The Nez Perce Resident Fish Substitution Program (“Trout Ponds Project”) partially mitigates for anadromous fisheries lost to the Nez Perce Tribe as a result of the construction and operation of Dworshak Dam, a component of the Federal Columbia River Power System, on the North Fork Clearwater River, constructed in 1972 on the Nez Perce Reservation.  By substituting resident fish of hatchery origin, the project implements the mitigation objectives of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's Fish and Wildlife Program (FWP) by increasing fish harvest opportunities for subsistence and recreational use.   The Tribe’s Department of Fisheries Resources Management Trout Ponds Project accomplishes this objective, which recognizes and respects the treaty-reserved harvest rights of the Nez Perce Tribe, by substituting resident species rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and westslope cutthroat trout O. clarki lewisi, for anadromous species (chinook salmon O. tshawytscha and steelhead trout O. mykiss).  These resident fisheries are located on the Nez Perce Reservation in North Central Idaho in small, confined ponds (< 3 hectares) that use hatchery fish which minimize impacts on native species by “alleviating harvest pressure on the weak, naturally spawning populations” ( FWP). Early accomplishments include repair of the dams and renovations of two reservoir ponds that pre-date the project, to improve trout habitat at the two sites.  A third pond was designed and constructed by the project, using groundwater as the source, resulting in improved limnological conditions for trout.  The project goal is a sustained annual harvest of 4,750 kg.  The three existing ponds recently provided an estimated annual harvest of  3,571.4 kg , or 75.2% of that goal, (Sween T., 2010.  Annual Report), thereby demonstrating good use of limited funding and resources.       

This proposal seeks funding to continue the ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) phase of project work by continuation of rainbow trout stocking operations into and operation of confined pond fisheries, maintaining pond sites and access roads, conducting community outreach and education, and monitoring harvest, water quality parameters, and fish health in pond fisheries which includes associated data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as project management and administration, including quarterly progress and annual reporting.  In addition, it seeks additional funding for management of an additional  fourth existing pond, acquired by the Nez Perce Tribe in an earlier land acquisition.  Funding is also sought for maintenance of the sedimentation ponds at Talmaks Reservoir, and replacement of original equipment procured at project start up 16 years prior.