HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (HGMP)

Transcription

1 HATCHERY AND GENETIC MANAGEMENT PLAN (HGMP) Hatchery Program: McKenzie River Spring Chinook Salmon Species or Hatchery Stock: Spring Chinook Salmon (stock 023) Agency/Operator: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Watershed and Region: Willamette River, Columbia River Date Submitted: Date Last Updated: 26 November 2003

2 SECTION 1. GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1.1) Name of hatchery or program. McKenzie Hatchery McKenzie River Spring Chinook Salmon Program 1.2) Species and population (or stock) under propagation, and ESA status. The spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) stock reared at McKenzie Hatchery (stock 023) originated from the wild stock of spring Chinook in the McKenzie River. The wild population of spring Chinook in the McKenzie River is part of the Upper Willamette Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) for spring Chinook salmon which is listed as threatened under ESA. The hatchery population is not considered part of the Upper Willamette ESU. 1.3) Responsible organization and individuals Lead Contact: Name (and title): John Thorpe, Chief of Fish Propagation Agency or Tribe: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: 3406 Cherry Avenue, NE, Salem, OR Telephone: (503) Fax: (503) Local Contact: Name (and Title): Kurt Kremers, McKenzie Hatchery Manager Organization: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Address: Greer Drive, Leaburg, OR Telephone: Fax: Other organizations involved: The US Army Corp of Engineers (COE) funds 50% of the McKenzie Hatchery production expenditures. 1.4) Funding source, staffing level, and annual hatchery program operational costs. Funding: US Army Corp of Engineers (50%) State - ODFW general funds (50%) Staffing: Five full-time permanent positions, plus one eight-month seasonal position Budget: $678,316 for Fiscal Year 2002 McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 2

3 1.5) Location(s) of hatchery and associated facilities. The McKenzie Hatchery is located on the McKenzie River near river mile 37, which is about 17 miles east of Springfield, Oregon. Regional mark processing center code - #5F33317 H Latitude N44 degrees 7.11 Longitude W122 degrees Adult Collection, holding and spawning: Adult spring Chinook are collected, held and spawned at McKenzie Hatchery. Some surplus hatchery adults are released above Cougar Dam to utilize habitat where access was blocked by the dams. Rearing (eyed egg to smolt): The current program production level is 1,199,000 smolts reared from early egg to smolt at McKenzie Hatchery. Acclimation to release: All smolts are reared and acclimated from early egg to release at McKenzie Hatchery into the McKenzie River. 1.6) Type of program. McKenzie spring Chinook stock is a combination of a mitigation program and an integrated harvest program. Approximately half the production of the McKenzie Hatchery smolt program is funded by an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to mitigate for losses of about 4,060 wild adults that were produced in areas above Cougar and Blue River dams. The mitigation agreement calls for rearing of a maximum of 80,800 lb. of spring Chinook to be released primarily in the McKenzie Basin and totally within the Willamette Basin. The remaining portion of the production is funded by ODFW for the purpose of enhancing the run for in-river fisheries enhancement purposes (ODFW, 1998). 1.7) Purpose (Goal) of program. 1) To mitigate the loss of spring Chinook catch in sport and commercial fisheries that was lost due to the construction and operation of Blue River and Cougar Dams (IHOT, 1997). 2) To provide adequate fish to the hatchery to maintain the broodstock, and to have hatchery broodstock available as a reserve population for the wild run. 3) To provide hatchery fish for natural production and enrichment above Cougar Dam. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 3

4 4) To maintain the hatchery population as similar to the wild run as possible (OAR ). 1.8) Justification for the program. The McKenzie Spring Chinook Program is managed carefully to provide a fishery on spring Chinook while protecting the wild spring Chinook population from genetic and fishery impacts. The following is a list of hatchery practices and management features of the program currently in place to minimize these impacts: Hatchery Practices The McKenzie Hatchery broodstock originated from native McKenzie River spring Chinook. At least 5% wild fish are incorporated into the hatchery broodstock each year. All portions of the run and all age classes are incorporated into the egg takes to ensure genetic diversity. 100% of the hatchery smolts released are fin marked to allow for a selective sport fishery on hatchery Chinook. Regulations require release of unmarked Chinook. All releases of smolts into the McKenzie system are made from the hatchery to minimize straying. Stray hatchery adults can be selectively removed from the naturally spawning population at Leaburg Dam. McKenzie Hatchery complies with IHOT standards and ODFW policies for prevention and treatment of fish diseases Management Features Prior to the adoption of ODFW s Native Fish Conservation Policy (NFCP) (OAR through 0509), the McKenzie Spring Chinook Program was managed as a Type 2 program under ODFW s Wild Fish Management Policy (WFMP). The WFMP was superceded by the NFCP in November Until an individual conservation plan is written for spring Chinook in the McKenzie River basin, NFCP Interim Criteria will be used for management guidance. A summary of the NFCP Interim Criteria follow (see OAR for more detail): 1. Existing populations no more than 20% of the historical populations within the species management unit have become extinct and no natural population within the species management unit in existence as of 2003 shall be lost in the future. This criterion is not met for McKenzie River spring Chinook. The average estimated run of spring Chinook in the McKenzie River during , prior to loss of production above Cougar, Blue River and Trail Bridge dams, was 18,000 fish (Howell et al. 1988). The average estimated run size in the McKenzie over the period is 6520 (see Appendix Table 1). McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 4

5 For at least 80% of the existing populations within each species management unit or for selected index populations, interim criteria 2-6 must be exceeded in at least 3 years during the most recent 5 year time interval. 2. Habitat Use Distribution Naturally produced members of a population must occupy at least 50% of a population s historic habitat. This criterion is not met for McKenzie River spring Chinook. 3. Abundance The number of naturally produced spawners must be greater than 25% of the average abundance of naturally produced spawners over the most recent 30 year time period. This is met for McKenzie spring Chinook (see Appendix Table 1). 4. Productivity In years when the total spawner abundance is less than the average abundance of naturally produced spawner over the past 30 years, then the rate of population increase shall be at least 1.2 adult offspring per parent. ( Offspring are defined as naturally produced adults that survive to spawn and parents are defined as those adults of natural plus hatchery origin that spawned and collectively produced the observed offspring.) These data are not available for the McKenzie. 5. Reproductive Independence At least 90% of the spawners within a population must be naturally produced and not hatchery produced fish, unless the department determines the hatchery produced fish are being used in a short-term experimental program to help restore a population in its natural habitat or otherwise directed by a court order. This criterion is not met for McKenzie River spring Chinook. In addition to broodstock management, Leaburg Dam presents the opportunity to remove excess hatchery fish from the natural spawning population in the major portion of the natural production area for spring Chinook in the McKenzie above Leaburg. Current limitations of the trapping facility at Leaburg Dam do not allow for removal of enough hatchery fish to comply with this criterion while at the same time minimize handling of wild spring Chinook. See Section 1.16 for further discussion on this issue. 6. Hybridization The occurrence of individuals that are the product of deleterious hybridization with species that are non-native to the basin in which they are found must be rare or nonexistent. This is likely to be the case in the McKenzie. 1.9 & 1.10) List of program Performance Standards and Performance Indicators designated by benefits and risks. Category 1-Harvest Standard 1.1: Provide 1,000 adult hatchery spring Chinook for sport harvest in the McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 5

6 McKenzie River in such a way that impacts to the wild population of spring Chinook are within limits described in the FMEP. Ancillary impacts on wild spring Chinook populations from angling will be minimized. Benefit (It is recognized that angling may have risks to the wild population associated with it, however, harvest is a beneficial result of the hatchery program goal.) Indicator: Number of returning adults. Benefit Indicator: Number of hatchery spring Chinook harvested. Benefit Indicator: Numbers of wild spring Chinook handled and released during fishery, and estimated impact to wild population. Risk Standard 1.2: All McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook juveniles will be marked with an adipose fin clip so hatchery adults can be visually distinguished from wild adults. Benefit Indicator: Mark retention rate from each release group. Benefit Category 2 - Genetic and Life History Characteristics: Standard 2.1: Spring Chinook broodstock will be collected in a manner that approximates the life history characteristics (e.g., run timing, age, and size of the population) of hatchery fish returning to the hatchery. Risk Indicator: Fecundity (number and size), body size (length and weight), sex ratio, adult run timing, adult:jack ratio. Risk Indicator: Age distribution of adult spring Chinook returns to the hatchery and age distribution of fish spawned. Risk Standard 2.2: An appropriate level of wild adults will be used in the hatchery broodstock each year to provide genetic variability within the hatchery stock and to maintain it as a reserve population. Benefit Indicator: Number and percentage of naturally produced fish incorporated into the hatchery broodstock program. Benefit Standard 2.3: Juvenile release strategy will minimize impacts to naturally produced spring Chinook populations. Risk Indicator: Numbers of fish released. Risk Indicator: Location of spring Chinook releases. Risk Indicator: Length and location of smolt acclimation. Risk McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 6

7 Indicator: Type of release (i.e., volitional, forced, or direct). Risk Indicator: Proportion of adult returns to release site. Risk Category 3 - Conservation of Wild/Naturally Spawning Populations: Standard 3.1: The percentage of hatchery spring Chinook spawning with wild spring Chinook will be limited to 30% or less by removal of hatchery fish at Leaburg Dam. (This is out of compliance with the 10% rate allowed under the NFCP. Until the trap at Leaburg Dam is altered to allow unhindered passage to wild fish while removing hatchery fish, it is unlikely a rate of 10% or fewer hatchery fish above Leaburg Dam will be attainable without severely increasing the handling-associated take of spring Chinook at the dam. The long-term goal is to meet the 10% criterion of the NFCP.) Indicator: Annual number of spawners, both hatchery-origin and naturally produced, on spawning grounds, by age (from Leaburg Dam counts and spawning surveys). Risk Indicator: Estimated hatchery spring Chinook spawning in the wild (from analysis of scales and/or otoliths collected during spawning surveys). Risk Indicator: Annual number of redds in selected natural production index areas. Risk Indicator: Estimated abundance of naturally spawning spring Chinook from spawning surveys and unmarked fish entering hatchery and fish passing Leaburg Dam. Benefit Standard 3.2: Restore viable naturally spawning populations above Cougar and Trail Bridge dams. Benefit Indicator: Numbers of naturally produced adults returning to Leaburg Dam. Benefit Indicator: Numbers of unmarked juveniles moving out of the reservoirs. Benefit Indicator: Trend in juvenile fish rearing densities. Benefit Standard 3.3: Distribution of hatchery adult carcasses, to provide nutrient enrichment benefits as in natural salmon spawning streams, will be accomplished in compliance with DEQ/ODFW guidelines (MOA). Benefit Indicator: Number of carcasses distributed. Benefit McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 7

8 Indicator: Spatial and temporal distribution. Benefit Standard 3.4: Outplacement of live spring Chinook adults from McKenzie Hatchery will maintain the same management direction as identified in the NMFS 2000 Biological Opinion for artificial propagation programs in the Upper Willamette Basin. Risk Indicator: Adult trap records. Risk Indicator: Records of hatchery spring Chinook adults transported to and released above Cougar and Trail Bridge reservoirs. Risk Category 4 - Operation of Artificial Production Facilities: Standard 4.1: McKenzie Hatchery will be operated in compliance with ODFW s Fish Health Management Policy and Fish Hatchery Management Policy, and the Integrated Hatchery Operations Team (IHOT) fish health guidelines. (See attachment A). Risk Indicator: Number of broodstock sampled and pathogens observed. Risk Indicator: Rearing survival rates, egg to fry, and fry to smolt. Risk Indicator: Number of juveniles sampled and pathogens observed during rearing and immediately prior to release. Risk Standard 4.2: McKenzie Hatchery's water discharges will comply with prescribed 330j general NPDS permit as required by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Risk Indicator: Water samples collected and results reported. Risk Standard 4.3: McKenzie Hatchery s water withdrawals will comply with NOAA Fisheries' juvenile fish screening criteria. Risk Indicator: Screens inspected for compliance with guidelines. Risk Indicator: Results of routine maintenance inspections. Risk Standard 4.4: Wild spring Chinook or other native fishes that enter the McKenzie trap will be handled and released in a manner that minimizes stress, injury, mortality and delay in migration. Risk Indicator: Numbers of adult spring Chinook released alive above the hatchery or transported to the hatchery for brood. Risk Indicator: Injuries to and mortalities of unmarked spring Chinook at McKenzie McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 8

9 Hatchery during operation of the adult trap. Risk Indicator: Dates the trap is operated and frequency of handling adult spring Chinook. Risk Category 5 - Socio-Economic Effectiveness. Standard 5.1: Estimated harvest benefits of the McKenzie spring Chinook program will equal or exceed hatchery production costs based on the benefit-cost model in ODFW (1999) or an updated version of that model. Benefit Indicator: Annual budget expenditures. Benefit Indicator: Estimated harvest benefits. Benefit 1.11) Expected size of program ) Proposed annual broodstock collection level (maximum number of adult fish). Hatchery broodstock needs are approximately 800 fish, 1 to 1 male to female spawning with a green egg take goal equal to 1,500,000 (ODFW 9/30/03 Production Schedule) ) Proposed annual fish release levels (maximum number) by life stage and location. Table 1. Hatchery output for the current McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook program. Life Stage Release Location Annual Release Level Eyed Eggs Unfed Fry Fry Yearling 1+-Yearling McKenzie River at Hatchery (November release) 350,000 McKenzie River at Hatchery (Feb/March release) 848,750 McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 9

10 1.12) Current program performance, including estimated smolt-to-adult survival rates, adult production levels, and escapement levels. Indicate the source of these data. Estimates of adult production from McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook salmon smolts released in the McKenzie Basin for the last 10 years are presented in Table 2. Estimates reflect program performance in relation to the mitigation goal. Table 2 does not reflect production from McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook smolts released outside the McKenzie Basin, in the Clackamas River and Lower Willamette River. The total adult (age 3 and up) hatchery spring Chinook produced from smolt releases in the McKenzie Basin were estimated by expansion of coded-wire tag (CWT) recoveries to reflect total production as follows: {(Estimated CWT recoveries / number of CWT smolts released) x total fish released}. This calculation was made for each group of CWT smolts released, and then summed across all CWT groups released for each brood year. The Freshwater Sport column does not include catch above Willamette Falls. There is also no estimate of total McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook that returned to natural spawning areas. Table 2. Estimated total adult McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook salmon produced per brood year, from smolts released in the McKenzie Basin. Data are derived from expansions of coded-wire tag recoveries. Estimated Total Adult Hatchery CHS Produced Brood Smolt Ocean Ocean Freshwater Hatchery Year Release Comm. Sport Sport a Gillnet Return Total ,637 3, ,602 7,096 9,252 21, ,162 1, ,271 4,365 11, ,463 1, ,073 4,109 10, , , , ,022, , , , , ,083 1, ,001, ,561 1, , ,071 1, , ,700 2,745 Goal b 4,060 a = Does not include catch above Willamette Falls. b = Goal is from the mitigation agreement. The number of adults returning to McKenzie Hatchery since 1990 is presented in Table 3. Table 3: The number of adult spring Chinook returning to McKenzie Hatchery, Data taken from ODFW HMIS database and Firman et al. (2002). McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 10 Calendar Year Adults at McKenzie Hatchery ,216

11 1991 4, , , , ,573 1/ ,546 2/ , , , , ,832 1/ Includes 50 adults transferred from Leaburg Dam to McKenzie Hatchery. 2/ Includes 26 adults transferred from Leaburg Dam to McKenzie Hatchery The number of returning adults has steadily increased since the mid-1990's (1990 brood). The available smolt-to-adult survival data are given in Table 4. Ocean coded-wire tag (CWT) recoveries of McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook ( brood years) are predominantly in Alaskan and Canadian fisheries. Freshwater recoveries are primarily hatchery returns. Freshwater catch (sport and lower river gillnet combined) made up 44% of the average freshwater recoveries for the run (Lewis et al., 2003). Table 4. Smolt-to-adult survival for McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook for 1986 to 1995 broods. Brood Smolt Total Smolt-to-Adult Year Release Returns a Survival ,637 21, % ,162 11, % ,463 10, % ,119 2, % ,022,561 1, % ,342 1, % ,635 1, % ,001,235 1, % ,237 1, % ,885 2, % Average 0.63% a = Does not include catch above Willamette Falls. The 1998 McKenzie River fish management plan for spring Chinook calls for a natural spawning escapement of 3,000-5,000-spring Chinook above Leaburg Dam. Approximately 80% of the natural spawning areas in the McKenzie basin are above the dam. Hatchery fish are trapped and removed from the sub-basin at Leaburg Dam. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 11

12 1.13) Date program started (years in operation), or is expected to start. The McKenzie River Hatchery began operations in 1907 and reared spring Chinook salmon. The hatchery facilities in their current configuration were completed in ) Expected duration of program. The program is expected continue indefinitely. 1.15) Watersheds targeted by program. Spring Chinook salmon smolts are released into the McKenzie River with the objective of mitigating for the loss of 4,060 spring Chinook spawners annually and loss and degradation of habitat and fish passage caused by the construction and operation of Blue River and Cougar Dams. 1.16) Indicate alternative actions considered for attaining program goals, and reasons why those actions are not being proposed. As stated in Section 1.7, there are several goals for this program. These include to mitigate for loss of spring Chinook catch caused by the construction and operation of Cougar and Blue River dams, and to maintain the hatchery broodstock as wild as possible to allow the hatchery population to serve as a reserve population for the wild run. Another inherent program goal is to maintain the high biological significance and viability of the wild McKenzie River spring Chinook Brief overview of key issues (not in priority order). Issue 1. The hatchery product (smolts and adults) may not mimic the wild population as needed. Hatchery smolts at release are larger than wild smolts in the river at the same time. This variance may have a long-term genetic impact. Issue 2. Interactions between adults of hatchery and wild fish are potentially problematic. High numbers of hatchery fish are spawning naturally above Leaburg Dam. There are several reasons for this. The hatchery lacks a reliable long-term back-up water supply to provide water and attraction during low water years. The current water supply requires augmentation or extra attractant to increase numbers of returning hatchery fish to the hatchery. In addition, the present use of the trap at Leaburg Dam allows approximately 30% of the spawners above the dam to be of hatchery origin. ODFW s NFCP recommends at least 90% of spawners within a population to be naturally produced. Issue 3. The outplant program for spring Chinook, as a viable tool to enhance natural production above dams, is insufficiently supported in funding, equipment, staffing and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). As a result, survivability of outplanted fish is compromised and the ability to monitor the success of the program is lacking. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 12

13 Issue 4. Improved facilities at McKenzie Hatchery are needed. Hatchery screens are not in compliance with NOAA Fisheries guidelines. This could result in entrainment of wild fry into the hatchery system. Issue 5. Improved access to historic spawning and rearing areas. An option for passive fish passage at Trail Bridge Dam, such as a fish ladder, would expand the habitat available for natural production to Chinook as well as to migratory bull trout in the basin. A passive facility for passage would be less stressful on the fish by decreasing the amount of take associated with any handling at the dam Potential alternatives to the current program. Issue 1: Hatchery product to mimic wild population. Alternative 1.1: Release smaller hatchery smolts, which would provide for greater numbers released. In the Middle Fork Willamette River system, smaller hatchery smolts, comparable in size to wild smolts in the river at the time of release, are thought to return in age classes more similar to the historic wild populations (Connolly et al. 1992). However, one of the reasons the larger smolt sizes were selected for release at McKenzie Hatchery is the rapid emigration timing of these larger smolts over smaller fish (Howell et al. 1988). In leaving quickly, there are fewer opportunities for negative interactions with wild fish, including competition for habitat and food supply, and hatchery predation on wild fish. Recommendation: Review existing data on size-at-release strategies. If it is feasible to release smaller fish and still achieve adult return goals, then design and conduct evaluations of smaller size-at-release strategies for McKenzie Hatchery. Alternative 1.2: Convert to a fully wild broodstock to ensure maintenance of genetic integrity and wildness of the hatchery product (reserve population enhancement). A higher percentage of wild fish in the brood would require NOAA-Fisheries approval; the current BiOp (NMFS 2000) calls for no more than 10% unmarked fish to be used for broodstock purposes. With approval, it may be possible to increase numbers of unmarked fish used in broodstock especially in high return years. Recommendation: Continue to monitor the percentage of hatchery and wild fish in the McKenzie Hatchery return to reduce the risk of genetic drift. Alternative 1.3: Release hatchery smolts at a smaller size and better condition by increasing their physical fitness. This would be achieved by constructing rearing facilities at McKenzie Hatchery that increase water velocity, simulating natural flows. Studies at Round Butte Hatchery have shown better adult returns from smolts reared in higher velocity waters with volitional release (Smith and The Confederated Tribes of the Warms Springs Reservation of Oregon, 1991). McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 13

14 Issue 2. Hatchery and wild fish interaction. Alternative 2.1: Reduce the number of smolts released, up to and including program elimination. A reduction in numbers of smolts released may serve to reduce the potential negative interactions of hatchery fish on the wild population (competition, predation). However, complete program elimination may increase the risk of losing the wild fish gene pool; use of the hatchery broodstock as a reserve for the wild population would no longer be viable. In addition, there would be fishery impacts in the McKenzie, mainstem Willamette and Columbia Rivers to consider with a program reduction or elimination. Alternative 2.2: Move production to an acclimation site outside of the McKenzie basin for better segregation from the wild run. By moving the acclimation site, hatchery adults would be less likely to return to the McKenzie River. This would allow the McKenzie River to remain a predominantly wild-fish only Chinook river. The broodstock would be kept separate from wild fish and other stocks and therefore remain available for use as a genetic reserve for the wild population. Infusion of wild fish from the McKenzie River would be required to maintain this possible reserve. Moving production would require making additional pond space available at another acclimation site. In addition, a unique externally detectable mark should be used to differentiate McKenzie stock from native stock. By combining runs acclimated to return to the same facility, there is an increased potential for these fish to spawn in the wild together outside of the hatchery facility, diluting the genetic integrity of returning unmarked progeny (F1 generation). In addition, because unmarked progeny are impossible to externally differentiate from wild fish, it would decrease the likelihood that unmarked fish were predominantly based on native stock for the surrogate river. This would have implications for moving unmarked fish above barriers. Recommendation: Continue current program (see Section 1.11). Further evaluate the potential for implementing an off-site acclimation facility if progress isn t made reducing the numbers of hatchery fish interacting with the wild fish above Leaburg dam. Alternative 2.3: Install an automatic selection facility at Leaburg Dam to allow unhindered upstream passage to wild Chinook while shunting hatchery-origin Chinook and steelhead back downstream or to a holding facility for the hatchery. Alternative 2.4: Allow liberal harvest by anglers on adipose-marked fish. Alternative 2.5: Additional olfactory attractant or other chemical cue combined with augmented flow through the hatchery would increase the numbers of hatchery fish returning to the hatchery and thereby decrease numbers of hatchery-origin fish spawning in the wild. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 14

15 Issue 3. Outplant program improvements. Alternative 3.1: Improve program logistics and success with better equipment. This would include an adequately equipped carrier to transport fish with less stress. Alternative 3.2: Conduct monitoring on adult outplants and juvenile production. This could include monitoring juvenile passage and survival through dams. Alternative 3.3: Release of unmarked fish above Trail Bridge and Cougar dams. Currently only marked fish are released to these locations. If mortality rates of juvenile Chinook passing downstream are acceptable, release unmarked fish above Trail Bridge and Cougar dam. Alternative 3.4: Provide medication to outplants to decrease incidence of disease and increase survival to spawning. Issue 4. Improved facilities at McKenzie Hatchery are needed. Alternative 4.1. New intake screens should be installed to meet NOAA guidelines. Alternative 4.2. A reliable long-term back-up water supply is required at McKenzie Hatchery to reduce the risk to both hatchery and wild broodstock during low water events. Alternative 4.3. Improve the McKenzie Hatchery trapping facility with a system to allow inwater handling of adult fish and reduced handling time. Such improvements would reduce associated stress, disease and latent mortality. By minimizing handling related stress and mortality, fewer fish would need to be collected for broodstock and increased survival and reproductive success would be expected for fish moved above the dams. Issue 5. Improved access to historic spawning and rearing areas. Alternative 5.1. A fish ladder at Trail Bridge Dam will increase survival above the dam by reducing handling and other stress-related mortality to fish placed above the dam Potential Reforms and Investments Issue 1: Hatchery product to mimic wild population. PRI 1.1: Conduct studies to re-evaluate size-at-release strategies. Depending upon results, may require money for more pond space. $$-$$$$$ PRI 1.2: A determination of production efficiency of wild fish for the mitigation hatchery would be required prior to converting domestic stocks to wild stocks. Conversion to a wild broodstock for McKenzie Hatchery could provide a back-up genetic reserve to the wild population. $$ (for further background research). McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 15

16 PRI 1.3: Build rearing facilities to allow for higher water flows simulating natural conditions. These conditions will favor the development of smaller, more physically fit smolts more closely mimicing those found in the wild. Designs for volitional release will decrease handling and increase survival. $$$$-$$$$$ Issue 2. Hatchery and wild fish interaction. PRI 2.1: Reduce numbers of smolts released. Cost savings would vary with size of program reduction. PRI 2.2: An automatic selection facility at Leaburg Dam. To maintain the predominantly wild spring Chinook population above Leaburg Dam, no more than 10% of the Chinook being passed upstream should be of hatchery origin (to be in compliance with the NFCP). Outside of the peak of migration, the trap at Leaburg Dam is operated to limit the number of hatchery-origin fish passing the dam. The current trapping operation requires excessive handling of spring Chinook. During the peak of the migration, hatchery and wild fish are allowed unimpeded passage above the dam to minimize take on wild fish and to reduce the danger of exceeding the trap capacity. An automatic selection facility at the dam would decrease the numbers of hatchery fish spawning above Leaburg Dam regardless of how many wild fish are passing at any given time, thus complying with the NFCP while minimizing take on listed Chinook. This selection facility could incorporate a video-recognition system allowing the free upstream passage of unmarked fish. Marked fish would be shunted back downstream or to a holding tank for removal to the hatchery or recycling downstream for more harvest opportunities. In low return years, the trap could function as an additional broodstock source for the hatchery. A possible video-recognition system would include computer software combined with a mechanical device to differentially pass marked and unmarked fish through the dam, as well as differentiate steelhead from Chinook. $$$$$ PRI 2.3: Move the production facility out of the McKenzie basin. Costs would be associated with enlarging another facility, possibly Willamette Hatchery, in order to support the added needs of maintaining separate broodstock. Some extra staffing would be required in addition to staff savings from McKenzie Hatchery. A pilot project should be run prior to full commitment to hatchery improvements to judge the potential for success of the program. $$$-$$$$$ PSI 2.4: Olfactory attractant and augmented flow to the hatchery will increase the numbers of hatchery fish returning to the hatchery rather than spawning in the wild. $$$$ Issue 3. Outplant program improvements. PRI 3.1: Improve outplant survival with a larger liberation truck with chiller. A 2400 gallon truck with chiller costs approximately $170,000 (Gary Yeager, Willamette Hatchery Manager, McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 16

17 personal communication). $$$ PRI 3.2: Staff time and equipment needed to monitor success of outplant program, including monitoring juvenile passage and survival through dams. Monitoring should be structured to contribute towards the measurable criteria as identified in the NFCP. $$-$$$ PRI 3.3: Expand outplanting of unmarked fish above Cougar and Trail Bridge Reservoirs (currently outplant marked fish only). There would be some costs associated with evaluating mortality through the dams. $-$$ PRI 3.4: Medication and increased staff time required to medicate fish to be outplanted. Monitoring of success of medication could be incorporated into 3.2. $-$$ PRI 3.5: Develop accessible release locations (ex. ramps) to increase survival to outplanted fish. $-$$ Issue 4. Improved facilities at McKenzie Hatchery are needed. PSI 4.1: Bring intake screens into compliance with NOAA-Fisheries guidelines. $611K for the Cogswell intake and $544K for the main intake on the Leaburg Canal (Kurt Kremers, McKenzie Hatchery manager, pers. comm.). $$$$-$$$$$ PSI 4.2: Development of a suitable back up water supply requires a feasibility study and consideration of alternatives prior to selection and implementation. $$$$-$$$$$ PSI 4.3: Improve the McKenzie Hatchery trap to allow sorting and trapping of fish throughout the entire spring Chinook run without de-watering fish. $$$-$$$$ Issue 5. Improved access to historic spawning and rearing areas. PSI 5.1: A fish ladder to passive passage at Trail Bridge Dam. $$$$$$ For reference: $ <$50,000 $$ $50,000-<$100,000 $$$ $100,000-<$500,000 $$$$ $500,000-<$1,000,000 $$$$$ $1,000,000-$5,000,000 $$$$$$ >$5,000,000 McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 17

18 SECTION 2. PROGRAM EFFECTS ON ESA-LISTED SALMONID POPULATIONS. 2.1) List all ESA permits or authorizations in hand for the hatchery program. The NMFS (2000) Biological Opinion on the impacts of artificial propagation programs (reference listed below) provides temporary coverage for the McKenzie spring Chinook program. Once adopted, this HGMP will serve as the authorizing document under ESA for the McKenzie Hatchery spring Chinook program. At this time, several other ESA documents provide additional analysis relating to the spring Chinook resources in the McKenzie River. These are listed below: FERC. (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Biological Assessment for the Eugene Water and Electric Board s McKenzie River Hydroelectric Projects. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC. FERC Biological Assessment for Eugene Water and Electric Board s Carmen Smith Hydroelectric Project. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC. NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) Biological Opinion on the impacts from the collection, rearing, and release of listed and non-listed salmonids associated with artificial propagation programs in the Upper Willamette spring Chinook and winter steelhead evolutionarily significant units. Portland, OR. NMFS and USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Biological Opinion on the effects of the relicensing of EWEB s Leaburg-Walterville hydroelectric project in the McKenzie subbasin, Oregon, on Upper Willamette River Chinook Salmon, Columbia River bull trout, Canada Lynx, Bald Eagle, Northern Spotted Owl, Bradshaw s Lomation, Kincaids s Lupine. National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon State Office, Portland, Oregon. NMFS Biological Opinion and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Consultation on the effects of EWEB s Carmen-Smith Part 12 Submittal to FERC for Trail Bridge Dam Emergency Spillway Expansion, and Continued Operation of the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project in the McKenzie Subbasin, Oregon on: Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon. National Marine Fisheries Service, Oregon State Office, Portland, Oregon. USACE (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers) Biological Assessment of the effects of the Willamette River Basin flood control projects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Final; April USACE Portland District. ODFW also has a Section 6 Cooperative Agreement with the USFWS for listed species under USFWS jurisdiction. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 18

19 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. a) Identify the ESA-listed population(s) that will be directly affected by the program. Upper Willamette Chinook Salmon The Upper Willamette River (UWR) Chinook salmon, which includes the McKenzie River spring Chinook population, was listed as threatened under the ESA on March 24, 1999 (64 FR 14308). Critical habitat was designated Feb. 16, 2000 (65 FR 7764). Life history Information for McKenzie Spring Chinook Adult run timing and spawning distribution The largest remaining wild population of UWR spring Chinook in the Willamette Basin is in the McKenzie population. UWR spring Chinook typically enter the Columbia River in February and March. Adults typically enter the McKenzie sub-basin in mid May, with the peak of the run passing Leaburg in June. Adult migration tapers off in July, associated with rising water temperatures. Movement past Leaburg resumes in August and September as spawning season approaches (Tim Downey, EWEB biologist, personal communication). Spawning occurs from August through October, with peak spawning in September (Mattson, 1962). Most of the natural spawning area is above Leaburg Dam. The current spawning timing and distribution appears to be similar to what it was historically. A 1903 document by the Oregon Department of Fisheries states: It has been generally reported by settlers and those living along the river that salmon can be seen spawning during the months of August and September all along the river, but principally from Leaburg post office up to its source (ODF 1903). Age structure Willamette and McKenzie spring Chinook return from the ocean as 3-,4-,5-,and 6-yearold fish. Rich and Holmes (1928), reporting on marking studies done on Willamette basin spring Chinook runs between 1916 and 1927, reported that the most abundant age class was age 5 fish, and age 6 fish were more abundant than age 4 fish. Mattson (1963) analyzed scales from spring Chinook caught in the sport fisheries in the Willamette River from and He reported that 4.6% were 3-year-olds (jacks); 24.2 % were age 4; 61.1% were age 5; and 10.5% were age 6. The samples analyzed by these investigators were presumably a mixture of hatchery and wild Chinook. Recent hatchery returns have shown a predominance of 4-year-old fish in the hatchery returns. Thus it appears there has been a significant shift toward 4-year-old returns within the hatchery population and a reduction of the age-5 and age-6 returns. For comparison, another 1990 McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 19

20 sample was collected from spawning grounds above Leaburg dam and from fish captured in the Leaburg ladder. This sample, presumed to be mostly wild fish, showed only 28% age 4, and 69% age 5, which is similar to the age structure reported by Mattson (1963), but with fewer age 6 fish (Table 5 and Fig. 1). The reason for the apparent shift in age-at-return observed in the hatchery population is unclear. Mattson (1963) showed that the faster growing individuals of a given year class tended to migrate to the ocean at an earlier age. He also showed that early migrants also tended to return at a younger age, primarily at age 3 and 4. Thus the shift to younger age at return in the hatchery population may be a reflection of the faster growth rate experienced by hatchery fish rather than a genetic bias. The apparent reduction of age 6 fish in both hatchery and wild populations may be due to increasing fishing pressure in the ocean, where the cumulative vulnerability to capture is increased with each successive year of ocean life. Table 5. Age distribution of McKenzie Chinook in 1990 and Data from scale analysis. Return Year Sample Location Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 Age 6 Sample Size 1990 McKenzie Hatchery (Unmarked) 2% 63% 34% 1% McKenzie Hatchery (Known age CWT marked) S. Surveys and Leaburg ladder (presumed to be mostly wild) 1% 59% 39% <1% 171 1% 28% 69% 2% Spawning Gr. near Leaburg Hatchery 3% 56% 41% Percent Hatchery 1990 "Wild" 3 Age Figure 1. Age structure of 1990 McKenzie River Chinook hatchery and wild spawning ground returns compared to samples. McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 20

21 Spawning and Incubation Spring Chinook spawning in the Willamette basin usually occurs from August 25 through October 15, with peak spawning activity in September. Mattson (1962) noted the latest natural spawning observed in the McKenzie under natural conditions was October 22. However abnormal conditions associated with dam constructions pushed spawning activity into November in some instances. Water temperature is the main factor influencing the time of incubation. Hatching has ranged from 58 to 105 days, but the usual incubation period is from 65 to 105 days. Spawning has occurred throughout the basin historically, including most major tributaries (NMFS/USFWS, 2001). Rearing Willamette spring Chinook exhibit complex and variable rearing and migration patterns. Chinook juveniles may spend up to 1½ years in their natal stream. Chinook fry are observed moving downstream past Leaburg dam shortly after emergence. This may be a dispersal movement rather than a true migration. Mattson (1962) identified three general migration patterns in seaward migration of Willamette spring Chinook observed in the lower Willamette River at Lake Oswego: The first is a spring-summer migration of 0-age juveniles which usually peaks from April through June. However, Chinook juveniles were observed as early as January, and peak counts were made as late as August. These first-spring migrants range in size from mm. The second migration period occurs in the fall and winter when the fish are about one year old. This migration generally peaks in October and is associated with the onset of heavy fall rains. Fall migrants are usually between mm in length. The third migration occurs in the second spring when the fish are about 1 ½ years old. This migration peaks between March and May, and the fish mm in length. Ocean Distribution Based on coded wire tag returns, McKenzie Chinook spend most of their ocean life in Alaskan and British Columbia waters (NMFS 2000). Columbia River Bull Trout Columbia River Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) were listed as threatened under the federal ESA in June of Bull trout are native to the McKenzie River basin, but are rarely seen in the vicinity of the McKenzie Hatchery or downstream. Historically, the basin likely had one or two fluvial populations distributed from the mouth upstream to Tamolitch Falls. Currently, the ODFW List of Wild Populations includes 3 populations of bull trout in the McKenzie Basin: 1) The mainstem McKenzie River and tributaries up to Trail Bridge Dam, 2) the McKenzie River and tributaries from Trail Bridge Dam up to Tamolitch Falls, and 3) the South Fork McKenzie River above Cougar Dam. These populations were artificially formed when dam construction fragmented the original McKenzie population (USFWS 2002). The largest concentrations of bull trout in the McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 21

22 McKenzie currently are in the South Fork above Cougar Dam and in the main stem McKenzie above river mile 39 (at Leaburg Dam). Bull trout may benefit from the McKenzie spring Chinook hatchery program due to increased food supply in the form of naturally produced juvenile Chinook in the South Fork McKenzie above Cougar dam and in the mainstem above Trail Bridge Dam resulting from releases of surplus adult hatchery spring Chinook. Life History Information for McKenzie Bull Trout Bull trout are strongly associated with very cold headwater stream habitats. They exhibit both resident and migratory life history strategies (Rieman and McIntyre 1993). Resident bull trout complete their entire life cycle in the tributary streams in which they spawn and rear. Migratory bull trout spawn in tributary streams where juvenile fish rear for one to four years before migrating to either a lake, river, or the ocean. Bull trout reach sexual maturity at four to seven years of age, and may live as long as 12 years (NMFS 2001). In the McKenzie River basin, adult bull trout tend to occupy large pools, using available large wood and undercut banks for cover (USFS 1995). Upstream migration begins in April and continues through the summer until September when the fish are found staging in large pools near spawning tributaries (ODFW 2001c). Resident populations of bull trout typically spawn from August through October in periods of declining water temperatures. Anderson and Ollalie creeks are two key spawning and juvenile rearing areas. The majority of bull trout redds are found in sites with small to medium sized gravel in water depths of 17 to 45 cm, with average water velocities of 30 cm/second. Optimal incubation temperatures are from 2-4 ºC. Incubation is from 100 to 140 days, sometimes as much as 200 days. Alevins remain in the gravel for another days, emerging in late winter or early spring. Juvenile bull trout are strongly associated with the substrate, and are usually found near the stream bottom. Juveniles feed primarily on insects at first, but sub-adults quickly become piscivorous. Juvenile bull trout may spend from several months to several years in their natal stream before migrating downstream to larger waters. Studies of juvenile bull trout have found an age 0+ and 2+ migration occurring from April through June. Length frequency data show that age 1+ fish range from mm and age 2+ fish range from mm. Adults are known as voracious indiscriminant fish predators. An estimated 200 to 300 bull trout spawn annually in the McKenzie River Basin. However, the total adult abundance of bull trout is difficult to estimate because of a lack of information, including the following: 1) the proportion of the adult population spawning in a given year, 2) the number of redds per female (a ratio 2:1 is often assumed), and 3) the sex ratio (ratio during spawning of 1.3 males to 1 female up to 1 male to 2 females) (ODFW 2001c). Competition and hybridization between brook trout and bull trout are concerns. It is McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 22

23 assumed that angling has limited the number of older fish in the population. Regulations requiring release of bull trout have been generally accepted, although there is still some harvest as a result of misidentification and illegal taking. b) Identify the ESA-listed population(s) that may be incidentally affected by the program. Lower Columbia River Steelhead The Lower Columbia River steelhead ESU was listed as threatened under the ESA on March 19, This ESU occupies tributaries to the Columbia River between the Cowlitz and Wind Rivers Washington, inclusive, and the Willamette and Hood Rivers in Oregon, inclusive. Excluded are steelhead in the upper Willamette River Basin above Willamette Falls, and steelhead from the Little and Big White Salmon Rivers in Washington. Upper Willamette River Steelhead The Upper Willamette River steelhead ESU (listed as threatened under the ESA on March 24, 1999), includes native winter-run populations from Willamette Falls to and including the Calapooia River. Significant natural populations of steelhead occur in the North Santiam, the South Santiam, the Molalla, and the Calapooia rivers. Additionally, smaller, but still significant natural populations occur in several West Valley tributaries (Tualatin, Yamhill, Luckiamute, Rickreall). Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon The Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon ESU was listed as threatened under the ESA on March 24, This ESU includes all naturally spawned Chinook populations residing below impassable natural barriers (e.g., long-standing, natural waterfalls) from the mouth of the Columbia River to the crest of the Cascade Range just east of the Hood River in Oregon and the White Salmon River in Washington. This ESU excludes populations above Willamette Falls. Within this ESU, there are historic runs of three different Chinook salmon populations: springrun, tule, and late-fall bright Chinook salmon. Lower Columbia River Chum Salmon Listed as a threatened species on March 25, The ESU includes all naturally spawned populations of chum salmon in the Columbia River and its tributaries in Washington and Oregon. Oregon Chub The reduction of suitable habitat and the restricted distribution of the Oregon chub resulted in a determination of "endangered" status under the federal endangered species act in Oregon chub are endemic to the Willamette Valley of western Oregon. Historically, Oregon chub were McKenzie Hatchery ChS HGMP 23