Final Council recommendation (Nov 2006)

Funding category: Expense

Recommended budgets: FY07: $820,000 | FY08: $820,000 | FY09: $820,000

Comment:

ISRP final recommendation: Fundable

Comment:

This proposal is for ongoing studies focused on the early life stages of naturally and hatchery-produced spring Chinook salmon and summer steelhead in the Grande Ronde River system. The proposal is clearly written and very detailed. The statements of the project relationship to regional management questions are especially helpful in clarifying the project purpose. The thorough project history indicates that studies of habitat conditions have been done which should meet the ISRP concerns expressed in the previous review cycle. The ISRP expects that the project will be able to examine for possible relation of egg-to-smolt survival to those conditions. Results from this project have been used in recommendations for protection and enhancement of Grande Ronde subbasin spring Chinook salmon populations and their rearing habitats. The project has a long history of effective population monitoring and habitat analysis. However, it is unclear how the results will be evaluated. For future proposals it would be helpful to state performance measures and indications of how success will be determined. Additionally, it is not clear if or when study effort could be reduced because the needs for additional information decline. The ISRP encourages the sponsors to share successes and lessons learned to others in and out of the region via professional publications.

State/province recommendation: Fundable, but at a reduced level

Review group: OSPIT - Blue Mountain

Recommended budgets: FY07: $820,000 | FY08: $820,000 | FY09: $820,000

Comment: OSPIT recommends reducing the budget slightly below the FY2006 level.