This contract provides funding to expand BPA project # 2010-034-00 into the Okanogan subbasin to complete coverage of the entire Upper Columbia ESU for summer steelhead. The master project is part of a unique, well coordinated,  and standardized group of monitoring and evaluation program(s) that exist in the Upper Columbia River Basin.  Monitoring and evaluation programs are funded by a combination of  federal (BPA, BOR, USFWS), State, Tribal, and regional (PUDs) entities.  While all these various programs contribute data to estimate VSP parameters for spring Chinook and summer steelhead, these programs also share common deficiencies related to precision and accuracy of the abundance estimates.  Existing M & E activities combined with recent advances in PIT tag technology provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the data generated in order to make proper management decisions concerning ESA listed species.  The overall objectives of the project are to: 1) evaluate precision and accuracy of the smolt monitoring methodology for both steelhead and spring Chinook , 2) estimate the proportion of hatchery steelhead in each primary population, 3) estimate the precision of redd counts for both steelhead and spring Chinook and 4) evaluate the accuracy of the steelhead spawning ground survey design.  This contract provides operations and maintenance support to the Colville Tribes that supports basin wide PIT tag integration infrastructure used for a multitude of monitoring and evaluation efforts.  These tasks address in part or fully the critical uncertainties identified under Supplementation in the Columbia River Basin Research Plan (2006-03) and steelhead population characteristics (abundance, productivity, and ratio of hatchery fish) under the Fish and Wildlife Program.  Additionally, all of the studies in this proposal are directly consistent with RPAs for the FCRPS BiOp.  In summary, the umbrella project seeks to build on the existing programs in all the subbasins while this contract focuses on supporting the PIT tagging efforts specific to the Okanogan River basin. This contract provides information and equipment needed for long term monitoring of VSP parameters with a known level of accuracy and precision of the Okanogan subbasins summer steelhead population that link directly to a subset of tasks contained in the umbrella project (i.e. PIT-tag array deployment and development of precision and accuracy estimates, validation of summer steelhead redd survey methodology, and potentially a more viable why to enumerate adult steelhead returns under all environmental conditions).

Prior to this project only one intermittent PIT tag array existed in the Okanogan River basin on Omak Creek. With the funding from this project the Colville Tribes have partnered with WDFW and BPA to embark upon creating a basin wide network of PIT-tag interrogation sites throughout the Okanogan River basin numbering close to 30 when the goal is fully realized. This contract supports installation and ongoing O&M for these sites. To date, we have installed a total of 7 permanent sites (6 under this contract and 1 under other funding). These sites are used to enumerate both adult returns and juvenile out-migrants on perennial streams. Another 13 total (11 under this project and 2 from another funding source) temporary integration sites are constructed and operated seasonally  (See progress toward goal spread sheet attached). In 2013 we plan to upgrade two temporary sites to permanent status at Tunk and Johnson Creeks plus add 1 new permanent main-stem array below the HWY 97 bridge near Oroville on the mainstem Okanogan River provided addition dollars for equipment can be secured from other sources (Approximately 40K short at present). The two upgraded temporary arrays and one new temporary array will be relocated to Whitestone, upper Ninemile Creek, and Foster Creek with ongoing O&M at all remaining sites.

WDFW will be the research lead for the project and will conduct all the analysis and complete research reports, obtain all necessary environmental compliance permits under CR-234539 for the project which includes CR-234539. Andrew Murdoch will be the point of contact for WDFW.  Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) will be the primary contractor array installation, operation, and maintenance of sites located within the Okanogan Basin.  John Arterburn is the point of contact for the CCT.

BiOp reporting for this contract will be covered under CR# 234539 2010-034-00 EXP UPPER COLUMBIA SPRING CHINOOK, by Andrew Murdoch of the WDFW.