Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

We do not believe the listed budget figure of $448,728 is consistent with previous information we received. The original funding recommendation from BPA (October 2, 2003 letter from Robert Austin to Douglas Marker) for this project for FY2006 was $459,180. The increase in FY2006 over FY2005 is designed to cover the increased costs associated with DNA analysis of outmigrating smolts and to operate an additional smolt trap in the lower Wenatchee River. This task was part of the original proposal and funding decision and is not an expansion of the scope of work. NOTE: On this website, this project is listed as Columbia Cascade, but it was originally funded under the Systemwide/Mainstem proposal review.

Accomplishments since the last review

Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data (157) Collected DNA samples and biological data on 2,896 spring Chinook captured at Tumwater Dam to estimate relative spawning success and survival of naturally and hatchery-produced fish. Conducted spawning ground surveys and collected redd microhabitat data in the Upper Wenatchee Basin. We found 491 spring Chinook redds during spawning ground surveys and sampled 375 carcasses. Redd microhabitat data was collected data from 186 spring Chinook redds. Extracted DNA and determined genotypes at 11 microsatellite loci for all 2996 samples collected at Tumwater Dam. Mark/Tag Animals (158) PIT tagged 2,896 spring Chinook captured at Tumwater Dam and were able to determine the final spawning location of 679 fish. Analyze/Interpret Data (162) Conducted analyses on biological and spawning ground data to determine if differences exist in the demographic and spawning ecology of hatchery and naturally produced spring Chinook. Conducted genetic analyses to determine power to estimate parentage. Quality checked DNA data, and conducted preliminary analyses to identify and remove summer Chinook from the dataset. Produce Annual Report (132) Accomplished all stated objective in SOW for FY 2004 and uploaded annual report to BPA website.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

Goals for FY 2006 are the same as those stated in FY 2005. The overall goals are to 1) determine if the relative reproductive success and survival of hatchery and natural origin spring Chinook salmon differ, and 2) to determine why differences do or do not exist. Answers to these questions will help to resolve whether supplementation can be used to increase natural production. We are collecting biological data and DNA samples from all spring Chinook captured at Tumwater Dam. Redd microhabitat data will be collected from redds within specific reaches identified in 2004. Data collected from redds within the same geographic reach will allow for a close examination of the data to determine if differences between hatchery and naturally produced fish do exist. All DNA sampled will be analyzed as described in the 2004 annual report. An important new phase of the project begins in FY2006, when yearling smolts produced in FY 2004 emigrate from the Wenatchee River. DNA samples collected from the smolts will be analyzed to determine if differences in reproductive success are evident. This phase is expected to continue until 2012 or two full spring Chinook generations.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

The Wenatchee subbasin plan envisions that integrated hatchery production will continue for spring Chinook salmon in the basin (e.g., pp. 27, 223). This project attempts to answer a fundamental critical uncertainty associated with all of the artificial propagation programs in the Wenatchee Subbasin. In particular, supplementation has been identified as a concept in which hatchery production can contribute to the rebuilding and recovery of anadromous stocks. However, little is known about the reproductive ability of spring Chinook hatchery fish when they spawn in the natural environment. The need for the research is specifically identified in the Wenatchee Subbasin Plan (Management Plan, Section 7.8.16, Near-term Opportunities pg. 305; Management Plan Supplement, Artificial Production pg. 26). In addition, the redd surveys and biological data collected as part of this project are consistent with the monitoring goals described in the Monitoring Strategy of the Subbasin plan (p. 337).

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

Artificial propagation goals and potential impacts to natural populations are expected to continue under the Wenatchee Subbasin Plan. However, the efficacy of these programs in meeting the goals stated in the Plan is not clear. The focal species for this project (spring Chinook) currently listed as endangered under the ESA, and is also a focal species in the Plan. The plan identifies monitoring the reproductive success of naturally spawning hatchery fish and evaluating the integrated hatchery model as important questions (pp. 27, 223, 256, 305, 351). Conclusions from this project will fill a critical data gap that will drive future hatchery program reform in the Wenatchee and elsewhere. In addition to the subbasin plan, the Independent Scientific Advisory Board identified monitoring the natural reproductive success of hatchery fish as a key research question (ISAB Supplementation report 2003 p. 117 – available at http://www.nwcouncil.org/library/isab/isab2003-3.htm). The 2005-2007 Implementation Plan for the Federal Columbia River Power System also identifies hatchery effectiveness monitoring as a high priority (Section E – Hatchery RM&E Actions, p. 62).

Other comments

NOTE: On this website, this project is listed as Columbia Cascade, but was originally funded under the Systemwide/Mainstem proposal review. This project is a joint WDFW/NMFS project. The results from this project will have wide application in the Columbia River basin, beyond just the Wenatchee River Subbasin. Supplementation is being used or proposed for many salmon populations in the Columbia Basin. Multiple independent science advisory groups (e.g., ISAB, Recovery Science Review Panel) has emphasized that in general supplementation programs have not been sufficiently well monitoring to determine their effectiveness. This project is designed to test key assumptions about supplementation, the results of which will be valuable both in the Wenatchee Subbasin as well as throughout the entire Columbia River Basin.