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2002 Annual Western Division AFS Meeting
Session Descriptions

Spokane, Washington
April 27 to May 1, 2002

The opening Plenary Session for the conference will focus on defining ecosystem management, identifying the barriers to community involvement in the ecosystem management process, and proposing strategies for overcoming the constraints so identified.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This Plenary Session is intended to identify the barriers to ecosystem-based management in the Columbia River Basin. Some of the key factors that have been identified thus far include human population growth and associated cumulative effects, global climate change, water use conflicts, existing institutional/management structures, and other barriers to bilateral cooperation.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This Plenary Session will describe the linkages between ecosystem management and sustainability and define strategies for moving toward ecosystem-based management in the Columbia River Basin.

Interactive moderated audience forum and panel discussion to identify various perceptions, impediments and incentives regarding successful ecosystem based management. In a moderated discussion one panel will present views representing local community members and local elected officials, while another panel will present views representing agency and government organizations. An interactive polling and moderated question and answer session involving the audience will follow.

Session Chairs: John Harrison (jharrison@nwppc.org) and Alison Squier (alison@softridge.net)

This Plenary Session will provide an overview of what we have achieved at the conference and identify a path forward that enables us to move toward ecosystem-based management in the Columbia River Basin.

The advantages of ecosystem management have been widely discussed and supported. The restrictions on implementation of ecosystem management practices generally receive less review and discussion. This symposium seeks to solicit discussion of such restrictions. Ideally, participant and audience input will identify strategies for advancing the prospects for implementing ecosystem management where it is warranted.

Session Chair: Matthew Andersen (nrdwr.manderse@state.ut.us)

This symposium will bring together recent information on the relationship between salmonid population productivity and the characteristics of the habitat in which they live. Extensive planning, research, and implementation efforts are underway to protect, restore, and enhance habitats for at-risk populations of salmonids. Biologists have long understood that habitat quality and quantity influence productivity of salmonid populations, but they have generally faired poorly at predicting effects on fish associated with specific habitat manipulations. They have also debated priorities and approaches to habitat restoration. New information that will help resolve such issues is rapidly emerging from the widespread effort to recover salmon and trout populations. This symposium will provide a forum for reporting findings from these efforts.

Session Chairs: Steve Cramer (cramer@sprcramer.com) and George Pess (george.pess@noaa.gov)

This symposium will provide several research teams the opportunity to present critical data, analyses and conclusions about various aspects of the life history of Snake River fall chinook salmon including: physical habitat models; spawning strategy; incubation environment; juvenile rearing and feeding ecology; predation; juvenile migration and survival; supplementation efforts; and, adult migration. Information on recent population trends and the current status of these fish will also be presented. Finally, a question/discussion period following the presentations will allow the audience and the panelists to begin exploring and sharing potential recovery ideas and options for this icon of Pacific Northwest ecology.

Session Chair: Phillip Groves (pgroves@idahopower.com)

This symposium will bring together the researchers, managers and policy makers currently involved in large-scale watershed assessments to provide a perspective on why this scale of monitoring is appropriate and the expected results or outcomes of working at this scale. Sampling at this scale, often with multiple crews and over many years, brings up a new set of sampling design, logistical, QA/QC and analytical issues. Speakers will address these concerns and describe a wide range of current and planned assessments covering water quality, salmonid recovery and watershed condition.

Session Chairs: Bruce Hansen (bhansen@fs.fed.us), Bruce McIntosh, Gordie Reeves, and Jeff Kershner

This multiday session will explore progress towards developing an ecosystem-based management (EBM) framework for the conservation and restoration of high value, indigenous fish populations in the Okanagan Basin. The session will focus on identifying the information needs, opportunities, and challenges associated with developing an EBM framework to resolve conflicts among competing fisheries, water and land-use interest groups on both sides of the Canada - U.S. border.

Session Chair: Kim Hyatt (hyattd@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

Presentations in this symposium will focus on studies of wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Columbia Basin. Preference will be given to projects that "break down barriers" - institutional, administrative, social, or international. Several presentations will examine links between terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates, and between vertebrates and ecosystem function, in the Columbia Basin.

Session Chairs: Andy MacKinnon (andy.mackinnon@gems1.gov.bc.ca) and Peter Paquet (PPaquet@nwppc.org)

This symposium is designed to provide a forum for presenting and discussing issues regarding the use of total maximum daily loads (TMDLS) to advance restoration efforts in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The session will highlight efforts undertaken by the states of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, multiple Tribal governments, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Session Chairs: Donald Martin (martin.don@epa.gov) and Mary Lou Soscia (soscia.marylou@epa.gov)

This symposium is designed to bring model validation issues to the attention and understanding of the "average" fisheries professional. The session is intended to initiate the process for developing a standardized approach that could be used in a neutral and consistent way to conduct reviews of management plans and risk assessments.

Session Chairs: Gretchen Oosterhout (gretchen@decisionmatrix.net), Pete Lawson, and Bob Lackey

This session is intended to promote awareness of the problem that, while relatively young, science and practice in stream corridor and marine habitat restoration is advancing. Yet institutional and regulatory obstacles make for a generally poor market for consistently employing good science and technical practice in restoration projects. The second objective is to promote awareness and adoption of Washington's Aquatic Habitat Guidelines (AHG) program, which is specifically designed to address this widespread problem, to optimize the effectiveness of restoration efforts, including long-term monitoring and maintenance.

Session Chairs: Doug Pineo (dpin461@ecy.wa.gov), Ken Bates, Debby Sargeant, Cinde Barger, and Patty Lynch

The goal of this session is to provide an overview of new techniques for designing and evaluating salmon restoration projects at a variety of scales, as well as methods for implementing specific monitoring techniques.

Session Chairs: Phil Roni (phil.roni@noaa.gov), Chris Jordan, and Steve Katz

The Smolt Workshop will provide juvenile salmonid researchers and managers from state, federal, Tribal, public utility, private fisheries groups and universities the opportunity to exchange the latest information on current programs related to juvenile salmonids. A wide-range of concerns to juvenile salmonid specialists will be covered in this session, including health, developmental and stress physiology and immunology, broodstock techniques, genetics, marking and tagging techniques, fish passage, and estuary and ocean survival. Presenters will be encouraged to present their findings in the context of the complete life history of the fish. Participants may participate in discussion groups to address certain relevant topics.

Session Chairs: Robin Schrock (Robin_Schrock@usgs.gov) and Rick Martinson

This session will explore the role of adaptive management (AM) in managing water, fish, and wildlife resources in the Columbia River Basin and elsewhere in North America. The session will provide an overview of AM and present a number of case studies to illustrate its importance in ecosystem management initiatives. New directions in AM will also be discussed.

Session Chair: Gregg Servheen(gservhee@idfg.state.id.us)

This symposium will explore how livestock grazing interacts with the fundamental hydrologic, ecological, and biological processes that define watershed and riparian function. The information used to support the message will be a mixture of scientific work and management knowledge/observation. The information presented will help promote establishment of a common vocabulary for better communication between disciplines working within rangeland catchments.

Session Chair: Janice Staats (janice_staats@or.blm.gov)

This session seeks to review the impacts of decadal-scale climate shifts on salmon populations, examine the evidence for what drives the changes in the ocean, and assess the relevance of these impacts for interpreting the effect of freshwater habitat changes on adult salmon returns. The session should be of interest to biologists interested in managing specific salmon populations, as well as to individuals interested in public policy questions concerning the assessment of how salmon populations should be recovered or maintained.

Session Chair: David Welch (welchd@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

The goal of this technical session is to offer an alternative perspective on the importance of life-history diversity to the resilience of salmonids, including the diversity of salmon rearing and migration behaviors that are directly linked to estuarine habitats and physical processes. The ideas and results presented in this session stem from a recent interdisciplinary assessment of effects of the Columbia River hydrosystem on salmon and associated rearing habitats in the estuary.

Session Chairs: Daniel Bottom (Dan.Bottom@noaa.gov) and Charles Simenstad

The fish, wildlife, plants, lands and waters of the Upper Columbia River Basin are of central importance to the Confederated Tribes’ subsistence, culture and spiritual well-being. The presence of the Grand Coulee Dam severely retards the downstream migration of sediment and associated contaminants, thus allowing a significant volume of hazardous contaminants to accumulate in Lake Roosevelt. This session will focus on the current situation at Lake Roosevelt and the Tribes’ involvement, along with other state and federal agencies, in developing data, participating in the regulatory process and working to clean up adversely impacted areas.

Session Chair: Richard Du Bey (rdubey@scblaw.com)

This series of technical sessions is intended to explore various alternatives for developing a legal framework to facilitate ecosystem-based management of the Columbia River Basin. The session will include presenters on both interstate and international water resources management. A series of examples as case studies will be presented to provide participants with lessons for further cooperation between the federal, state and Tribal governments with jurisdiction over Columbia River resources management.

Session Chair: Joe Mentor Jr. (mentor@mentorlaw.com)

The desire to restore fish populations in the Columbia River watershed to historic levels is generally viewed as the obvious direction in which society should move. At the same time, there are specific instances where restoration of native fish populations/species will dramatically impact existing native fish populations. The purpose of the session is to raise the issue of the value of the existing native resources and stimulate a discussion that may lead to the recognition that restoration is not always the desired course of action.

Session Chair: Hal Michael (michahhm@dfw.wa.gov)

The East Kootenay Environmental Society (EKES) has worked to ensure that the designated Wildlife Management Areas of the Columbia Wetlands and the head waters of the Columbia River, effectively conserve the ecological integrity of diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As a grassroots non-government organization, our success has been formulated on raising awareness and communicating information in order to build public support, both locally and on an international scale. The session will highlight the benefits of an international forum, address public education initiatives, and promote the use of scientifically-based resources to support informed decision-making.

Session Chair: Jennifer Rosewarne (rosey@rockies.net)

Over the past four years, Clark County has been actively working to develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated salmonid recovery plan. We are not yet there-pieces continue to emerge and evolve. All partners in this process agree that success will be measured by the presence of self-sustaining populations of wild fish in our streams. This session will enable participants to discuss insights gained through the experience of local governments with salmon recovery. Hopefully, this dialogue will help others to better focus their efforts within the context of a coordinated set of actions leading to more wild fish in their streams. It is apparent that no one group, agency or entity has the power to effect salmon recovery on its own. In learning how to define "who ought to be doing what", it is possible to clarify the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the salmon recovery process.

Session Chair: Joel Rupley (Joel.Rupley@co.clark.wa.us)

TS-7: Advances in Dissolved Gas Management in the Columbia River Basin.

The generation of dissolved atmospheric gas supersaturation in river waters has been associated with the hydroelectric systems of the Pacific Northwest since early 1960’s. The resulting biological and ecological effects of gas bubble trauma in aquatic biota has been the subject of intense study and debate for the intervening decades. The papers, discussions and debates that will be presented in this technical session will provide the attendees with historic overviews of water quality conditions that have challenged hydroelectric owners/operators, fishery scientists and decision-makers of the Pacific Northwest. Discussion topics will include the status and trends of dissolved gas in different sections of the Columbia River Basin, risk assessments to salmonids, resident fishes and invertebrates, development of mathematical models, and engineering efforts to abate dissolved gas exceedances of water quality standards.

Session Chair: Mark Schneider (mark.schneider@mercury.akctr.noaa.gov)

This session will include a number of presentations including examples of very innovative cooperative habitat acquisition and restoration projects, mule deer research, and sharp tailed grouse restoration.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

The development of delisting criteria and identification of habitat restoration priorities for threatened species of salmon and steelhead is well underway throughout the Columbia River Basin. To provide a scientific basis for salmon recovery planning, NMFS-appointed Technical Recovery Teams (TRT) for the Interior Columbia River Basin (i.e., Upper-Columbia and Snake River) and the Lower Columbia-Willamette River Basins have focused on population identification, viable salmonid population modeling, and freshwater and estuarine habitat assessments. In this session, TRT members will present the data and methods for developing delisting criteria, provide up-to-date results and applications, and discuss their regulatory and policy implications.

Session Chair: Cleve Steward (csteward@stewardandassociates.com)

This session is intended to consist of an open and forthright series of discussions addressing the complex issue of how to incorporate scientific information into integrated watershed planning and assessment initiatives, how to develop responsive regulations, and how to foster stakeholder involvement. Participants will address overall watershed health and planning, water quality objectives and compliance, and the ability of assessments to effectively address management objectives and evaluate overall river health. The final day of the symposium will include a summary of presentations and an interactive panel discussion on issues identified and approaches for effectively addressing what's working, what's not working, and what's missing.

Session Chair: Gregory Thomas (gthomas@g3consulting.com)

This series of technical sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to share technical information on the health and integrity of the transboundary reach of the Columbia River, from the headwaters to the estuary. The issues that will be addressed include water quality, sediment quality, bioaccumulation, contaminant sources, ecological effects, and related topics.

Session Chairs: Robyn Roome (robyn.roome@gems1.gov.bc.ca), Patti Stone (Patti Stone@colvilletribes.com), Monica Tonel (tonel.monica@epamail.epa.gov), and Julia Beatty-Spence (Julia.Beatty@gems4.gov.bc.ca)

This session will be comprised of papers and presentations on climate and hydrology in the Columbia River Basin, and on data and modeling of the future states of climate and hydrology in a changed climate. A panel discussion will be convened on stakeholders and scientists in the Columbia Basin: What should we be doing next? Information from both Canada and the United States will be presented and mechanisms for promoting collaborative work into the future will be explored.

Session Chairs: Paul Whitfield (paul.whitfield@ec.gc.ca) and Stewart Cohen (scohen@sdri.ubc.ca)

This session is intended to highlight the ecosystem-based management initiatives that are being conducted by Tribal Organizations in the United States and First Nations in Canada.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This session is intended to explore the social and economic factors that influence the transition toward ecosystem-based management of fish, water, and wildlife resources.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This session will highlight environmental quality issues, assessment initiatives, and management strategies in the middle portion of the Columbia River Basin (i.e., from the Grand Coulee to the Dalles).

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

TS-16: Working Together to Build and Sustain Both Healthy Economies and Ecosystems.

In this session, panelists will address the perceived and real barriers to simultaneously promoting healthy economies and ecosystems – particularly in rural areas characterized by traditionally resource dependent economies. Panelists will offer insights into strategies and partnerships for promoting sustainable models that balance both economic and environmental needs.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will describe the need for watershed councils, the challenges that these organizations face during the formation, and the steps that need to be taken to empower these groups in decision-making processes. Case-studies will be highlighted.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

In this session, presenters will discuss and review lessons learned in the region and look at how to more effectively focus regional efforts, finances, and research in order to further long-term ecosystem health in the region. Presenters will review the barriers to successful ecosystem management and sustainability in the Intermountain Province and address strategies to overcome those barriers.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will include discussion and examples of incentive programs and other innovative strategies to help local landowners, rural community members, and businesses undertake habitat and species restoration and protection activities. Discussion will include strategies such as water banks, land owner compensation programs, and conservation easements. In addition, the session will include discussion of the very innovative transnational watershed approach currently being developed in support of white sturgeon recovery.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net).

This session will highlight some of the challenges to fish, wildlife and habitat mitigation and restoration efforts within the Intermountain Province.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

The focus of this session will be on implementing integrated ecosystem strategies in the Columbia River Basin. The session speakers will emphasize the cooperative partnerships that best characterize the current work from the process to implementation. Specific case studies will be highlighted. Eight key presentations will encompass the Columbia River ecosystem from freshwater to the estuary.

Session Chair: Brian Allee (Brian@cbfwa.org)

An ambitious realignment of the Northwest Power Planning Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program is underway in the U.S. portion of the Columbia River Basin. This process embraces a watershed/ecosystem based approach to fish and wildlife mitigation efforts. This session will include a point-counter-point between individuals who have been intimately involved in many aspects of this process. This discussion will be augmented by discussion of the differences and parallels taking place within Canadian restoration and mitigation efforts.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will describe the approaches and methods that are currently being used to facilitate watershed-based fisheries sustainability planning. Evolving methods and their implications will also be described.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This panel will include presentations regarding progress and anticipated outcomes of subbasin planning efforts in the Intermountain Province. The Intermountain Province will be one of the first Provinces to undertake the Northwest Power Planning Council’s revised subbasin planning process. The experiences and lessons learned in the Intermountain Province will offer valuable insights and lessons to those entities undertaking this process in future years.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

Recovery planning initiatives to address concerns related to endangered species have been ongoing for sometime in the Columbia River Basin. However, such planning initiatives rarely consider broader issues related to ecosystem health and integrity. This session will explore ways and means of addressing endangered species concerns within a framework for ecosystem-based management.

Session Chair: Gary Birch (gary.birch@bchydro.bc.ca)

This session is intended to provide participants with an opportunity to describe selective fishing methods, evaluate their effectiveness, and determine their role in salmon recovery efforts in the Columbia River Basin.

Session Chair: Karl English (kenglish@lgl.com)

Water use planning has been proceeding in various watersheds in B.C. for some time. Similar planning initiatives have been ongoing elsewhere in the Columbia River Basin. This session is intended to highlight a series of case studies in water use planning and evaluate the reasons for their success or lack thereof.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

Hatchery production of salmon and steelhead dominates natural production in many areas of the Pacific Northwest. These hatcheries help to fulfill a number of societal goals but also pose significant risks to remaining natural populations. Debates about the appropriate use of hatcheries in fishery management and natural resource conservation have grown increasingly polarized in recent years. Part of this polarization can be attributed to uncertainty regarding the effects of artificial propagation on natural populations. In this session we review the state of our scientific knowledge regarding some key hatchery and wild fish issues, with an emphasis on empirical results from experimental research.

Session Chairs: Michael Newsom (mnewsom@pn.usbr.gov) and Robin Waples (robin.waples@noaa.gov)

This session will highlight the results of recent research on the interactions between kokanee and invertebrates in Intermountain and Northwestern lakes.

Session Chair: David Bennett (dbennett@uidaho.edu)

Developing recovery plans for listed species in the Columbia River basin is currently underway. However, the most effective way to include habitat considerations in recovery plans is not clear and is the subject of considerable scientific and political debate. The purpose of this session is to bring together scientists working on freshwater habitat and recovery planning for Pacific salmon with scientists from other regions who have struggled with similar issues.

Session Chairs: Ashley Steel (Ashley.Steel@noaa.gov) and Tim Beechie (tim.beechie@noaa.gov)

This session will include a variety of contributed papers on a range of topics related to fisheries science.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

This session will include a variety of contributed papers on a range of topics related to fisheries science.

Session Chair: TBA (sff@island.net)

Panel participants will discuss and present current air quality research. In addition, the most recent findings regarding air quality conditions in the Upper Columbia River Basin will be presented.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

There are many innovative fisheries research and mitigation projects taking place in the Lake Roosevelt region and throughout the Intermountain Province. This session will include presentations on a sampling of this work including limnology and productivity, research, evaluation and monitoring.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will feature discussions of the unique challenges, opportunities and points of view regarding watershed planning from the perspective of county, Tribal and state participants. For each of the participating entities there are specific problems and opportunities that are often overlooked. Clarifying differences and barriers to effective participation is important to developing cooperation and inclusive watershed management plans.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will focus on community-based initiatives in the watershed planning and management process.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrg.org or alison@softridge.net)

Session Chair: Matt Wenger (kgosal@cbt.org)

Engagement of young people in the dialogue regarding resource management in the Columbia River Basin is an integral component of effective community involvement and participation. Extending this dialogue beyond the scientific community to engage the broader public can itself be a challenge, and finding mechanisms to bring youth into this is an important piece of this challenge. The working group aims to create a mechanism which involves young people in the dialogue that will take place at the conference. It is hoped that the creation of a youth delegation will help to build the capacity of young people to engage with such issues in their communities.

Session Chair: Stacy Barter (sbarter@cbt.or)

This work group session is designed to provide participants with an introduction to the use of cooperative agreements to develop effective partnerships for address ecosystem management issues and concerns. When appropriate, advanced level training on specific projects or programs will be provided.

Session Chair: Sungnome Madrone (sungnome@rcaa.org)

This session will include a discussion of some exceptional capacity building and educational projects underway in the region. Education, skill development and capacity building are important strategies to successful watershed protection and restoration efforts.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alsion@softridge.net)

This workshop will provide an opportunity for area high school students to learn about the types of work and activities undertaken by individuals working in natural resource related fields. Students will have an opportunity to talk with fish biologists, wildlife biologists and others doing natural resource work in the region. Activities and follow-up will be developed to encourage students to attend the week’s diverse conference activities.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrg.org or alison@softridge.net)

This workshop will include an overview of the many possible uses of GIS for fish and wildlife managers, watershed planners and others. The examples will be targeted to those working in the upper Columbia River region. The workshop will feature updates on some of the latest developments in GIS as well as examples of many different potential uses of this remarkable tool.

Session Chair: TBA (info@lrf.org or alison@softridge.net)

This session will provide participants with practical guidance on how to become more effective leaders within their organizations and within their profession.

Session Chair: Carl Burger (sff@island.net)

This workgroup session is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to discuss water management at the community level.

Session Chair: Kindy Gosal (kgosal@cbt.org)

Session Chair: Kindy Gosal (kgosal@cbt.org)

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