Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund Statement of Work

Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund Statement of Work I. Project Title: Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Phase 1 II. Project Number: PCSRF Objective: RM&E III. Principal Investigator Scott Maclean, Assistant Area Manager ADF&G, Sport Fish Division PO Box 47 Glennallen, AK 99588-0047 (907) 822-3309 scott.maclean@alaska.gov James Savereide (former PI) ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish IV. Project Period: 7/1/11 11/30/13 V. Project Description 1. Synopsis Gulkana River Chinook and sockeye salmon stocks support subsistence fisheries in the mainstem of the Copper River. This project will estimate daily passage of Chinook and sockeye salmon migrating in the mainstem Gulkana River by visually counting fish as they pass over white fabric panels located on the river bottom. The resulting data will provide three additional annual estimates of Chinook salmon escapement for one of the major spawning systems in the Copper River drainage, continuing a data set that currently spans nine years and facilitating inseason management. See related AKSSF project 44732. 2. Introduction The Gulkana River is one of six major spawning tributaries for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Copper River drainage. The mainstem river is fed by the East Fork, Middle Fork, and West Fork Gulkana rivers (Figure 1). The Gulkana River Chinook salmon stock is subject to a substantial commercial fishery at the mouth of the Copper River, significant subsistence and personal use fisheries in the mainstem Copper River, and the largest Chinook salmon sport fishery in the drainage. All of these mixed stock fisheries have shown an overall increase in harvest over the past 30 years. ADF&G established a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 24,000 or more Chinook salmon for the Copper River drainage. Inriver abundance is estimated annually, and inriver harvest is subtracted postseason to obtain an estimate of drainage-wide escapement. In contrast, there is no information available regarding stock specific escapements or exploitation rates, and there are no established escapement goals for any of the Copper River tributaries. Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 1 of 9

To Delta Junction 10 km Denali Hwy, West to East Fork Gulkana River Middle Fork Gulkana River Richardson Hwy Counting Tower Mainstem Gulkana River West Fork Gulkana River Copper River Figure 1. Map of the Gulkana River demarcating the counting tower site and the West, Middle, and East Forks of the Gulkana River. Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 2 of 9

In 2002, a multi-year cooperative project was initiated between ADF&G and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to monitor Chinook salmon escapement on the Gulkana River using counting tower techniques. The Gulkana River was selected for monitoring because the stock makes up a significant portion of the total Copper River escapement and plays a vital role in subsistence, commercial, personal use, and sport fisheries; it is also one of the few tributaries in the Copper River drainage supporting Chinook salmon that is not glacially occluded. This project will collect long-term information on escapements to develop management guidelines for the Chinook salmon fisheries, examine the spawner-recruit relationship in an attempt to establish a Gulkana River escapement goal, and provide inseason information on run strength to modify fishing regulations through emergency order (EO) if needed to achieve the drainagewide escapement goal. 3. Location Latitude: 62.597270 N Longitude: 145.616719 W 4. AKSSF Objective Central: 2A-1 VI. Objectives 1. Project Objectives Estimate the escapement of Chinook salmon upstream of an established tower site on the mainstem Gulkana River using counting tower techniques so the relative precision of the point estimate is 15% at a 95% confidence level Count sockeye salmon (O. nerka) in the Gulkana River throughout the duration of the Chinook salmon run 2. Methods This project will estimate the number of Chinook and sockeye salmon returning to an index area in the mainstem Gulkana River using counting tower techniques. Anecdotal information from sport fishermen and guides combined with the results from previous aerial surveys and radio telemetry studies indicate that the majority of spawning in the Gulkana River drainage occurs upstream of the selected counting tower site (see Figure 1). To calculate an estimate of total escapement, the sport fish harvest above the tower site will be subtracted from the total count. Counting begins on or about June 1 and continues into August until there are three continuous days with no net upstream passage of Chinook salmon (typically around August 10). The counting tower is located approximately 2.5 km upstream from the confluence of the West Fork and the mainstem river (Figure 1). This location was chosen because the majority of spawning occurs upstream of this site and to avoid the often turbid input of the West Fork. A small island splits the mainstem into two channels at the tower site. Steel scaffolding towers approximately 44 meters (m) above the water are located on each side of the island to provide a comprehensive view of the entire river (approximately 30 m per channel). Maximum depth in both channels ranges from 1 to 1.5 m. Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 3 of 9

To ensure migrating fish are clearly visible, a continuous band of white vinyl panels approximately 2 m wide are anchored to the river bottom across each river channel. There is also a 2 3 m section of picket weir placed near the base of each tower to ensure no fish are able to pass undetected directly beneath the towers. To ensure optimal viewing conditions, the panels are cleaned of debris, silt, gravel, and fish carcasses between scheduled counts as necessary. During periods of low ambient light, exterior-grade floodlights are used to illuminate the panels across each channel. Once the lights are turned on, they remain on between counts to maintain consistent conditions until no longer needed. This is to reduce any associated influence that lighting changes may have had on salmon passage. Two 10-minute (min) counting periods (one per channel, 20-min total) will be scheduled every hour, for each 24-hour day. Each day will be divided into three 8- hour shifts. Shift 1 begins at 0600 and ends at 1359, shift II begins at 1400 and ends at 2159, shift III begins at 2200 and ends at 0559. The 10-min count for the west channel begins between the top of the hour and 10 min past, and the 10-min count for the east channel immediately follows. The number of Chinook and sockeye salmon migrating upstream and downstream past the tower will be recorded on data forms at the end of each 10-min counting period. Separate data forms will be maintained for each day and channel. The number of carcasses floating downstream will be recorded in the comments column. In addition, at the beginning of each hour, water level (relative level on a staff gauge) and water clarity will be recorded. Water temperature is recorded at the beginning of each 8-hour shift. Conditions that might affect the counts (e.g., heavy rain or strong winds) and general observations will be recorded in the comments column. Prior to commencement of project activity, PI will obtain ADF&G Fish Collection, Fish Resource, Fish Transport, and/or other required permits, as appropriate. VII. Benefits Escapement monitoring provides the foundation for salmon management in Alaska. A continuous series of escapement estimates is critical for evaluating the efficacy of management systems and for establishing escapement goals by examining Chinook salmon productivity associated with different levels of escapement and environmental conditions. This project will provide inseason information regarding run strength that can be used to make management decisions to extend or restrict subsistence harvest opportunities based on the established drainage-wide escapement goal. VIII. Products, Milestones, and Timelines June - August 2011-2013: Tower counts October 2011-2013: Data analysis January - February 2012-2014: Report writing May 2012-2013: Annual reports to AKSSF May 2014: Final report to AKSSF Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 4 of 9

PI will submit PCSRF performance metrics, semiannual, and project completion reports according to the AKSSF schedule, as well as copies of any other report/product/ deliverable produced with this funding. All invoices will be submitted for payment within 30 days of the project end date in accordance with the current AKSSF invoicing P&P. Any report or product developed as a result of this funding will include the following language: This [report/video/website] was prepared by [recipient/author name] under award #NA10NMF4380428 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Any displays produced (e.g., signs, interpretive displays, posters) must include logos from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (please contact AKSSF staff for graphics and relevant language). IX. Partners BLM X. Project Budget ADF&G FY12 FY13 FY14 Total 100 Personnel $56,955 $56,955 $36,459 $150,369 200 Travel $500 $500 $500 $1,500 300 Contractual $5,150 $5,150 $2,625 $12,925 400 Supplies $15,850 $8,950 $4,475 $29,275 500 Equipment $0 $0 $0 $0 Subtotal $78,455 $71,555 $44,059 $194,069 600 Indirect @ 14% $10,984 $10,018 $6,168 $27,170 Total $89,439 $81,573 $50,227 $221,239 ADF&G Budget Narrative: Line 100: Personnel (Salaries are calculated with the state salary calculator.) Field work includes overtime (OT), graveyard duty (grave), and hazard pay (hazard): FY12 Fish Tech III (Step J): 3 months w/20 hours (h) OT and 150 h grave = $20,420 Fish Tech III (Step A): 2 months w/20 h OT = $11,196 Fish Tech II (Step A): 3 months w/20 h OT = $14,920 Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 5 of 9

Fish Tech II (Step A): 2 months w/20 h OT and 150 h grave = $10,419 FY13 Fish Tech III (Step J): 3 months w/20 h OT and 150 h hazard and grave = $20,420 Fish Tech III (Step A): 2 months w/20 h OT = $11,196 Fish Tech II (Step A): 3 months w/20 h OT = $14,920 Fish Tech II (Step A): 2 months w/20 h OT and 150 h grave = $10,419 FY14 Fish Tech III (Step J): 1.5 months w/15 h OT and 112 h hazard and grave = $10,923 Fish Tech III (Step A): 1.5 months w/15 h OT = $8,963 Fish Tech II (Step A): 1.5 months w/15 h OT = $8,193 Fish Tech II (Step A): 1.5 months w/15 h OT and 112 h grave = $8,380 Total FY12 Personnel: $56,955 Total FY13 Personnel: $56,955 Total FY14 Personnel: $36,459 Line 200: Travel A Fishery Biologist II will travel RT Glennallen to Fairbanks each year of the project for the annual operational planning meeting: FY12: $180 per diem (3 days @ $60/day) + $320 lodging (2 nights @ $160/night) = $500 FY13: $180 per diem (3 days @ $60/day) + $320 lodging (2 nights @ $160/night) = $500 FY14: $500: $180 per diem (3 days @ $60/day) + $320 lodging (2 nights @ $160/night) = $500 Line 300: Contractual FY12 Satellite phone use: $100 State trucks: 3 months @ $125/month x 2 trucks = $750 State vehicle maintenance: 3 months @ ~$167/month x 2 trucks = $1,000 State vehicle fuel: 3 months @ $125/month x 2 trucks = $750 Marine motor repair and maintenance: $250 Cabin rental: 3 months @ $700/month = $2,100 Printing, copying, and graphics: $200 FY13 Satellite phone use: $100 State trucks: 3 months @ $125/month x 2 trucks = $750 State vehicle maintenance: 3 months @ ~$167/month x 2 trucks = $1,000 State vehicle fuel: 3 months @ $125/month x 2 trucks = $750 Marine motor repair and maintenance: $250 Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 6 of 9

Cabin rental: 3 months @ $700/month = $2,100 Printing, copying, and graphics: $200 FY14 Satellite phone use: $50 State trucks: 2 months @ $37.50/month x 2 trucks = $150 State vehicle maintenance: 2 months @ $50/month x 2 trucks = $200 State vehicle fuel: 2 months @ $125/month x 2 trucks = $500 Marine motor repair and maintenance: $125 Cabin rental: 2 months @ $700/month = $1,400 Printing, copying, and graphics: $200 Total FY12 Contractual: $5,150 Total FY13 Contractual: $5,150 Total FY14 Contractual: $2,625 Line 400: Supplies FY12 Field camp groceries: 74 days @ ~$18/day/person x 3 people = $4,000 Waders and raingear: $1,000 Propane: $250 Camp supplies and gas: $500 Marine fuel and oil: $1,200 Counting tower parts and vinyl panels: $5,000 Generator: $2,000 Marine parts: $500 Satellite phone: $1,400 FY13 Field camp groceries: 74 days @ ~$18/day/person x 3 people = $4,000 Waders and raingear: $1,000 Propane: $250 Camp supplies and gas: $500 Marine fuel and oil: $1,200 Counting tower parts: $1,500 Marine parts: $500 FY14 Field camp groceries: 37 days @ ~$18/day/person x 3 people = $2,000 Waders and raingear: $500 Propane: $125 Camp supplies and gas: $250 Marine fuel and oil: $600 Counting tower parts: $750 Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 7 of 9

Marine parts: $250 Total FY12 Supplies: $15,850 Total FY13 Supplies: $8,950 Total FY14 Supplies: $4,475 Line 600: Indirect ADF&G s federally negotiated indirect rate for FY11 is 15.44%; however, indirect will be recovered at a reduced rate of 14% for this project. Budget adjustments between line items are allowed for amounts equal to or less than 10% of the total award without prior AKSSF approval; any amount above 10% requires prior AKSSF approval. All costs in lines 100-500 must represent actual cash expenditures. All direct and match expenses shall be adequately documented and filed. All invoices will be submitted for payment within 30 days of the project end date in accordance with the current AKSSF invoicing P&P. Invoices submitted after that deadline will not be reimbursed. Expenses incurred after the project end date will not be reimbursed. XI. Match Budget ADF&G FY12 FY13 FY14 Total 100 Personnel $29,018 $29,018 $16,267 $74,303 200 Travel $0 $0 $0 $0 300 Contractual $0 $0 $0 $0 400 Supplies $0 $0 $0 $0 500 Equipment $0 $0 $0 $0 Subtotal $29,018 $29,018 $16,267 $74,303 600 Indirect @ 14% $4,063 $4,063 $2,277 $10,403 Total $33,081 $33,081 $18,544 $84,706* *Match budget shows more match than is required for this project. Total required ADF&G match (35%): $77,434 ADF&G Match Budget Narrative: Line 100: Personnel (Salaries are calculated with the state salary calculator.) Project Leader, Fishery Biologist II (Step F): FY12: 3.5 months = $29,018 FY13: 3.5 months = $29,018 FY14: 2 months = $16,267 Line 600: Indirect Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 8 of 9

ADF&G s federally negotiated indirect rate for FY11 is 15.44%; however, indirect will be recovered at a reduced rate of 14% for this project. Gulkana River Chinook Escapement Page 9 of 9