FY 2017 Puyallup River Watershed Fisheries RM&E Project

The FY2017 RM&E project is an integral component of an ongoing annual tribal program, and is commensurate with previously completed PCSRF RM&E projects (2010-present/See uploaded progress and annual reports). The FY2016 project involved adult escapement monitoring through visual, redd, and carcass counts throughout the Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers and associated tributaries; as well as, the USACE fish trap located on the White River. The project also entails juvenile out-migrant monitoring of the Electron Hydo Forebay fish collection facility (monitored year round). Adult returns were also sampled at the USACE fish trap, allowing the collection of DNA, length, sex, scales and mark type and ratio information as well as critical run timing data. Catch numbers and the ratio of wild and hatchery fish caught are used to develop survival estimates and run forecasts (although not funded through this project). Work types reported for this project include: E.1.c.1 Adult salmonid population monitoring; E.1.c.2 Salmonid smolt or fry monitoring; E.1.c.4 Redd counts; E.1.c.5 Carcass counts.

Consecutive FY project budgets overlap due to variations in timing of PCSRF funding availability, tribal fiscal calendar (Oct. 1st-Sept 30th) and seasonal timing of work conducted and reports generated. In general, small line item budgets such as communications, report printing and supplies were not exhausted by the projects scheduled end date and were therefore spent concurrently during the current (FY2018) PCSRF FY project. These overlap funds were spent to complete work on the project for which the FY funding was awarded, or on the same proposed work which was conducted during the current FY project.

Recovery and sustainability of ESA listed Spring/Fall Chinook, and winter steelhead stocks; as well as non-listed coho, pink, chum and sockeye. The RM&E project is vital for constructing informative and adaptive management decisions leading to effective actions in support of maintaining and improving fisheries stocks for implementation of tribal treaty and subsistence fishing rights. The monitoring and evaluation project is a high priority for the Puyallup Tribe and is vital towards assessing the status and trends of Natural Origin Recruits (NORs) and hatchery salmonids and their environments; as well as, investigating factors affecting salmonid population viability and providing information essential for resolving existing and potential habitat, water quality and hydraulic violation issues through corrective and/or mitigation actions.