Project objectives: the intent of this project is to gather the baseline data that is necessary to inform the feasibility of salmon reintroduction upstream of chief joseph and grand coulee dams

The data will replace a number of key assumptions modeled within phase 1 salmon reintroduction studies (ucut 2019), with empirical data and includes the following objectives specific to juvenile sockeye salmon: 1. Estimate yearling smolt sockeye salmon survival through grand coulee DAM. 2. Estimate yearling smolt sockeye salmon survival through rufus woods lake, from grand coulee DAM to chief joseph DAM. 3. Estimate yearling smolt sockeye salmon survival through chief joseph DAM. 4. Estimate pre-smolt juvenile sockeye salmon survival from release in early fall to migrant stage the following spring. 5. Assess the behavior and travel route of yearling smolt sockeye salmon in the forebay and through grand coulee DAM and chief joseph DAM. Project proposal total amount and priority designation: the coeur dalene tribe is requesting $1,982,673 to fund the second year of project implementation, and summary analysis and reporting. Total project cost for the study is estimated to be $6,012,019. The coeur dalene tribe and their partners have secured $2,046,673 of funding to implement the project thus far. Noaas pcsrf program has committed over $2.5 million to the phase 2 implementation plan (P2IP) overall as of 2025 to the coeur dalene tribe and the colville tribes for implementation of multiple studies. Additional funding has been provided by partners including the department of interior and the state of washington. All funding identified within this proposal will be applied to priority three, specifically parts a)(3), b)(3), and b)(4). Project justification and need for funding: in 2021, ucut competed the first draft of the phase 2 implementation plan (P2IP) which outlines a stepwise and scientifically adaptive approach for testing the feasibility of salmon reintroduction into the blocked habitats upstream of chief joseph DAM (ucut 2021). This implementation plan describes research necessary to resolve phase 1 uncertainties and the tools that will be used to guide management actions and evaluate their success. One of the primary objectives within this plan is to test the key biological assumptions made in phase 1 considered critical for the success of the reintroduction effort. The P2IP has been reviewed by multiple managing agencies and stakeholders within the region, including staff from NOAA fisheries and the isab (2022). All reviewers agree that the plan, which includes the project design identified in this proposal, is a viable path forward. The baseline data associated with the objectives of this project will provide managers with the appropriate information to proceed in the stepwise approach to test feasibility of salmon reintroduction, and provide project proponents reliable decision-making data for the P2IP. Proposed project outcomes: the proposed project anticipates collection of additional data associated with juvenile salmon survival and behavior throughout the study area. This will in turn provide the salmon reintroduction team with the baseline data necessary to proceed through full-scale feasibility testing of salmon reintroduction to the upper columbia basin, all the while maintaining current operations and benefits of the federal hydroelectric system. This project will also provide salmon managers in the region with important information regarding the potential for salmon reintroduction and recovery above other dams constructed without fish passage.