Version and Date: Version 3;   4 March 2005  FINAL
Wind River Watershed Project
Statement of Work and Budget FY2005

BPA Project Number:  1998-019-00
BPA Project Title:  Wind River Watershed
Contract Number:  New (old=00004973)
Contract Title: Wind River Watershed
Performance/Budget Period:  04/01/05 -- 03/31/06

Technical Contact Name: Patrick J. Connolly, Ph.D.
Technical Contact Title: Lead Research Fish Biologist; Principal Investigator
US Geological Survey; Columbia River Research Laboratory
5501A Cook-Underwood Road
Cook, WA 98605-9717
Phone: 509-538-2299 x269;  FAX: 509-538-2843
patrick_connolly@usgs.gov

Contracting Contact Name:  Michele Beeman
Contracting Contact Title: Administrative Contact
US Geological Survey; Columbia River Research Laboratory
5501A Cook-Underwood Road
Cook, WA 98605-9717
Phone: 509-538-2299 x221;  FAX: 509-538-2843
michele_beeman@usgs.gov

Financial Contact Name: Michele Beeman
Financial Contact Title:  Administrative Contact
US Geological Survey; Columbia River Research Laboratory
5501A Cook-Underwood Road
Cook, WA 98605-9717
Phone: 509-538-2299 x221;  FAX: 509-538-2843
michele_beeman@usgs.gov

Below are the objectives and tasks relavent to USGS's CRRL portion of the Wind River Watershed Restoration Project for FY2005 funding.  The objectives and tasks are exactly as stated in the original proposal for FY2001-2003 funding submitted to BPA in April 2000 (Columbia Gorge Province).

Personnel from the Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL) of the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center (USGS-WFRC) have had a primary role in guiding efforts to restore steelhead to the Wind River subbasin.  Since its initiation, this project has been a highly collaborative, multi-agency effort, including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Underwood Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Yakama Nation.  Consistent with the mission of the CRRL, the role USGS personnel have served has included research, evaluation, and monitoring of the steelhead populations in the subbasin.  To date we have concentrated much of our efforts on the parr stage of the steelhead life history.  We have also been collecting and generating information to help fisheries managers understand the factors that contribute to steelhead production.  Our lab has had individuals serve as members of the Wind River Restoration Team since 1994 and on the Technical Advisory Committee to the Wind River Watershed Council since its inception.

OBJ-1.  (Coordination) Coordinate watershed stakeholders in order to guide the implementation of watershed restoration actions that are consistent with stakeholder objectives. [UCD lead; participation by USFS, USGS, WDFW]

Task 1-b.  Facilitate quarterly meetings and operations of the Wind River Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) (Coordinated by UCD; participation by USFS, USGS, and WDFW).

OBJ-2.  (Monitoring) Monitor physical habitat conditions and natural production of juvenile, smolt, and adult steelhead in the Wind River subbasin.  [USGS, WDFW, USFS, UCD]

Task 2-a.  Conduct sampling and derive population estimates for juvenile steelhead and other salmonids in a major tributary watershed.  (USGS)

Task 2-b.  Relate density and biomass of juvenile summer steelhead to stream habitat conditions and geomorphological contexts.  (USGS)

OBJ-3.  (Assessment) Use a science based framework to assess the condition of the watershed to determine what factors prevent stakeholder objectives from being met and to prioritize actions that result in meeting those objectives. [USGS, WDFW, USFS, UCD]

Task 3-a.  Update assessment data, revise list of needed projects, and prioritize the list based on value and likely success of desired outcomes.  (USGS, WDFW, USFS, UCD)

Fish Sampling Permits

I.  National Marine Fisheries Service

We currently have a permit to sample Lower Columbia steelhead, which are listed as threatened, in the Wind River that is good through 2006 (Permit no. 1135--modification 1, Section 10).

II.  Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

We have applied for a sampling permit from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) each year of our project.  A permit has not been received as of this writing, but it is anticipated to arrive soon.