HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (HGMP)

Transcription

1 HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (HGMP) Hatchery Program: Umpqua River Winter Steelhead Program Species or Hatchery Stock: Agency/Operator: Winter Steelhead Onchoryhnchus mykiss Stock-18 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Watershed and Region: Umpqua Watershed District, West Region Date Submitted: First Update Submitted: Second Update Submitted: Date Last Updated: March 8, 2006 October 1, 2014 August 12, 2016 August 12, 2016

2 SECTION 1. GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1.1) Name of hatchery or program. Rock Creek Hatchery, Umpqua River Basin Winter Steelhead Program. 1.2) Species and population (or stock) under propagation, and ESA status. Winter Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (stock-18). Umpqua basin naturally produced steelhead are part of the Oregon Coast Steelhead Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), which was listed as a candidate species under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) on March 19, 1998 (Federal Register Notice 1998). Oregon coastal wild steelhead populations are also considered a Vulnerable species under the State of Oregon s Sensitive Species Rule (OAR ). 1.3) Responsible organization and individuals. Lead Contact: Name (and title): Scott Patterson, Fish Propagation Program Manager Agency or Tribe: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, OR Telephone: (503) Fax: (503) Scott.D.Patterson@state.or.us Onsite Lead Contacts: Name (and title): Greg Huchko, District Fish Biologist Agency or Tribe: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: 4192 North Umpqua Hwy, Roseburg, OR Telephone: Fax: Greg.F.Huchko@state.or.us Name (and title): Evan Leonetti, Umpqua District STEP Biologist Agency or Tribe: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: 4192 North Umpqua Hwy, Roseburg OR Telephone: (541) Fax: (541) Evan.Leonetti@state.or.us Hatchery Contact: Name (and title): Dan Meyer, Rock Creek Hatchery Manager Agency or Tribe: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: P.O. Box 374, Idleyld Park, OR Telephone: (541) Fax: (541) Dan.H.Meyer@state.or.us S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

3 Other agencies, Tribes, co-operators, or organizations involved, including contractors, and extent of involvement in the program: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) plus Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) volunteers from the Umpqua Fishermen s Association (UFA), Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and fishing guides cooperate on this program. The program also works with the City of Canyonville Water Treatment staff. 1.4) Funding source, staffing level, and annual hatchery program operational costs. Volunteers annually spend over 4,000 hours to assist this program with broodstock collection, monitoring the acclimation sites and assisting at fish ladders. The volunteers pay for the cost of construction, utilities, equipment, and maintenance at the acclimation sites via membership fees, sponsorships, donations, in-kind labor and grants. The operational cost for this winter steelhead program has been about 16.6% of the ODFW s Rock Creek Hatchery budget. Staffing includes Rock Creek Hatchery personnel (5 permanent full-time employees), an acclimation site guard, volunteer labor, 1 or 2 ODFW seasonal personnel, and assistance from the STEP biologist. Funds for seasonal personnel have varied from ODFW/United States Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Management funds to various grants and organizations. Table 1-4. Estimated annual costs of the program. Item Cost/Value Source Operations $3,000 20,000 Memberships, donations Rearing $58,800 ODFW Technical Assistance $10,000 ODFW STEP Bio & Truck Acclimation Site Guard $2,800 Grants Seasonal Personnel $10,000 30,000 Varies: Grants, ODFW Labor $88,000 Volunteers Minimum Annual Cost $174, ) Location(s) of hatchery and associated facilities. Brood Collection and Adult Trap Sites Galesville Dam Trap Facility - located at RM 60 on Cow Creek, a tributary to the South Umpqua River, below Galesville Reservoir Dam. Naturally-produced and some hatchery-produced adult fish are collected and transported to Rock Creek Hatchery for spawning. Canyon Creek Fishway - the facility is located at on lower Canyon Creek, a tributary that flows into the South Umpqua at river mile 51. Hatchery fish are trapped and transported to Rock Creek Hatchery for broodstock or utilized to fulfill local food bank needs. Naturally-produced steelhead are passed upstream of the fishway into Canyon Creek. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

4 South Umpqua Falls Fishway - this is located at RM 85 on upper South Umpqua River. Both naturally-produced and hatchery-produced steelhead are trapped and then transported to Rock Creek Hatchery for broodstock. South Umpqua Hook-and-Line OSP and ODFW permitted guides and other volunteers assist the collection of wild brood fish while fishing on the South Umpqua during the regular angling season. Tangle Netting may be used to augment brood collection from RM 0 to RM 70 on the South Umpqua. Spawning/Egg Incubation/Rearing Rock Creek Hatchery- This facility is used for spawning of all adults, incubation of eggs, and rearing of the fish to the smolt stage. Rock Creek Hatchery is an ODFW operated facility located on Rock Creek, a tributary to the North Umpqua River at RM 36 in the Umpqua Basin. The hatchery is located on 26.5 acres of land 23 miles East of Roseburg in Douglas County, Oregon, at latitude 43 o N and longitude 123 o W. Barrett Creek Facility- A small portion of the production (~10,000 smolts) may be incubated and reared at this location. Barrett is a volunteer run facility with hatchboxes and rearing troughs. It is a tributary of Rice Creek which joins the South Umpqua at RM 28. Acclimation/Releases Canyonville Acclimation Facility - located at RM 51 on lower Canyon Creek, a tributary to the South Umpqua River. Smolts are acclimated in a concrete raceway that discharges into Canyon Creek. Angler-captured brood are collected and held at this facility, and then transported to Rock Creek Hatchery. Seven Feathers Acclimation Facility - this facility is located at RM 51 behind the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville. The site currently has two acclimation ponds. Smolts are acclimated at the facility and then released into the South Fork of the Umpqua River. Cow Creek - From 2000 to 2002, smolts were acclimated in net pens below the dam. No winter steelhead have been acclimated here since then. Eastwood Elementary - Deer Creek at RM 11 of the South Umpqua. The site has two 1,500 gallon concrete raceways. Smolts are released into Deer Creek from the site. Lookingglass - this is a potential acclimation site which enters the South Umpqua at RM 25. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

5 A small number (<4,000) are released as unfed fry as part of an ODFW school education program. Release sites are approved by the STEP biologist and are generally in the South Umpqua River or tributaries to the South Umpqua River, near the individual school sites. All steelhead smolts were directly released into the South Umpqua between Canyonville and River Forks (RM 51 - RM 0) prior to Now most of the steelhead smolts are acclimated, although it may be necessary to direct release more smolts if the acclimation sites cannot hold all of the smolts produced. Watershed Codes for Facilities South Umpqua: Canyon Creek: Cow Creek: Rock Creek: Deer Creek: Barrett Creek: ) Type of Program. The Umpqua River winter steelhead program is managed as a "Harvest Augmentation" program. 1.7) Purpose (Goal) of program. The goal of this program is to provide a significant number of hatchery steelhead for recreational fishing in the Umpqua River Basin. This program enhances angling opportunity to approximately 228 miles of the Umpqua Basin that is currently open to winter steelhead angling. As per current regulations, only hatchery steelhead can be harvested in the Umpqua Basin. We are managing the stray rates of hatchery steelhead in the South Umpqua Basin to an aggregate of less than 10% on the spawning grounds. To accomplish harvest and escapement goals, the program had been releasing about 120,000 hatchery winter steelhead smolts annually. In 2014 the Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (CMP) was adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The CMP has approved the increase of winter steelhead release from 120,000 to 150,000 smolts annually into the South Umpqua River. This increase will take into effect once the current release of 120,000 smolts has been attained on a consistent basis. In 2016, this program is tentatively scheduled to work in cooperation with the Hatchery Research Center on an egg acclimation study. This program is described further in the research section. When available, about 3,000 eggs are also used for the STEP classroom incubator program and helps educate school children about fish life cycles of salmon and steelhead, S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

6 mathematics (counting, survival estimates, etc.), aquaculture and other fish management issues. 1.8) Justification for the program. This program is intended to enhance the very popular winter steelhead fishery and create harvest opportunity for anglers in the Umpqua River Basin. Since the steelhead smolts are acclimated to tributaries of the South Umpqua River and return to the South Umpqua as adults, they provide angling opportunity in both the main-stem Umpqua River and South Umpqua River. Some program fish also return to the North Umpqua where they provide angling opportunities. Overall, this program has a minimal effect on ESA-listed naturally-produced Coho Salmon in the basin. Program steelhead return in mid-winter (December-April), after most of the Coho Salmon adults have migrated through the main-stem river and have returned to the basin s tributaries to spawn. Steelhead spawning occurs after most Coho Salmon spawning, from January through May. Steelhead are also more apt to use smaller tributaries and migrate farther upstream than naturally-produced Coho Salmon. Since the acclimation program was started in the South Umpqua in 1999, most program fish return to Canyon Creek, therefore reducing spatial overlap between the two species. Some winter steelhead enter the North Umpqua River and likely to return to Rock Creek. About 7-9% of the steelhead crossing Winchester Dam from December 1 to May 1 are hatchery-produced fish. It is unknown how many of these fish are actually winter steelhead that were acclimated at Canyonville or how many are early arriving hatchery summer steelhead. Radio telemetry studies in the North Umpqua indicated that most of the hatchery-produced fish spawned in Rock Creek, thus impacted less than 86% of the Coho Salmon habitat available in the North Umpqua River. Due to differences in arrival times of the winter steelhead and Coho Salmon, there is little potential for incidental harvest of coho during winter steelhead angling. There is also no impact to Coho Salmon due to broodstock collection operations. All steelhead smolts are released as either 1 or 2-year old fish at a size and time intended to promote rapid downstream migration. This reduces the time that the smolts spend in the basin prior to out-migrating to the ocean. Consequently, the spatial and temporal overlap between Coho and program juveniles is reduced. Program juveniles are also released into or near the mainstem South Umpqua where no competition with Coho Salmon fry is expected. 1.9) List of program Performance Standards and 1.10) Performance Indicators designated by benefits and risks. BENEFITS Performance Standards Provide hatchery winter steelhead for recreational harvest. BENEFITS Performance Indicators Release approximately 150,000 winter steelhead smolts annually. Produce an average 4,000-6,000 adult hatchery BENEFITS Monitoring & Evaluation All releases are properly documented and release numbers are in compliance with the CMP Counts at various traps are used S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

7 Program fish provide societal benefits. Program winter steelhead are identifiable. Healthy winter steelhead between one and two years old are released. Winter steelhead hatchery program will meet the criteria provided by the Native Fish Conservation Policy. Collection of winter steelhead broodstock presents a minimal impact to naturallyproduced Coho Salmon. RISKS Performance Standards steelhead returning to the basin. Program fish provide a freshwater fishery and harvest opportunity. Program fish provide a venue for community and volunteer involvement. Program fish are part of a school education program. All juveniles released will be marked for identification. Smolt age at release will mimic naturally produced steelhead. Smolts are released in close proximity to the South Umpqua to reduce interactions with wild coho juveniles. A Conservation Plan will be developed for the appropriate Species Management Unit, if necessary. Temporal differences between adult winter steelhead and coho are maintained. No Coho Salmon are trapped during winter steelhead broodstock collection. RISKS Performance Indicators to document the population size and trends of the hatchery and naturally produced winter steelhead. Estimate harvest rates of program fish. Quantify the number of program fish released and observed in the fishery to evaluate their survival, performance, contribution to the fishery, and escapement. Document the number of volunteers interested and involved in the program. Teacher s evaluation of students active participation. Verify that mark quality goals are being met by using mark efficiency checks prior to release. Document size, age, and indicators of smoltification of program fish prior to release. Evaluate the cost-benefit and biological benefits of 1 and 2 year old smolts. Periodically monitor the size and age distribution of naturally produced winter steelhead smolts. Procedures for assessing stock status and risks will be developed in conjunction with the Conservation and Hatchery Management Plan. Public input will be sought during the development of the plans. Monitor all the brood collection traps regularly. Operate traps from late January to May when adult coho are not present. If an adult coho is trapped, it is allowed free-passage. RISKS Monitoring & Evaluations S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

8 Life history characteristics of program winter steelhead will not diverge significantly from naturally produced steelhead. Releases of program juveniles have a minimum impact on listed natural Coho Salmon juveniles. Releases of program fish mimic the emigration of naturally produced steelhead. Run timing of adult hatchery winter steelhead does not differ from run timing of naturally produced fish. Behavioral and morphological characteristics of program fish are similar to naturally produced winter steelhead. Broodstock collection is random and reflects the natural timing and age classes represented in the natural population. Both hatchery and wild fish are utilized for broodstock. Brood collection standards will meet or exceed the Native Fish Conservation Policy. Most program fish are released as 1 or 2-year old smolts to reduce residualism in the South Umpqua. Program fish are checked for appropriate signs of smoltification prior to release. Program fish are primarily released in Feb - April to Appropriate downstream monitoring techniques will be periodically used to monitor juvenile emigration, size, and smoltification. At least 90% of the smolts will be acclimated to the South Umpqua Basin for 17 to 21 days. Counts at various traps will be used to verify run times of natural, program, and listed fish. Develop a program to periodically sample hatchery juveniles and returning adults for phenotypic and genotypic characteristics to measure the similarities/differences with naturally produced steelhead. If funding/technology become available, sample returning natural and hatchery broodstock for chemical/toxicology issues. May also sample hatchery juveniles or eggs. Samples (tissue, scale, organ, etc.) would be determined by the best science available used for the evaluation. Develop a marking system to distinguish early returning summer steelhead from straying winter steelhead. As new acclimation sites are added, monitor adult return and stray rates to ensure compliance with the Native Fish Conservation Policy. Appropriate downstream monitoring will be periodically conducted for program fish and naturally-produced coho in the basin. Develop a program to evaluate residualism of different aged winter steelhead smolts. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

9 Harvest of program steelhead has a minimal impact on naturally-produced Coho Salmon. Hatchery operations comply with the Fish Hatchery Management Policy and other state and federal guidelines and permits. reduce the temporal/spatial overlap with naturallyproduced Coho emigration. Temporal differences in run timing between the species reduces impacts to returning adult Coho. Fishing regulations reduce incidental harvest of Coho. Hatchery operations conform to applicable fish health, sanitation, and operational guidelines. Hatchery operations conform to DEQ/NPDES guidelines for water quality. Hatchery intake operations are appropriately screened. Hatchery operations allow passage of listed species. Conduct periodic creel surveys to document incidental catch of wild coho during the winter steelhead season. Periodically review angling regulations to ensure appropriate season/gear limitations to reduce potential impacts to Coho Salmon. Fish health is regularly monitored to avoid the introduction of new pathogens or significant levels of existing pathogens. Fish health is certified prior to release. Appropriate reports will be filed to document regular sanitation and maintenance activities. Appropriate protocols will be followed to monitor water quality standards for fish health and facility effluent. Monitor stream flows and water qualities between the facility intake and outflow so flows can be appropriately adjusted for fish passage and the hatchery effluents comply with the NPDES permit. 1.11) Expected size of program ) Proposed annual broodstock collection level (maximum number of adult fish). To meet production goals, between 80 and 130 pairs of winter steelhead are necessary. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

10 1.11.2) Proposed annual fish release levels (maximum number) by life stage and location. Life Stage Release Location Annual Release Level Eyed Eggs N/A Unfed Fry South Umpqua & tributaries near schools 4,000 in groups of 100 per class Fry N/A Fingerling Yearling (1-2 year old smolts) N/A Canyonville Acclim. Canyon Ck. Seven Feathers, Canyon Ck. Eastwood Elem., Deer Ck. 150,000 smolts divided between the sites, with 1 to 5 releases per site. 1.12) Current program performance, including estimated smolt-to-adult survival rates, adult production levels, and escapement levels. Indicate the source of these data. Table Escapement of hatchery winter steelhead to various sites. r o f h a t c h e r y f i s h t r a p p e d. Year * Number Released Return to Canyon Creek*** Return to Galesville ,000 n/a n/a n/a ,809 n/a n/a n/a ,366 n/a n/a ,908 n/a n/a ,890 n/a n/a , n/a 1, , , , , , , ,691 n/a n/a ,210 n/a n/a 1, , n/a ,927 n/a n/a ,648 n/a n/a ,224 n/a n/a , n/a , n/a , n/a , n/a , n/a , n/a 757 Return to Winchester Dam *Returns are mostly 2-salt fish, so most fish acclimated in 1999 would return in 2001 for example. Winchester Dam counts may also include some early returning summer steelhead ** The acclimation program at Canyon Creek began in 1999 and fish were acclimated at Galesville from *** Data from Canyon Creek is likely underestimated. STW are not accounted for that pass over the trap during high water events and/or when the trap is not in operation. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

11 1.13) Date program started (years in operation), or is expected to start. The Umpqua River winter steelhead hatchery program began in the Smith River in From 1969 to 1996, the Smith River was stocked with Alsea stock hatchery winter steelhead. The Smith River program was discontinued after The North Umpqua River was stocked from 1961 to 1992 with North Umpqua stock winter steelhead. The winter steelhead program in the North Umpqua was discontinued after The South Umpqua hatchery program was started in From 1971 to 1993, Alsea stock hatchery winter steelhead were stocked in the South Umpqua River. The program discontinued the Alsea stock after 1993 and used a combination of South Umpqua and North Umpqua steelhead for broodstock until The program has used 100% South Umpqua winter steelhead for broodstock since 1999, with a combination of wild and hatchery fish. All hatchery smolts have been 100% marked since An increase in the South Umpqua smolt allocation from 88,000 per year to 120,000 per year was approved in The 2014 CMP approved a future increase to 150,000 smolts. 1.14) Expected duration of program. The South Umpqua winter steelhead program is ongoing and will be evaluated periodically under the 2014 ODFW CMP. 1.15) Watersheds targeted by program. The Umpqua River hatchery winter steelhead program is targeted for the South Umpqua River and the mainstem Umpqua River. Some hatchery fish also return to Rock Creek Hatchery on the North Fork of the Umpqua River. 1.16) Indicate alternative actions considered for attaining program goals, and reasons why those actions are not being proposed ) Brief Overview of Key Issues. The key issues for the winter steelhead program in regard to ESA listed naturallyproduced Coho Salmon are: the impacts of steelhead smolts on Coho Salmon smolts, temporal and spatial overlap of adult run times and spawning between program fish and Coho, incidental take of Coho Salmon during broodstock collection and incidental take during recreational angling. Since 1998, significant changes have been made to improve this program to minimize adverse impacts on listed Coho Salmon and naturally produced winter steelhead. Broodstock was changed to 100% South Umpqua River stock steelhead in These guidelines require the Department to pass 75% of the returning wild fish at the trapping location, and require at least 10% wild fish inclusion into the hatchery brood. Most program fish in the South Umpqua are returning to the Canyonville (RM 51) with the upper basin at South Umpqua Falls (RM 96) having less than 2% hatchery fish. In 2003 ODFW staff walked or snorkeled multiple South Umpqua tributaries within 10 miles above and 10 miles below the mouth of Canyon Creek. No hatchery fish were detected in these streams. During that same year 93% of the steelhead returning to the S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

12 Canyon Creek trap were hatchery fish. In 2012 these spawning ground surveys were again conducted by ODFW volunteers to evaluate the number of wild and hatchery adults on the spawning grounds adjacent to Canyon Creek. No hatchery fish were detected during these surveys. Hatchery fish returning to Canyonville or Galesville are handled in accordance to the Hatchery Management Policy and as detailed in the MOU between the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, the ODFW, and the Umpqua Fishermen s Association. Some program fish are also returning to Rock Creek. There is little temporal overlap between returning listed Coho Salmon and winter steelhead adults. Most Coho Salmon have already entered tributaries and spawned prior to winter steelhead arriving, from January to May. Steelhead tend to use smaller tributaries and will frequently spawn in habitat upstream from Coho Salmon spawning areas. Because of this run time difference, there is little incidental take of Coho Salmon during angling for winter steelhead, and there has been no incidental take of Coho during broodstock collection activities ) Potential Alternatives to the Current Program. (1) Eliminate the Winter Steelhead Hatchery Program. Pros: Eliminating the winter steelhead program would reduce any potential interactions between hatchery-produced winter steelhead and listed Coho Salmon. It would also reduce interactions between hatchery and naturally produced steelhead and enlarge an existing conservation area for naturally produced winter steelhead in the Umpqua basin. Based on funding levels and other program objectives, the elimination of the winter steelhead program could allow other hatchery programs at Rock Creek hatchery to be expanded. Cons: The communities of Douglas County and adjacent areas have a strong support for a hatchery winter steelhead fishery. The elimination of the hatchery program would eliminate any harvest opportunity for winter steelhead in the entire basin. This could also lead to even more catch-and-release pressure and impact to wild winter steelhead. Present regulations in the Umpqua Basin do not allow the harvest of naturally-produced fish. Elimination of hatchery program would eliminate all consumptive harvest opportunity for anglers on the mainstem Umpqua, South and North Umpqua rivers. Elimination of the hatchery program and the opportunity for consumptive harvest would decrease economic revenues to Douglas County communities which rely on angler dollars. Cities directly affected by the hatchery program include; Reedsport, Elkton, Roseburg, Winston, Myrtle Creek, Canyonville and Glide. This basic alternative could also be modified to reduce the smolt allocation. The same pros and cons would apply, although the impacts would vary by the degree of the reduction. Since winter steelhead is likely to have a minimal impact on naturallyproduced coho, the greatest impacts due to a decrease in the smolt allocation would be a reduction of a popular fishery, a reduction in the economic benefit of the fishery, and increased catch-and-release pressure and poaching on naturally-produced winter S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

13 steelhead. (2) Release the hatchery smolts volitionally at Rock Creek Hatchery. Pros: Hatchery winter steelhead are currently reared at Rock Creek Hatchery. Some adults show a strong tendency to home back to their original rearing facility. Thus, we see an average of about 750 hatchery winter steelhead per year return pass Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River, although some of these hatchery fish may be early arriving summer steelhead. Releasing all program fish at Rock Creek Hatchery would allow the fish the opportunity to home to their rearing destination, verses an acclimation site. Fish would not have to be transported to an acclimation site and current acclimation facilities could be closed. Cons: Releasing all hatchery winter steelhead at Rock Creek Hatchery would add additional hatchery smolts to the North Umpqua River. The ODFW currently releases 342,000 hatchery spring Chinook Salmon smolts and 165,000 summer steelhead smolts. This clustering of several species of hatchery smolts would add additional interactions with naturally-produced listed Coho Salmon in the basin. Angling opportunity would be greatly decreased in the South Umpqua without the acclimation program. This would also decrease the economic contribution of the fishery to communities such as Winston, Myrtle Creek, and Canyonville. Closure of the acclimation sites would significantly reduce community and volunteer support of the ODFW ) Potential Reforms and Investments. Reform/Investment 1: The exisiting winter steelhead program was crafted to minimize impacts on listed Coho Salmon. No other reforms or investments are available at this time that would reach program goals and reduce impacts any further. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

14 SECTION 2. PROGRAM EFFECTS ON ESA-LISTED SALMONID 2.1) List all ESA permits or authorizations in hand for the hatchery program. Rock Creek Hatchery has been operating under an incidental take permit (number 1017) for Umpqua Cutthroat Trout, which were classified as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act in Cutthroat Trout were removed from the federal ESA list in April 2000 and subsequently the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife withdrew its application for the incidental take permit. This program also operates under FERC license 7161 issued to Douglas County for operation of the Galesville Dam project ( ). Rock Creek Hatchery also has permit NWP /5; NMFS No. 2011/03901 for the operation and annual June cleaning of their intake pipe. This permit allows the excavation of 100 cubic yards of gravel and sand to clear the fish hatchery intake. The project is located at North Umpqua River Mile 35.7 approximately 150 feet upstream of the confluence with Rock Creek. Work is performed from the adjacent shoreline bar with an excavator. As per National Marine Fisheries Service requirements, aggregate is returned to the river system by spreading materials over the adjacent gravel bar. For additional requirements, see permit NWP /5. The HGMP for the Umpqua River winter steelhead program was submitted to NMFS on 03/08/2006 for approval and ESA coverage. This is an updated version of the previously submitted HGMP, and is consistent with the ODFW s Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and management Plan (CMP) Water right permits for the hatchery include: S 5890, S 8896, S and S for water from Rock Creek, and S for North Umpqua water. The hatchery is operated under the NPDES general permit 300-J to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. 2.2) Provide descriptions, status, and projected take actions and levels for ESA-listed natural populations in the target area ) Description of ESA-listed salmonid population(s) affected by the program. The ESA listed Oregon Coast Coho Salmon ESU may be affected by this hatchery program, particularly the Coho Salmon populations within the Umpqua River Basin. The following are a brief description of the habitat and the affected population(s): Umpqua Population Stratum The OCCCP (2007) uses the population delineations identified by the Oregon Coast Workgroup of NOAA s Oregon-Northern California Technical Recovery Team (TRT). The TRT identified a geographic stratum of Coho Salmon populations in the Umpqua S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

15 that includes the following populations: Lower Umpqua, Middle Umpqua, North Umpqua and South Umpqua. There are estimated 1,489 miles of spawning habitat available to Coho Salmon inhabiting this population complex. Coho Salmon Life History Adult Coho Salmon migrate into fresh water in the fall to spawn. Spawning of wild Coho Salmon usually occurs from mid-november through February. Adult spawning Coho Salmon are typically three years old and 2-year-old jacks (precocious males) often accompany them from the next brood. Spawning occurs primarily in small tributaries located throughout coastal basins. The parents normally exhibit strong homing to their natal stream. The female digs a nest (redd) in the gravel and lays her eggs, which are immediately fertilized by accompanying adult males or jacks. Digging and displacing gravel from the upstream edge of the nest covers the eggs. The adults die soon after spawning. Each female lays about 2,500 eggs. Sex ratios of spawning adults tend to average around 50:50 at most locations (Table 2.2.1). However, Moring and Lantz (1975) observed 77% males in three small Alsea River tributaries over a period of 14 years. They concluded that males tend to move around and visit multiple streams. The eggs hatch in about days, depending upon water temperature. Warm temperature speeds hatching. The alevins remain in the gravel two or three weeks until the yolks are absorbed and emerge as fry to actively feed in the spring. Most juvenile Coho Salmon spend one summer and one winter in fresh water. The following spring, approximately one year after emergence, they undergo smoltification - physiological changes that allow them to survive in seawater. They then migrate to the ocean as smolts about cm in length. Table Observations of coho salmon sex ratios at adult traps. Population Percent Percent Complex Males Females Location Run years Data Source Nehalem 52% 48% North Fork trap Life Cycle Monitoring Siletz 50% 50% Mill Cr. Trap Life Cycle Monitoring Yaquina 51% 49% Mill Cr. Trap Life Cycle Monitoring Alsea 77% 23% Drift Cr. tributaries Moring & Lantz (1975) 50% 50% Cascade Cr. Trap Life Cycle Monitoring Umpqua 55% 45% Smith River trap 1999 Life Cycle Monitoring Coos 63% 37% S. Coos R., Winchester Cr., & Fall Cr Oregon Plan Monitoring The smolts undergo rapid growth in the ocean, reaching about cm by fall. Little is known of the ocean migrations of Coho Salmon from Oregon coastal streams; however, it appears migrations are mostly limited to coastal waters. Initial ocean migration appears to be to the north of their natal stream (Fisher and Pearcy 1985; Hartt and Dell 1986). After the first summer in the ocean, a small proportion of males attain sexual maturity and returns to spawn as jacks. Migration patterns during the fall and winter are unknown. Those fish remaining at sea grow little during winter but feed voraciously during the next spring and summer, growing to about cm in length. During this second summer in the ocean, certain percentage of maturing adults are caught in ocean troll and sport S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

16 fisheries, usually to the south of their natal stream (Lewis 2000). The survivors return to their home streams or neighboring streams where they spawn and die to complete the life cycle. Habitat Use and Freshwater Distribution Spawning and rearing of juvenile Coho Salmon generally take place in small, low gradient (generally <3%) tributary streams, although rearing may also take place in lakes where available. Coho Salmon require clean gravel for spawning and cool water temperatures for rearing. Fifty-three to 58 F is preferred, with 68 F being the maximum (Reiser and Bjornn 1979). Fry emerge from February to early June (Moring and Lantz 1975) and occupy backwater pools and the stream margins (Mundie 1969; Lister and Genoe 1970; Nickelson et al. 1992a). In summer, Coho Salmon prefer pools in small streams, whereas during winter, they prefer off-channel alcoves, beaver ponds, and dam pools with complex cover (Nickelson et al. 1992a, 1992b). Complexity, primarily in the form of large and small wood, is an important element of productive Coho Salmon streams (Nickelson et al. 1992b; Rodgers et al. 1993). Little is known about residence time or habitat use of estuaries during seaward migration. It is usually assumed that Coho Salmon spend only a short time in the estuary before entering the ocean. However, recent research is finding that rearing in the upper ends of tidal reaches can be extensive. The distribution of Coho Salmon within a basin is primarily determined by two factors: marine survival, and the distribution of freshwater habitat of different levels of quality. When marine survival has been very poor, Coho will be found in only the highest quality habitats. Coast-wide, high quality environments comprise about 22% of available habitat (Nickelson 1998). When marine survival increases, as could occur with a changing climate regime, Coho Salmon will redistribute into freshwater habitats of lower quality. Thus Coho Salmon population dynamics function with a classic source-sink relationship among stream reaches ) Status of ESA-listed salmonid population affected by the program - Describe the status of the listed natural population(s) relative to critical and viable population thresholds. According to the OCCCP (2007) the overall Umpqua stratum passed the viability analysis. The North Umpqua as an individual population failed due to the hatchery influence. The North Umpqua program has subsequently been discontinued and Coho numbers have increased. Gray et al. (2011) noted that to reach current full seeding in the Umpqua basin, 29,400 spawners would be necessary. As illustrated in Figure 2.2.2a, the Umpqua has generally met or surpassed the number of spawners necessary for fully seeding the basin and has averaged 42,656 returning adults during the last 12 years. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

17 Figure 2.2.2a. The abundance of Coho Salmon spawners in the Umpqua River Basin ( ) showing a marginal line for full seeding levels within the basin. - Provide the most recent 12 year progeny-to-parent ratios, survival data by life stages or other measures of productivity for listed population. Indicate the source of these data. Figure 2.2.2b illustrates the number of recruits per spawner in the South Umpqua basin. This data is available from the Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Tracker link on the ODFW website. The South Umpqua is presently averaging about 2.1 recruits per spawner. Data for the North Umpqua is not presented since the newest data does not include 2008 to the present. Data from 2008 onward reflects the current status of the North Umpqua basin since the hatchery program was discontinued. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

18 Figure 2.2.2b. Number of recruits per spawner of Coho Salmon for the South River Umpqua basin, Provide the most recent 12 year annual spawning abundance estimates, or any other abundance information. Indicate the source of these data. The Umpqua River has generally met or surpassed the number of Coho Salmon spawners necessary for fully seeding the basin and has averaged 42,656 returning adults during the last 12 years (see Figure 2.2.2a). -Provide the most recent 12 year estimates of annual proportions of direct hatcheryorigin and listed natural-origin fish on natural spawning grounds, if known. The number of spawning adults in the South Umpqua has increased in recent years and from 2003 to 2014 averaged 15,295 wild Coho Salmon and 662 hatchery Coho Salmon (Figure 2.2.2c). According to OASIS spawning ground data (M. Lewis pers.com and ) hatchery influence has ranged from 0% to 13% of the population and has averaged 4.6% since This is well within the goals of the NFCP (2003), OCCCP (2007) and HMP (2003) plans. Since the hatchery program for this basin fulfills a specific mitigation goal of releasing 60,000 smolts, this stray rate should continue to remain low and meet the department s program goals for stray rates. Per NEQ seeding levels noted by Gray et al. (2011), the South Umpqua population has also met or exceeded reaching 75% of the seeding needs of the basin in most years (Figure 2.2.2c). Persistence estimates in 2007 (ODFW Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Tracker) show a high probability of all of the Umpqua s populations persisting into the future. The Lower Umpqua had an average probability of 0.993, Mid Umpqua 0.992, North Umpqua 0.976, and South Umpqua Again, these data for the North reflect the time period prior to the hatchery program being discontinued. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

19 South Umpqua (Stock 18) Wild Spawners and phos 60, Wild Spawners 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10, phos Wild Spawners phos Figure 2.2.2c. The number of wild- and hatchery-origin Coho Salmon in the South Umpqua River basin compared to NEQ seeding levels. The percentage of hatchery origin spawners (phos) of winter steelhead in the South Umpqua Basin has varied greatly through time, but shows a decreasing trend since From 2003 through 2015 the South Umpqua averaged a 17% stray rate throughout the basin. However, this percentage includes surveys conducted in Canyon Creek, which is the acclimation site for the South Umpqua River winter steelhead program. Excluding surveys conducted in Canyon Creek the phos decreases to an average of 4% from 2003 through In 2015 there were no hatchery origin winter steelhead found on spawning grounds (ODFW 2015). Fish counts over Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River provide additional information in regards to South Umpqua winter steelhead strays. From the year 2003 through 2013 hatchery-origin winter steelhead represent 8% of total steelhead crossing the dam. When estimated harvest of hatchery winter steelhead above the Dam is taken into account, the stray rate into the North Umpqua averages 3% since The upper South Umpqua River Basin stray rates are also periodically monitored through counts at South Umpqua Falls Fishway. From (years in which the trap was operated) the percentage of hatchery-origin winter steelhead was 0.7%. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

20 2.2.3) Describe hatchery activities, including associated monitoring and evaluation and research programs, that may lead to the take of listed fish in the target area, and provide estimated annual levels of take. - Describe hatchery activities that may lead to the take of listed salmonid populations in the target area, including how, where, and when the takes may occur, the risk potential for their occurrence, and the likely effects of the take. Galesville Dam & South Umpqua Falls These sites are not operated for winter steelhead until after adult Coho Salmon have migrated through the system (February/March May). No downstream migrants occur at Galesville Dam. Coho Salmon juveniles can pass freely through the South Umpqua fishway or down South Umpqua Falls. Canyon Creek Fishway Trapping for winter steelhead at this site does not begin until late January. Although Coho Salmon may be present at this time, to date none have been captured. If a Coho Salmon was captured, it would be placed above the trap with a minimum of handling. Coho Salmon juveniles can migrate downstream through the fishway. South Umpqua Hook-and-Line Angling for naturally produced winter steelhead occurs from late January to the end of the winter steelhead angling season in April. Coho Salmon migrating through the South Umpqua basin have already entered spawning tributaries by this time. Tackle used for winter steelhead angling is generally too large for Coho Salmon smolts to ingest. If a Coho was hooked, it would be released with a minimum of handling. Tangle Netting Tangle netting for broodstock would be done if other, more passive methods were unsuccessful in obtaining enough brood. Netting operations would be done in February or later to ensure that adult Coho Salmon were not present. Canyonville and Seven Feathers Acclimation Sites These sites use water out of Canyon Creek for the acclimation raceways. Both facilities are operated from February to May, after Coho Salmon adults have already passed the intakes. Both sites are also screened to avoid impacting emigrating Coho Salmon juveniles. Other acclimation sites such as Eastwood Elementary or sites developed in the future will be similarly operated and screened to avoid impacts to listed species. Galesville Acclimation Net pens The net pens were used in March April when no Coho Salmon adults are present. There is no emigration of Coho juveniles from above the dam. The net pens are stationary in the water and do not require any water intake. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

21 - Provide information regarding past takes associated with the hatchery program (if known) including numbers taken, and observed injury or mortality levels for listed fish. No incidental Coho take has occurred during winter steelhead broodstock collection activities or acclimation activities on the South Umpqua since Provide projected take levels for listed fish by life stage (juvenile and adult) quantified (to the extent feasible) by type of take resulting from the hatchery program (e.g. capture, handling, injury, or lethal take). Few adult Coho Salmon may still be present in the South Umpqua River during the late January to May broodstock collection period for winter steelhead. Therefore, few adult Coho are expected to be captured during this period. Steelhead brood handling mortality at trap sites is generally less than 1% of the total fish captured. Hook and line activities also take place after most Coho have passed out of the mainstem South Umpqua. Tangle nets have not been used for capturing broodstock in recent years. This technique would be used in February or later to ensure that no adult Coho Salmon would be present. Thus no capture or take would be expected. Emigrating Coho Salmon smolts are not impeded by steelhead broodstock collection or smolt acclimation activities at the various sites. Winter steelhead smolts are released near or in the South Umpqua River from February to May. Since generally 2-year old smolts are used, the hatchery smolts move rapidly downstream to tidewater, reducing any temporal overlap with Coho Salmon. Predation of juvenile Coho Salmon by hatchery winter steelhead smolts is unlikely due to their spatial separation from rearing Coho. Coho juveniles are found mostly in the tributaries, and emigrating hatchery steelhead smolts typically remain in the main-stem river. See Table below for projected take levels for listed fish. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

22 Table Estimated listed salmonid take levels of by hatchery activity. Listed species affected: Coho Salmon ESU/Population: Oregon Coastal Coho Salmon Activity: South Umpqua Hatchery Winter Steelhead Program Location of hatchery activity: Rock Creek Dates of activity: Ongoing Hatchery program operator: Dam Meyers, ODFW Type of Take Annual Take of Listed Fish By Life Stage (Number of Fish) Egg/Fry Juvenile/Smolt Adult Carcass Observe or harass a) Collect for transport b) Capture, handle, and release c) Capture, handle, tag/mark/tissue sample, and release d) Removal (e.g. broodstock) e) Intentional lethal take f) Unintentional lethal take g) Other Take (specify) h) a. Contact with listed fish through stream surveys, carcass and mark recovery projects, or migrational delay at weirs. b. Take associated with weir or trapping operations where listed fish are captured and transported for release. c. Take associated with weir or trapping operations where listed fish are captured, handled and released upstream or downstream. d. Take occurring due to tagging and/or bio-sampling of fish collected through trapping operations prior to upstream or downstream release, or through carcass recovery programs. e. Listed fish removed from the wild and collected for use as broodstock. f. Intentional mortality of listed fish, usually as a result of spawning as broodstock. g. Unintentional mortality of listed fish, including loss of fish during transport or holding prior to spawning or prior to release into the wild, or, for integrated programs, mortalities during incubation and rearing. h. Other takes not identified above as a category. Instructions: 1. An entry for a fish to be taken should be in the take category that describes the greatest impact. 2. Each take to be entered in the table should be in one take category only (there should not be more than one entry for the same sampling event). 3. If an individual fish is to be taken more than once on separate occasions, each take must be entered in the take table. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

23 - Indicate contingency plans for addressing situations where take levels within a given year have exceeded, or are projected to exceed, take levels described in this plan for the program. The ODFW will continue to monitor all trap sites and broodstock collection activities to detect the presence of any adult coho salmon. No take of adult Coho Salmon during the late January to May period is anticipated. However, if any adult Coho Salmon are encountered in the various broodstock collection efforts, they will be passed upstream with a minimum of handling. If problems occur, the ODFW will modify winter steelhead broodstock collection procedures to reduce or eliminate incidental Coho Salmon mortality. Emigrating juvenile Coho Salmon are not handled at the traps or acclimation sites, and pass downstream unimpeded. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP

24 SECTION 3. RELATIONSHIP OF PROGRAM TO OTHER MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 3.1) Describe alignment of the hatchery program with any ESU-wide hatchery plan (e.g. Hood Canal Summer Chum Conservation Initiative) or other regionally accepted policies (e.g. the NPPC Annual Production Review Report and Recommendations - NPPC document 99-15). Explain any proposed deviations from the plan or policies. This hatchery program is managed consistent with the North Umpqua River Fish Management Plan (approved by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 3/21/1986) and the 2014 CMP. The CMP will supersede the previous documents. Additionally, until May 2000, the Umpqua River hatchery winter steelhead program operated under a Section 10 Incidental Take Permit for take of Umpqua River cutthroat trout. The ODFW requested that this permit be withdrawn as a result of the delisting of the Umpqua cutthroat trout in April This winter steelhead program is currently operating under the interim guidelines of the Native Fish Conservation Policy and the Fish Hatchery Management Policy (FHMP) which were adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2002 and The program is also consistent with the 2014 CMP. As stated previously, this plan allows for an increase in the number of smolts releases from 120,000 to 150, ) List all existing cooperative agreements, memoranda of understanding, memoranda of agreement, or other management plans or court order under which program operates. 1) Section 10 incidental permit number 1017 (withdrawn May 2000). 2) ODFW Native Fish Conservation Policy, adopted ) ODFW Fish Hatchery Management Policy, adopted ) ODFW Commission Approval for the South Umpqua Winter Steelhead Program (2000). 5) ODFW Fish Health Management Policy. 6) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit number ) ESA Section 7 consultation, biological opinion in cooperation with Roseburg and Coos BLM districts, Umpqua National Forest, Interagency fish population monitoring program, approved NMFS April 10, ) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - General Authorization permit number for improving fish habitat in Western Oregon. 9) NPDES general permit 300J for hatchery operations and DEQ Memorandum of Agreement regarding fish carcass distribution in Oregon streams. 10) ODFW STEP Project Proposals (2002), Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians. S. Umpqua River winter steelhead HGMP