Project #2003-017-00 (Project) seeks to develop two novel monitoring and evaluation programs: (i) subbasin-scale pilot status and trend monitoring efforts for anadromous salmonids and their habitat in the Wenatchee, John Day and South Fork Salmon River subbasins, and (ii) effectiveness monitoring for suites of habitat restoration projects in selected watersheds within the three target subbasins.  This work – critical for implementing the 2000 NMFS FCRPS Biological Opinion (RPA Actions 180, 181, and 183) (BiOp) – builds on current status and trend monitoring programs within each of these subbasins.  Several regional and local organizations are funding and implementing these programs.  In short, this project will integrate existing and new monitoring and evaluation activities in three pilot subbasins to help ensure that provisions of the BiOp are satisfied.

This contract is one of several contracts that will implement this project.  The FINAL REPORT for this contract will contain data that will 1) be submitted to NOAA FISHERIES (also a contractor under this project) for use in a  project level integrated Annual Report and 2) be submitted to BPA as a contract final report according to the terms of this contract.

This Scope of Work (SOW) will enable the Bonneville Power Administration (Bonneville) to implement the Project in the Wenatchee Subbasin with the objectives of (1) quantifying the number of adult steelhead redds, (2) spring Chinook salmon and steelhead smolt production, and (3) estimating life history parameters of spring Chinook and steelhead.  Specifically, within this SOW, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will achieve these objectives by 1) estimate the total number of steelhead redds in selected streams within the Wenatchee Subbasin by conducting index spawning ground counts, 2) estimate the smolt production of spring Chinook salmon and steelhead for the Wenatchee Subbasin and will 3) capture juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead in natal summer rearing areas that will subsequently be PIT tagged by Chelan County PUD.  

Technical methodologies for all work conducted under this SOW will follow protocols specified in the following document unless Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team and WDFW mutually agree to changes to these methodologies:

Hillman, T.W.  2006.  Monitoring strategy for the Upper Columbia Basin: Draft report July, 2006.  Prepared for Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team, Wenatchee, Washington.
Tussing, S. A Field Manual of Scientific Protocols for Downstream Trapping of Migrants within the Upper Columbia Monitoring Strategy.
Nelle, P.  A Field Manual of Scientific Protocols for Capture, Handling, and Tagging of Wild Salmonids in the Upper Columbia River Basin using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags within the Upper Columbia Monitoring Strategy
Nelle, R.D.,  and J.M. Moberg 2008.  A Field Manual of Scientific Protocols for Steelhead Redd Surveys within the Upper Columbia Monitoring Strategy