively. During 2003, the final 68 fish were removed from the captive population: 21 survived to gamete collection. 1999 Cohort A total of 503 and 500 parr were collected in 2000 from Catherine Creek and Lostine River, respectively – no Grande Ronde parr were collected in 2000. During 2003, 496 fish were removed from the captive population: 354 survived to gamete collection. 2000 Cohort A total of 503, 502 and 503 parr were collected in 2001 from Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers, respectively. During 2003, 686 fish were removed from the captive population: 380 survived to gamete collection. 2001 Cohort A total of 500, 461 and 500 spring Chinook salmon parr were collected from each of Catherine Creek and Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers in August 2002. Of the 193 fish removed from the population in 2003, 65 produced gametes. 2002 Cohort A total of 513, 503 and 500 spring Chinook salmon parr were collected from each of Catherine Creek and Grande Ronde and Lostine rivers in August 2003 and reared at WFH.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

1. To prevent extirpation of native Grande Ronde Basin spring Chinook salmon. 2. To preserve and enhance Grande Ronde Basin spring Chinook salmon through implementation and use of the captive broodstock program. 3. Maintain genetic and phenotypic characteristics in the natural population of salmon in the Grande Ronde Basin. Objectives 1. Coordinate the Captive Broodstock Artificial Propagation project with state and federal management agencies in the Grande Ronde Basin. 2. Monitor and evaluate captive broodstock with ODFW and CTUIR. • Monitor and evaluate captive broodstock parr at Lookingglass Fish Hatchery (LFH) with ODFW and CTUIR. • Monitor and evaluate captive broodstock post smolts reared at Bonneville Hatchery (BOH) and at the Manchester Research Station (MRS). 3. Monitor and evaluate the F1 generation offspring. • Monitor and evaluate the captive F1 generation juveniles. • Monitor and evaluate the captive F1 generation adults. 4. Technology Transfer. 2006 Anticipated Accomplishments: Collect 300 wild Chinook parr from the Lostine River. PIT tag 1300 captive parr. Collect biological information from the captive parr at Wallowa Fish Hatchery. Collect genetic tissue from 1300 captive parr. VI tag 1,300 captive smolts at Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Manchester Research Station. Collect growth profile information from captives at BOH and MRS at quarterly sampling events. Spawn ripe captive adults at BOH. Determined fecundity and spawning timing of mature adults. Cryopreserve semen from excess males and archive the samples at BOH and the University of Idaho. Collect migration timing data from returning captive F1 adults. Collect sex ratio, age structure, length-at-age information from returning captive F1 adults at the weir and from carcasses on the spawning grounds. Sample the '04 and '05 captive F1 in-hatchery for biological characteristics, tag retention and mark retention. PIT tag 8,000 of the '04 captive F1 cohort. Monitor the volitional release of the142, 000 '04 captive F1 cohort. Monitor the downstream migration of captive F1s through the screw trap and hydrosystem. Analyze and interpret collected data. Cooperatively produce quarterly status and annual reports.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

Many of the goals, objectives, needs, and strategies detailed in the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan are addressed by the Captive Broodstock project. In particular, the aquatic monitoring and evaluation objectives and their associated performance measures in the plan are consistent with the work elements of the Captive Broodstock project. Specific RM&E needs outlined in the subbasin plan and directly related to this project are as follows: • “Describe status and trends in adult abundance and productivity for all focal populations…” (pg 276). Associated work element-Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data: Collect biological characteristics, abundance and timing of the adult salmon trapped at the Lostine weir. • “Monitor focal species spawning distributions …” (pg 277). Associated work element-Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data: Conduct redd counts and carcass surveys on the Lostine River and all reference study streams. Record redd locations and document the number of live fish and their origin (hatchery or natural) during each survey. • “Determine and compare relative reproductive success of hatchery and naturally produced focal species” (pg 279). Associated work element-Collect/Generate/ Validate Field and Lab Data: Collect tissue samples for DNA analysis from all adult Chinook salmon released to spawn naturally upstream of escapement weirs, unpunched carcasses above the weir and from juveniles at the Lostine screw trap. A DNA pedigree analysis will determine relative reproductive success. • “Determine and compare adult life history characteristics between hatchery and natural fish…” (pg 282). Associated work element- Install Fish Trap/Monitoring Weir: Coordinate the installation (May) and removal (October) of the Lostine weir. As a monitoring tool, the Lostine weir provides information on the abundance and characteristics of immigrating adult salmon. Conventional, captive and natural performance can then be compared. • “Data information archive” (pg 288). Associated work element- Manage/ Maintain Database: Assist in computer database management of all monitoring information collected on Chinook captive broodstock. • “Coordination and implementation” (pg 289). Associated work element- Coordination: Coordinate the Captive Broodstock Artificial Propagation project with state and federal management agencies in the Grande Ronde Basin. AOP Plans, TOT Decisions, and coordinated actions. Quarterly list of meetings attended and major topics, decisions made.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

Spring Chinook salmon are a priority and an identified focal species selected for recovery efforts (pg 47). Priority objectives that address out-of basin problems and supplementation information gaps are met in part through the Captive Broodstock project. Table 5-1 on page 31 of the GRSP supplement list these objectives that are implemented by the Captive Broodstock project: Objective 1A – Achieve escapement objectives… within 24 years. Objective 2A …carry out activities designed to improve our understanding and definition of small populations, while protecting the genetic integrity of wild populations that are below historic levels. Objective 2B -Increase anadromous fish productivity and production, as well as stage-specific survival, through artificial production. Objective 8A - Conduct coordinated spring Chinook salmon population monitoring as outlined in the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Northeast Oregon Hatchery. The intended goals and priorities of the 2000 Fish and Wildlife Program (NPPC 2000) are also furthered with the initiation of this project: 1) “Halt declining trends in salmon populations above Bonneville Dam by 2005” 2) “Restore the widest possible set of healthy naturally reproducing populations of salmon in each relevant province by 2012” 3) “Increase total adult salmon runs above Bonneville Dam by 2025”. The Fish and Wildlife Program (FWP) calls for artificial production strategies that are implemented within an experimental, adaptive management approach and use monitoring and evaluation to resolve key program uncertainties. The objectives of the Captive Broodstock Artificial Propagation project relate specifically to Section 4 “Artificial Production Strategies” and to Section 9 “Research, Monitoring and Evaluation”. Finally, projects must also plan for the dissemination of collected data, proven technology and project results (NPPC 2000). Therefore, this captive broodstock project falls within the conceptual framework, priority and strategy established in the FWP. The objectives of the captive broodstock project are also specifically related to the action plans identified in the Biological Opinion. Co-managers, such as the Nez Perce Tribe, are expected to develop monitoring techniques to help resolve a wide range of uncertainties related to supplementation and “reform existing hatcheries and artificial production programs”. Many of the monitoring and evaluation activities related to supplementation programs and designated in Actions (RPAs) 1, 9, 174, 180 and 182 of the Biological Opinion will be executed in part through the objectives of this project.

Other comments

The Nez Perce Tribe works cooperatively with many other local, state, federal and tribal agencies in the effort to restore healthy ecosystems in the Grande Ronde Subbasin. Thus, within the context of chinook salmon recovery, a synergistic relationship exists between this proposed captive broodstock project and numerous ongoing projects and endeavors in the basin. The Captive Broodstock Artificial Propagation Project (NPT) and the Grande Ronde Basin Spring Chinook Captive Broodstock Project (ODFW) are both charged with implementing the northeast Oregon captive broodstock program. The closely linked projects provide program staff, facilities and equipment necessary to execute the captive broodstock program. Other associated projects identified in the FWP that provide necessary rearing and acclimation facilities and related planning activities include: 199606700 – Manchester Spring Chinook Broodstock Project (NMFS), 199800702 Grande Ronde Supplementation/ Lostine River - O&M/M&E (NPT), 199800703 - Facility O&M and program M&E for Grande Ronde Spring Chinook Salmon (CTUIR), 198805301 - NEOH Master Plan (NPT), and 198805305 –NEOH Master Plan and Facilities (ODFW). Another monitoring and evaluation project identified in the FWP that will aid and complement the monitoring efforts of this proposal is 199800702 - Grand Ronde Supplementation /Lostine River M&E (NPT). The Nez Perce Tribe recognizes the necessary connection between supplementation as a recovery tool and habitat. Habitat condition is a major limiting factor influencing salmon abundance in the Grande Ronde Basin. Indeed, it is the current limitation of habitat that necessitates such a drastic measure as a captive broodstock program. Many efforts are directed towards local habitat conditions in the Grande Ronde system. These efforts relate directly to this proposal in that they influence the quality of the aquatic habitat inhabited by endangered salmon. Habitat improvement projects that will enhance survival of captive F1 fish produced under this proposal are: 200207300 - Wallowa County Culvert Inventory (NPT), 199608300 - Grande Ronde Subbasin Watershed Restoration (CTUIR), 199402700 – Grande Ronde Model Watershed Habitat Projects (GRMWP), and 198402500 - Grande Ronde Habitat Enhancement (ODFW).