DISPOSITION OF 2021 SORs

D2021-1   D2021-1(Updated February 24, 2021)   D2020-2   D2021-FWS#1   D2021-C-1   D2021-3   D2021-4   D2021-5   D2021-6  

 

D2021-1   Top of Page
2-February-2021 2021-1 FPAC Chair Dworshak Load Shaping
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
The fishery managers recommend cessation of within day load shaping operations at Dworshak Dam.

JUSTIFICATION:
Within day load shaping operations at Dworshak Dam were implemented January 25 – 29, 2021 (Attachment 1) with likely impacts to treaty and non-treaty fisheries, ESA-listed juvenile fall Chinook, hatchery operations, and riverine ecological function. Daily load shaping operations occur when water releases through turbines are minimized during periods of low power demand (market value), typically nighttime, and subsequently increased when demand (market value) is high, typically daytime. Daily load shaping operations have not been implemented at Dworshak dam since 1986 and consideration for contemporary use was not coordinated with Fishery Managers.

Flow increases were started each day about 4:00am, with peak flows occurring between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Base flows were ~1,600cfs and peak discharges were ~9,700cfs. These flow fluctuations occur in the North Fork Clearwater River with very little delay, however flows in downstream areas (i.e. Spaulding) do not increase until 10:00am, with peak flows reached by 1:00pm (Figures 1 and 2). Flows from the Clearwater River upstream of its confluence with the North Fork Clearwater River were ~2,900cfs. The load shaping releases nearly tripled flows in the lower Clearwater River.

End of month Flood Risk Management (FRM) pool elevation targets have guided project discharges for several decades, increases in discharge are typical over the last several days of the month to reach FRM target elevation. The Dworshak Dam January FRM elevation was 1,533 feet. Holding Dworshak discharge at minimum flows (1,600cfs) for most of January resulted in a pool elevation on January 24 of 1,534.8 feet. After the five days of load shaping operations, Dworshak pool elevation was at 1,531.7 feet (1.3 feet lower than the FRM target).

Corps of Engineers’ January final snowpack estimates for the North Fork Clearwater basin was 117%. Their February final snowpack estimate is 100% of average. The current forecast from the NOAA River Forecast Center (RFC) is 88% of average.
2. Requester(s) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
3. TMT Recommendation February 3, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Nez Perce, presented SOR 2021-1, on behalf of Fisheries Managers, which recommends the cessation of within day load shaping operations at Dworshak Dam. The Nez Perce noted that this operation occurred between January 25-29, 2021 with likely impacts to treaty and non-treaty fisheries, ESA-listed juvenile fall Chinook, hatchery operations, and river ecology. Fisheries Managers were concerned that although this operation has not been implemented at the project since 1986 (in part due to ire from anglers and the public), consideration for the recent use was not coordinated in collaboration with TMT. Additionally, due to the lack of prior knowledge surrounding the operation, there were further concerns from some Co- Managers that did not make it into the SOR. Additional concerns included hatchery maintenance issues from algae, impacts to fish disease treatment, and potential impacts to bull trout.

The Corps, acknowledged the concerns and reported that the AAs need more time to evaluate the SOR. The Corps and BPA, clarified that they don’t plan to implement the operation again before the next TMT meeting on February 17, and the project is projected to run on minimum discharge.

The Nez Perce voiced unease over the uncertainties of potential implementation in the case of a significant precipitation event, and WA, noted that the prior notification of the operation was insufficient to describe such a radical departure of load following as historically agreed upon. In consideration of the concerns expressed, BPA confirmed that BPA will not request to operate in a load following daily hourly ramp rate as conducted in late January.

In anticipation for the meeting on February 17, AAs will discuss the SOR and bring a response or possibly an alternative operation to TMT on the 17th. It was noted that policy level staff will also be having discussions between now and the next meeting. The Corps and BPA noted that they understood the high level of concern shared from TMT members and that proper notification before operations is an important step to the collaborative process. TMT will revisit past notification process agreements made around Dworshak flow changes.

February 17, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Nez Perce, reported on conversations at FPAC around revisions to the SOR presented at the February 3rd TMT meeting. Nez Perce, noted that revisions are not complete, however, are expected to include: 1) a correction on the load shaping implementation history; and 2) an update to the fry emergence memo (Attachment 2) to reflect estimates from this year’s emergence. These revisions did not change the intent of the SOR, only revised the justification. Additionally, NOAA has also proposed some changes and fish managers are still working to reach consensus on language. It is expected that a revised SOR will be provided to TMT later this week.

NOAA would like the Action Agencies to work with Co-Managers to find a solution, recognizing that to do so, some sideboards are needed. NOAA’s interest in finding a consensus operation via regional coordination and shared that NOAA can no longer support the SOR as currently written and instead will abstain on the SOR until further conversation. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission all still support the SOR, the State of Idaho also indicated support (they had not previously signed on to the SOR; see 2/3/21 meeting summary for details). BPA, Corps, and Reclamation objected to the SOR, however, do not plan to elevate.

Rational for SOR Polling

• USFWS: Noted that ongoing conversations since the original SOR was signed 2 weeks ago have influenced the Service’s position. USFWS has concerns about within day load shaping and would prefer the operation is not implemented without further consulting with partners. The initial SOR is broad and ongoing discussion around refinements should help to clarify operations.

• Nez Perce: Noted concerns that full discourse on this SOR has not occurred at TMT. Nez Perce noted that TMT Guideline use SORs for in-season management requests and are not intended to be a long-term strategic planning process.

• Corps: The Corps cannot move forward on the request without the appropriate sideboards. The Corps provided clarification on aspects of the SOR (specifically past implementation of the operation) and noted that regional concerns have been heard and understood.

Corps and BPA, noted that because the SOR as written is too broad, the Action Agencies cannot implement it, however, BPA will not request within day load shaping for the remainder of February, and will hold off on implementing within day load shaping until after further coordination with regional partners. The Corps noted that they will continue to coordinate internally and within the federal family, and once more information is available on future coordination needs, process, and timing, the Corps will update the TMT. In regard to future notifications on flow changes, the Corps will continue to provide bi-weekly updates on planned operations via email.

Fisheries Managers desired feedback/conversation on what sideboards are needed for the SOR to be implemented and expressed concern with how the AAs will engage them in future discussions on sideboards. There was question around the level, timing, and forum for further coordination. Additionally, concern was expressed around the level of regional coordination, collaboration, and communication, with some expressing frustration around how this SOR process has played out. It was noted that within the range of SORs, some can be addressed and implemented within a meeting, others require more time for deliberation and coordination.

Additional information from the TMT meeting may be found in the TMT Minutes and Facilitator Summaries on the following website.

http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/
4. AA Decision February 17, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Action Agencies will coordinate internally and then reach out to TMT partners for additional conversation around sideboards for within day load shaping, with the intent of finding middle ground. BPA will not request within day load shaping at Dworshak Dam until after the regional coordination has occurred. A new revised SOR is anticipated to be provided to TMT later this week.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation February 17, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Action Agencies will coordinate internally and then reach out to TMT partners for additional conversation around sideboards for within day load shaping, with the intent of finding middle ground. BPA will not request within day load shaping at Dworshak Dam until after the regional coordination has occurred. A new revised SOR is anticipated to be provided to TMT later this week.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-1 (updated)   Top of Page
2-February-2021(updated February 24, 2021) 2021-1 (updated) FPAC Chair Dworshak Load Shaping
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
The fishery managers recommend cessation of within day load shaping operations at Dworshak Dam. Any future daily load-shaping operations at Dworshak Dam should not be implemented until after coordination with the fish managers has occurred to address concerns and reach consensus on future operations.

JUSTIFICATION:
Within dayload shaping operations at Dworshak Dam were implemented January 25 –29, 2021 (Attachment 1) with likely impacts to treaty and non-treaty fisheries, ESA-listed juvenile fall Chinook, hatchery operations, and riverine ecological function. Daily load shaping operations occur when water releases through turbines are minimized during periods of low power demand (market value), typically nighttime,and subsequently increased when demand (market value) is high, typically daytime. Daily load shaping operations have been used infrequently at Dworshak Dam and were last implementedin 20112. Consideration for contemporary use was not coordinated with Fishery Managers.

Flow increases were started each day about 4:00am, with peak flows occurring between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Base flows were ~1,600cfs and peak discharges were ~9,700cfs. These flow fluctuations occur in the North Fork Clearwater River with very little delay, however flows in downstream areas (i.e. Spaulding) do not increase until 10:00am, with peak flows reached by 1:00pm (Figures 1 and 2). Flows from the Clearwater River upstream of its confluence with the North Fork Clearwater River were ~2,900cfs. The load shaping releases nearly tripled flows in the lower Clearwater River.

End of month Flood Risk Management (FRM) pool elevation targets have guided project discharges for several decades, increases in discharge are typical over the last several days of the month to reach FRM target elevation. The Dworshak Dam January FRM elevation was 1,533feet. Holding Dworshak discharge at minimum flows (1,600cfs) for most of January resulted in a pool elevation on January 24 of 1,534.8 feet. After the five days of load shaping operations, Dworshak pool elevation was at 1,531.7 feet (1.3 feet lower than the FRM target).

Corps of Engineers’ January final snowpack estimates for the North Fork Clearwater basin was 117%. Their February final snowpack estimateis 100% of average. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s current River Forecast Center (RFC) forecast is 88% of average.
2. Requester(s) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Warm Springs Tribe, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
3. TMT Recommendation March 3, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Nez Perce Tribe, presented updates to SOR #2021-1. The SOR was revised to include additional language in the Specification section requesting coordination with fish managers aimed at seeking a common vision for future operations, a correct portrayal of past operations and implementation of load shaping operations, and an update to the Attachment 2 memo to reflect this year’s juvenile fall Chinook emergence timing. Idaho was added as a signatory to the updated SOR.

The Corps supported the updated SOR, and the Corps provided three comments: 1) Regarding the operation, the Corps heard the request and ceased within-day load shaping at DWR; 2) Regarding future coordination, the Corps and BPA plan to reach out to affected co-managers, ID, Nez Perce, USFWS, and NOAA, to hear concerns and discuss ideas for future operations; and 3) To clarify terminology in the SOR Specification section, per TMT guidelines, the intention is to “seek” consensus (rather than “reach”).

BPA, clarified that following discussions with a sub-set of co-managers, potential operations will be brought back to the TMT for input and discussion. BPA and the Corps do not intend to implement within-day load shaping at DWR until after this coordination is complete.

OR, appreciated the Corps and BPA’s consideration of the SOR, and voiced concern on the notion that only some of the TMT member organizations are impacted by the operation. OR was concerned that there is a trend of moving away from whole team representation in discussions and coordination and recognized that this may be a topic for future conversation.
4. AA Decision March 3, 2021, TMT Meeting.

BPA and the Corps do not intend to implement within-day load shaping at DWR until after this coordination is complete.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation March 3, 2021, TMT Meeting.

BPA and the Corps do not intend to implement within-day load shaping at DWR until after this coordination is complete.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2020-2   Top of Page
25-March-2021 2020-2 FPAC Chair Optimize fish passage during McNary Emergency Bypass Operations
1. SOR Request OBJECTIVE:
Use adaptive management actions to help minimize the impact of lost fish protection measures while McNary Dam is operating in emergency bypassto achieve thefollowing objectives: 1) minimize powerhouse passage, 2) optimize passage conditions for fish that experience the emergency bypass route, and 3) optimize tailrace egress for fish that experience the emergency bypass route.

SPECIFICATIONS:
This SOR seeks to operate McNary Dam using the three recommended actions outlined below while emergency bypass operations are in effect.

•To achieve objectives 1 and 3, use TSW spill and training spill up to TDG standards from April 1 through April 9. Change spill operation to 125% tailwater TDG % spill (24 hours per day, 7 days a week) or minimum generation (depending on flow conditions) beginning April 10 until emergency bypass operations end and normal bypass operationsare restored. Revert to flex spilloperations when normal bypass operations are restored.

•To address objective 2, prioritize increased debris monitoring and cleaning. For example, as practicable: cycle orifices every 2-hours, TSW operation to clear forebay debris, head differential monitoring.

•To address objective 2,continue operation with currently deployed screens (four), install additional screens starting with lowest priority units on April 2, with remaining screening completed by April 15.

JUSTIFICATON:
The unplanned outage of the McNary bypass system, and implementation of emergency bypass operations, interrupts the planned operations specified in 2021 regulatory documents. Any actions that erode the fish protections in the planned operations are subject to an adaptive management response. In the current situation, tools exist at McNary Dam to lessen the impact of operating the emergency bypass route.

The McNary emergency bypass operation results in a reversal in the direction of the flow that normally travels through the bypass collection channel, removes all PIT-tag detection capabilities, eliminates fish monitoring and evaluation—including GBT sampling and fish condition monitoring, and foregoes measures that deliver bypassed fish downstream of the tailrace BRZ (see Figure 1 for details). In addition, the emergency bypass route operation involves every bypassed fish traveling through one of two restrictive rectangular slots in the collection channel floor that drop vertically into a concrete flow structure designed to move ice and debris (Figure 2). The emergency bypass route is a more restrictive and turbulent route that increases risks to fish (injury, fish condition, and survival) over those generally expected in the usual bypass route when using the normal primary or secondary bypass operations. Similarly, the exit point of the ice trash sluiceway delivers flow to the face of the dam in the area where ERDC modeling work has identified surface flow pattern concerns that can negatively influence fish egress out of the McNary tailrace (see Figure 1 for details).

Emphasizing operation measures that increase the probability of fish taking a non-powerhouse route can be an effective adaptive management approach that can reduce both fish passage through the emergency bypass route and turbine route. Establishing a surface passage route from April 1 – 9 and increasing spill on April 10 will accomplish the goal of increasing the probability of fish taking a non-powerhouse route, countering the impacts from emergency bypass passage that a significant number of later migrating fish will experience.

All three of the actions outlined above can enhance survival probabilities that would otherwise be reduced during the emergency bypass operation. The three actions, in concert, can improve fish protections by reducing probabilities of fish using the powerhouse passage route, improve passage conditions of those fish that do pass through the emergency bypass route, are reasonably implementable on short timelines, and are easily reversed when operations return to normal, planned operations.
2. Requester(s) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Warm Springs Tribe, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
3. TMT Recommendation April 7, 2021, TMT Meeting.

This SOR was not coordinated at the April 7 TMT Meeting because the issue was resolved prior to the meeting via the FPOM process.

April 8, 2021, FPOM Meeting.

McNary juvenile fish facility (from NWW, “Emergency Juvenile Fish Bypass at McNary.pdf”) – Cleaning brush operational, back up and running again. Corps walked through 13 slide PowerPoint of the problem and fix. Umatilla, OR, and WA expressed appreciation for guys on the ground getting it fixed.
4. AA Decision There was no AA decision on this SOR because the broken part that was the reason for the SOR was was repaired and this operations and mantenance related issue was coordinated via the FPOM process during the April 8 FPOM Meeting.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation There was no operation implemented because the broken part that was the reason for the SOR was was repaired and this operations and mantenance related issue was coordinated via the FPOM process during the April 8 FPOM Meeting.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-FWS#1   Top of Page
10-May-2021 2021-FWS#1 Christopher Swanson, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, on behalf of the Libby Biological Opinion Policy Group 2021 Libby Dam Releases for Sturgeon and Bull Trout Augmentation Flows
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) July 24, 2020, Biological Opinion on Columbia River System Operations and Maintenance, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) May final April-August volume runoff forecast of 5.19 million acre-feet (MAF) (Flow Plan Implementation Protocol Technical Team Final Flow Plan for 2021 Sturgeon Operations at Libby Dam, dated May 7, 2021),we are within a Tier 2 operations year for Kootenai River white sturgeon. The minimum recommended release volume for sturgeon conservation in a Tier 2 yearis 0.80 MAF and we recommend the following procedures for discharge of at least this minimum volume from Libby Dam.

The precise means that will be utilized to meet these objectives are dependent on real-time conditions and in-season water management. Given these uncertainties, the Technical Team has developed the following guidelines for sturgeon operations in 2021:

The 2021 sturgeon flow augmentation operation at Libby Dam will consist of:a sevenday period of steady flows of 9,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) (3,000 cfs above VarQ flows of 6,000 cfs) followedby a period of increasing flows (pre-peak) from 9,000 cfs to 25,000 cfs (powerhousecapacity) over two days following 2020 BO ramping rates;a period of powerhouse capacity (peak) flows for approximately 15 days;and a period of decreasing flows (post-peak) from 25,000 cfs to 7,000 cfs following 2020 BO ramping rates over approximately seven days.

• Pre-Peak Flows: 13-14 May

• Peak Flows: 14-28 May

• Post Peak Flows: 29 May -04 June

• 30,000 cfs @ Bonners Ferry: 16-17 days

• Bonners Ferry Stage >1,758’ MSL: 10-11 days

• Median Koocanusa Max. Elevation2451.83’ (Full Pool = 2459.00’)

Selective Withdrawal System (SWS) gates at Libby Dam above elevation 2,326 feet meansea level (MSL) will be installed immediately prior to, and during, the peak flow period, with the objective of passing the warmest water available in the forebay (surfaceand sub-surface) as it becomes available.

Release of the warmest water possible from Libby Dam, in combination with lower volume of release, may allow the Kootenai River temperature to increase to appropriate temperatures at Bonners Ferry (9-10+°C) during the receding limb of the hydrograph to trigger spawning, supporting incubation and early larval development while stimulating primary production to support food web dynamics. The low water supply forecast through the late winter and early spring resulted in storage of cold thermal mass that will influence the ability to provide optimal discharge temperatures through late spring and early summer.

After the sturgeon flow augmentation volume has been exhausted, decrease discharge at Libby Dam towards stable summer flows, following 2020 BO ramping rates, to no less than bull trout minimum flows (7,000 cfs in Tier 2).

Total number of days at peak discharge, as well as the commencement and shape of the post-peak hydrograph, will dependon real time conditions and the shape of the inflow hydrographs.

Flood risk reduction operations supersede sturgeon flow augmentation, and dam managers will coordinate operations with regional sturgeon managers. The sturgeon augmentation discharge may be extended for additional days if the Corp selects to provide volume in excess of the minimum volume requirement in the 2020 BO to control there fill rate of Libby Dam.

Additional recommendations maybe provided as water supply forecasts are updated in order to provide stable or gradually declining discharge through the end of August following ramping rates and minimum flow guidelines in the 2020 BO.

Projected full pool elevation for Koocanusa Reservoir is approximately 2,451.83’ MSL in early August; the reservoir will remain above elevation 2,449’ MSL through September.

JUSTIFICATION:
The objective of the 2021 sturgeon flow augmentation operation in this SOR is to provide a period of peak river stage/flow during the spring freshet, and to concurrently provide a stable to rising thermograph in the river as the operation concludes. The peak Libby Dam discharge (25,000 cfs), timed to coincide with peak downstream tributary (local) run-off, is intended to provide: 1) cues for sturgeon to migrate further upstream from their staging areas, and then cues to spawn on the descending limb of the hydrograph (receding flow, warming water), with the overall goal of providing conditions that will enhance the likelihood for sturgeon to migrate to, and spawn over, rocky substrates that exist upstream of Bonners Ferry; and 2), connectivity to, and partial inundation of, Nimz Ranch, an off-channel Kootenai Tribe of Idaho-owned habitat downstream of Shorty’s Island, for the purposes of allowing for spatially and temporally normative ecological processes in support of primary and secondary productivity for larval sturgeon and other species.

The operating parameters outlined in this SOR are intended to provide guidance on how to provide optimal conditions for Kootenai sturgeon migration, spawning, incubation, and rearing. Previous years’operations have shown that conditions at Libby Dam and in the Kootenai River basin can change rapidly. Recognizing this, the exact shape of the operation will need to be developed and modified in-season as more is known. The in-season coordination will occur viathe Kootenai River Sturgeon Flow Plan Implementation Protocol Team with a final recommendation coordinated through the Action Agencies and the Technical Management Team.
2. Requester(s) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3. TMT Recommendation May 12, 2021, TMT Meeting.

USFWS, presented SOR: FWS #1 (posted on the TMT website), which recommends a minimum release volume of 0.80 maf from Libby Dam for sturgeon conservation within a Tier 2 operations year. The SOR seeks to provide a period of peak river flow during the spring freshet, while concurrently providing a stable-rising thermograph in the river as the operation concludes. SOR parameters provide guidance on creating optimal conditions for Kootenai sturgeon migration, spawning, incubation and rearing. In-season coordination will occur via the FPIP Team with a recommendation coordinated through the AAs and the TMT. The Corps, noted research and temperature models are in the works to collect data on the relationship between spring reservoir elevation and the ability to send water through selective withdrawal earlier.

Corps, presented the Corps’ Libby Dam sturgeon operation implementation plan, which is posted to the TMT website. Sturgeon augmentation flow began on May 6 at 9 kcfs, and will increase to 25 kcfs (powerhouse capacity) on May 13, maintaining a pulse discharge until May 29. The project will ramp back down to summer flat flow around June 2. The Corps noted that discharge temperatures during the pulse are projected to be cold, as surface temperatures are just now approaching 50 degrees F. The Corps hopes to get a warmer surface temperature before the pulse ends with the help of a crane repair expected for installation as the project comes ramps down from full powerhouse flows.

TMT members were polled on the SOR for Libby Dam releases for Sturgeon and Bull Trout augmentation flows, with the following results.

o NOAA = Supports
o BPA = Supports
o Nez Perce = Supports
o MT = Supports
o ID = Supports
o Reclamation = Supports
o WA = Supports
o OR = No Objection
o Kootenai = Absent
o Colville Tribes = Supports
o Umatilla Tribes = Absent
o USFWS = Supports
o Spokane = Absent
o Warm Springs = Supports
o Corps = Supports


The Corps plans on implementing the SOR as requested.
4. AA Decision The Corps will implement the SOR as coordinated during the May 12, 2021, TMT Meeting.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation May 26, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Corps provided the following update on the impelmentation of the sturgeon pulse.

Sturgeon augmentation flow operations began on May 6th at 9 kcfs total.

On May 13th increased discharge from Libby Dam to ~25 kcfs (powerhouse capacity) following BiOp ramping rates. Full Powerhouse release lasted for 11 Days.

On May 24th emergency line outage to begin on May 25th for repairs to damaged transmission line. Powerhouse limited to ~20 kcfs.

On May 25th decreased discharge to 20 kcfs. Hold 20 kcfs until May 30th (2 days longer).

Decrease discharge (post-pulse) at Libby Dam to summer flat flow following BiOp ramping rates, and the Sturgeon operation is projected to end June 4th (was June 2nd).

Same Sturgeon Volume (0.8 MAF) in updated plan.

* in season management in coordination with FPIP may cause these values to vary slightly.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-C-1   Top of Page
14-June-2021 2021-C-1 Aja K. DeCoteau, Interim Executive Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Operation of the Lower Columbia Pools for the summer 2021 Treaty Fishery
1. SOR Request The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), on behalf of its membertribes, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, requests the following (Zone 6) reservoir operations (BON to MCN dams) during the summer 2021 treaty fishery. This effort supports the 2021 ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial treaty fishery times as set by the tribes and the Columbia River Compact.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Implement the following pool operations, as follows:

Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 6 am, through Saturday, June 19, 2021, 6 pm

Monday, June21, 2021, 6 am, through Thursday, June 24, 2021, 6 pm

Bonneville: Operate the pool within a 1.5-foot band during the treaty fishing period.

The Dalles: Operate the pool within a 1.5-foot band during the treaty fishing period.

John Day: Operate the pool within a 2-footband during the treaty fishing period.

CRITFC will notify the Corpswith specific times for the tribal fishery after a Compact hearing.

JUSTIFICATION:
The 2021 summer treaty fishing season is of critical importance to CRITFC’s member tribes. The run sizes (Columbia River at the rivermouth) of an estimated 78,800 (above average) adult summer Upper Columbia chinook, and 155,600 sockeye (below average) will create harvest opportunities for tribal fishers who will exercise their treaty rights by participating in this harvest using platform and gillnet fishing methods. This harvest will provide for the cultural, religious, and economic needs of the treaty tribes.
2. Requester(s) Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
3. TMT Recommendation June 16, 2021, TMT Meeting.

CRITFC, presented SOR 2021 C-1 (posted on the TMT website) for the summer 2021 treaty fishing season. The request on behalf of CRITFC tribes is to operate Bonneville and The Dalles pools within a 1.5-foot band and the John Day pool within a 2-foot band (hard constraint) from June 16 at 0600 hours to June 19 at 1800 hours, and June 21 at 0600 hours to June 24 at 1800 hours for summer fishery. Additional treaty fishing seasons may be determined after the initial catch runs. CRITFC noted that forecasted fish runs estimate 78,800 adult summer Chinook (above average), and 155,600 sockeye (below average). Drone flight surveys could occur later this week and may take an extra day or so to get fish net data results to the Corps’ RCC office. CRITFC will contact the Corps RCC regulation unit as soon as possible if Tribal Members request more fishing in the coming months.

The Corps, reported that the Corps and BPA started implementing the operation this morning at 0600 hours as identified in the SOR, and plan on implementing the second treaty fishery session from June 21 through June 24 as described.
4. AA Decision June 16, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Corps, reported that the Corps and BPA started implementing the operation this morning at 0600 hours as identified in the SOR, and plan on implementing the second treaty fishery session from June 21 through June 24 as described.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation The Corps implemented the SOR in coordination with the CRITFC and the TMT. Specific hourly data regarding these operations may be found on the following website. https://pweb.crohms.org/report/projdata.htm
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-3   Top of Page
1-July-2021 2021-3 Jonathan Ebel, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Requested operations to mitigate for and reduce high water temperatures in the lower Snake River reservoirs
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
We request that two actions be initiated to reduce reservoir water temperatures in the Lower Snake River reservoirs and mitigate the impacts on adult and juvenile anadromous salmonids:

(1)reduce spill to spillway weirs only at Lower Granite (LWG) and Little Goose (LGS)Dams from 0900-2300 h and return to summer spill volumes defined in the 2020 FCRPS Biological Assessment (2020 BA) from 2300-0900. Operation would begin July 03, 2021 and continue through July until coordinated otherwise;

(2)initiate truck transport of juvenile migrants at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams and transport until period of reduced spill ceases or continued through summer transport period previously scheduled to begin 01 August 2021 FPP Appendix E;

JUSTIFICATION:
An extended heat wave combined with low flows in the Lower Snake River and its major tributaries, and the heat-trapping characteristics of reservoirs, are resulting in water temperatures at the Lower Snake projects that may exceed the physiological limits of juvenile and adult anadromous salmonids. The requested action may lessen the impacts of high water temperaturesin the Lower Snake River reservoirs by decreasing temperatures by a small, but not physiologically insignificant amount. Because salmonids are poikilothermic, small changes in temperatures can have disproportionately large physiological ef fects. Additionally, this action will provide for increased efficiency in the use of cold water flow augmentation from Dworshak Dam and can extend the use of that limited water volume later into August than currently projected with benefits f or adult f all Chinook salmon and A-run steelhead.

Action 1: Reducing spill to spillway weirs only and increasing generation f low at LWG and LGS may decrease temperatures by increasing the proportion of water in the tailrace drawn from deeper levels of the respective forebays. In 2015, an experimental spill reduction was conducted to test whether reducing spill at LGS positively influenced sockeye passage and decreased temperatures (Haeseker 2015). Spill was eliminated between 0400-2000 h on two blocks of two consecutive days each during late July 2015. Sockeye passage and Lower Monumental (LMN) forebay temperatures during these blocks were compared to control blocks adjacent to the treatments in time. Haeseker (2015) found no significant effect of reducing spill on sockeye passage or LMN water temperatures.

While some deemed the action ineffective in 2015, modifications to the timing and spatial extent of a spill reduction action may increase its efficacy. In 2015, spill reduction only occurred for a short period of time (2 day blocks) and only at LGS. Reducing spill at Lower Granite Dam may produce a stronger and more persistent thermocline at the LGS forebay and decrease the temperature of generation flow more than if spill remains at current levels at LWG. Furthermore, spill resumed between 2000 – 0400 h during treatment blocks in 2015 such that spill resumption occurred when LGS forebay temperatures were highest on a given day and ended before forebay temperatures reached their daily minimum (see 2015 forebay string data). Maintaining spill at the spillways weirs at LWG and LGS throughout the day and shifting 2020 BA spill volumes to 2300-0900 can allow forebay water to pass when it is coolest, provide regular surface passage for juveniles during night and early morning hours, and potentially alleviate issues with f orming extensive warm water lenses in the f orebays of LGS and LWG.

Action 2: High water temperatures throughout the lower Snake and lower Columbia reservoirs increases thermal stress and predation on subyearling fall Chinook salmon migrants with consequences for survival. Truck transportation, as described in the 2020 Fish Operations Plan (FPP Appendix E), is scheduled to begin August 1st and is an action meant to increase survival of subyearling Chinook salmon migrating during the period when these fish typically experience high water temperatures. Given the known negative effects of current in-river conditions and the unknown costs and benefits of truck transportation of subyearlings, we think it is prudent to spread the risk by beginning truck transport as soon as possible. Truck transport rates would increase with spill reductions at LGS and LWG (see Action 1).

References: Haeseker, S. (2015). Assessment of Experimental Spill Operations at Little Goose Dam. Presentation at 2015 TMT Annual Review. December 02, 2015. http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2015/1202_Haeseker_TMT_YER_Haeseker.pdf
2. Requester(s) Idaho Department of Fish and Game, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Nez Perce Tribe
3. TMT Recommendation July 2, 2021, TMT Meeting.

ID, presented SOR #2021-3 (as posted on the TMT website), which requests operations to mitigate for and reduce high water temperatures in the lower Snake River reservoirs. Specifically, the SOR requests two actions:

1. Reduce spill to spillway weirs only at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams from 0900-2300 hours, and return to summer spill volumes defined in the 2020 FCRPS Biological Assessment from 2300-0900 hours, starting July 3 through end of July until coordinated otherwise; and

2. Initiate truck transport of juvenile migrants as soon as possible at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams and transport until period of reduced spill ceases, or continue through summer transport period previously scheduled to begin August 1.

The first action aims to cool the river section from Lower Granite to below Little Goose by drawing cooler water from deeper in the Lower Granite pool. The second action aims to move fish from warmer areas as soon as possible under the current higher than average temperature conditions and projections. Looking out long-term, Dworshak is in a difficult position in regards to the volume of water left for temperature augmentation, and the situation is not getting better. This operation will help conserve water at Dworshak for the end of August, which is critical for fall Chinook broodstock collection at Lower Granite Dam and for protecting early arrivals of the summer steelhead run.

TMT Members were polled on the SOR:

o NOAA = Supports: NOAA understands the concerns with altering the summer spill pattern and effects on juvenile travel time and out-migration; however, temperature management is NOAA’s priority currently.


o OR = Supports (formerly Abstain): Oregon recognized the importance of immediate response to address the lethal river conditions. OR believes that there are other options that could be implemented to address the stress from temperatures, without impacting protections for juvenile fist. Recognizing that this is an adaptive situation, and with rapid development of the SOR, there needs to be better understanding of the tradeoffs and OR would like to revisit the SOR weekly. Additionally, OR anticipates submitting a complementary SOR, offering a comprehensive suite of alternatives next week.


o WA = No Objection: OR captured much of Washington’s concerns. WA appreciated the support provided by the Corps to model options to effectively conserve water.


o Kootenai = Absent


o Colville Tribes = Absent


o Umatilla Tribes = No Objection: Umatilla appreciated TMT members for providing information to support decision making. They saw some potential negatives to the SOR. Umatilla viewed this as a learning opportunity; hoped for success and that the SOR results can inform later decisions.


o Reclamation = Supports: No additional comments.


o Corps = Supports: The Corps appreciated the inclusion of Corps folks at FPAC meetings to help formulate the SOR


o USFWS = Supports: USFWS appreciated the efforts to conserve water at Dworshak for August. They were uncertain as to the actual impacts to water temperatures downstream at LGS, as modeling isn’t available for LGS. USFWS has concerns with truck transport, due to limited data compared to barge transport, and concerns with stray rates. However, due to the high water temperatures, decided the SOR provides a net positive at the moment.


o ID = Supports: Idaho appreciated the region’s willingness to act on these issues, and for water conservation efforts. They acknowledge that the net impacts will need to be weighed against the potential positives and look forward to continued discussion on potential additional operations to conserve water for August.


o MT = Absent


o Spokane = Absent


o Nez Perce = Supports: Nez Perce appreciated the collaborative efforts from Corps staff. They noted that the decisions on this SOR were not taken lightly. This SOR represents a balancing of extreme environmental conditions and is not the preferred or ideal for fish, but better than the alternative in extreme conditions. Expected benefits from the operation are not huge and the challenges fish face are significant. Additional actions will be presented in SORs next week. Nez Perce appreciated all TMT consideration with this SOR, and looked forward to the same consideration next week.


o Warm Springs Tribes = No Objection: Warm Springs appreciated the modeling team’s efforts.
o BPA = Supports: No additional comments


The Yakama Nation/FPAC member, noted that Yakama did not sign onto the SOR only because of timing; Tom said that the Yakama Nation does support the SOR and would like to revisit SOR operations and potential alternatives weekly.

The Corps, reported that based on the level of support from TMT members, Action Agencies will implement the SOR as written.

The AAs will reduce spill to the spillway weirs at Lower Granite and Little Goose dams, from 0900 to 2300 hours, beginning July 3. They will initiate truck transport at Lower Granite and Little Goose as soon as possible. They will provide a summary of the teletype for TMT members
4. AA Decision July 2, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The AAs will reduce spill to the spillway weirs at Lower Granite and Little Goose dams, from 0900 to 2300 hours, beginning July 3. They will initiate truck transport at Lower Granite and Little Goose as soon as possible. They will provide a summary of the teletype for TMT members
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation July 2, 2021, TMT Meeting.

TMT Coordinated Operation to Implement SOR 2021-3, “Requested operations to mitigate for and reduce high water temperatures in the lower Snake River reservoirs,” dated, July 1, 2021.

1. Lower Granite Dam (LWG) Spill Change.

EFFECTIVE DAILY FROM JULY 3 THROUGH JULY 31, SPILL AS DEFINED BELOW:

0900-2300 HOURS: RSW SPILL ONLY (APPROX 7 KCFS)

2300-0900 HOURS: 18 KCFS

2. Little Goose Dam (LGS) Spill Change.

EFFECTIVE DAILY FROM JULY 3 THROUGH JULY 31, SPILL AS DEFINED BELOW:

0900-2300 HOURS: ASW SPILL ONLY (APPROX 7 KCFS)

2300-0900 HOURS: 30% OF OUTFLOW *EXCEPT AS DESCIBED IN THE 2021 FOP DURING LOW FLOWS (SEE PAGE FOP-20).

3. Juvenile Transportation Change.

Collection for transport at LWG began at 11:00 on 2 July with the first truck departing on 4 July. Collection for transport at LGS began at 07:00 on 4 July with the first truck on 6 July.

July 16, 2021, Email from FPAC Chair to TMT Chair RE SOR 2021-3.

SOR 2021-3 related email from FPAC Chair to TMT Chair that recommended adjusting the hours of Removable Spillway Weir (RSW) spill as coordinated in SOR 2021-3 at Lower Granite Dam (LWG) from 0900 to 2300 hours to 0500 to 1900 hours from July 19 to July 22. The Action Agencies implemented the request to adjust LWG RSW spill from 0500-1900 hours from July 19 to July 22.

July 21, 2021, TMT Meeting.

ID, NPT, and NOAA, request to clarify operations associated with operations identified in SOR 2021-3, at Lower Granite Dam.

1. Effective July 19 to July 22

• Minimum generation and RSW spill (note closure criteria in the FPP) during day 0500 to 1900 hours

• Minimum generation and spill the remainder of project outflow from 1900 to 0500 hours

• This should be implementable when LWG outflows less than 30 kcfs.

2. Effective July 23 to July 31

• Minimum generation and RSW spill (note closure criteria in the FPP) during the day 0900 to 2300 hours

• Minimum generation and spill the remainder of project outflow from 2300 to 0900 hours

• This should be implementable when LWG outflows less than 30 kcfs.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-4   Top of Page
8-July-2021 2021-4 Erick Van Dyke, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Requested short-term operation modifications to address unseasonably high-water temperatures in the region during 2021
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
A package of actions that may maintain suitable Lower Granite Dam tailrace water temperatures and extend application of Dworshak flow augmentation through the end of August include:

1) Restoring minimum operation pool elevations (inclusive of a 1-ft operation range) at Lower Granite (MOP range 733-734), Little Goose (MOP 633-634), Lower Monumental (MOP 557-558) and Ice Harbor (MOP 437-438) through August 31, 2021.

2) Short-term prioritization of traditional spillway that return to 2021 FOP summer spill volumes and close spillway weirs at Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams,

2) Short-term prioritization of traditional spillway that return to 2021 FOP summer spill volumes and close spillway weirs at Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams,

3) Short-term emergency transport operation can continue during lethal heat stressed conditions, but should return to 2021 FOP summer reduced powerhouse flow volumes while continuing truck transport if Lower Granite tailwater conditions are maintaining the 68°F criteria,

4) Temporarily change to Dworshak summer flow augmentation a. Modify the end of August draft limit at Dworshak from 1535 to 1525, and b. Start 200 kaf Settlement releases September 1?operating to ~1510 rather than 1520 by end of September

5) Coordinate potential alternative to stretch-out cool water augmentation measures that do not require modifications to federal or state water quality standards.

6) Seek efficiencies for Lower Granite Doble test scheduling where practicable to minimize risk of unintentional loss of Dworshak water conserved by actions taken in SOR 2021-3 and those proposed above.

JUSTIFICATION:
An extended heat wave in the Pacific Northwest has exacerbated already strained summer operations meant to address excessive water quality, most notably lethal water temperatures in the lower Snake River. The current climate abnormalities have combined with low water supply and low flows in the lower Snake River basin to magnify current heat-trapping characteristics of CRS reservoirs resulting in water temperatures that can exceed the physiological limits of juvenile and adult anadromous salmonids. This is not a unique circumstance as a similar situation developed during the summer of 2015 resulting in a severe adult sockeye die-off. Small incremental changes to operations since 2015 have not provided long-term solutions when managing annual elevated summer water temperatures in the lower Snake River reservoirs. These continuous annual summer water temperature exceedances demonstrate that the system, as currently configured, is incapable of delivering river water temperatures below the federal, state and tribal water quality standards of 68°F established in part to protect cold water fish. This request proposes a suite of actions that may not ultimately resolve current temperature issues but may offer just enough relief to avoid immediate disproportionately large physiological effects.

Action 1: Restoring minimum operation pool elevations both have potential to speed reservoir replacement times that improve water and fish travel times while reducing pool surface area and volume that may improve efficacy of cool water augmentation actions with a dwindling water supply. This may be particularly beneficial during low flow conditions (see FPC Memo April 13, 2015). Prior to 2017 MOP operations consistently used minimum operation pool that constrained operation to a 1 foot operating range even during low flow conditions. Therefore, these early evaluations fully incorporated assumptions associated with operations that included the implementation of MOP. The CRS reservoirs act as solar traps. Water heating increases with increasing water residence time in reservoirs and water temperatures can be decreased small amounts by replacing water more quickly. The Reservoir Replacement Method (also referred to as turnover rate, or water residence time) is estimated by dividing reservoir volume by its flow rate. Reducing forebay elevations results in lower reservoir volumes with no changes in inflow or outflow, thus decreases water residence time. At current inflows of ~30-40kcfs, reducing forebay elevations at LWG from MOP + 3 to MOP can reduce water residence time by 0.3-0.4 days (see FPC December 22, 2020). An additional reduction in water residence time can be realized by shifting forebay elevations at LGS from MOP + 1 to MOP.

Action 2: Short-term prioritization of traditional spillway at Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams that maintain planned summer spill levels may be a stop-gap measure that might provide relief to excessive water temperatures. Although results of past modification of spillway operations that included eliminating surface passage spill in hopes of reducing excessive water temperatures have been mixed. Prioritizing spill through the traditional spill routes may provide cooler water at lower depths in the forebays. However it is unlikely to overcome the broader issue of current climate abnormalities and is part of the current toolbox that is available to address the warm water crisis the current heatwave has exacerbated. It is unlikely that continued reduction to fish passage operations will amount to a meaningful long- term solution, in that past modification in spill operations at best shifted where heat was in excess. Continued dependence on this action criteria fails to address the problem in ways that effectively support fish passage infrastructure purported to be maintained to improve fish passage.

Action 3: High water temperatures throughout the lower Snake River and lower Columbia River reservoirs increases thermal stress on salmon and steelhead migrants with consequences for survival. Current transport operations ended on June 20 and were not scheduled to resume until August 1. Because seasonal passage was indorsed as a principle “that all juvenile passage alternatives should be evaluated against a baseline of spill, eroding spill volumes to address spikes of lethal heat stress should not be overemphasized. However, when river water temperature approach lethal levels in the river, it may spread the survival risk to implement a short-term stop-gap measure that transports the portion of juveniles that are already captured in the bypass systems rather than discharge them back to the river. That being said, spill operations should not be purposefully managed to increase the proportion of juveniles encountering the project powerhouses in order to collect a larger proportion of juveniles for truck transport (ISAB 2008-5). Additionally, previous adaptive management actions (see SOR 2016-2 for details) terminated late summer collections at Lower Monumental Dam and should be considered for a later action if few, potentially diseased fish are observed in transport collections. Therefore, if Lower Granite tailwater temperatures are able to maintain the 68°F criteria operations (up to August 31), collector dams should return to preplanned powerhouse passage reduction measures by restoring the full summer FOP spill volume to the spillway routes thus reducing powerhouse flows while reducing powerhouse encounter rates.

Action 4: Temporarily change to Dworshak summer flow augmentation to modify the end of August draft limit at Dworshak from 1535 to 1525 and start 200 kaf Settlement releases September 1?operating to ~1510 rather than 1520 by end of September. Because Dworshak reservoir did not fill before drafting for temperature control in 2021, current projections suggest the summer flow augmentation volume will be depleted between August 5 and August 20 depending on weather conditions. Such an early depletion of cool water augmentation threaten to increase passage risk for larger segments of steelhead and fall Chinook passage in the lower Snake River as well as above Lower Granite Dam. Additionally, early depletion of cool water augmentation measures is expected to put hatchery Snake River fall Chinook salmon broodstock collection at risk. Broodstock collection typically begins August 17th and requires temperatures at the Lower Granite Dam adult fish trap to be below 70°F and ideally below 68°F. The potential minimum discharge from Dworshak Dam during the second half of August threatens to cease trapping at LWG due to temperature restrictions and any additional days gained through Dworshak Reservoir water conservation will benefit steelhead passage and fall Chinook broodstock collection. Adjusting these targets that were coordinated to protect natural escapement may help balance unanticipated shortfalls while increasing risk to natural escapement mitigation.

Action 5: Coordinate potential alternative to stretch-out cool water augmentation measures that do not require modifications to federal or state water quality standards. Again this is directly associated with Dworshak reservoir not fully refilling before drafting for temperature control in 2021. As in the justification in Action 4, the current projections suggest the summer flow augmentation volume will be depleted between August 5 and August 20 depending on weather conditions. The expected effects for this action essentially identical to those in Action 4 of this SOR.

Action 6: Seek efficiencies for Lower Granite Doble test scheduling where practicable. The 2021 Fish Passage Plan Appendix A shows two separate periods are planned. The first workweek is focused on T1 (August 9?13) and then following-up with a second week to complete work on T2 (August 15?17). An example of a possible efficiency could include considering doing work over no more than 8 consecutive days (i.e., August 9?16) to minimize risk of unintentional loss of Dworshak water conserved by actions taken in SOR 2021-3 and those proposed above. Rather than reduce gains made to extend available Dworshak cool water augmentation, this requested action seeks to identify possible efficiencies while completing necessary work over no more than eight consecutive days.
2. Requester(s) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Nez Perce Tribe.
3. TMT Recommendation July 9, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Before the SOR was presented, the Corps noted the expectations of the AAs on making implementation decisions. Due to the complexity of the SOR, and the broad suite of actions, the AAs did not plan on making a final implementation decision today. AAs will listen to concerns and feedback from TMT members while reviewing the SOR; after internal coordination, they will report back with their decisions at the next TMT meeting, on July 14. Some actions presented are more consistent with operations that could be taken today for adaptive management. Jon will continue doing additional analysis on the impacts of the SOR actions.

OR, presented SOR 2021-4 (posted on the TMT website), that requests short-term operation modifications to address unreasonably high water temperatures in the region, that is resulting in heat stress and lethal river conditions for fish. He noted that the SOR doesn’t have a full list of Salmon Managers signed on, due to time constraint challenges in submitting the SOR. The SOR aims to build a list of actions that have the potential to address high river temperatures, and stretch Dworshak flow to meet water needs through August.

OR presented Actions 1-6, allowing for questions, clarification and feedback from TMT members on each. Actions 1 and 3-6 required more internal assessment on behalf of AAs regarding outcome benefits and risks/impacts (including navigation safety); more overall evaluation and modeling on alternatives is needed to meet objectives of temperature management and stretching water to August. There was general consensus on Action 2 to be implemented today (July 9), with frequent monitoring and analysis, and AAs confirmed that the action could be implemented.

During the discussion, OR noted that sometimes there are different levels of support among TMT members for different uncertainties. Additionally, Jay noted that there are also impacts to cultural resources, and that all of the actions have impacts to other interests besides fish and that perhaps impacts to the navigation community should have more analysis. A deeper discussion on potential alternatives should happen within the next week.

The TMT will reconvene at the July 14 meeting with the goal for AAs to have a final decision on the remaining SOR actions and opportunity for TMT polling.

July 14, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Corps, presented the implementation options for the SOR based on feedback from TMT members at last Friday’s call. SOR 2021-4 details requested short-term operation modifications to address high water temperatures in the region. A summary of the SOR actions and the AA’s plan for implementation is posted to the TMT website.

Each of the 6 requested actions, and planned implementation information, were reviewed in detail followed by discussion. Action 1 drew most concerns from Salmon Managers, as this was the only action that could not be implemented by AAs, due to navigation safety concerns, including risks to human safety and increased economic impacts. Some Salmon Managers felt that the adjustments and accommodations made on behalf of fish have been more severe, and requested more insight into the specific navigation modifications made based on these conditions. Additionally, Salmon Managers noted that sediment build up and dredging in the ports has been an ongoing issue for years, and they pushed for expedited and tangible action for long-term solutions. The Corps, will take questions and comments from Salmon Managers back to the Corps navigation experts.

Action 2 on SOR 2021-4 was implemented as coordinated during the July 9 TMT meeting. The Corps plans on implementing Action 3, with coordination from the FPAC chair to the AAs and 4 days of notice to implement changes. NOAA also requested coordination before any notification to end transport; coordination will occur through the TMT (following FPAC discussion).

The Corps is confident and committed to pursuing potential implementation of Action 4, and noted a need for further coordination to explore that option. The Corps will update TMT on progress weekly. If approved by affected parties, the Corps will modify the Dworshak draft limit.

For Action 5, the Corps is committed to working with the TMT on operation specifics once they are identified. Finally, Action 6 was resolved in association with information provided at the July 8 FPOM meeting.

TMT Members were polled on the Corps’ response to SOR 2021-4:

o NOAA = No Objection: NOAA cannot support the AA’s decision regarding Action 1 and strongly encouraged the Corps to consider options for dredging in a timely fashion. NOAA supports Actions 2-6 and NOAA continues to support a triage operation and suite of actions to address temperature issues. [Regarding SOR 2021-4: NOAA did not sign on as they needed more specifics and additional evaluation and analyses to fully support.]


o OR = Abstain: OR cannot support the AA’s decision not to implement Action 1, as it has a quantifiable benefit for fish and is very important given the current situation. OR is deeply concerned that an action with clear possibility for addressing temperature is not on the table. OR appreciated TMT members efforts to consider the suite of actions and did not want to stand in the way of actions being implemented to support fish during these lethal conditions.


o WA = Abstain: WA appreciated the efforts made by all to address a suite of elements, and committed to working with all partners to further address all of the elements. [Regarding SOR 2021-4, WA expressed their support.]


o Kootenai = Absent


o Colville Tribes = Abstain


o Umatilla Tribes = Object: Umatilla objected to the AA’s planned response to the SOR. [Regarding SOR 2021-4, Umatilla expressed their support.]


o Reclamation = No Objection : No additional comments.


o Corps = Supports: The Corps noted that after hearing from TMT members last week regarding SOR 2021-4 they coordinated internally and with the region to clarify aspects of the SOR that could be implemented given the various missions and regulations.


o USFWS = Abstain: Due to ongoing litigation, any SOR support needs full legal review so USFWS must abstain, as time did not allow for that review. [Rega rding SOR 2021-4, USFWS thought the group should have polled on the SOR last week regardless of timing on response from AAs.]


o ID = Abstain: ID noted that the AA’s response to the SOR lacks specifics on some actions, and they abstain from polling until there is a specific detailed operation.


o MT = No Objection: MT agreed that actions need to be taken, and that the solutions require signification actions to balance the impacts to fish. MT noted that there are tools today that are good at empirically determining where sediments will go, and it’s possible to enhance solutions and reduce costs for dredging by introducing new technology. MT didn’t object to the AA’s response to the SOR because they were impressed by the level of cooperation by all.


o Spokane = Absent


o Nez Perce = Object with Elevation: Nez Perce stressed that the need to take actions that are beneficial and sufficient to allow fish to survive is critical, this is the goal of the Tribe, while working collaboratively with all parties. A number of actions have been recommended, none are perfect, but every action is needed. The Nez Perce object to the AA’s response to Action 1 and will elevate the issue to RIOG. They appreciated discussions and collaborations put into all of the actions and hope actions 2-6 will continue to be worked out and be implemented to benefit fish.


o Warm Springs Tribes = Abstain: Warm Springs abstained due to the AA’s response to Action 1, and noted that the dredging issues are ongoing and have not been dealt with for years. [Regarding the SOR 2021-4, CTWS expressed support.]


o BPA = Supports: No additional comments.
4. AA Decision July 9, 2021, TMT Meeting.

AAs did not make a final decision today on implementation of the SOR in its entirety due to the complex operations requested. However, there are some actions that fall within the typical routine real-time coordination at TMT and FPOM. Based on the feedback from TMT members, the Corps believed that Action 2 could be implemented.

Effective July 9; Little Goose to close the ASW; from 0900 hours – 2300 hours spill approximately 7 kcfs (ASW-equivalent); from 2300 hours – 0900 hours spill per the FOP.

Effective July 9; at Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams, close the RSW and spill per FOP all hours.

July 14, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Corps plans to implement the SOR as outlined in the summary provided at today’s meeting, based on no objection to Actions 2-6. The Nez Perce Tribe, will elevate their objection to the Corps’ decision not to implement Action 1 of the SOR to RIOG.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation July 9, 2021, TMT Meeting.

AAs did not make a final decision today on implementation of the SOR in its entirety due to the complex operations requested. However, there are some actions that fall within the typical routine real-time coordination at TMT and FPOM. Based on the feedback from TMT members, the Corps believed that Action 2 could be implemented.

Effective July 9; Little Goose to close the ASW; from 0900 hours – 2300 hours spill approximately 7 kcfs (ASW-equivalent); from 2300 hours – 0900 hours spill per the FOP.

Effective July 9; at Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams, close the RSW and spill per FOP all hours.

July 14, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Corps and BPA’s Planned Operations to Implement System Operational Request (SOR) 2021-4, “Requested short-term operation modifications to address unseasonably high-water temperatures in the region during 2021,” dated July 8, 2021

The following numbered list is taken from the specifications identified in SOR 2021-4. The bullets below document the BPA and the Corps ability to implement the request as well as any additional information on how the request may be implemented.

1) Restoring minimum operation pool elevations (inclusive of a 1-ft operation range) at Lower Granite (MOP range 733?734), Little Goose (MOP 633?634), Lower Monumental (MOP 537?538) and Ice Harbor (MOP 437?438) through August 31, 2021.

• At this time, the Corps is unable to implement the specific Minimum Operating Pool (MOP) elevation request due to navigation safety concerns. The Lower Snake reservoirs are held as low as possible while maintaining navigation safety.

• Corps NWW will continue monitoring temperature impacts associated with the upcoming MOP changes identified in the 2021 FOP (see page FOP-15, Table 2) that are scheduled to occur on August 15. If Corps NWW modeling indicates there could be any measurable temperature impacts associated with the planned change in MOP operations scheduled to occur on August 15, then this information and any associated conversations on adjustments to MOP operations would be coordinated via the TMT.

• The Corps will continue operating in accordance with MOP operations as described in the 2021 Fish Operations Plan (see page FOP – 14) on the following website (http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/documents/fpp/2021/final/FPP21_AppE_03-31-21.pdf).

2) Short-term prioritization of traditional spillway that return to 2021 FOP summer spill volumes and close spillway weirs at Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Ice Harbor dams,

• This request was implemented as coordinated during the July 9, TMT meeting. The Corps made these operational changes following the July 9, TMT meeting, because adjustments to spillway weir operations can be made in-season as described in the 2021 Fish Passage Plan.

3) Short-term emergency transport operation can continue during lethal heat stressed conditions, but should return to 2021 FOP summer reduced powerhouse flow volumes while continuing truck transport if Lower Granite tailwater conditions are maintaining the 68°F criteria,

• Referenced spill operation changes were requested in SOR-2021-3 and implemented at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams as coordinated during the July 2, TMT Meeting.

• Juvenile transportation resumed at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams. Collection for transport at Lower Granite Dam began at 11:00 on 2 July with the first truck departing on 4 July. Collection for transport at Little Goose Dam began at 07:00 on 4 July with the first truck on 6 July.

• Additionally, during the July 2, TMT Meeting, spill at Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams was reduced to improve temperature (http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/0707_Agenda.html) additional coordination occurred during the July 9 TMT Meeting.

• If the Corps is able to operate the Lower Granite tailwater at the TMT coordinated temperature criteria while keeping Dworshak Dam above 1,535 feet by August 31 then OR would need to coordinate further details of this request (transport operation and resumption of 2021 FOP summer spill) at TMT. The Corps would need 7 calendar days advanced notification prior to requesting operational changes for planning purposes.

4) Temporarily change to Dworshak summer flow augmentation: a. Modify the end of August draft limit at Dworshak from 1535 to 1525, and b. Start 200 kaf Settlement releases September 1?operating to ~1510 rather than 1520 by end of September

• The Corps is committed to the investigation of the requested operation and can provide weekly updates to TMT on progress.

• The Corps is unable to commit to any additional specifications at this time because there are numerous other parties that need to be coordinated with therefore the specific outcome is not certain.

5) Coordinate potential alternative to stretch-out cool water augmentation measures that do not require modifications to federal or state water quality standards.

• The Corps is committed to working with TMT on Dworshak temperature operation specifics once they are identified.

6) Seek efficiencies for Lower Granite Doble test scheduling where practicable to minimize risk of unintentional loss of Dworshak water conserved by actions taken in SOR 2021-3 and those proposed above.

• This request has been resolved in association with the July 8, FPOM meeting. Subsequent to the meeting the Corps provided the FPOM with supplemental information that addressed concerns associated with Lower Granite Dam Doble Testing operations.
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-5   Top of Page
13-July-2021 2021-5 Jonathan Ebel, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Requested temporary change to water temperature criteria to conserve water in Dworshak Reservoir
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
We request that the following action be implemented to conserve water in Dworshak Reservoir in order to extend temperature mitigation later into August:

(1) increase water temperature criterion for the Lower Granite Tailrace from 68°F to 69.5°F beginning no earlier than July 23rd and no later than July 29th and ending on August 17th. As conditions warrant, FPAC will determine start and end dates and update TMT.

JUSTIFICATION:
Dworshak reservoir did not fill before drafting for temperature control in 2021. Current projections suggest the summer flow augmentation volume (end of August elevation of 1535’) will be finished between August 20 - 24 depending on weather conditions and whether implementation of SOR 2021-3 continues into August (Roberts and Walker 2021) or other actions are taken (e.g. SOR 2021-4).

Such an early completion of the volume threatens steelhead and fall Chinook passage in the Lower Snake River and above Lower Granite Dam, Snake River fall Chinook salmon hatchery broodstock collection, and Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery (NPTH) operations during late August. Fall Chinook salmon broodstock collection typically begins August 17th and requires temperatures at the Lower Granite Dam adult fish trap to be below 70°F and ideally below 68°F. The potential to ramp down to minimum discharge from Dworshak Dam during the second half of August threatens trapping operations at LWG due to fish health related temperature restrictions. More importantly, reduced flow from the North Fork Clearwater River reduces the extent of cold water refuge immediately above Lower Granite Dam. Any additional days gained through Dworshak Reservoir water conservation for release during the end of August will benefit steelhead passage, fall Chinook passage, fall Chinook hatchery broodstock collection efforts, and ensure lower Clearwater River temperatures are at or below 66? needed for NPTH operations and provide a much needed cold water refuge.

Raising the 2020 Biological Opinion temperature criterion for the Lower Granite Dam tailrace from 68°F to 69.5°F may provide an estimated two additional two days of summer flow augmentation water, from ~August 24 to ~August 26 when compared to current operations (Roberts and Walker 2021). Lower Granite tail water temperatures are predicted to reach 71- 74? if flow augmentation water runs out.

We acknowledge that temporarily increasing the temperature creates a more stressful environment for adult sockeye salmon, adult summer steelhead, and juvenile and adult fall Chinook salmon migrating during the specified period. Yet, the proportion of each species migrating from July 23 - ~August 07 is low (Figure 2) relative to the proportion of runs migrating from August 24 – September 07. In some years, the majority of sockeye passing Lower Granite Dam after July 26 are of Columbia River origin (Figure 3). However, in other years, the majority can be Snake River Origin (Table 1). The impact of elevating the temperature criterion on Snake River sockeye depends on run timing.

References: Roberts, J. and W. Walker. 2021. Presentation to Technical Management Team July 09, 2021. http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/0709_Lower_Granite_Temperature_Alternatives_2021-07-09.pdf

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2015. 2015 Adult Sockeye Passage Report. Prepared by NOAA Fisheries in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
2. Requester(s) Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Nez Perce Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission/Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Warm Springs Tribe.
3. TMT Recommendation July 14, 2021, TMT Meeting.

ID, presented SOR 2021-5 (posted on the TMT website). The SOR requests a temporary change to water temperature criteria to conserve water in the Dworshak reservoir during a period of lower fish passage in the Snake River, in order to extend temperature mitigation water later into August. Specifically, the SOR would increase water temperature criterion for the Lower Granite tailrace from 68 degrees F to 69.5 degrees F beginning no earlier than July 23 and no later than July 29, and ending on August 17. Start and end dates would be determined by FPAC and coordinated through TMT.

NOAA noted that specific dates for the operation are to be determined and coordination with ID will need to occur for additional fish transport. Coordination with the AAs must be provided at least 4 days in advance to prepare; this notification will occur via an FPAC chair email notification to the AAs. NOAA will follow-up communications from the FPAC chair to acknowledge the change in BiOp tailrace temperature criteria.

TMT Members were polled on SOR 2021-5:

o BPA = Supports: No additional comments.


o Warm Springs Tribes = Supports: No additional comments.


o Nez Perce = Support: Nez Perce noted that they view this as one of the actions in the full suite of actions that need to be taken to achieve adequate fish protection.


o Spokane = Absent


o MT = No Objection: No additional comments.


o ID = Support : ID will watch the situation closely. While there is some disagreement on dates, ID noted that they are looking towards the earlier part of this suggested date range, given the trap and transport schedule. ID looks forward to further discussions.


o USFWS = Abstain: No additional comments.


o Corps = Supports: No additional comments.


o Reclamation = Supports: No additional comments.


o Umatilla Tribes = Supports: No additional comments.


o Colville Tribes = No Objection: No additional comments.


o Kootenai Tribes= Absent


o WA = Support : WA echoed Nez Perce and ID comments.


o OR = Abstain: OR did not sign onto the SOR, given this is part of the suite of options in the last SOR. OR supports actions to reduce temperatures and conserve water and also feel that this SOR action goes against what fish need biologically in terms of temperature for survival throughout the lifecycle. Biological benefits that are well documented for impacting passage for salmon and steelhead cannot be disregarded. OR did support colleagues’ effortsto find alternativesto conserve water and address temperature.


o NOAA = Support: NOAA appreciated the close coordination and communication and looks forward to further coordinationwith ID. They noted the tradeoff in species and priorities and recognize that all species are having to “give” for this to make cold water releases last. This is a tough balancing act.


Additional information regarding the SOR may be found during the TMT meeting on this date that may be found on the following website.

https://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/
4. AA Decision July 14, 2021, TMT Meeting.

The Corps plans on implementing the SOR once start dates are coordinated.
5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation July 19, 2021, Email from FPAC Chair to TMT Chair RE SOR 2021-5.

Per SOR 2021-5 FPAC Chair send an email to the TMT Chair that made the request to increase the Lower Granite Dam tailrace temperature criterion by 0.5°F per day beginning on July 23. The criterion should be increased to 68.5°F on July 23, 69°F on July 24, and 69.5°F on July 25. The Action Agencies implemented the request to adjust LWG tailwater temperature criteria.

Additional information regarding the TMT coordinated summary document of SOR 2021-3, 2021-4, and 2021, may be found on the July 21, 2021, TMT agenda on the following website. 		6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation July 19, 2021, Email from FPAC Chair to TMT Chair RE SOR 2021-5.

Per SOR 2021-5 FPAC Chair send an email to the TMT Chair that made the request to increase the Lower Granite Dam tailrace temperature criterion by 0.5°F per day beginning on July 23. The criterion should be increased to 68.5°F on July 23, 69°F on July 24, and 69.5°F on July 25. The Action Agencies implemented the request to adjust LWG tailwater temperature criteria.

Additional information regarding the TMT coordinated summary document of SOR 2021-3, 2021-4, and 2021-5, may be found on the July 21, 2021 TMT meeting on the following website.

https://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/
8. If different from AA decision, why?  
D2021-6   Top of Page
14-September-2021 2021-6 Charles Morrill, FPAC Chair Snake River Zero Nighttime Flow
1. SOR Request SPECIFICATIONS:
The fishery managers recommend restored application of Zero Nighttime Flow limitations and criteria (date and abundance), implemented prior to the 2020 CRS Biological Opinion, at the Snake River projects. This year’s extremely low steelhead return will result in a threshold of 10 adult steelhead passing Lower Granite Dam as “few, if any” actively migrating anadromous fish after December 1.

JUSTIFICATION:
Zero nighttime flow operations at federal projects in the Lower Snake River have been the subject of much discussion since the dams were completed. Decades of discussion culminated in limiting Zero Nighttime Flow operations to periods after December 1 and through February 28 “when there are few, if any, actively migrating anadromous fish present in the Snake River” in Water Management Plan Seasonal Updates beginning in 2004. Fish managers defined “few, if any” in SOR 2005-22 and the criteria in this definition have guided and governed implementation since then. However, zero nighttime flow operations do not support normal ecological river functions and as such are not supported by all fish managers. In addition, 2021/22 Snake River steelhead returns are at extreme low levels, continuing a trend of returns that has multiple populations at or below Quasi-Extinction Thresholds. In response, the State of Washington has closed steelhead harvest in the Snake River downstream of Lower Granite. There is limited to no real monitoring of this operation and with low numbers of PITtagged adults it is unlikely effects of operation can be determined.

SOR 2020-6 made this same request last year, with TMT discussions occurring at the September 30, 2020 meeting. Action Agencies (AA) decided not to implement the SOR as it was outside the scope of operations included in the Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) Biological Opinion and Record of Decision (ROD) and its implementation would be limited and consistent with recent years. The AA noted that implementation would be monitored and if implementation varied greatly from NOAA’s expectations, follow-up conversations would occur. NOAA coordinated sub-group conversations to discuss monitoring, which have not produced any monitoring recommendations or updated impact assessments to date. The AA TMT decision was elevated to RIOG, with no change in Action Agency position.

Summaries of zero flow operations implemented from October 15, 2020 through February 28, 2021 are available in the 2021 Water Management Plan Seasonal Update (http://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/documents/wmp/2021/Seasonal_Update/20210604_2021_WMP_SU_2.pdf) and in Fish Passage Center memorandum 64-21. In addition, Bonneville Power Administration has contracted University of Washington to analyze PTAGIS data for fish effects. Some preliminary results were shared at the January 20, 2021 TMT meeting, however, the University of Washington analysis is still being reviewed by federal agencies and those materials will not be shared until they are finalized.

Application of previously established abundance-based criteria would have allowed availably of zero flow operations starting December 5, 2020.

Between October, 2020 and February, 2021, a total of 938 hours of zero flow conditions were created with the lower Snake River, with stoppage of flows at individual projects ranging from 164 to 279 hours. Actual implementation between October 15 and December 4th is summarized in Table 1.

The operation in the 2020 CRSO Biological Opinion and the ROD removed the steelhead abundance criteria and formalized an October 15th start date (Page 65, Section 1.3.1.3.) and described frequency of expected operations (Page 68, Section 1.3.1.3.3). The 2021Water Management Plan does not include fish-based zero flow implementation criteria and extends the zero flow operation period by 45 days:

“Between October 15 and February 28, when power market conditions warrant and when river conditions make it feasible, power generation at Snake River projects may cease, and water stored, during nighttime hours, most commonly implemented between 2300 and 0500 hours when demand for power is lowest or other renewable resources are generating surplus power (or both). This operation will end no later than 2 hours before dawn between October 15 and November 30. During the operation between December 15 and February 28, daytime hours will no longer be excluded from this operation, and up to 3 hours of daytime cessation will be part of the proposed action.”

“The timing and need for ceasing power generation during this period is difficult to predict. However, based on previous operations between December 15 and February 28 and during nighttime hours only, BPA estimates that the use of this operation may occur 1 out of every 3 to 5 days at each project.”

Dropping implementation criteria and implementing zero flow operations earlier would allow river flows in the Lower Snake River to be shutoff for up to 25% (6 hours) of each day (37.5% or 9 hours after December 15) for 4.5 months, even during periods of known significant adult and juvenile passage.

Zero nighttime flow is a load-following operation, often referred to as “peaking”, where water is stored during periods of low power demand and subsequently released when demand is high. Little definitive information on the impacts of peaking on anadromous fishes in the Lower Snake River exists and is largely limited to upstream migrating adults, with no analysis of the impacts on juveniles. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict the impacts of the new zero nighttime flow operation because of the flexibility afforded to the Action Agencies — it can occur every day or very seldom. No study completed to date indicates that zero flow operations benefit fish passage or protection measures.

Impacts on Adults and Juveniles

See SOR 2020-6 (attached) and RIOG Elevation Memo (attached).
2. Requester(s) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nez Perce Tribe, Yakama Nation, Warm Springs Tribe, Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission/Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
3. TMT Recommendation September 15, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Nez Perce Tribe, reported on SOR #2021-6, which recommends restoring the application of Zero Nighttime Flow limitations and criteria at the Snake River projects, as implemented prior to the 2020 CRS BiOp. The request is to return to the previous criteria and maintain nighttime flow for ecological river function to allow anadromous fish to move up and downstream. Jay noted that Snake River steelhead returns remain extremely low this year.

Fish Managers who supported the SOR remain concerned regarding the frequency of zero flow operations, limited biological monitoring, and a lack of impact assessment from last year’s operations. Last season’s PTAGIS analysis conducted by the University of Washington is still being reviewed by Action Agencies (AAs) and has not been provided to TMT.

After further discussion and clarifying questions surrounding the SOR, the AAs requested 1 week to review internally with their respective policy teams. NOAA will look closely at the information provided on operation implementation and fish passage and will connect with BPA on if they will add this year’s data into the UW analysis. NOAA acknowledged co-Managers concern that zero flow conditions can reduce attraction to passage and affect delay, mortality, and overall ecological function of a river system, and is interested in getting further information and continuing the discussion.

A TMT meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 22, to revisit the SOR, poll, and discuss how to move forward. AAs will be prepared to bring more clarity on expectations for operational frequency and evaluation, and monitoring. September 22, 2021, TMT Meeting.

Nez Perce Tribe, reminded the TMT that SOR 2021-6 is aimed to restore the application of Zero Nighttime Flow limitations and criteria in which had been in place in years prior to the 2020 CRS BiOp. [Note: the SOR was discussed previously at the September 15th TMT meeting.] Nez Perce Tribe, added that the request does not represent the “best-case scenario” for fisheries resources, because if implemented, there would still be Zero Flow conditions occurring from December 2021 through February 2022.

TMT Members were polled on the SOR, with some providing additional rationale for their responses:

o NOAA = Abstain: NOAA’s rationale was previously captured in the BiOp and TMT notes; they view this SOR as a request from Salmon Managers to Action Agencies. NOAA is happy to be part of the conversations.


o OR = Supports: Oregon believes this SOR will steer operations in a more positive direction from what is currently planned, which would worsen the actions that are meant to ameliorate dam passage for fish.


o WA = Support: Washington supported the SOR as they are a conservation agency with the responsibility to protect and preserve species. WA feels that the SOR addresses concerns specific to at-risk and listed species that the information presented shows are present throughout the operation period. Additionally, Salmon Managers and AAs lack the ability to effectively monitor the operation and it’s impacts.


o Umatilla Tribes = Supports: No additional comments.


o Reclamation = Objects w/o Elevation: No additional comments.


o Corps = Objects w/o Elevation: The Corps objects to the SOR, because it is a limitation on the operation that was included in the Proposed Action in 2020 and what was consulted on in the BiOps.


o USFWS = Abstain: USFWS abstained because the SOR is an action already analyzed in their most recent BiOp, and there is currently no data available to change that conclusion. USFWS will be looking at data collected by the Corps from Lower Monumental and Little Goose dams on bull trout passage, however, those data are likely not available for one year.


o ID = No Objection: No additional comments.


o Nez Perce = Support: Nez Perce Tribe’s support is based on trying to restore (as best possible) riverine conditions and passage for anadromous adult and juvenile fish during the time frame in the fall when there are substantial numbers still moving through the system.


o BPA = Objects w/o Elevation: BPA expects to implement the operation per the guiding documents, with the frequency typical of the historic use over time; BPA included this in the Proposed Action, and was analyzed by NOAA in consultation of the BiOp.


Colville, Kootenai, Spokane, and Warm Springs Tribes, and State of Montana were not present to register a polling response.

Additional information regarding the SOR may be found during the TMT meeting on this date that may be found on the following website.

https://pweb.crohms.org/tmt/agendas/2021/

4. AA Decision September 22, 2021, TMT Meeting.

BPA, reported that AAs have the flexibility to utilize Zero Nighttime Flow operations staring October 15. The frequency of use is expected to be similar to both last year and historical use when Zero Flow flexibility has been available. It will be used when there is a clear benefit to the region’s rate payers. BPA expects operations to be less frequent in the early fall with milder temperatures, and more frequent in the winter with colder weather conditions.

The Corps, clarified that the AAs do not plan on implementing the SOR; and instead expect to implement Zero Flow operations starting October 15 as identified in the 2020 CRS Biological Assessment, as well as the operation consulted on in the 2020 BiOp with NOAA and USFWS.

The Nez Perce Tribe, Oregon and Washington objected to the AAs’ decision to not implement the SOR and will elevate the decision to RIOG.

5. IT Recommendation  
6. AA decision (post IT)  
7. Actual Implemented Operation This section will be updated following the implementation of the Zero Generation operation that may occur between the dates of October 15, 2021 through February 28, 2022.
8. If different from AA decision, why?