< Back to list of FY 2007-2009 projects
200722300 - Genetic characteristics and movement patterns of bull trout populations between Chief Joseph and McNary Dams, within the Columbia Cascade and Columbia Plateau Provinces
Sponsor: US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Budgets: FY07: $400,298 | FY08: $404,786 | FY09: $395,429
Short description: Proposed work is to use existing and new bull trout population information. Approach will use genetic analysis techniques, radio telemetry and pit tagging will be used to look at populations (same as new project 200722200 in the Columbia Plateau Province).
Final Council recommendation (Nov 2006)
Funding category: Expense
Recommended budgets: FY07: $0 | FY08: $0 | FY09: $0
Comment:
ISRP final recommendation: Fundable
Comment:
Sponsors of 200722300 responded to the questions raised by the ISRP and updated the proposal narrative. The ISRP preliminary review found weakness in the proposal because of apparent duplication of radio telemetry studies between this proposal and ongoing work in the mainstem Columbia River, and a lack of management purpose and linkage between the life-history investigations proposed and actions to protect or restore bull trout populations. Sponsors clarify the relationship between the proposed radio telemetry and other investigations. They also identify how telemetry investigations and genetic assignment are needed to fully understand the inter-relationships of the fish from different subbasins and tributaries. The response portion could have provided more convincing evidence of the management need for the data they are proposing to collect. However, when combined together with the additions to the narrative, a reasonable case is made for the need for this data to adequately protect bull trout. There is a continuing need to identify how this information can be used to develop management strategies to restore bull trout.
Response loop edit
See the sponsor's revised proposal from the response loop. You'll be taken to CBFWA's proposal system in Section 10 where most sponsors uploaded revised narratives or other responses to the ISRP comments.
State/province recommendation: MS: High Priority
Review group: MSRT
Recommended budgets: FY07: (n/a) | FY08: (n/a) | FY09: (n/a)
Comment: There are several bull trout monitoring projects proposed here that provide good coverage of the basin. Other bull trout monitoring projects are proposed in the local subbasin processes. The MSRT would like to see a comprehensive picture of what bull trout monitoring is being funded throughout the basin to insure there is a common strategy for monitoring bull trout (consistent with the MSRT desire to see a coordinated plan for monitoring salmon and steelhead). Basic monitoring and evaluation for bull trout is a Core Program activity, the additional research activities in some of the bull trout projects are a lesser priority.