Lapwai Basin Steelhead Density Monitoring (CESU)

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On April 15, 2010, the Bureau of Reclamation received the Biological Opinion (BiOp) prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) pursuant to the Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on the effects of the operation and maintenance of the Lewiston Orchards Project (Project), 2010 Lewiston Orchards Project Biological Opinion. NMFS provided reasonable and prudent measures (RPM) and associated terms and conditions necessary or appropriate to minimize the impact of the incidental take associated with the action. As required under the BiOp, Reclamation and NMFS cooperatively developed the 2011 Critical Uncertainties Monitoring Plan for Steelhead Densities and Critical Uncertainties that states annual steelhead density monitoring will be conducted at six sites in the Lapwai Basin. This monitoring plan identifies University of Idaho (UI) as an independent scientific entity who has been working on questions related to steelhead growth and survival in the Sweetwater and Lapwai basins since 2008. Reclamation must continue to monitor Steelhead densities through 2020.

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