Fish & Wildlife – Clearwater – 10:30

Facilitator
Ron Peters Fisheries Program Manager, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Status of the Resource Report an interactive information tool.
Neil Ward – Resident Fish Coordinator, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority.

In 2006, an Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) identified the need for readily accessible data relative to the status of fish populations in the 62 subbasins that comprise the Columbia River Basin. The ISRP recommended that the data, collected through public funds, should be available through publicly accessible websites. Because of the broad authority required to coordinate and implement a basin-wide effort, the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (CBFWA), an organization comprised of state, tribal, and federal fish and wildlife entities, accepted the responsibility. Working collaboratively with data management projects and decision-makers, the CBFWA developed, coordinated, and implemented a comprehensive and uniform basin-wide data inventory and reporting project that mines and compiles fish-specific data for populations throughout the Columba River Basin. Information is disseminated through a publicly accessible website and annual reports that provide comparisons between observed values and existing biological objectives that have been set by fisheries managers throughout the basin.

Implementing a Forest Road and Fish Passage Assessment for Portions of Four Watersheds on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation
Stephanie A. Hallock Tribal Biologist Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe Fisheries Program has is currently completing an inventory and assessment of forest roads and stream crossings in portions of four watersheds on the Reservation, including Alder, Benewah, Evans and Lake Creeks. These roads are managed by Tribal, state, county, and private landowners. The objectives of this study are to: 1) Evaluate sediment contributions from road segments within the target watershed that are within proximity to critical areas for spawning and rearing habitat, 2) Identify any complete or partial barriers that may affect the ability of westslope cutthroat trout to access key spawning and rearing habitats, and 3) draft a planning document to identify priorities for restoration/enhancement treatments based on the study results. Field surveys were conducted along identified road segments between August-November 2008. A planning document describing study results will be completed by May 2009. The Tribe will use the study as the basis for developing cooperative projects with landowners interested in meeting the identified habitat needs.

Tags: Fisheries, Habitat