Snake River Coho Restoration III

In 1994, the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) initiated a coho reintroduction program as a result of agreements in the U.S. v. Oregon forum that reprogrammed Lower Columbia River Mitchell Act hatcheries to produce coho salmon for release in the Clearwater River Subbasin. The focus of the project is to restore Snake River coho salmon population to levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support a sustainable run capable of annual harvest in the Clearwater River subbasin and the Grande Ronde River subbasin. The NPT Clearwater River coho salmon production project is utilizing a phased approach for reintroduction and establishment of a localized coho salmon stock capable of enduring the migration to the Clearwater River. Historically, the Grande Ronde River was a major production area for coho in the Snake River Basin. In 2017, the NPT reintroduced coho into the Grande Ronde subbasin.The Nez Perce Tribe considered many alternatives for re-establishing coho salmon in the Wallowa watershed, a tributary of the Grande Ronde. After analysis of alternatives, the Nez Perce Tribe determined a preferred alternative that meets, within a reasonable length of time, stated objectives, needs, and biological concerns. Currently, the NPT is utilizing four different hatchery facilities for the development of a localized Clearwater River coho stock and planned reintroduction of coho to the Lostine River, a tributary of the Clearwater.

Specific work proposed under this project by worksite is as follows.

WS #1 (Dworshak NFH) - Propose to trap 600 returning coho adults and use as broodstock to provide eggs for the coho hatchery production groups under this project (October- December). When the smolts reach optimum growth levels they will be transported to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery for acclimation and release (January-April). Also under this project the tribe proposes to mark 60,000 of the coho with Coded Wire Tags (July). A total of 400,000 Clearwater stock smolts and 100,000 Kalama late stock smolts will transferred to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery for final acclamation and will be released during April.

WS #2 (Eagle Cr NFH) - Propose to transport 275,000 smolts to Lapwai Creek and 275,000 to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release into Clear Creek (March). Willl collect and spawn Clearwater River returning adults to provide eyed eggs to to ECNFH. Eggs will be reared until March and transported to Lapwai Creek and Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. Propose to mark 70,000 of the coho with Pit tags and Coded Wire Tags (using non-PCSRF funds).

WS #3 (Kooskia NFH) – Propose to trap 800 coho adults and use as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups. Propose to incubate and acclimatize the 775,000 coho smolts from DNFH and ECNFH. Of the surviving coho smolts, propose to release the coho smolts directly into Clear Creek next to KNFH (April). Propose to mark 140,000 of the coho with Pit tags and Coded Wire Tags (using non-PCSRF funds).

WS #4 (Lapwai Creek) – Propose to trap 600 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups (October-December). Propose to release 275,000 smolts from ECNFH (March).

WS #5 (Lostine River) - Release Year 2020 will be the third year of reintroduction of coho into Grande Ronde River subbasin. Releasing a smolt group from Cascade Fish Hatchery located near Cascade Locks Oregon. The second release group will be 500,000 Tanner Creek stock smolts released into Lostine River (March). Propose to mark 60,000 of the coho with Coded Wire Tags. Also under this project the Nez Perce staff will effectively communicate the Coho program approach and findings to resource managers. This activity will be divided into three specific areas involving: 1) interagency coordination with ongoing production issues, 2) coordination with regards to Endangered Species Act issues, and 3) coordination with regards to fundin

The NPT’s overall goal is to reintroduce and restore coho salmon to the Snake River Subbasin at levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support sustainable runs and annual harvest. Consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Plan and Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit: Spirit of the Salmon Tribal Recovery Plan, the NPT envisions an annual escapement of 14,000 coho to the Clearwater River Subbasin. Based on results from the existing Clearwater River Subbasin coho production program and experience in managing anadromous fish populations in the Snake River Basin. The NPT’s long-term goal is to return 7,000 adult coho to the Wallowa River watershed in the Grande Ronde River subbasin. Nez Perce Tribe believes this program will require a substantial hatchery production component and the establishment of highly productive naturally spawning coho salmon aggregates.

The Nez Perce Tribe developed management objectives aimed at achieving the overall goal of the program. These include:
• Establish a localized Clearwater River subbasin coho salmon broodstock.
• Establish a localized Grande Ronde subbasin coho salmon broodstock.
• Establish natural spawning populations of coho salmon in the Clearwater River Subbasin and Grande Ronde River subbasin.
• Utilize hatchery production to achieve optimal production effectiveness while meeting priority management objectives for natural production enhancement, harvest, diversity and minimizing impacts to non-target populations.
• Restore and maintain treaty-reserved tribal and recreational fisheries.
• Monitor and evaluate program activities and communicate program findings to resource managers.
• This project specifically provides fish for tribal treaty rights. It gives the treaty tribes access to Mitchell Act fish that were previously released downstream of Bonneville Dam, it provides fish for harvest in the Columbia River from the mouth up through Zone 6, it provides fish for harvest in the tributaries of the Snake River, and it provides fish for natural spawning and reintroduction of an extirpated stocks in the Snake River.