Interim Activities for Monitoring Impacts Associated with Hatchery Programs in the Willamette Basin USACE funding: 2008

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: K. Kenaston,K., K. Schroeder, F. Monzyk, and B. Cannon

Publish Date: May 2009

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Jeremy Romer

Job Position: Assistant Project Leader

Telephone: 541-757-4113

E-Mail Address: jeremy.d.romer@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Possible risks of artificial propagation programs have been well documented. Hazards include disease transfer, competition for food and spawning sites, increased predation, increased incidental mortality from harvest, loss of genetic variability, genetic drift, and domestication (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Hard et al. 1992; Cuenco et al. 1993; Busack and Currens 1995; NRC 1996; and Waples 1999). Hatcheries can also play a positive role for wild salmonids by bolstering populations, especially those on the verge of extirpation, by providing a genetic reserve as well as providing opportunities for nutrient enrichment of streams (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Cuenco et al. 1993). The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential effects of hatchery programs on naturally spawning populations of spring Chinook within the Upper Willamette River ESU. The project employs three types of activities to achieve this goal: sampling of returns to hatcheries, monitoring of adult migration through the use video observations, and monitoring natural production through spawning ground surveys.

Purpose: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has listed spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Upper Willamette River Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 64 FRN 14308; 64 FRN 14517). Associated with this listing, any actions taken or funded by a federal agency must be evaluated to assess whether these actions are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened and endangered species, or result in the destruction or impairment of critical habitat. Several fish hatcheries operate within the ESU and may impact wild populations of listed species. Although all of the artificial propagation programs that potentially affect listed salmonids in the Upper Willamette River ESUs are operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), 90% of the funding for these operations comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE or the Corps). Possible risks of artificial propagation programs have been well documented. Hazards include disease transfer, competition for food and spawning sites, increased predation, increased incidental mortality from harvest, loss of genetic variability, genetic drift, and domestication (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Hard et al. 1992; Cuenco et al. 1993; Busack and Currens 1995; NRC 1996; and Waples 1999). Hatcheries can also play a positive role for wild salmonids by bolstering populations, especially those on the verge of extirpation, by providing a genetic reserve as well as providing opportunities for nutrient enrichment of streams (Steward and Bjornn 1990; Cuenco et al. 1993). The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential effects of hatchery programs on naturally spawning populations of spring Chinook within the Upper Willamette River ESU. The project employs three types of activities to achieve this goal: sampling of returns to hatcheries, monitoring of adult migration through the use video observations, and monitoring natural production through spawning ground surveys. ODFW submits this report in fulfillment of Task Order NWPOD-07-FH-02. This report covers activities of the June 2007–May 2008 period that were implemented by ODFW on behalf of the Corps to assist with meeting the requirements of the reasonable and prudent alternatives and measures prescribed in the Biological Opinion of July 2000 that has since expired. The Corps has been in consultation with NMFS on operation of the hatchery program and will continue to monitor associated impacts until a new Biological Opinion is issued. The primary tasks covered in the reporting period were to continue monitoring activities initiated under the expired Biological Opinion.

Time Period of Content: June 2007–May 2008

Geographic Extent: Breitenbush, North Santiam, South Santiam, McKenzie, South Fork McKenzie, Willamette, Middle Fork Willamette and Sandy Rivers

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: Task Order: NWPOD-07-FH-02 Interim Activities for Monitoring Impacts Associated with Hatchery Programs in the Willamette Basin, USACE funding: 2007

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the database table field descriptions.

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Yes