BPA Project Number:  1994-054-00
BPA Project Title: Migratory Patterns, Population Structure, Abundance, and Status of Bull Trout in the Columbia Plateau and Blue Mountain Provinces.

Old Contract Number:  22664

Performance/Budget Period: 1 March 2006- 28 February 2007

This statement of work describes ongoing activities to be conducted in portions of the Columbia Plateau and Blue Mountain provinces by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  within Project 199405400, formerly titled "Bull trout life history, genetics, habitat needs, and limiting factors in central and northeast Oregon."  Activities described in this work statement will be implemented in the Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla subbasins of the Columbia Plateau Province, and the Grande Ronde subbasin of the Blue Mountain Province.

PROJECT GOALS:  
1. Provide scientific information needed to develop and modify  protection and recovery plans for threatened stocks of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Columbia River Basin.
2. Implement a program to monitor the population status of bull trout in the Columbia Plateau Province.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. Estimate the abundance of migratory and resident adult bull trout in Mill Creek, a tributary to the Walla Walla River, and compare this abundance to counts of redds.  Completion by 01 March 2006.
2. Determine the seasonal movements of fluvial bull trout of the Lostine River.  Completion by 01 March 2006.
3. Determine the seasonal movements of sub-adult and adult fluvial bull trout in Mill Creek, a tributary to the Walla Walla River.  Completion by 01 March 2006.
4. Determine the spatial distribution of bull trout redds in the John Day Basin and evaluate various statistical sampling designs.  Completion by 01 March 2006.
5. Analyze and synthesize results of this project.  Communicate findings in scientific journal publications or summary reports.