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1994 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program |
| Council document 94-55 | |
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< Section 10 table of contents
10.8 Resident Fish Substitutions
and steelhead probably never will be able to return to some areas of the basin because of blockages by dams. These include the areas above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams and the Hells Canyon Complex, as well as other smaller blocked areas. In its analysis of the contribution of the hydropower system to salmon and steelhead losses (see Council documents 87-15, 87-15A and 87-15B), the Council has addressed the extent to which resident fish substitutions should be used to mitigate losses of salmon and steelhead production in these areas.
The Council has concluded that: 1) mitigation in blocked areas is appropriate where salmon and steelhead were affected by the development and operation of the hydroelectric projects; 2) to treat the Columbia River and its tributaries as a system, resident fish substitutions are reasonable for lost salmon and steelhead in areas where in-kind mitigation cannot occur; and 3) flexibility in approach is needed to develop a program that complements the activities of the fish and wildlife agencies and tribes and is based on the best available scientific knowledge. For substitution purposes, resident fish may include landlocked anadromous fish (e.g., white sturgeon, kokanee and coho), as well as traditionally defined resident fish species.
10.8A Resident Fish Substitutions Policy
The substitution of resident fish to make up for losses of anadromous fish in areas now permanently blocked to salmon and steelhead reflects the Council's resolve to address complex, long-term problems. Historical records show that the Columbia River Basin Indian tribes relied extensively on salmon and steelhead, and the permanent loss of these resources has had incalculable impacts on tribal economies, cultures and religions.
Historically, the Council approved projects in the areas above Chief Joseph/Grand Coulee, and in the blocked areas above Hell's Canyon Dam. Examples of substitution activities are at Lake Roosevelt, tributaries and reservoirs of Box Canyon Reach of the Pend Oreille River, tributaries of the Coeur d?Alene Indian Reservation, Kootenai River, lakes and streams of the Colville Indian Reservation, as well as above Hell's Canyon Dam on the Duck Valley Reservation, C.J. Strike Reservoir, the Fort Hall Reservation, and Cascade Reservoir. In the Council's 1993 resident fish and wildlife amendment process, the Council expanded its historic substitution areas to include projects outside of the historical blocks, above the blocked areas at Dworshak and Pelton dams.
Substitution activities are one of the two highest priorities in the resident fish program, as provided in Section 10.1B.
The Council has determined that until on-the-ground measures are achieved and the level of rebuilding is known, this priority is the best biological approach.
The resident fish substitution policy is guided by and encompasses Sections 10.1, 10.1A, 10.1B and 10.2 of this program.
10.8B Resident Fish Substitution Biological Objectives and Measures Above Chief Joseph/Grand Coulee Dams
The fishery managers, including the Colville Confederated Tribes, Coeur d?Alene Tribe, Kalispel Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Spokane Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife collectively identified the following biological objectives as partial mitigation for the loss of anadromous salmon and steelhead blocked by Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams. The Council approves these biological objectives and seeks implementation of the associated strategies and measures to achieve them, as a reasonable interim goal whose completion will partially offset the historic and contemporary losses incurred.
The best available scientific information presented to the Council indicates that the full, complete and sustained achievement of the following biological objectives will redress approximately 10 percent to 13 percent of the total losses of anadromous fish previously harvested by the tribes above the block at Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams. Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the strategies designed to achieve the stated biological objectives will determine the actual amount of credit to be applied to the underlying losses. The methodology for calculating the credit to be applied against the obligation of the hydrosystem will be developed as described in Measure 10.1D.1.
Lake Roosevelt biological objectives:
- Biological objectives at Lake Roosevelt include the following annual targets of harvestable sized adult fish:
|
Species |
Stock |
Harvest goal (#) |
Escape goal (#) |
Total adult fish # |
Total adult fish lbs. |
Year |
|
kokanee |
hatchery |
290,000 |
10,000 |
300,000 |
2.0 |
2000 |
|
Kokanee (adfluvial) |
wild |
120,000 |
60,000 |
180,000 |
2.0 |
* |
|
rainbow trout |
net pen |
190,000 |
NA |
190,000 |
1.5 |
1997 |
|
rainbow trout |
wild |
12,000 |
6,000 |
18,000 |
2.0 |
2000 |
|
rainbow trout (adfluvial) |
wild |
150,000 |
74,000 |
224,000 |
2.0 |
finalt |
|
walleye |
wild |
131,000 |
U |
131,000 |
1.5 |
1996 |
NA = not applicable, U = unknown at the present time, * target date will be determined upon completion of baseline investigations, t = target date will be determined after interim goal is achieved.
- Additionally, operate Grand Coulee Reservoir to produce successful year classes of yellow perch as forage for walleye.
- To help reduce entrainment and ensure adequate food supplies for resident fish in Lake Roosevelt, operate Grand Coulee Dam to meet the following minimum monthly elevation targets while attempting to maintain the minimum monthly mean retention times as follows:
|
Period |
Elevation (feet above sea level) |
Retention |
|
January |
1,270 |
45 days |
|
February |
Operate reservoir to elevation 1,260 |
40 days |
|
March-April 15 |
Operate reservoir no lower than 1,250 feet above mean sea level |
30 days |
|
April 16 |
1,255 |
30 days |
|
May |
1,265 |
35 days |
|
June-December |
Operate reservoir at 1,288 (2 feet below full pool) |
40-60 days or maximum historically achievable for each month |
- Reduce maximum water level from 1,288 feet above mean sea level to 1,283 feet above mean sea level every other year to re-establish terrestrial vegetation in littoral areas. By September in those years be at 1,288 feet above mean sea level. Reflood in subsequent years to 1,288 feet above mean sea level. These operating guidelines are to remain in effect until biological and integrated rule curves for Lake Roosevelt have been approved by the Council.
- Timelines to achieve targets for individual species are:
- Hatchery kokanee: three years after 1 million age 1+ residualized smolts are released into the reservoir. It is expected that Bonneville will provide funding to increase the water supply to the Spokane Tribal Hatchery and develop kokanee net pens by 1996, to allow the release of 1 million 1+ residualized kokanee smolts by 1997, resulting in a target date of the year 2000.
- Wild kokanee: not specified until current stock status is determined in measure 10.8B.7.
- Net pen rainbow: the year in which net pen expansion allows for holding and release of 500,000 rainbow trout. At the present time, approximately 140,000 rainbow are harvested per year based upon the release of 350,000 net pen fish. The Council expects Bonneville to complete expansion of the rainbow net pens, sufficient to rear 500,000 rainbow trout by 1997.
- Wild rainbow: adaptive management experiments are currently under way, employing pilot projects in selected tributaries. Interim targets totaling 18,000 wild adult rainbow, including 6,000 escapement and 12,000 harvestable surplus for five selected tributaries were established. These targets compared to pre-habitat improvement estimates of 1,089 total wild rainbow, including 363 escapement and 726 harvested, in the five tributaries. Habitat enhancement commenced in 1992 and will be completed by 1995 under measure 10.8B.9. Interim targets are expected to be fully achieved after one complete four-year life cycle (by the year 2000). If interim targets are met by that date, the Council will expect to receive a recommendation to complete habitat restoration for wild rainbow trout in other tributaries. If interim targets are not met by that date, the Council expects continued monitoring through 2004 (four complete life cycles) to develop information about long-term success or failure of the pilot projects.
- Walleye: 1996
- Yellow perch: 1996
- Lake Roosevelt Operating Guidelines: 1996
Strategies for achieving Lake Roosevelt biological objectives:
The following strategies will be employed to achieve Lake Roosevelt biological objectives:
- Operate the Lake Roosevelt kokanee hatcheries to produce 1 million age 1+ residualized smolt kokanee for release into Lake Roosevelt, including 500,000 reared in the hatcheries and 500,000 reared in net pens, and also produce 500,000 age 0+ rainbow fingerlings for the net pen program.
- Mark all hatchery kokanee to separate them from wild fish. Allow harvest of both marked and unmarked fish in warmwater months (May-September), but only marked fish in coldwater months (October-April). The intent of this strategy is that by marking all hatchery fish, catch-and-release strategies can be employed for wild fish, thereby reducing harvest on wild kokanee and, in effect, creating a terminal fishery for hatchery fish.
- Perform baseline investigation to assess current status, determine habitat improvements necessary to achieve wild kokanee biological objectives and develop harvest management regulations to protect wild kokanee.
- Construct and then continue to operate and maintain both kokanee and rainbow trout net pens.
- Complete habitat improvements in selected tributaries to improve passage/habitat for adfluvial rainbow trout. Eliminate 10 migration barriers, reduce embeddedness by 25 percent, increase average canopy cover to 60 percent, introduce 100 pieces of large organic debris per mile (short-term), manage vegetation to promote large organic debris in future (long-term) and increase sinuosity to provide habitat diversity. Monitor tributaries to assess effectiveness and determine if interim targets are achieved.
- Mark all net pen rainbow to separate them from wild fish.
- Continue Lake Roosevelt Fisheries Monitoring Program to monitor effectiveness of these measures, assess impact of reservoir operations on achieving biological objectives, and develop biological and integrated rule curves.
Coeur d?Alene Reservation Tributaries biological objectives:
Biological objectives for wild adfluvial cutthroat trout in tributaries on the Coeur d?Alene Indian Reservation include rebuilding to 75 percent of the optimal level for adult fish. This will be accomplished by achieving interim biological objectives (25 percent and 50 percent of optimal level) by the target dates noted in the following table:
|
Tributary |
Target level (percent)* |
Escapement target |
+Harvest target |
=Biological objective |
Year |
|
Lake Creek |
25 |
5,346 |
2,877 |
8,223 |
2001 |
|
|
50 |
10,695 |
5,751 |
16,446 |
2005 |
|
|
75 |
16,042 |
8,626 |
24,668 |
2009 |
|
Benewah Creek |
25 |
9,277 |
4,880 |
14,157 |
2001 |
|
|
50 |
18,555 |
9,759 |
28,314 |
2005 |
|
|
75 |
27,832 |
14,648 |
42,471 |
2009 |
|
Alder Creek |
25 |
7,562 |
4,113 |
11,675 |
2001 |
|
|
50 |
15,125 |
8,226 |
23,351 |
2005 |
|
|
75 |
22,687 |
12,339 |
35,026 |
2009 |
|
Evans Creek |
25 |
5,420 |
2.944 |
8,364 |
2001 |
|
|
50 |
10,840 |
5,888 |
16,728 |
2005 |
|
|
75 |
16,260 |
8,832 |
25,092 |
2009 |
* Percent improvement over current conditions.
Achievement of cutthroat trout biological objectives are related to enhancing habitat in each tributary to achieve the following conditions:
Lake Creek
| Habitat Characteristics | Current Condition | Optimal Condition |
Future Desired Condition (percent over current) |
Difference | ||||
|
|
|
|
25 |
50 |
75 |
25 |
50 |
75 |
|
Average residual pool depth
|
1.9 ft |
5.0 ft |
2.4 |
2.9 |
3.4 |
0.5 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
|
Average canopy cover (thermal cover)
|
13.9% |
75% |
17.4 |
20.9 |
24.4 |
3.5 |
7.0 |
10.5 |
|
# Large woody debris/ Lineal distance
|
<0.1/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rifflepool ratio
|
3.6:1 |
3:2 |
3:1 |
3:2 |
3:2 |
-.6 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Average percent fines |
19.1% |
<10% |
14.3 |
8.4 |
3.2 |
-4.8 |
10.7 |
-15.5 |
Benewah Creek
| Habitat Characteristics | Current Condition | Optimal Condition |
Future Desired Condition (percent over current) |
Difference | ||||
|
|
|
|
25 |
50 |
75 |
25 |
50 |
75 |
|
Average residual pool depth |
2.0 ft | 5.0 ft | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
|
Average canopy cover (thermal cover) |
36.6% | 75% | 45.8 | 56.4 | 65.6 | 9.2 | 18.4 | 27.6 |
|
# Large woody debris/ Lineal distance |
<0.1/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rifflepool ratio |
1.8:1 |
3:2 |
5:1 |
3:2 |
3:2 |
-.3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Average percent fines |
10.9% |
<10% |
8.1 |
5.3 |
5.3 |
2.8 |
5.6 |
0 |
Alder Creek
| Habitat Characteristics | Current Condition | Optimal Condition |
Future Desired Condition (percent over current) |
Difference | ||||
|
|
|
|
25 |
50 |
75 |
25 |
50 |
75 |
|
Average residual pool depth |
2.0 ft | 5.0 ft | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
|
Average canopy cover (thermal cover) |
23.8% | 75% | 29.8 | 35.7 | 41.6 | 5.9 | 11.8 | 17.7 |
|
# Large woody debris/ Lineal distance |
<0.1/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rifflepool ratio |
1.2:1 |
3:2 |
1.2:1 |
NC |
NC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Average percent fines |
37.6% |
<10% |
28.2 |
18.8 |
9.4 |
9.4 |
18.8 |
28.8 |
Evans Creek
| Habitat Characteristics | Current Condition | Optimal Condition |
Future Desired Condition (percent over current) |
Difference | ||||
|
|
|
|
25 |
50 |
75 |
25 |
50 |
75 |
|
Average residual pool depth |
2.5 ft | 5.0 ft | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
|
Average canopy cover (thermal cover) |
40.1% | 75% | 50 | 60 | 70 | 10 | 20 | 30 |
|
# Large woody debris/ Lineal distance |
<0.1/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rifflepool ratio |
10.9:1 |
3:2 |
7.9:1 |
5.3:1 |
2.6:1 |
-2.6 |
-5.3 |
-7.9 |
|
Average percent fines |
16.8% |
<10% |
12.6 |
8.4 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
8.4 |
12.6 |
Additionally, produce 25,000 catchable rainbow trout for stocking into trout ponds to provide an interim subsistence and recreation fishery for Coeur d?Alene Tribal members.
Strategies for achieving Coeur d?Alene Reservation Tributaries biological objectives:
The following strategies will be employed to achieve Coeur d?Alene tributaries biological objectives:
- Enhance habitat on Alder, Benewah, Evans and Lake Creeks to achieve interim 25 percent, 50 percent, and final 75 percent habitat improvement targets by specified dates.
- Purchase critical watershed areas (riparian corridors and associated uplands) along these four tributaries within the boundaries of the Coeur d?Alene Indian Reservation.
- Construct and operate a low-capital trout hatchery and trout ponds.
- Monitor tributaries to determine if habitat remains improved, and harvest and escapement goals are met.
Biological objectives for kokanee salmon in the Kootenai River:
- Restore the historic kokanee fishery exploited by the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho in four Kootenai River tributaries to meet the following total population, harvest and escapement targets. Fish should weigh about a half pound apiece.
|
Stream |
Type of Objective |
Harvest pop# |
+Escapement pop# |
=Biological Objective |
Year Accomplished |
|
Parker Creek |
interim |
0 |
350 |
350 |
2000 |
|
|
long-term |
200 |
500 |
700 |
2008 |
|
Long Canyon creek |
interim |
800 |
800 |
1,600 |
2000 |
|
|
long-term |
2,144 |
1,056 |
2,300 |
2008 |
|
Smith Creek |
interim |
100 |
500 |
600 |
2000 |
|
|
long-term |
700 |
500 |
1,200 |
2008 |
|
Boundary Creek |
interim |
550 |
550 |
1,100 |
2000 |
|
|
long-term |
1,474 |
726 |
2,200 |
2008 |
Strategies to achieve Kootenai River kokanee salmon biological objectives:
- Restore spawning habitat in Parker, Long Canyon, Smith and Boundary creeks, tributaries to the Kootenai River.
- Explore various strategies including instream incubation of eggs and supplementation to enhance survival.
Biological objectives for largemouth bass, bull trout and cutthroat trout in the Box Canyon Reservoir and tributary streams:
These biological objectives are for the entire system. Specific interim and final targets for each tributary will be established upon completion of detailed habitat and fish population assessments that are currently under way.
- Increase the biomass of harvestable largemouth bass in the Box Canyon Reservoir from current 6 pounds/acre (44,400 pounds for entire reservoir) to an interim target of 8 pounds/acre (59,200 pounds for entire reservoir) by 2003 and final target of 12 pounds/acre (88,800 for entire reservoir) by 2008. The interim net gain will be 14,800 pounds of harvestable largemouth bass. The final net gain will be 44,400 pounds of harvestable largemouth bass.
- Increase 0+ largemouth bass overwinter survival from current levels of 0.4-3.9 percent to approximately 15-20 percent. This increase in overwinter survival will contribute to the goal of 12 pounds/acre of harvestable bass.
- Attain densities (all age classes) of 9.8 bull trout/100 square meters ( or 390 fish/linear mile) age class in the upper one third of each major tributary system. This equates to 97,410 bull trout (all age classes) in approximately 250 miles of suitable tributary habitat in the system . Total numbers of adult bull trout recruited to the fishery will be 4,410 fish, composed of an escapement of 2,205 fish and harvest of 2,205 fish, by 2016.
- Interim bull trout targets are established at 48,855 total fish (all age classes), including a total of 2,205 fish recruited to the fishery, composed of an escapement of 1,102 fish and harvest of 1,103 fish, by 2006.
- Attain population of 242,212 adult fish in 500 miles of suitable cutthroat trout habitat in the system, including an escapement of 156,800 fish and harvest of 85,412 fish by 2016.
- Interim cutthroat trout targets are established at 121,106 total adults recruited to the fishery, composed of an escapement of 78,400 fish and harvest of 42,706 fish by 2006.
Strategies to achieve biological objectives for largemouth bass, bull trout and cutthroat trout in Box Canyon Reservoir and tributary streams:
- Operate and maintain low-capital warm water hatchery constructed on the Kalispel Indian Reservation to produce 100,000 largemouth bass fry and 50,000 fingerlings for release into Box Canyon Reservoir. Stocking will include 50,000 age 0 fry and 50,000 age 1 fingerlings released directly into Box Canyon Reservoir and 50,000 fry to be stocked into and reared to fingerling size in two rearing sloughs located on the Pend Oreille wetlands wildlife mitigation project.
- Construct, operate and maintain water control structures on the Pend Oreille wetlands wildlife project for the purpose of creating bass nursery sloughs.
- Construct, place and maintain artificial cover structures to increase the amount of bass age 0 fry winter cover in the Box Canyon Reach of the Pend Oreille River. The purpose of placing cover is to increase overwinter survival of age 0 largemouth bass.
- Monitor effectiveness of largemouth bass supplementation.
- Complete bull trout and cutthroat trout habitat and population inventories to develop specific biological objectives and conduct advance designs for habitat improvements in each tributary.
- Construct, operate and maintain habitat improvements for bull trout and cutthroat trout in tributary streams.
- Monitor effectiveness of habitat enhancement projects.
Biological objectives for lakes and streams on the Colville Indian Reservation:
Biological objectives for lakes and streams on the Colville Indian Reservation include production of 50,000 pounds of resident fish at the Colville Tribal Hatchery for distribution into reservation waters, including boundary waters, to provide a high quality subsistence/recreational fishery for Colville Tribal members as well as a non-member sport fishery. For the purposes of this program, a high quality fishery on the Colville Reservation is defined as: subsistence/ recreational fisheries that provide at a minimum 1 fish per hour catch-per-unit-effort and average fork lengths of 13.5 inches for rainbow trout (KFL 8 1.0), 12.0 inches for brook trout (KFL 8 1.0), and 20.0 inches for Lahontan cutthroat trout (KFL 8 0.9). Specific annual production targets include:
- Production of 2,500 pounds of fingerling rainbow trout (200,000 fish).
- Production of 13,000 pounds of subcatchable rainbow trout (300,000 fish).
- Production of 15,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout (81,000 fish).
- Production of 2,200 pounds of fingerling brook trout (176,000 fish).
- Production of 13,200 pounds of subcatchable brook trout (300,000 fish).
- Production of 4,500 pounds of Lahontan cutthroat (90,000 fish).
Additionally, in reservation waters, increase natural production of brook trout by 10 percent and rainbow trout by 15 percent by 2000.
Strategies for achieving biological objectives for lakes and streams on the Colville Indian Reservation:
- Continue Bonneville funding of the operation and maintenance of the Colville Tribal Fish Hatchery to produce 50,000 pounds of resident fish consistent with biological objectives. Monitor and evaluate success in terms of achieving catch-per-unit-effort and fish growth targets.
- Continue the current on-reservation brood sources for brook and Lahontan cutthroat trout, and develop an on-reservation brood source for rainbow trout.
- Provide rearing conditions that prevent fin abrasion, prevent bacterial and viral diseases and prevent parasitic infestations.
- Initiate a fish marking program to access the contribution of various size fish to the fishery, including both the creel and natural production.
- Improve reservation lake and stream spawning and rearing habitat.
- Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of enhancement measures.
Biological objectives for Moses Lake and Ford Hatchery:
Specific biological objectives have not yet been identified for enhancing the warm water fishery at Moses Lake, pending recommendations of a baseline investigation being performed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The biological objective for the Ford Hatchery is production of 35,000 additional pounds of resident trout for planting in northwest Washington lakes and streams.
Strategies for achieving biological objectives at Moses Lake and Ford Hatchery:
- Perform baseline investigations to determine biological objectives and identify fishery enhancement measures. Complete these studies and make recommendations to the Council by December 31, 1998.
- Improve water supply at Ford Hatchery to rear additional 35,000 lb. of resident trout and provide operation and maintenance expenses to rear these fish.
Measures and time frames for Resident Fish Substitution above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams:
The resident fish substitution projects for above Chief Joseph/Grand Coulee also include the operating criteria for Grand Coulee Dam described in Measures 10.3E.3 to 10.3E.5.
Bonneville
10.8B.1 Fund the following resident fish substitution activities and in the blocked area above Chief Joseph Dam to partially mitigate for salmon and steelhead losses incurred as a result of the construction and operation of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.
Spokane Tribe
10.8B.2 Operate and maintain kokanee salmon hatcheries at Galbraith Springs and Sherman Creek. Use the Sherman Creek hatchery as an imprinting site and egg collection facility to provide a source of kokanee fry for transferring to Galbraith Springs hatchery for rearing to the residualized smolt stage before planting into Lake Roosevelt. Coordinate decisions on hatchery production, stocking and outplanting locations through a three-member committee consisting of one representative each appointed by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
10.8B.3 Add a new production well, capable of producing 2.5 to 3.0 cubic feet per second of additional flow, for the Spokane Tribal Kokanee Hatchery by January 1996. The purpose of this action is to allow for 500,000 kokanee to be reared to residualized smolt size at the Spokane Tribal Hatchery before release into Lake Roosevelt.
10.8B.4 The Council has been presented with evidence that kokanee released as residualized smolts contribute more to the fishery and return to egg collection sites at a higher rate than fish released as fry. In collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colville Tribes, construct and operate 20 net pens for rearing kokanee salmon (25,000 fish/pen) to post-smolt size in Lake Roosevelt. This shall include 16 net pens, dock and anchoring system at Sherman Creek and four net pens at Seven Bays. Bonneville shall conduct an environmental assessment for the project in 1995, with construction in 1996.
10.8B.5 In collaboration with the Colville Confederated Tribes and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, monitor and evaluate the Lake Roosevelt biota to assess the effectiveness of Measures 10.8B.2 to 10.8B.4, 10.8B.9, 10.8B.11 and 10.3E.3 to 10.3E.5 and determine impacts of reservoir operations on achieving the biological objectives addressed by these measures. Specifically, this measure will identify changes in the kokanee, rainbow and walleye fisheries as a result of the above measures and develop biological and integrated rule curves for Lake Roosevelt to define the operations necessary to sustain the resident fish populations. The following tasks will be completed as part of this measure:
- Conduct a year-round reservoirwide creel survey to determine angler use, catch rates and composition, harvest by species, harvest of wild versus hatchery (or net pen) fish growth and condition of fish harvested number of anglers using Lake Roosevelt and the angler's contribution to the local economy. This information will determine if the biological objectives are being met, identify hatchery release strategies that provide the most fish for harvest and indicate changes in the number of harvested fish in relation to lake operations.
- Conduct monthly relative-abundance surveys by electrofishing, hook and line, gill netting, and/or trawling at nine index sites to collect fisheries population information (i.e., fish growth and condition, species composition, number of wild versus hatchery fish, diet habits of kokanee, rainbow and walleye, and prey availability). Tagged and marked fish will be collected to determine the most effective hatchery release strategies and kokanee ability to home back to the release sites during spawning migration. The data collected will also be used to determine the health of the fisheries.
- Collect zooplankton weekly at 9 sites within Lake Roosevelt and two sites in Rufus Woods. The biomass of each species collected will be determined in order to identify the biomass availability for fish consumption, correlate lake water retention time with zooplankton biomass, determine the potential productivity of zooplankton and determine entrainment rates of zooplankton during different lake operations.
- Model zooplankton population dynamics and reproduction rates to identify the effect of water retention time, water temperature and fish predation on zooplankton's population dynamics. The model will predict biomass of zooplankton during different hydrological lake conditions.
- Monitor reservoir hydrology weekly at 11 sites (i.e., lake elevation, water retention time, water temperature, pH, conductivity, etc.). Biological productivity of the lake will be related to reservoir hydrology in order to develop the biological rule curve.
- Conduct a mark/recapture study of hatchery-reared kokanee and rainbow by tagging 50 percent of hatchery kokanee with coded-wire tags and tag 20 percent of the hatchery rainbow trout reared in net pens with floy tags. Mark all remaining hatchery fish (both kokanee and rainbow) with fin clips. Tagged fish recovered by anglers and relative abundance surveys will be used to determine the release strategies that maximize harvest and adult returns to egg collection facilities while minimizing entrainment.
- Monitor the number of tagged kokanee and rainbow entrained through Grand Coulee Dam by creel surveys in Rufus Woods Reservoir and monitor the number of tagged fish collected at Rock Island Dam fish passage facility. This task will identify the entrainment rate of kokanee and rainbow, which will be related to lake operations in order to identify operations that cause entrainment.
- Drip synthetic chemicals at hatcheries to imprint hatchery-reared kokanee, and drip synthetic chemicals at egg collection facilities to encourage the return of spawning adults. This task will increase the number of kokanee returning to egg collection facilities so that a self-sustaining egg source can be developed.
- Conduct daily creel surveys and weekly electrofishing surveys at egg collection sites from September 1 to October 31 to collect tagged kokanee. The collected tagged fish will indicate kokanee release strategies that maximize the number of adults returning. This information also will be used to determine the ability of kokanee to follow the scent of synthetic chemicals to egg collection sites.
- Map the availability of fish habitat in Lake Roosevelt at different lake elevations. The map will be used to estimate the change in fish habitat availability with changes in lake elevations.
- In collaboration with appropriate states and tribes, compile and analyze data from studies completed by other investigators in Lake Roosevelt. The information gathered from other studies, past and present, will be used to evaluate kokanee and rainbow release strategies and develop biological rule curves.
- In collaboration with appropriate state and federal agencies, develop a computer simulation model that will predict the best reservoir operations for the resident fish populations in Lake Roosevelt. This model will be used to create the biological rule curve. The development of a biological rule curve will stabilize the ecosystem, facilitating the development of a viable fishery. This rule curve will also balance reservoir conditions needed for resident fish with flows needed for anadromous fish.
- In collaboration with appropriate state and federal agencies, develop an integrated rule curve that will incorporate the biological rule curve with the flood control, power irrigation rule curves, and anadromous fish and wildlife rule curves.
- In collaboration with appropriate state and federal agencies, continue the monitoring and evaluation program at least through the year 2005. A biological rule curve will be presented to the Council in 1998. An integrated rule curve will be presented in 1999. The rule curve will be evaluated through the year 2005.
Colville Tribes
10.8B.6 Operate and maintain the resident trout hatchery on the Colville Indian Reservation. Monitor and evaluate this measure.
10.8B.7 In collaboration with the Spokane Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, evaluate natural production of kokanee above Chief Joseph Dam including Nespelem River, Big Sheep Creek, Alder Creek, Deep Creek, Orapaken Creek, Onion Creek and the San Poil River. The purpose of this measure is to evaluate the status of naturally producing kokanee, determine what measures are necessary to ensure self-sustaining populations and determine the feasibility of using these fish in the ongoing kokanee hatchery program in this area. The evaluation will involve electrophoretic evaluation, egg-fry survival determination, kokanee spawning escapement and kokanee entrainment. This project will be initiated in 1995 and completed by 2000.
10.8B.8 Identify and study the feasibility of alternatives for preventing resident fish from being swept downstream out of Grand Coulee Reservoir. This investigation will assess the number of individuals entrained, by species and life stage, at different seasons and under different operating conditions. It will also establish routes by which fish are entrained under different reservoir elevations and operating conditions. This investigation will be coordinated with the Lake Roosevelt Monitoring Program (Section 10.8B.5). Complete these studies and make recommendations to the Council by December 31, 1997.
10.8B.9 In collaboration with the Spokane Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, operate and maintain pilot projects for improving habitat and passage into and out of Lake Roosevelt tributary streams for rainbow trout. The aim of this measure is to emphasize natural production by: 1) facilitating passage of migratory rainbow trout between Lake Roosevelt and its tributary streams; and 2) improving fry and fingerling rearing habitat in these streams.
10.8B.10 In collaboration with the Spokane Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, monitor and evaluate effectiveness of the pilot projects in Section 10.8B.9 by trapping and marking adult and juvenile fish in tributary streams, estimating fish populations and habitat within the tributaries, and conducting creel surveys on each tributary. Contribution of these fish to the Lake Roosevelt fishery shall be determined by the Lake Roosevelt Monitoring Program (Section 10.8B.5). Pilot projects will be completed in 1995. Monitoring and evaluation will start in 1996 and continue to 2000. At that time, the Council will expect to receive a report that recommends one of the following alternatives: 1) continued operation and maintenance of pilot projects, plus improving habitat in additional tributaries if interim biological objectives of pilot projects are achieved; 2) additional monitoring, in the event the interim biological objectives are not met by 2,000 but there is reason to suspect they may be achieved in the near future; or 3) discontinue project if the interim biological objectives are not met and the reason for failure is understood and not correctable.
Lake Roosevelt Forum
10.8B.11 Implement the rainbow trout net pen rearing program in Lake Roosevelt including: 1) operation and maintenance of 26 existing net pens; and 2) procurement, operation and maintenance of 10 additional net pens. As a condition of Bonneville funding, operation of the net pen rearing program will be coordinated and consistent with the management policies of the Lake Roosevelt Fisheries Management Committee (see Section 10.8B.2), including those addressing stock selection and release strategies. In addition, continue voluntary contributions and private sector funding as a cost-share for the net pen rearing program.
Kalispel Tribe
10.8B.12 Design, construct, operate and maintain a warmwater low-capital bass hatchery on the Kalispel Indian Reservation. Mark all hatchery production. Design will commence in 1995, and construction will be completed by 1996.
10.8B.13 Design, construct, operate and maintain for two years, a yellow perch aquaculture facility on the Kalispel Indian Reservation. Design will commence in 1996, with construction completed by 1998.
10.8B.14 In collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, conduct studies to determine the status of existing bull trout and cutthroat trout populations in the Pend Oreille River and its tributaries. Studies to be performed shall include: 1) determination of population densities, population abundance of each age class, growth, and feeding habits of bull trout in the Pend Oreille River and its tributaries; 2) radiotelemetry studies will be performed to identify migration patterns and areas that are utilized for spawning; 3) electrofishing, migration trapping and netting, in combination with mark/recapture investigations, will be performed to identify resident and adfluvial stocks that remain in the mainstem Pend Oreille and its tributaries; and 4) non-lethal biopsy samples will be collected to investigate genetic variability among different tributaries. This investigation will occur from 1995 to 1997.
10.8B.15 In collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, complete advanced designs, and construct, operate and maintain habitat improvement projects to enhance bull trout and cutthroat trout in all tributaries in the Box Canyon Reach of the Pend Oreille River. Designs for three demonstration tributaries, Cee Cee Ah Creek, Skookum Creek and LeClerc Creek, will be completed in 1995, with construction occurring in 1996 and 1997. The remaining tributaries will be prioritized upon completion of Section 10.8B.14. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Kalispel Tribe will submit recommended habitat improvements, implementation schedules and detailed biological objectives for each tributary to the Council for approval in 1997. The Council will act promptly to consider these recommendations.
10.8B.16 Working with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, remove exotic brook trout in Cee Cee Ah Creek in 1996.
10.8B.17 Design, construct, operate and maintain water control structures and repair dikes on the Pend Oreille wetlands wildlife mitigation project for the purpose of creating a bass nursery slough. Stock a portion of the bass production from the Kalispel Tribal hatchery (Measure 10.8B.12) into this slough in an attempt to cut hatchery production costs because fry can prey on natural foods. Screen the water control structures to prevent access by reservoir species that prey on bass fry. Design will occur in 1995, with construction and operation commencing in 1996.
10.8B.18 Construct and place artificial cover structures to increase the amount of bass fry winter cover in the Box Canyon Reach of the Pend Oreille River. Design will occur in 1995, with construction and placement of the structures in 1996 and 1997.
10.8B.19 In collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, conduct a four-year monitoring program to assess effectiveness of bull trout and cutthroat trout habitat improvements in tributary streams and hatchery supplementation of largemouth bass in the Pend Oreille River. Monitoring will start in Cee Cee Ah, Skookum and LeClerc Creeks starting in 1998 (for cutthroat and bull trout) and in the Pend Oreille River in 1997 (for largemouth bass).
Coeur d?Alene Tribe
10.8B.20 Implement habitat restoration and enhancement measures in Lake, Benewah, Evans and Alder Creeks located within the Coeur d?Alene Indian Reservation including: 1) construct, operate and maintain water storage facilities adjacent to streams for water recruitment and to provide juvenile rearing habitat (trout refugia); 2) restore stream riparian zone through plantings, fencing and stream bank stabilization; 3) provide for off-site livestock watering areas; 4) construct lateral/side channels for juvenile rearing habitat and provide overflow or ?flood? channels to help relieve peak flow increases; and 5) place large woody debris in channels to increase instream cover.
Also, 1) purchase critical watershed areas (riparian corridors, sensitive wetland and upland areas) for protection of fisheries habitat; 2) conduct an educational/outreach program for private landowners and the general public within the Coeur d?Alene Reservation to develop a ?holistic? watershed protection process; 3) develop an interim fishery for tribal and non-tribal members of the reservation through construction, operation and maintenance of trout ponds; 4) design, construct, operate and maintain a trout production facility on the Coeur d?Alene Reservation; and 5) implement a five-year monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the hatchery and habitat improvement projects.
Implementation of the above measures should be according to the following schedule: (i) in 1995, develop master plan and environmental assessment of the program, conduct habitat demonstration projects on Lake and Benewah Creeks and develop an educational outreach program; (ii) in 1996, complete master planning process and environmental assessment of the project, implement habitat improvement projects on Lake and Benewah Creeks, conduct an educational outreach program, advanced designs of hatchery and trout ponds and purchase land for hatchery and trout ponds; (iii) in 1997, construct and operate trout ponds and wells, begin construction of hatchery and well, implement habitat improvement projects on Lake, Benewah and Evans Creeks, continue educational outreach program; (iv) in 1998, continue hatchery and trout pond operation and maintenance, weir trapping of spawners, habitat improvements on Evans and Alder Creeks, and educational outreach program; (v) in 1999, continue habitat improvement projects, as well as operation and maintenance for hatchery, trout ponds, weir trapping of spawners and habitat improvement projects; (vi) from 2000 - 2004, monitor and evaluate restoration projects and (vii) for an indefinite period, continue to operate and monitor hatchery, trout pond and habitat improvement projects.
10.8B.21 Conduct a NEPA analysis, a habitat analysis and a land value appraisal of a 2,100 acre wetland/riparian and associated upland parcel in the Lake Creek drainage and Windy Bay area of Lake Coeur d?Alene in Fiscal Year 1996. This is to be credited for: 1) 250 acres of wildlife habitat losses due to Albeni Falls Dam (Table 11-04 in the Wildlife Section) on Lake Pend Oreille, an aboriginal use area of the Tribe, and 2) as a resident fish substitution for extensive salmon losses due to Grand Coulee Dam. Bonneville is to purchase a land option and transfer title to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be put into trust for the Coeur d?Alene Tribe. In Fiscal Year 1997, complete the land purchase and begin habitat enhancement activities, initiating long-term operation and maintenance and monitoring and evaluation.
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
10.8B.22 Perform a five-year Kootenai River ecosystem status determination and improvement study. The study should include elements that will: 1) provide a comprehensive ecosystem status report; 2) evaluate the biological feasibility of restoring system productivity; 3) identify effects of hydropower operations (Libby Dam) on aquatic biota and fish assemblages; and 4) develop, evaluate, test and analyze solutions to ecosystem problems caused by factors currently limiting system productivity, such as nutrient limitation and hydropower effects.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
10.8B.23 Conduct baseline investigations to identify biological objectives for Moses Lake and determine the most feasible measures for enhancing the Moses Lake fishery to achieve these objectives. Include assessment of the current availability and use of spawning, rearing and cover habitats including hydrological and limnological factors associated with each as well as evaluating the age class structure, species composition and biological interaction occurring within the lake. The Council expects this investigation to start in Fiscal Year 1996 and be completed by December 31, 1998. The Department shall submit biological objectives and recommendations for fishery improvement to the Council for consideration in the next amendment process after that date.
10.8B.24 Improve water supply at Ford Hatchery to rear 35,000 pounds of resident trout and kokanee for stocking into Banks Lake and other northeastern Washington Lakes. Fund operation and maintenance cost for rearing these fish.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Appropriate Tribes
10.8B.25 Plan, engineer, design, construct, operate and maintain improvements to the Department's Phalon Lake wild rainbow trout trapping facility. These improvements will allow the continuation and possible expansion of the Kettle River wild rainbow stocking program into other upper Columbia River Basin waters.
Bonneville
10.8B.26 Fund a cooperative project among the Confederated Colville Tribes, Kalispel Tribe, Spokane Tribe, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess stock status of resident fish species and associated habitats in the areas above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams.
- Phase I. Assess existing data and develop a database, identify data gaps and develop standardized data collection methodologies.
- Phase II. Conduct field sampling to gather the needed data, assess data and identify management, protection and recovery efforts.
- Phase III. Implement management, protection, recovery, monitoring and evaluation.
10.8C Resident Fish Substitution Projects Above Hells Canyon Dam
The following resident fish substitution activities and projects in the blocked area above Hells Canyon Dam will partially mitigate for salmon and steelhead losses incurred in this blocked area as a result of the construction and operation of hydropower projects in the Columbia River Basin.
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes
10.8C.1 Annually stock catchable and fingerling trout of the appropriate stocks in Duck Valley Indian Reservation lakes and streams.
10.8C.2 Review Duck Valley Indian Reservation surface water and groundwater suitability for resident fish production facilities. Initiate a comprehensive genetic sampling program of the redband trout in Owyhee Basin. Based on results of these studies, develop and implement strategies to protect wild redband trout populations from potential impacts caused by hatchery programs.
10.8C.3 Evaluate alternative sources of catchable and fingerling resident fish.
10.8C.4 Analyze feasibility of developing an additional lake fishery at Coyote Sink. Submit feasibility study with recommendations to the Council. Implement upon Council approval of recommendations.
10.8C.5 Implement, monitor and evaluate resident fish habitat improvement and protection measures at the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Include the following habitat protection and improvement measures: 1) management recommendations for reservoir pool levels; 2) reservoir rehabilitation measures for non-game fish and aquatic vegetation control; 3) reservoir inlet and outlet screening; 4) improvement of recreational fishing sites; 5) stream riparian zone restoration by planting vegetation, fencing overgrazed areas and stream bank stabilization; and 6) base-line water quality survey to assess contaminants that may affect trout populations.
10.8C.6 Acquire or construct a trout production facility and operate and maintain the facility for the production of trout for stocking on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation and elsewhere. Assess opportunities for joint production strategies with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, including the training of tribal members in fish culture.
Bonneville
10.8C.7 Fund the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe projects listed above.
Bonneville, Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho Power Company, Fish and Wildlife Managers
10.8C.8 In cooperation with other relevant entities as listed in Section 3.1D, develop and implement the subregional process for the area above Hells Canyon Dam. Immediately meet to identify an approach for developing the subregional process, and identify funding responsibilities for developing the process. The process will identify funding commitments for additional resident fish substitution projects by Bonneville, by Idaho Power Company through hydropower project relicensing activities, by the Bureau of Reclamation through operation and management responsibilities, as well as by other appropriate parties. Additional resident fish substitution projects may include propagation and release of kokanee and coho stocks into Lucky Peak and Cascade reservoirs. Include in this process the development of a comprehensive approach to coordinating anadromous fish, resident fish and wildlife activities. Submit to the Council by December 31, 1994.
10.8D Resident Fish Substitution Projects Above Dworshak Dam
Bonneville
10.8D.1 Fund the following resident fish substitution actions in the blocked area above Dworshak Dam to mitigate partially for salmon and steelhead losses incurred as a result of the construction and operation of hydropower projects in the Columbia River Basin.
Nez Perce Tribe
10.8D.2 Develop, maintain and manage trout ponds within the Nez Perce Indian Reservation including: 1) physically improve, maintain, monitor and stock two existing trout ponds; 2) identify through site inventory and analysis additional sites suitable for fish pond construction; 3) construct six to 12 additional fish ponds, depending on availability of suitable sites; and 4) maintain, monitor and stock the additional fish ponds.
10.8E Resident Fish Substitution Projects Above Pelton Dam
Bonneville and Portland General Electric Company
10.8E.1 Fund resident fish substitution projects above Pelton Dam on an equal-share basis. These projects will partially mitigate for salmon and steelhead losses in this blocked area as a result of the construction and operation of hydropower projects in the Columbia River Basin.
Warm Springs Tribe
10.8E.2 Determine how the crayfish population in Lake Billy Chinook fits into the altered ecosystem. Include specific objectives of determining sex, size composition, growth rate and size at maturity of the crayfish population; size, relative abundance, and seasonal movement of the crayfish population; potential availability as a significant food item, especially for bull trout; and management recommendations.