Fall Chinook Acclimation Project (FCAP)

Overview

Under ESA NMFS lists Snake River fall chinook as threatened in 1992

Co-managers agreed to release 450,000 yearlings above Lower Granite Dam & up to 2.4m sub-yearlings

US Congress funds project for FY95

Began operations in 1996 with the release of 115,000 yearlings from Pittsburg Landing.

Complete construction and begin operation of Big Canyon facility in 1997 and of Capt. John Rapids facility in 1998.

Pittsburg Landing: Snake River

Captain John Rapids: Snake River

Big Canyon: Clearwater River

GOAL OF PROJECT

Supplement natural production of Snake River fall chinook above Lower Granite Dam.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

Provide acclimation and final rearing of Lyons Ferry yearling and sub-yearling fish through the operation of

two facilities on the Snake River and one site on the Clearwater River.

FCAP Project: • Long-term- linked to delisting - at least 8 more years• Approved through U.S. v Oregon• FCRPS Bi-Op: “Safety-net” project• Key role played by Nez Perce Tribe

Lyons Ferry Hatchery -Gene Bank” for Snake River fall chinook

Captain John Rapids FacilityRiver Mile 163, Snake River

Captain John Rapids Yearling Delivery

Pittsburg Landing Facility, Snake River, r.m. 213 (31 miles downstream of Hells Canyon Dam)

Pittsburg Landing Facility

16 - 20 ft diameterAluminum Tanks,

Big Canyon Facility, Clearwater River, r.m. 35,

near Peck, ID – 16-20ft diameter Aluminum Tanks

Methods:•March 1 – 150,000 yearlings to each facility•Reared for 6 weeks, densities held to 0.1 lbs/cu.ft./in.•River water supply to prevent localized spawning •Yearlings released in mid-April at about 10 fpp during rising water conditions.•Up to 2.4m subyearlings at 90 fpp - divided among the facilities in early May•Subyearlings released at 60 fpp about sometime in June, before river flows begin to drop

Fish Culture Methods:•As per Integrated Hatchery Operation Team (IHOT) guidelines•Fish health procedures as per AFS Blue Book, IHOT, NPT Fish Health Protocals

Production Numbers

Yearlings Subyearlings 1996 114,000 --- 1997 345,000 253,000 1998 320,000 --- 1999 530,000 670,000 2000 397,399 2,183,477 2001 327,000 1,732,000 Total 2,033,399 4,585,477

ANNUAL BUDGET

$654,400

PRODUCTION STAFF

Project Leader - Bruce McLeod

Project Foreman - Mike Key (12 months)

Technician I - 6 (6 months)

Technician II - 4 (6 months)

PROGRAM CHANGES PENDING

Fish Health: Co-managers will continue to monitor BKD and adjust procedures as required.

Big Canyon: 1. Acquire lease from NPT to allow installation of domestic well and septic system. 2. Address equipment problems with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla.

Captain John Rapids: Address equipment problems with USACOE.

Pittsburg Landing: Negotiate special use permit with with U.S. Forest Service for another site to lower costs.