Shoshone-Bannock Tribes

ABSTRACTProminent scarps on Pinedale glacial surfaces along the eastern base of the Teton Range confirm latest Pleistocene to Holocene surface-faulting earthquakes on the Teton fault, but the timing of these events is only broadly constrained by a single previous paleoseismic study. We excavated two trenches at the Leigh Lake site near the center of the Teton fault to address open questions about earthquake timing and rupture length. Structural and stratigraphic evidence indicates two surface-faulting earthquakes at the site that postdate deglacial sediments dated by radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence to ∼10–11 ka. Earthquake LL2 occurred at ∼10.0 ka (9.7–10.4 ka; 95% confidence range) and LL1 at ∼5.9 ka (4.8–7.1 ka; 95%). LL2 predates an earthquake at ∼8 ka identified in the previous paleoseismic investigation at Granite Canyon. LL1 corresponds to the most recent Granite Canyon earthquake at ∼4.7–7.9 ka (95% confidence range). Our results are consistent with the previously documented long-elapsed time since the most recent Teton fault rupture and expand the fault’s earthquake history into the early Holocene.

Reintroductions are widely implemented as a means of reestablishing wild populations and genetic parentage methods can be used in concert with these efforts to monitor and evaluate efficacy. In addition to understanding demographic outcomes, reconstructed pedigrees, when combined with phenotypic data, can provide insight into the adaptive potential of reintroduced individuals. Here, we examined the heritability and evolvability of life-history traits and lifetime reproductive success in two threatened Chinook salmon populations undergoing reintroduction to historical habitats above dams in Oregon, USA, using previously-developed multigenerational genetic pedigrees. All of the examined life-history traits: length-at-maturity, age-at-maturity, and arrival timing to the spawning grounds, and lifetime reproductive success exhibited significant narrow-sense heritabilities and evolvabilities. There was also a detectable influence of parental effects (i.e., paternal or maternal effects) on life-history trait variation, suggesting that in addition to genetic effects, nongenetic inheritance mechanisms are influencing life-history diversity in the populations. Additionally, our analyses revealed evidence of natural selection on the date of reintroduction, although the form and intensity of selection differed between the two populations; the forms of selection also point to the potential for phenotype-environment mismatch under some conditions. Overall, our results suggest that these threatened Chinook salmon populations exhibit significant adaptive potential, a factor that should be important to the longer-term success of recovery efforts.

The oligotrophic condition of salmon-bearing catchments in the Columbia River Basin is a potential limiting factor for the recovery of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). To address this issue, nutrient supplementation programs attempt to mitigate for reduced marine-derived nutrients (MDN). We examined the assimilation of MDN in the biota of tributaries of the Salmon River Basin, Idaho, USA, following the addition of salmon carcass analogs (SCA). We measured carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes from biofilm, macroinvertebrate, salmonid fish, and riparian vegetation samples and found significant 15N enrichment and substantial assimilation of SCA material in all aquatic trophic levels and in riparian vegetation. Our results suggest that SCA are incorporated primarily through indirect pathways and provide a source of MDN to multiple trophic levels in freshwater and linked riparian ecosystems.

Abstract We analyzed 67 SNPs to describe the genetics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri in seven tributaries near American Falls Reservoir, Idaho. We detected Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in all but one site despite significant historical stocking of Rainbow Trout O. mykiss. Three of four relatively low-elevation sites near the reservoir contained Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in sympatry with early-generation hybrids and Rainbow Trout yet contained no physical barriers to admixture. A posteriori assignment tests suggested that migrants from a nearby headwater population in Ross Fork Creek and possibly recruitment by local-origin Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout with fluvial or adfluvial life histories drive persistence in these sites. In contrast, hybridization was rare or absent in headwater populations and was associated with complete or apparent physical isolation. We also compared genetic diversity of our samples with Yellowstone basin Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Bear River Bonneville Cutthroat Trout O. c. utah to examine possible historical gene flow resulting from hydrogeological connections during the Pleistocene. Multivariate analysis showed that most genetic variation among individuals was explained by divergence of Yellowstone basin Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout from our samples and Bear River Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, which supports recent mtDNA studies and a possible change in taxonomic nomenclature. Our results indicate that, due to relative isolation and downstream emigration, headwater populations are critical to the persistence of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and thus loss of such populations would likely threaten the subspecies throughout the region. Management actions to reduce threats from established, nonnative Rainbow Trout populations will likely have to be multifaceted and may include a combination of targeted removal of Rainbow Trout and hybrids and the use of physical barriers to prevent further dispersal. Received April 19, 2015; accepted February 7, 2016 Published online May 31, 2016

Abstract Declines in populations of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. have been most pronounced in the southern extent of their range, and numerous anthropogenic stressors and natural drivers have been identified as potential causes. Using a paleolimnological approach, we have reconstructed the natural variability in the population dynamics of endangered Snake River sockeye salmon O. nerka over approximately the past 1,370 years. The rearing habitat ecology of their main production system, Redfish Lake, Idaho was also assessed over the past 500 years. Siliceous algal remains (diatoms and chrysophytes), stable nitrogen isotope δ15N, cladoceran zooplankton subfossils, and other proxy indicators archived in dated lake sediment cores were employed in this analysis. The inferred natural salmon production was much higher than that recorded in fisheries escapement data. Unprecedented declines in Snake River sockeye salmon production and changes in rearing system ecology were inferred over the past 150 years. The early, negative influences of the Columbia River commercial salmon harvest (in the 1860s) and sustained interruption of migration access (1910‐1934) from hydroelectric damming were evident. Enhanced zooplanktivory, associated with nonnative stocking and possible expansion of kokanee (lacustrine sockeye salmon) beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, appear to have altered the forage base for juvenile sockeye salmon, probably contributing to further declines. Lake nutrient enrichment since the 1950s was inferred, which changed nursery lake nutrient and trophic dynamics. This study highlights both site‐specific and regional influences on declines in past Snake River sockeye salmon population abundance and changes in rearing system ecology for these fish over the past 150 years. Such a long‐term ecological perspective is important to the continued conservation and management of this endangered species and has broader applications for other sockeye salmon runs at risk throughout their range.

In March 1990, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list the Snake River sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka as endangered. As a result of that petition the Snake River sockeye salmon was officially listed as endangered in November 1991 under the Endangered Species Act (56 FR 58619). In 1991, the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Habitat and Limnological Research Program was implemented (Project Number 91-71, Intergovernmental Contract Number DE-BI79-91bp22548). This project is part of an interagency effort to prevent the extinction of the Redfish Lake stock of O. nerka. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) provides funding for this interagency recovery program through the Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program (Council). Collaborators in the recovery effort include the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the University of Idaho (UI), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe (SBT). This report summarizes activities conducted by Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Fisheries Department personnel during the 2001 calendar year. Project objectives include: (1) monitor over-winter survival and emigration of juvenile anadromous O. nerka stocked from the captive rearing program; (2) fertilize Redfish Lake, fertilization of Pettit and Alturas lakes was suspended for this year; (3) conduct kokanee (non-anadromous O. nerka) population surveys; (4) monitor spawning kokanee escapement and estimate fry recruitment on Fishhook, Alturas Lake, and Stanley Lake creeks; (5) evaluate potential competition and predation interactions between stocked juvenile O. nerka and a variety of fish species in Redfish, Pettit, and Alturas lakes; (6) monitor limnological parameters of Sawtooth Valley lakes to assess lake productivity.

In March 1990, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list the Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) as endangered. As a result of that petition the Snake River sockeye salmon was officially listed as endangered in November 1991 under the Endangered Species Act (56 FR 58619). In 1991, the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Habitat and Limnological Research Program was implemented (Project Number 91-71, Intergovernmental Contract Number DE-BI79-91bp22548). This project is part of an interagency effort to prevent the extinction of the Redfish Lake stock of O. nerka. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribal goal for this project is two tiered: The immediate goal is to increase the population of Snake River sockeye salmon while preserving the unique genetic characteristics of the Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The Tribes long term goal is to maintain a viable population that warrants delisting and provides Tribal harvest opportunities. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) provides funding for this interagency recovery program through the Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program (NPPCFWP). Collaborators in the recovery effort include the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the University of Idaho (UI), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe (SBT). This report summarizes activities conducted by Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Fisheries Department personnel during the 2002 calendar year. Project objectives include: (1) monitor over-winter survival and emigration of juvenile anadromous O. nerka stocked from the captive rearing program; (2) fertilize Redfish Lake (3) conduct kokanee salmon (non-anadromous O. nerka) population surveys; (4) monitor spawning kokanee escapement and estimate fry recruitment on Fishhook, Alturas Lake, and Stanley Lake creeks; (5) evaluate potential competition and predation between stocked juvenile O. nerka and a variety of fish species in Redfish, Pettit, and Alturas lakes; and (6) monitor limnological parameters of Sawtooth Valley lakes to assess lake productivity.

In March 1990, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list the Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) as endangered. As a result of that petition, the Snake River sockeye salmon was officially listed as endangered in November 1991 under the Endangered Species Act (56 FR 58619). In 1991, the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Habitat and Limnological Research Program was implemented (Project Number 1991-071-00). This project is part of an interagency effort to prevent the extinction of the Redfish Lake stock of sockeye salmon. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribal goal for this project is two tiered: The immediate goal is to increase the population of Snake River sockeye salmon while preserving the unique genetic characteristics of the Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). The Tribes long term goal is to maintain a viable population that warrants delisting and provides Tribal harvest opportunities. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) provides funding for this interagency recovery program through the Northwest Power and Conservation Council Fish and Wildlife Program (NPCCFWP). Collaborators in the recovery effort include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the University of Idaho (UI), and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (SBT). This report summarizes activities conducted by Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Fisheries Department personnel during the 2003 calendar year. Project objectives include: (1) monitor limnological parameters of the Sawtooth Valley lakes to assess lake productivity; (2) reduce the number of mature kokanee spawning in Fishhook Creek; (3) monitor sockeye salmon smolt migration from the captive rearing program release of juveniles into Pettit and Alturas lakes; (4) monitor spawning kokanee escapement and estimate fry recruitment in Fishhook, Alturas Lake, and Stanley Lake creeks; (5) conduct sockeye and kokanee salmon population surveys; (6) evaluate potential competition and predation between stocked juvenile sockeye salmon and a variety of fish species in Redfish, Pettit, and Alturas lakes; and (7) assist IDFG with captive broodstock production activities.

This report contains studies which are part of the Bonneville Power Administration`s program to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of hydroelectric facilities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. Attention is focused on population monitoring studies in the Sawtooth Valley Lakes. Selected papers are indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.