Walla Walla Basin Natural Production
Monitoring and Evaluation Project



Project Number 2000-039-00

2005 Statement of Work
(January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005)









Prepared by:

Tribal Fisheries Program
Department of Natural Resources
Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Indian Reservation
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, Oregon 97801


Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
Division of Fish and Wildlife
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97283-3621



December 30, 2004




CTUIR Administrative Summary:

Project Headquarters:
Department of Natural Resources
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR  97801

Administrative Contacts:
Michelle Thompson, Manager/Administrative Operations
Phone:  541 966-2323
E-mail: michellethompson@ctuir.com
Fax: 541 276-3317

Julie Burke, Fish and Wildlife Administrative Manager
Phone: 541 966-2372
E-mail: julieburke@ctuir.com
Fax: 541 966-2397

Technical Contact:
Gary James, Fisheries Program Manager
Phone: 541 966-2371
E-mail: garyjames@ctuir.com
Fax: 541 966-2397

Project Supervision:
Craig R. Contor
Monitoring and Evaluation Program Supervisor
Phone: 541 966-2377
E-mail: craigcontor@ctuir.com
Fax: 541 276-4348

Project Leader:
Dr. Jesse Schwartz
Monitoring and Evaluation Project Leader
Phone: 541 966-2380
E-mail: jesseschwartz@ctuir.com
Fax: 541 276-4348

Assistant Project Leader:
Brian Mahoney
Assistant Project Leader
Phone: 541 938-5785
E-Mail brianmahoney40@hotmail.com

Project Goals
Our primary goal is to provide information to tribal, state and federal fisheries managers by monitoring the status and trends in the abundance, distribution, movement and survival of bull trout, summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon during adult migration, spawning, rearing and juvenile migration in the Walla Walla River Drainage and evaluate these trends in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors.  Other project goals include coordination and cooperation with other restoration and monitoring projects and assisting in fish salvage efforts and other activities when conditions dictate.

Background
In the Walla Walla River Basin, natural production evaluations began in 1998 with water temperature monitoring.  In 1999 and 2000, work also included some steelhead spawning surveys, steelhead genetic sampling and salmonid abundance surveys using electrofishing techniques.  We monitored the spawning activities of adult spring Chinook salmon that were out-planted in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  In FY2001, the radio telemetry project began tracking the movements of steelhead and bull trout past potential migration barriers and into spawning areas.  Smolt out-migration evaluations also began in the fall of 2001 for summer steelhead and the progeny of the adult spring Chinook salmon out-planted in 2000.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has similar restoration goals and objectives for the Walla Walla River Basin as developed for the Umatilla River Basin.  Both basins have experienced similar anthropogenic impacts and loss of anadromous salmonids.  Salmon were extirpated by agricultural development in the basin in the 1900's.  The most notable events were the construction and operation of irrigation projects.  Restoration efforts in the Walla Walla Basin have or may include improving flows, enhancing adult and juvenile salmonid passage facilities, rehabilitating habitat, restoring spring Chinook salmon, and supplementing steelhead.  The Walla Walla Subbasin Summary (James et al. 2001) includes CTUIR's goals for salmon and steelhead adult returns (Table 2).

Table 2. Current natural and artificial production goals for each side of the Walla Walla River Basin as established by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Species/Location Hatchery Production Natural Production Total
Adult Spring Chinook, Oregon SideAdult Spring Chinook, Washington SideAdult Summer Steelhead, Oregon SideAdult Summer Steelhead, Washington Side 2,500Undetermined1,0001,600 3,000Undetermined15001,500 5,500 2,500 3,100
Total 11,100+

The natural production monitoring and evaluation project in the Walla Walla Basin assesses the status and distribution of salmonids in the basin.  CTUIR efforts are coordinated with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Army Corps of Engineers (ACE),  U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council (WWBWC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and a number of other public and private groups.  To maximize coordination and efficiency, WDFW researchers centered in Dayton Washington conduct most of their research in the Touchet River, the Walla Walla River and other tributaries in the state of Washington.  CTUIR's efforts (this project) are located primarily in the Oregon portion of the Walla Walla River Basin.  CTUIR does conduct some M&E work in the lower Walla Walla and in the Touchet Basin occasionally.  The majority of this work is associated with Rainwater Ranch Property managed by CTUIR.  We also coordinate with the WWBWC and the irrigators for monitoring and salvage operations associated with irrigation diversions.  Information we collect is establishing a baseline for trend data and aides managers planning restoration projects.

We will conduct basic monitoring to maintain trend data for escapement, spawning and survival through 2005 using existing techniques.  This strategy will be modified as needed upon completion and review of the Walla Walla Basin Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Subbasin Plan documents and independent reviews.  We will also continue to summarize, analyze, and evaluate data collected to date and will work with researchers and managers and to prioritize critical data needs and uncertainties.

The Walla Walla RM&E program has been influenced by the newer political and regulatory climate of fisheries management in the Pacific Northwest.  We work with managers, funding agencies, regulatory agencies and others to prioritize RM&E needs so that the RM&E program can provide the most critical information with available resources.  The current focus, scope of work, and fiscal resources associated with Walla Walla RM&E activities was reviewed in 2004 by the ISRP, NPPC, and BPA in the form of a Walla Walla Comprehensive Salmonid RM&E Plan, the and Walla Walla Subbasin plans.  It is expected that sometime in 2005 this project will receive direction for a revision of scope and statement of work, and an expansion of activities to more effectively address critical uncertainties based on the review of these planning documents.  A revised statement of work will be developed in 2005 and submitted to BPA to accurately reflect these new directions, and to satisfy new statement of work format requirements.  This current statement of work does not reflect the objectives put forth in the draft RM&E plan, or the salmonid RM&E requirements stated in the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan.

Location of Project
CTUIR will conduct this research project throughout Walla Walla Basin in coordination with ODFW and WDFW.  The field biologists and technicians will work out of the field office at the South Fork Walla Walla Hatchery.  CTUIR will provide oversight and administration from the Tribal Offices near Pendleton, Oregon.

BPA Furnished Property or Services
BPA will furnish 6000 PIT tags during 2005

Work to be Performed

Project Phase
Monitoring and Evaluation