Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery (NPTH) Operations and Snake River Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Project
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
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BPA is proposing to fund the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission to implement a Snake River Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Program for the capture, reconditioning, and release of post-spawn Snake River steelhead. BPA is also proposing to fund construction of a reconditioning facility within the NPTH near Lewiston, Idaho.
BPA has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed NPTH Operations and Snake River Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Project. The EA describes the project and why it is needed, discusses the environmental impacts the project would create, and lists the mitigation measures that would lessen those impacts.
Kelt reconditioning, as proposed here, consists of the capture of post-spawned steelhead and the administration of disease-preventative medications and feed for the purpose of improving survival over what would be expected in the wild. Upon release, these fish are expected to return again to their spawning areas, successfully spawn, and thereby increase spawner returns and productivity. This program would expand an on-going, and successful, research program to production levels. It also includes the construction of a kelt reconditioning facility at the NPTH.
BPA also proposes on-going funding to the Nez Perce Tribe for hatchery operations for the production of spring/summer and fall Chinook salmon at NPTH; and to change the release locations of some of the reared fall Chinook salmon smolts. All comments submitted during the comment period will be considered.
For More Information:
https://www.bpa.gov/efw/Analysis/NEPADocuments/Pages/Nez-Perce-Tribal-Hatchery-Programs.aspx
Close of comment: 11/13/2018
- NPTH201180001 -
IriyeDear BPA,
Once upon a time, the Columbia River ran full of fish: steelhead, chinook, coho, and the like. Nowadays, due to human activity on a number of levels, these once-abundant fish are in peril and at extinctions door.
Reports from the Army Corps' and fish handler biologists have stated fish handling causes immense stress on fish and is a large cause of mortality. While the intentions of BPA are just in trying to create a Snake River Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Program, the practicality is going to be waster efforts. While you may see a slight increase in numbers over time, a better use of our resources would be to create a system wherein these fish can flourish like they once did.
Steelhead use much the same river waters as Chinook salmon. I'm sure you're aware of the call to breach the 4 Lower Snake River Dams and you'll find this solution not only supports the rejuvenation of Chinook, but also Steelhead.
Restoring nature back to it's natural state will result in us saving millions of dollars on failed fish-rehab attempts AND the fish will increase in numbers. It's a win-win.
Since BPA is responsible for 92% of the cost of these four dams, BPA is responsible for at least 92% of the breach cost. (The 92% is an average; the cost share ranges from 98.4% for Lower Granite dam to 78% for Ice Harbor dam) . However, if BPA sought to pursue breaching the 4 LSRDs as the most cost effective “fish mitigation” measure for salmon and steelhead recovery under the 1980 Power Planning and Conservation Act, BPA can book a 22% credit against the US Treasury debt on these dams. This has the added advantage of avoiding any of the appropriation and authorization conundrums involved in attempting to get Congress to act.
We've well-passed the time for actions that work. We've spent decades and millions of dollars on efforts that have proven fruitless. Why don't we stop trying to mess around with nature and just let it go do it's own thing by freeing up 140 miles of river? Those fish will be able to spawn, rejuvenate, and replenish themselves on their own.
Breach the 4 Snake River Dams and help all the ESA-listed fish in the Columbia and the Snake!
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