The nature and extent of the JDR project capital budget plan may necessarily depend on the nature and extent of planned facilities at the Ringold site and in the Yakima River. Federal funding constraints seem to negatively impact the Ringold/I-182 project and the USACE is so far unable to maintain the project schedule. Because of the numerous delays, the tribes are considering how best to move forward.

JDR Option One: In June 2016, the CRITFC took action to approve an alternative option to release upriver bright fall chinook in the Yakima River. The original plan under Option 1 was to develop the I-182 site for final acclimation and release of fall chinook in the Yakima Basin and capital funds were identified to implement the project. This site is closer to the area of original loss and is upstream of the Treaty fishery in Zone 6, allowing renewed access to lost production. However, complications in developing the I-182 site emerged, leading to the development of an alternative proposal by tribal staffs. The alternative proposal involves re-directing the capital funds associated with the project (about $4.5 million) to upgrades primarily at Prosser Hatchery. The capital funds would pay for six circular tanks and associated infrastructure to accommodate the reprogrammed yearling production.

The alternative proposal remains consistent with the intent of better achieving in-place in-kind mitigation and keeps the release site within the Yakima Basin. Another advantage is the alternative takes advantage and improves existing facilities operated by the Yakama Nation.

In September 2016, CRITFC, BPA, and USACE staff met to begin discussion and coordination for implementation of the alternative proposal. The production of yearlings at Prosser is currently in compliance with ESA, however needs NEPA coverage for construction at the Prosser facility.  In addition, the BPA and USACE staffs will need to establish a memorandum of agreement for the purpose of long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) of the production of upriver brights released at Prosser Hatchery. The environmental compliance timeline will determine the timeline of implementation.

JDR Option Two: The CTWSRO completed a feasibility study to i.) assess the feasibility of rearing a portion or all of the 1.2 m juvenile spring Chinook salmon currently reared at Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) to Schoolie Spring in the upper Warm Springs watershed, and ii.) to determine the feasibility of converting the existing raceway systems at WSNFH to utilize partial water re-use system technology with chillers. This project will provide site and feasibility assessments of Schoolie Springs and WSNFH respectively with options for improving summer rearing of Chinook salmon production in the Warm Springs Basin in a warming climate. Currently, the $150,000 of the Zone 6 Fisheries CRITFC Accord is still available for transfer to continue the CTWSRO work under a direct contract with BPA. However, it is currently unknown if/when that work will move forward.

JDR Option Three: $150,000 of the Zone 6 Fisheries CRITFC Accord was reserved for CTUIR to conduct a feasibility study for production of alternative species (i.e., lamprey, white sturgeon). However, to facilitate cost-savings in negotiation of the next Accord agreement, these funds have been postponed.

Pending environmental compliance requirements related to JDR Option One, CRITFC will develop a draft and final project plan and initiate a feasibility study to further evaluate the project preferred alternative; CRITFC will develop a Statement of Work for FY19; an annual report; and Pisces quarterly status reports. CRITFC will coordinate with BPA and the Council on the appropriate level of scientific review necessary to implement a production or supplementation plan including necessary environmental clearances.