For the 2014 Expanded & Multispecies Acclimation (EMSA) contracting period, YN will focus on a limited scope of work as for acclimated release groups within the Methow only.  Due to site restrictions within the Mid-Columbia Coho Reintroduction Program (MCCRP), the Rohlfing's site will not be available for co-mingling steelhead with coho.  The Methow will continue to release spring Chinook, as a part of the DCPUD/GCPUD's mitigation for Methow spring Chinook at the Mid-Valley Pond site, located approximately 5 miles upstream from the Methow FH.  This will be the second year of use and intended to distribute spring Chinook production further upstream to alleviate spawner densities issues currently documented within this program.  The intent here is to continue to gain valuable information regarding potential benefits, both biologically and from a cost perspective, of maximizing limited rearing space within the Upper Columbia (UC) region. The treatment group will have comparable controlled release from Methow SFH.  Some of the performance metrics identified as part of YN's evaluation would be in-pond survival, release-to-McNary survival, and overall release timing/condition for each species.

In addition to the on-the-ground activities, YN will be pursuing multiple site developments in both the Wenatchee and Methow for long-term implementation once the data has been summarized and accepted within the co-managers.  Initial reporting of results have been positive and this long-term implementation for both spring Chinook and steelhead would be consistent with future HGMPs as well as long-term implementation of recalculated release/production goals through mitigation discussions.  Examples of these sites would be on the Chewuch, Upper Methow, and in Nason Creek.  Sites have been propose and located for additional evaluations to include one on upper Nason Creek (Powerline site) and upper Methow (Early Winters site).  Other sites in the queue for future consideration will be vetted in future contracting processing (could include Trinity, Gold Creek Ponds and Chewuch AP).