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Contract 63531: 2008-116-00 EXP WHITE STURGEON ENHANCEMENT
Project Number:
Title:
White Sturgeon Enhancement
BPA PM:
Stage:
Implementation
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Intermountain Columbia Upper 100.00%
Contract Number:
63531
Contract Title:
2008-116-00 EXP WHITE STURGEON ENHANCEMENT
Contract Continuation:
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58656: 2008-116-00 EXP WHITE STURGEON ENHANCEMENT
  • 67010: 2008-116-00 EXP WHITE STURGEON ENHANCEMENT
Contract Status:
Closed
Contract Description:
White sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus, like many sturgeon species worldwide, have suffered declines in abundance and distribution. The subpopulation of white sturgeon in the upper Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam is classified as Critically Endangered (CE) by the IUCN and listed as endangered under the Canadian Species At Risk Act (SARA) due to persistent recruitment failure. Recruitment failure in the upper Columbia River between Grand Coulee and Hugh Keenleyside dams (the Transboundary Reach) white sturgeon population was first documented during studies conducted in the early 1990’s in the Canadian portion of the Reach (the Keenleyside Reach). Similar results were obtained in 1998 in the Washington portion of the Reach (the Roosevelt Reach). In response to increasing concerns over the threat of extinction, the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative (UCWSRI) was formed in 2000. The UCWSRI is an international organization with members f... rom state, provincial, and federal fisheries agencies, Canadian First Nations, U.S. Tribes, and industry stakeholders in British Columbia and Washington State. The Initiative produced an Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Plan (UCWSRP) that is compatible with the ESA and SARA legislation. The goal of the UCWSRI, as defined in the UCWSRP, “is to ensure the persistence and viability of naturally reproducing populations of white sturgeon in the upper Columbia River and restore opportunities for beneficial use if feasible.”

The White Sturgeon Enhancement Project (WSEP) is a new project that was identified in the 2008 Fish Accords Memorandum of Agreement between the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) and the FCRPS Action Agencies. The project is intended to complement the existing recovery effort by addressing factors limiting recruitment of white sturgeon in the Transboundary Reach. This will be achieved by implementing the UCWSRP in direct coordination with the UCWSRI partners and Lake Roosevelt Co-Managers. Thus, the project goal is that of the UCRWSRI (above). The project specific objectives are consistent with the short- and medium-term objectives in the UCWSRP. The CCT WSEP objectives are to 1) monitor the status and trend of the Transboundary Reach white sturgeon population, and 2) identify factors limiting natural recruitment of white sturgeon in the Transboundary Reach.

Objective 1 - Monitor Population Status
Objective 1 is consistent with the UCWSRP short-term objective to assess the population status of white sturgeon in the Transboundary Reach. Population status and trend monitoring, and associated database management, are considered core components of the recovery effort. In 2013, the CCT, under this project, will supply a boat and crew to support the population monitoring efforts that will be led by the Spokane Tribe’s Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Recovery Project (1995-027-00) in Washington and by BC Hydro in British Columbia. Population monitoring will consist of setline stock assessment surveys to estimate abundance, growth, and condition, as well as fall sub-yearling gill net surveys to monitor for natural recruitment.

The historic, current, and future work related to Transboundary Reach white sturgeon has generated, and will generate, a substantial amount of data. There is a need for an integrated UCWSRI relational database management system that encompasses data collected by all of the UCWSRI partners to assist with research, monitoring, and management activities. In 2013, the CCT WSEP will subcontract and lead (i.e. request for proposal [RFP] development, contracting, facilitation) the development and maintenance of the UCWSRI database management system. The UCWSRI database could form the framework for a Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Data Management System such as that developed for pallid and shovelnose S. platorynchus sturgeon activities in the Missouri River system – the Sturgeon Information Management System (SIMS).

Objective 2 - Identify Factors Limiting Recruitment
Objective 2 is a component of the UCWSRI Recovery Plan's set of medium-term objectives and seeks to determine survival limitations (bottlenecks) acting on remaining supportable populations and establish feasible response measures. The bulk of sturgeon larvae produced in any given year emerge from the substrate to begin feeding in the upper river-reservoir transition zone of the Roosevelt Reach during July. The timing of larval emergence generally coincides with rapidly declining river discharge and reservoir refill - factors that collectively may limit downstream dispersal. Sampling efforts to date indicate that larvae are not found downstream of the transition zone. Conditions in the transition zone are apparently not conducive to survival as evidenced by lack of subyearling captures during fall gill net surveys. However, limited recruitment does occur in years- most recently 1997 - when very high river discharge (>5,663 m3 s-1) coincides with emergence of first feeding larvae. This suggests dispersal may be a primary mechanism influencing survival and indicates that suitable rearing habitat may exist in areas downstream from the river-reservoir interface.

In order to evaluate the larval transport/habitat mis-match hypothesis, the CCT and subcontractors will conduct hydrographic surveys of the upper Roosevelt Reach to characterize bathymetry and substrate typology in 2013. The habitat characterization results will form the foundation for future habitat modeling work to be completed under this project.

In addition to habitat modeling exercises, we will investigate the larval transport/habitat mis-match hypothesis empirically by conducting paired larval release experiments to compare relative survival to fall subyearling and fall yearling ages between release locations. This work will be contingent upon the CCT obtaining non-Federal funds to purchase and mark the larval sturgeon. If non-Federal funding is secured, experimental fish will be released into areas where naturally produced fish are known to be present each year (China Bend) and into areas further downstream in the upper reservoir where sampling efforts to date have indicated larvae are absent. The relative survival of release groups at subyearling and yearling ages will be evaluated from catch in fall gill net surveys.
  
Account Type(s):
Expense
Contract Start Date:
12/01/2013
Contract End Date:
11/30/2014
Current Contract Value:
$631,576
Expenditures:
$631,576

* Expenditures data includes accruals and are based on data through 28-Feb-2025.

BPA COR:
Env. Compliance Lead:
Contract Contractor:
Work Order Task(s):
Contract Type:
Contract (IGC)
Pricing Method:
Cost Reimbursement (CNF)
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Viewing 14 of 14 Work Statement Elements
Sort Order
WSEV ID
WE ID
Work Element Name
Title
Description
WSE Effective Budget
% of Total WSE Effective Budget
WSE Start
WSE End
A131757165Produce Environmental Compliance DocumentationProduce environmental complianceObtain Federal, Tribal, State, and Local permits necessary to complete the project work elements. Inform BPA environmental compliance officer of all permits.$3,4940.53%12/01/201311/30/2014
B131758119Manage and Administer ProjectsManage and administer the White Sturgeon Enhancement ProjectManage on the ground white sturgeon recovery work for the Colville Confederated Tribes to ensure project work elements and milestones are completed. Prepare scope of work, equipment inventories, and budget for fiscal year 2014 White Sturgeon Enhancement Project work. Prepare September accrual estimates as requested by Bonneville Power Administration.$25,0003.78%12/01/201311/30/2014
C131759157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataStock Assessment (setline)Assist the Spokane Tribe's Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Recovery Project (1995-027-00) with periodic stock assessments intended to estimate the abundance, survival, growth, condition, distribution, and reproductive potential of white sturgeon in the Transboundary Reach. The surveys will be standardized, coordinated, and conducted simultaneously in both the Keenleyside and Roosevelt reaches. Stock assessments will be coordinated through the UCWSRI Technical Working Group. The CCT, under this project, will play a supporting role in the surveys by providing field staff, equipment, and technical advice. CCT participation will increase overall sampling effort and sample sizes leading to improved precision in 1) capture-recapture abundance and survival estimates, and 2) estimates of growth and condition indices. Stock assessment study design, analysis, and implementation will be led by the STOI Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Recovery Project (1995-027-00) in Washington and by BC Hydro in British Columbia. Surveys will employ a spatially balanced, stratified random sampling strategy (general random tessellation stratified [GRTS] design) and standardized setline gear. There will be two capture-recapture occasions: one in the spring and one in the fall. During each survey occasion, approximately 160 overnight setline sets will be completed. All sturgeon will be weighed (kg), measured for fork length (cm), and scute marks and PIT tags will be applied if not already present. PIT tags will be supplied by the Spokane Tribe.$120,00018.16%12/01/201311/30/2014
D131760157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataSub-yearling (juvenile) monitoring (gill netting)The CCT WSEP will assist the Spokane Tribe of Indians' (STOI) Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Recovery Project (1995-027-00) with annual subyearling (recruitment) indexing to estimate recruitment of white sturgeon in the Transboundary Reach to subyearling and yearling juvenile stages. The surveys will be standardized, coordinated, and conducted simultaneously in both the Keenleyside and Roosevelt reaches. The subyearling indexing will be coordinated through the UCWSRI Technical Working Group. The CCT, under this project, will play a supporting role by providing field staff and equipment (one boat and crew), as well as technical advice. CCT participation will increase overall sampling effort and sample sizes. Subyearling indexing study design, analysis, and implementation will be led by the Lake Roosevelt Sturgeon Recovery Project (1995-027-00) in Washington and BC Hydro in British Columbia. The subyearling indexing will employ a spatially balanced, stratified random sampling strategy (general random tessellation stratified [GRTS] design) and standardized gill net gear (benthic gill nets comprised of multifilament nylon web 5.1 cm stretch measure, 91.5 m long [30.5 m panels], 3.7 m deep).$222,22233.64%12/01/201311/30/2014
E131761157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataHydrographic survey (habitat assessment)CCT biologists and technicians, with the oversight of a subcontracted hydrographer, will complete the hydrographic surveys initiated in 2013 to collect river/reservoir bathymetry and bottom substrate type data in the upper portion of the Roosevelt Reach of the Columbia River in Washington (Kettle Falls to the International border). We will use a wide-swath multibeam echosounder (MBES) to collect the bathymetry and substrate information. Substrate classification software will be used to categorize the acoustic backscatter data. Underwater videography will be used to identify and confirm the dominant substrate type within each acoustic category.$13,5002.04%12/01/201311/30/2014
F131762157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataCharacterize river velocities (habitat assessment)Colville Confederated Tribes biologists and technicians will measure river velocity in the upper portion of the Roosevelt Reach of the Columbia River in Washington (Kettle Falls to the International border) during the period when first-feeding larval white sturgeon are dispersing to rearing habitats (June - August). We will use an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) to measure the velocities, and the number and frequency of transects will be determined in coordination with a hydrologist. The velocity data will be used for future hydraulic modeling and characterization of habitats utilized by early life stages of white sturgeon.$7,5001.14%12/01/201311/30/2014
G131763160Create/Manage/Maintain DatabaseDevelop and maintain UCWSRI Data Management SystemThe historic, current, and future work related to Transboundary Reach white sturgeon has generated a substantial amount of data. Management of this data is identified as a core component of the UCWSRI. Currently there is a UCWSRI capture database that incorporates data from white sturgeon captures during stock assessment and subyearling gill net surveys. The remainder of the data is managed by individual entities in a series of disparate Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Vemco Vue databases. There is a need for an integrated UCWSRI relational database management system that encompasses data collected by all of the UCWSRI partners to assist with research, monitoring, and management activities. The CCT WSEP will lead (i.e. request for proposal [RFP] development, select subcontractor, contracting, facilitation) the development and maintenance of an integrated UCWSRI data management system, beginning in 2013. The data management system will include capture data from stock assessment surveys (setline, gill netting), early life history data (egg substrates, plankton netting, trawling), as well as aquaculture releases, broodstock spawning matrices, telemetry data (detections), environmental conditions from monitoring, macroinvertebrates, and habitat. Eventually, it will have a web-based interface for data upload, query, and download, QA/QC features, customized reporting tools, and tiered levels of access. The database management system will have the flexibility to be linked or provide customized exports to other database efforts in the Columbia Basin, such as the Colville Tribes Resident Fish Database (1995-011-00), PTAGIS (1990-080-00), the Upper Columbia Resident Fish Stock Status Above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams Database (1997-004-00), and Hydra. It will also have a component that facilitates public access to some data, such as for school children to search for data related the sturgeon they released at one of the release events and data collected via BPA funded projects. We will develop a subcommittee of interested UCWSRI partners to participate in the design phase. We expect that the data management system development will occur in phases over two or three years. In 2013, we developed and advertised an RFP, selected and hired a subcontractor, facilitated a UCWSRI subcommittee to assist with initial design, and the subcontractor built the data management system structure under the direction of the CCT and the UCWSRI database subcommittee. In 2014, our subcontractor, under the direction of the CCT and the UCWSRI database subcommittee, will complete database development, develop a data approval process, develop queries, exporting and importing tools, develop tiered security, populate the database with historical data, develop custom reports, produce a user's manual, and provide training to appropriate users. The UCWSRI database could form the framework for a Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Data Management System. A model basinwide data management system has been developed for pallid and shovelnose S. platorynchus sturgeon research, monitoring, evaluation, and aquaculture activities in the Missouri River system – the Sturgeon Information Management System (SIMS) (DeLonay et al. 2010). The SIMS provides “a robust platform for data collection, integration, maintenance, analysis, visualization, and distribution.” A similar data management system would benefit efforts to manage and conserve white sturgeon in the Columbia Basin. We propose to utilize the development of the UCWSRI database as the initial step in development of a Columbia Basin SIMS. We will work with the USGS, BPA Fish and Wildlife staff, and within the White Sturgeon Comprehensive Plan (Columbia Basinwide Management Framework) process to acquire input and participation from other researchers and managers working with white sturgeon, in an attempt to create a system that will meet the needs of users Basinwide.$110,00016.65%12/01/201311/30/2014
H131764161Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and ResultsProvide summary data to the UCWSRI TWG and other sturgeon researchers/managersWhite Sturgeon Enhancement Project staff (CCT), Lake Roosevelt White Sturgeon Recovery Project staff (STOI), and Canadian researchers are working cooperatively to assess and recover white sturgeon populations in the transboundary reach of Lake Roosevelt and the Upper Columbia River. White Sturgeon Enhancement Project staff (CCT) will disseminate raw/summary data on white sturgeon populations and potential limiting factors to collaborators as needed to facilitate recovery of transboundary reach white sturgeon. Will also include presentations at professional meetings.$99,29215.03%12/01/201311/30/2014
I131765162Analyze/Interpret DataBathymetric and sediment facies mappingHydrographic software will be used to post-process the MBES acoustic data to develop a digital terrain model (DTM; bathymetry).The MBES backsactter data will be analyzed using substrate classification software to develop the acoustic classes. The images collected from the underwater videography will be analyzed using image analysis software to assign substrate size to each acoustic class in the substrate classification software. All of the data will be geospatially referenced and exported to a GIS software program. The bathymetry and sediment facies maps will be developed in GIS.$1,5000.23%12/01/201311/30/2014
J131766162Analyze/Interpret DataEvaluate survival of larval sturgeon release groupsThe bulk of sturgeon larvae produced in the Transboundary Reach during any given year emerge from the substrate to begin feeding in the upper Roosevelt Reach (river-reservoir transition zone) during July. The timing of emergence generally coincides with rapidly declining river discharge and reservoir refill - factors that collectively may limit downstream dispersal. Sampling efforts to date confirm larvae are not found downstream of the river-reservoir transition zone. Conditions in the transition zone are apparently not conducive to survival as evidenced by lack of subyearling or yearling captures during fall gill net surveys. However, detectable recruitment does occur in some years - most recently 1997 - when very high river discharge (>5,663 m3 s-1) coincides with emergence of first feeding larvae. This suggests dispersal may be a primary mechanism influencing survival and recruitment. This also indicates that suitable rearing habitat may exist in areas downstream from the river-reservoir interface. We will investigate the larval transport/habitat mis-match hypothesis empirically by conducting paired larval release experiments. We will compare the relative survival of larvae released at two locations to the fall subyearling and fall yearling stages between two release locations: 1) the upper reaches of the river-reservoir transition zone (most likely the China Bend area) where naturally produced fish are known to be present each year (China Bend) and 2) in the upper reservoir (Kettle Falls area) where sampling efforts to date have indicated larvae are absent. This work is dependent on the CCT obtaining non-Federal funds for the purchase, marking, and release of the larvae. The relative survival of release groups to subyearling and yearling ages will be evaluated from catch (catch rate [CPUE] and proportion positive catch [Ep]) in fall gill net surveys. We will subcontract a statistician for assistance with analysis.$1,5000.23%12/01/201311/30/2014
K131767122Provide Technical Review and RecommendationProvide Technical Review for other UCWSRI projects and reportsReview project proposals and reports through the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative (UCWSRI) Technical Working Group (TWG).$32,5354.92%12/01/201311/30/2014
L131768132Produce Progress (Annual) ReportSubmit Progress Report for the period Mar 2012 to Nov 2013The progress report summarizes the project goal, objectives, hypotheses, completed and uncompleted deliverables, problems encountered, lessons learned, and long-term planning. Examples of long-term planning include future improvements, new directions, or level of effort for contract implementation, including any ramping up or ramping down of contract components or of the project as a whole. Progress reports must conform to BPA guidelines. See the ''formatting guidelines'' link at the Technical Reports and Publications page: https://www.cbfish.org/Help.mvc/GuidanceDocuments. If producing a technical report for this contract, a discrete experiment, or a peer-reviewed publication, use work element 183: Produce Journal Article.$8,0001.21%12/01/201311/30/2014
M131769189Coordination-Columbia BasinwideParticipate in Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Management Process and UCWSRI Recovery PlanningParticipate in the Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Management Framework process by attending the annual Columbia Basin Sturgeon Management meeting, also known as the Boardman meetings.$9,5001.44%12/01/201311/30/2014
N131770185Produce CBFish Status ReportPeriodic Status Reports for BPAThe Contractor shall report on the status of milestones and deliverables in Pisces. Reports shall be completed either monthly or quarterly as determined by the BPA COTR. Additionally, when indicating a deliverable milestone as COMPLETE, the contractor shall provide metrics and the final location (latitude and longitude) prior to submitting the report to the BPA COTR.$6,6191.00%04/01/201411/30/2014
      
$660,662
   

Deliverable Title WSE Sort Letter, Number, Title Start End Concluded
Environmental compliance A: 165. Produce environmental compliance 11/30/2014 11/30/2014
Funding Package Submitted B: 119. Manage and administer the White Sturgeon Enhancement Project 11/30/2014 11/30/2014
Juvenile, subadult, and adult sturgeon catch and biological data for analysis C: 157. Stock Assessment (setline) 10/15/2014 10/15/2014
Subyearling (juvenile) catch and biological data for analysis D: 157. Sub-yearling (juvenile) monitoring (gill netting) 11/30/2014 11/30/2014
Multibeam, backscatter, and video data for bathymetry and sediment facies maps E: 157. Hydrographic survey (habitat assessment) 11/30/2014
Water velocities for the upper Columbia River - June - August F: 157. Characterize river velocities (habitat assessment) 11/30/2014
Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative Database Management System G: 160. Develop and maintain UCWSRI Data Management System 10/31/2014 11/30/2014
Distribute data and results amongst white sturgeon recovery collaborators and the UCWSRI H: 161. Provide summary data to the UCWSRI TWG and other sturgeon researchers/managers 11/30/2014 11/30/2014
Bathymetry and sediment facies maps of the upper Roosevelt Reach in WA I: 162. Bathymetric and sediment facies mapping 11/23/2014
Relative survival of experimental release groups J: 162. Evaluate survival of larval sturgeon release groups 11/30/2014
Review project proposals and reports pertaining to upper Columbia sturgeon recovery efforts K: 122. Provide Technical Review for other UCWSRI projects and reports 11/30/2014 11/30/2014
Attach Progress Report in Pisces L: 132. Submit Progress Report for the period Mar 2012 to Nov 2013 11/30/2014
Participation in the annual Columbia Basin Sturgeon Management meeting and UCWSRI Recovery Pla M: 189. Participate in Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Management Process and UCWSRI Recovery Planning 11/30/2014

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Primary Focal Species Work Statement Elements
Sturgeon, White (A. transmontanus) - Lower Columbia River
  • 3 instances of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Sturgeon, White (Acipenser transmontanus) - All Populations except Kootenai R. DPS
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data

Sort WE ID WE Title NEPA NOAA USFWS NHPA Has Provisions Inadvertent Discovery Completed
A 165 Produce environmental compliance 12/01/2013
B 119 Manage and administer the White Sturgeon Enhancement Project 12/01/2013
C 157 Stock Assessment (setline) 09/20/2013
D 157 Sub-yearling (juvenile) monitoring (gill netting) 09/20/2013
E 157 Hydrographic survey (habitat assessment) 09/20/2013
F 157 Characterize river velocities (habitat assessment) 09/20/2013
G 160 Develop and maintain UCWSRI Data Management System 12/01/2013
H 161 Provide summary data to the UCWSRI TWG and other sturgeon researchers/managers 12/01/2013
I 162 Bathymetric and sediment facies mapping 12/01/2013
J 162 Evaluate survival of larval sturgeon release groups 12/01/2013
K 122 Provide Technical Review for other UCWSRI projects and reports 12/01/2013
L 132 Submit Progress Report for the period Mar 2012 to Nov 2013 12/01/2013
M 189 Participate in Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Management Process and UCWSRI Recovery Planning 12/01/2013
N 185 Periodic Status Reports for BPA 12/01/2013