Kootenai River Burbot Restoration Presented to KVRI 10/15/2018 by Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Burbot Restoration in the Kootenai Basin: Using Agency, Tribal and Community Collaboration to Develop and Implement a Conservation Strategy Illustration by Emily Damstra
British Columbia Ministry of Environment
No evidence of successful spawning or recruitment Idaho Dept of Fish and Game
Threats to the Burbot Population Winter Flow Management Winter Water Temperature Reduced Productivity Habitat Changes Low Population Size
Excerpt from Letter to USFWS from Kootenai Tribal Council, November 2001. the Tribe proposes, to develop, with the Service and additional committed stakeholders, an integrated and innovative approach to recovery of lower Kootenai River burbot. Ernest Keeley
Joint Powers Agreement Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative Formed October 2001 Mayor Darrell Kerby Chairman Gary Aitken Sr. Commissioner Dan Dinning
KVRI Member Representation: Industrial/Commercial Land Owner Forest Capital Partners Limited Conservationist Idaho Conservation League Soil Conservation District Local Director Industry Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Corporate Agricultural/Landowner Elk Mountain Farms Local County Government County Commissioner Local Municipality Mayor of Bonners Ferry Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Tribal Council Chair U.S. Forest Service Forest Supervisor/District Ranger Idaho Fish and Game Commission Local Commissioner Social/Cultural/Historical Boundary County Librarian
KVRI Purpose Partnerships and collaborative approach Proactive forum for the community Bring key players to the table Build connectivity between community and agencies Information sharing and exchange Sounding board for community involvement
February 2002 - KVRI agrees to form a Burbot Subcommittee to develop a conservation strategy
Agency, Tribal and Community Work sessions to develop conservation strategy Interviews with burbot fisherman from community Monthly report to KVRI board members Collaboration
Burbot conservation strategy Goal - Reestablish a native burbot population in the lower Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Conservation Aquaculture Alternative Hydro Operations Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Education and Outreach
Implementation Memorandum of Understanding commitment by participants to implement conservation strategy Secure funding Implementation of conservation measures Periodic check- in with KVRI
MOU signed in 2005 by 16 agencies and entities guides implementation of burbot conservation strategy
Burbot Program History 1999-2002: KTOI, IDFG, BC investigate feasibility 2003: UI-ARI Burbot Aquaculture Research Begins 2005: KVRI Burbot Conservation Strategy 2009: 1 st Hatchery Burbot Released 2009-2014: UI-ARI Reared Burbot
Burbot Program History 2012: Step 2 of BPA Project Submittal Process 2015: Twin Rivers Hatchery Operational - increased release numbers 2016-2018: UI-ARI eco-physiology research - investigate potential natural recruitment bottlenecks 1990 s - 2018: IDFG continuous M&E
KVRI Burbot Conservation Strategy Guiding Documents:
KVRI Burbot Conservation Strategy The goal of this Conservation Strategy is to restore and maintain a viable and ultimately harvestable burbot population in the Kootenai River and in the South Arm of Kootenay Lake. Three objectives address this goal: 1) maintain at least 2,500 adults in a burbot population in the Kootenai River and the South Arm of Kootenay Lake; 2) provide consistent natural recruitment in at least three different spawning areas, with net recruitment and juvenile population size sufficient to support at least 2,500 adult fish. Recruitment for burbot recovery may come from natural production, from conservation aquaculture, or from some combination of the two, and 3) produce stable size and age class distributions.
KVRI Burbot Conservation Strategy Conservation Aquaculture Monitoring and Evaluation Alternative Hydro-operations Plan Habitat Restoration Education and Outreach
Burbot Conservation Strategy Guiding Documents:
Burbot Program History 2013: 1 st Annual Program Review (APR) 2013-2018: Annual APR meetings with co-managers have guided the program.
Burbot Conservation Strategy - Changes 2,500 Adults 17,500 Adults adopted at first APR
Burbot Conservation Strategy - Changes Recovery Area: Lower Kootenai River & South Arm Kootenay Lake 2018 APR Distinct Recovery Area(s): Lower Kootenai River Kootenay Lake (all)
RECOVERY AREAS ADULT ABUNDANCE GOALS LAKE = 20,000 RIVER = 17,500
Thanks to all our partners for continued support of the Burbot Restoration Program! UP NEXT: Nate Jensen, KTOI: Burbot Hatchery Production and Releases TJ Ross, IDFG: Burbot Program M&E Results and Fishery Information