Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

PSMFC in cooperation with NOAA-F, confirms its desire to continue funding this project. The funding identified here by Council staff is not adequate for the projects that are currently planned. The two currently planned adult PIT installations for 2006 include: 1) addition of four vertical slot antennas at the Bradford Island ladder at Bonneville Dam; 2) addition of three to four vertical slot antennas at the counting window location on the Washington ladder at McNary dam. Based upon "final installation costs" at Bonneville Washington Shore in 2005 (approx $110K) for four vertical slot detectors, we expect that final installation costs for the two currently planned installations will be $225K. In order to calibrate or verify the effectiveness of these detectors, an additional $125K will be needed for NOAA-F evaluation of both new facilities. Therefore, the total amount that should be allocated to this project should be $225K + $125K for a total of $350K. It should be noted that the McNary work to be performed in 2006 was delayed in 2004/5 because Corps did not have funds to perform the design work. In addition, a decision was made to split the installation of vertical slot antennas at Bonneville over two years. Since these installations were not done, it appeared that this project was overfunded in 2005.

Accomplishments since the last review

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

1.1. Inspect installation and provide feedback to COE. PSMFC Maintenance personnel are tasked with inspecting key components of the installation. These key components include ensuring that the electrical and mechanical design along with the communications schema is adhered to by the general contractor. When deficiencies are noticed or issues arise that may not have been considered during the initial design phase, PSMFC relay’s these concerns to the COE-COTR for review and consideration. This process helps ensure that PIT-tag detection system performs as expected upon completion. 1.2. Installation of the High Speed Interface Panel (HSIP). Currently, there is an abandon electrical enclosure located in the AFF PIT-tag room that will be re-used and upgraded to receive the data from the Slot antenna transceivers. This task will include the installation of fiber optic modem nests, expansion chassis and additional serial cabling within the panel. This task may also include some associated electrical work. 1.3. Reconfigure the data collection platform. This task will include putting together all the required hardware components along with configuring the data collection software, networking components and miscellaneous cabling required when introducing a new platform into the PTAGIS system. 1.4. Terminate fiber optics communication cables. The termination of fiber optic (FO) cabling from the transceiver enclosures to the FO patch panel in the AFF will be done by contractor. PSMFC will ensure that the FO terminations are tested and are operational. FO cables that extend from the patch panel to the HSIP will be installed by PSMFC. Some termination of this cable maybe necessary and will be performed by PSMFC. PSMFC will also be responsible for the temporary relocation of the existing fiber runs that provide a data link to 3 other systems located at Bonneville dam that are currently active. This is necessary due to activities listed in section 1.5. 1.5. Install surface mount raceways in PIT-tag room. The existing surface mount raceway will need to be re-routed to the FO patch panel’s new location. In addition, additional raceway may need to be installed at other locations within the room to accommodate the FO cable from the FO Patch Panel to the new HSIP. 1.6. Lab-test the modified FS1001A transceivers. The test will consist of installing the transceivers in the Kennewick lab test bed and connecting them to an antenna that has approximately the same inductive value as the production antennas. The transceivers will then be tuned and calibrated. The transceivers will be checked for functionality with relative to their menu options and may be subjected to a series of belt tests. First and foremost, the transceivers will be left in the “On” or in the “Read state” for as long as time permits in order to emulate a “Burn-in” cycle. 1.7. Install the modified FS1001A transceivers. The mounting of the transceivers onto the back panel only requires the installation of 4 bolts. However, at the same time, the transceivers internal parameters will be have to be configured along with flashing the internal EEPROM with hard coded parameters. This requires a laptop computer connected to the transceiver that downloads a file with specific information. 1.8. Organize enclosures and install cable ends. The organization of the AC power cables, exciter cables and FO cable require the mounting of Velcro Rip-Ties every 6 to 8 inches on the inside perimeter of 4 enclosures. Each of the 4 exciter cables will then need to be terminated with the standard male connector that mates with the transceiver socket. 1.9. Test and trouble shoot entire system. This task will involve a complete calibration of the transceivers and tuning of antennas; verify successful communications from the transceivers back to the PIT-tag data collection platform, Validate antenna ID’s with respect to the software configuration and verify that communications from the Data collection platform to the PTAGIS database has been established. 1.10. Document and label final installation. This process will involve the labeling of the transceiver enclosures with their associated weir and antenna id’s, labeling of the HSIP panel per standard PSMFC numbering conventions, along with documenting the final transceiver settings. Additionally, the task will ensure that the transceiver and antenna calibration / flow travelers are complete, along with any other pertinent information that is of use in describing the system as a whole. 1.11. Project Management Provide logistical and resource planning and organizing. Monitor project status; prepare weekly status reports, site visit inspections. Take action to keep project deliverables on time and within budget. 1.12. Database Configuration Perform activities to make site specific information available in web interfaces, and other ptagis database management tools

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

This work is not related to a specific subbasin plan. This work is required in order to successfully implement many subbasin plans. There are many references in "Biological Opinion on Remand, Appendix G, Research/Monitoring Actions Persuant to the 2004 FCRPS Biological Opinion" to data from PIT Tags and specifically PTAGIS. (See http://www.salmonrecovery.gov/R_biop_final.shtml).

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

Based upon the reliance on PIT tags as described in the BiOp document referenced above, and based upon the fact that over 80 FWP projects rely on reliable interrogation systems and database management systems for PIT tag mark/recapture data storage and retrieval, that PTAGIS is a priority project.

Other comments

If any additional Adult installation projects or evaluations are required, additional funds for this project will be required. We recommend in the future that a more generic "New PIT Installation" project be set up. This would cover adult installations, 'traditional' juvenile installations (or facility modifications) at dams, and new 'in-stream' installations.