Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission Turners Falls, Massachusetts Meeting Minutes June 28, 2016

Agenda Items:

1. Determination of Quorum, Approval of Today’s Agenda & Minutes of the November 13, 2015 Meeting (Hyatt)

Chair Mr. Bill Hyatt called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. A quorum was present with the absence of the Public Members for Connecticut (Robert Jones), Vermont (Peter Basta), and New Hampshire (Duncan McInnes). Chair Hyatt started by introducing Dr. Andy Fisk as the new Vice Chair of CRASC and thanked him for taking on that role. He next introduced Dr. Adria Elskus who is the new Conte Lab Director, taking the place of Barnaby Watten. Chair Hyatt asked everyone to state their name and affiliations at the table, followed by the general audience.

The minutes of the last CRASC meeting on November 13, 2015 were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes from that meeting was made, seconded, all were in favor. Mr. Dan Morris asked that under other business the item “International Year of the Salmon” be added for him to speak to.

2. Report of the Coordinator and TECH River Herring subcommittee (Sprankle)

Mr. Sprankle referred the group to a handout report for this item. The status of current fishway counts was reviewed among main stem and tributaries. Relatively high passage numbers (top 15% for Holyoke records) for American shad have been observed as of this date and with the available data. Holyoke reported a record number of nearly 55,000 shad passed on one day, which while a record, was not that much higher than daily peak counts into the 40,000s that have occurred in the past, including the previous single date high of 53,000 (in 1983). One of the most interesting observation at Holyoke Lift this year has been the record number of shortnose sturgeon (SNS) being trapped, processed and released back downstream. Following completion of modifications for improved downstream fish passage at Holyoke, related modifications included improvements for the spillway lift entrance. The SNS number captured and released downstream was 40 at the time of the meeting, greatly exceeding the previous single year total of 16, with much of the passage year remaining. NOAA has not yet approved the release of SNS that are being captured as an evaluation plan for SNS remains to be approved and will be discussed later by Mr. Dan Morris.

Figures on fish passage time series data were reviewed including shad at Holyoke in relation to temperature and river discharge. Other regional fishway counts were reviewed that showed generally poor return data/counts for rivers south of Buzzards Bay for many species. Mr. Gephard reviewed the river herring bycatch, genetic based tissue study that was recently published. He noted the results indicate that the Southern New England stocks particularly those in Long Island Sound appear to be more susceptible to being caught in the Atlantic Herring Fishery in the late winter. Mr. Eric Palmer asked about the determination of the bycatch stock origins and how those data could be used. Mr. Gephard replied that the level of stock identification is fairly broad, for example the Connecticut River blueback herring are placed with the middle Atlantic stock covering a broad geographic swath of populations. However, for alewife the data had been defined with better spatial assignments than for blueback. He noted we need more refined data and that there is an expectation it will be coming with some higher resolution genetic techniques. Ms. Wendi Weber asked if there were any suggested implications with climate change due to river flow and temperatures. Mr. Gephard replied we have documented shifts in

CRASC Minutes (6/28/16) - Page 1 of 8 run timing for a coastal population but broader scale marine shifts are unclear for their potential effects. The Merrimack River broke its previous river herring record passage record and was passing a high number of shad this year as well. Mr. Sprankle reviewed a summary of the USFWS CTR river herring assessment program in 2016, which had the highest level of sampling effort in the past 4 years (25 days of field sampling). Relative abundance levels were “relatively” low (with 4 years of study data), but due to the additional effort, large sample sizes for both blueback and alewife were obtained in the aggregate for age structure and other biological data analyses. It was noted that very few bluebacks were sampled at the most upstream tributary sites (MA) compared to past years. Some summary analyses were presented and discussed. The USFWS capture and restoration transfers of blueback herring with the assistance of CTDEEP were reviewed. Recent activities of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Shad and River Herring Technical Committee were reviewed, and included the participation of many Tech members.

Mr. Eric Palmer asked about the status of American eel abundance indices for our basin. Dr. Slater replied the Holyoke eel traps are a good source of data and we have seen values fluctuate in past ten years of their operation, but they will likely serve as a good index into the future. Mr. Palmer asked if we have any regular counts or index for outmigrating “silver” eels. Caleb answered we have the ability but not the staff to monitor. CTDEEP has run its video monitoring at the Rainbow Dam (Farmington R.) downstream bypass for this type of data. CTDEEP also was noted as operating a glass eel net near the Sound for monitoring data and Mr. Gephard does provide the Tech Committee with those data.

Dr. Andy Fisk noted that the CT River Watershed Council (CRWC) had worked with CTDEEP to conduct river herring assessment work. He asked Mr. Gephard how he thought that effort has proceeded to this date, in its first year. Mr. Gephard replied that it went very well. He and his staff have more areas to manage and maintain than they can reasonably handle which makes any new efforts problematic. In the past, prior to many new fishways, they would be able to visit many tributaries for observations of river herring. The CRWC volunteers took on that role this year with CTDEEP training. He would like to repeat the effort in 2017 if possible. CRWC was awarded a grant to help fund this work and its management and coordination. Dr. Fisk also commented that the fish counts report from USFWS were appreciated, but he thought making them more accessible and to “tell a story”, would be a benefit to our efforts. He would like to get that information out to a wider audience and had some ideas to follow up with USFWS.

A motion to accept the Coordinator’s Report was made, seconded and all were in favor.

3. Report of the Technical Committee (Slater)

Dr. Slater provided a handout on the CRASC Technical Committee’s meeting on June 27, 2016 and the various subcommittees activities with the exception of river herring covered earlier. That hand out is included in its entirety here:

A. Fish Passage Subcommittee (John Warner) Holyoke – Connecticut River  Holyoke DS Passage and Upstream Passage Improvements Complete  Evaluation of effectiveness for adult shad (up and down) in progress and downstream juvenile shad, eels and sturgeon in Fall 2016 and in 2017.  This spring, 193 shad double tagged, for evaluation up and downstream.  Initially upstream passage looks good – Sturgeon passage/flow fields  New South Hadley eel ramp/trap recently completed (4th, other three operating for last month) Connecticut River Relicensings

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 We are now in year 3 of a 5-year relicensing process for the 5 projects.  Most studies have been completed and most reports filed  Currently reviewing:  Transcanada o Downstream Juvenile Shad at Vernon Downstream eel passage and survival at Wilder, Bellows, Vernon o Upstream Fish Passage – Riverine Species o Dwarf Wedgemussel Delphi Panel Report

 Reports Not Yet Filed:  First Light o Adult Shad Radiotelemetry (Upstream/Downstream) o Adult Eel Downstream Passage o Juvenile Shad Downstream Passage o Instream Flow Study o Ultrasound as behavioral deterrent of shad at Cabot Station o Year 2 Ichthyoplankton Entrainment  TransCanada o Instream Flow Study (Final) o various final reports incorporating operations model outputs o Adult Shad Radio Yet To Be Filed  Report Review my agencies/parties and discussion/negotiations – Fall/Winter

Fifteen Mile Falls – Connecticut River  TransCanada is discontinuing capture and transfer of salmon smolts.

West Springfield – Westfield River - Caleb Slater  A new eel pass was installed at the facility this spring. Passage counts were well above average for shad.

Rainbow Dam –Farmington – Steve Gephard  The final design plans for a new fish lift are to be prepared this summer

Fiske Mill - Ashuelot R.  Fish lift operational  Site visit with Brett Towler and Gabe Gries – recommended modifications  No reported shad or lamprey passage  Needs follow-up

Fishway inspections – Brett Towler – USFWS Fish Passage Engineering  Completed all scheduled spring fishway inspections.  Draft reports released over the course of the spring as completed with final reports available in in coming weeks

Fishway Engineering Criteria Manual for USFWS  Designed to cover technical fishways to provide consistency in dealing with companies and partners. Includes items like Attraction Water Systems, calculating capacity of fish lift hopper sizes, etc.

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Joint Agency Manual on Nature-like Fishways – NOAA, USGS, USFWS

 Provides various criteria for spacing of rock weirs, pools, and dimensions for depths, widths etc., to achieve desired water velocities and zones of passage.

B. Shad Subcommittee (Ken Sprankle) Management Plan  The subcommittee has continued work on updating the American Shad Management Plan, but has not met since March. A meeting has been set for late July to pick that work back up.

Status of American shad transferred to North Attleboro NFH and occurrence/prevalence of mussel glochidia on gills – (Shane Hanlon)

 NANFH Manager Shane Hanlon provided a presentation on elevated rates of mortality for shad brought from HFL and held at that facility this spring for spawning.  The occurrence/prevalence of glochidia were identified as a potential causative mechanism, possibly with other stressors from capture, handling transport, holding in hatchery. Fish taken 2- 3rd week in May from HFL.  Glochidia rates were reported as high (100% occurrence) and may interfere with oxygen uptake on the fishes gills in severe cases  2nd week in June batch of fish had no glochidia and are surviving better  Merrimack River shad did not have any glochidia  Suspect the species of mussel is alewife floater, uses mucous net to disperse  Tech discussed possibility of increased prevalence due to low flows (as in 2015).  Tech is planning on developing some level of monitoring of gill tissues next year at HFL.

Tech discussed increased monitoring measures of shad at HFL to includes scale loss rating, for the daily subsampled fish in addition to glochidia monitoring. There was some discussion as to whether glochidia levels in the wild, as opposed to hatchery, may have any management implications for the population. Fish concentration points (dam) and delays (passage) were discussed in relation to river flow and glochidia dispersal timing.

Mr. Eric Palmer asked do we know what migratory fish species are important to mussels. Dr. Slater replied yes, for some species. Mr. Palmer asked if there are any mussel species which could not survive without migratory fishes. Dr. Slater replied that migratory fishes are important to mussels. Ms. Sherry White replied that the USFWS has expertise in this area in other river basins and is developing this capacity and expertise at the Cronin Station, now identified as an Aquatic Resource Center, including collaborations with state partners like MA Fisheries and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and UMASS Amherst.

American shad temperature studies on condition, spawning, physiology - (Shannon Bayse)

 The Conte Lab is completing the 2nd year of this three year study with both field and lab work  This year ‘fat meter” measures were obtained from a Rocky Hill CT gill netter and all three main stem fishways. A total of 976 fish processed.  Preliminary results show early season fat content in the lower river at 12% and later season down runner samples as low as 2%.  Spawning studies remain underway with fish exposed to a range of treatment water temperatures ranging from 12 to 27C.

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 Swim performance studies under different temperatures for shad were also completed. Temperature appeared to affect attempt rates in flume and performance, which was quantified for a range of values.

Fishway Entrance weir configuration study – (Kevin Mulligan)

 Study conducted in the Flume Building, compared entry attempts with a standard vertical weir crest as well as downstream angled weir (used at Holyoke). The new test position, a reverse weir, demonstrated improved entry rate for shad, but only in cold/cool water temperatures.

C. Salmon Subcommittee (Steve Gephard)  A total of 64,009 Atlantic Salmon fry were stocked in the Farmington and Salmon River watersheds in CT this spring. The fry were produced at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery (29,359) and the Tributary Mill Conservancy in Old Lyme (34,650).  The number of fry produced fell short of the 200,000 to 250,000 goal due to a malfunctioning water chiller which lead to very poor eye up of the eggs collected.  Smolt emigration was not carefully monitored but smolts were observed actively migrating down the Farmington and Salmon Rivers.  A total of five sea run salmon have returned to the River at this date. Three to Holyoke and two to the Westfield. One salmon has been observed below the Leesville Dam on the Salmon River. The total last year was 22. Only six salmon have returned to the Merrimack River and the current count on the Penobscot River in ME is less than 350- so it appears to be a poor return year region wide.  Long-time manager of the Kensington State Fish hatchery, Al Sonski, will be retiring in July. Budget cuts will preclude his replacement and the hatchery will be operated by sharing resources with the Burlington State Fish hatchery. Atlantic Salmon will continue to be raised and the water chiller has been replaced and is expected to operate this fall.  Three sea run salmon captured at Holyoke were transported to the Conte Lab and tested in the burst swim flume. All fish did swim this year. All fish were observed to have head injuries which may have been sustained in the Holyoke lift.

D. Sturgeon Subcommittee (Micah Kieffer)  A new full depth fish exclusion rack, bottom and mid-level downstream passage entrances, and downstream fish conveyance at the Hadley Units in Holyoke this winter should allow upstream passage of Shortnose Sturgeon. NOAA/NMFS and HG&E are currently working on a sturgeon monitoring program which will allow upstream passage to begin.  Modifications to the spillway entrance appear to have been successful- and so far this spring 43 SNS have entered the fishway- half a dozen have even made multiple attempts.  Unfortunately one sturgeon was killed and another injured last weekend while in the spillway lift. These incidents are under investigation.  38 SNS were tested in the Conte Lab Flume last summer in a fishway orifice selection study  SNS have been tested in the burst swim flume this spring- most interesting finding was better performance at night.

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 The Conte Lab is seeking funding to tag young (1 or 2 YO) wild caught SNS to study habitat preference and downstream passage in the CT River.  Atlantic Sturgeon restoration o Genetic study of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon captured in the lower CT river appears to be unique- could be a remnant CT River stock- Paper in Press. This will put a hold on any restoration proposals. o CT did receive funding to continue study of Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon in the CT River.

Dr. Fisk asked Mr. Dan Morris what is the status of NOAA and sturgeon passage at Holyoke. Mr. Morris answered that NOAA’s fish passage engineer Dan Dow was at Holyoke to examine the lift relative to the single mortality and injured fish reported in recent days. Don was working with Holyoke Gas and Electric and USFWS engineer Brett Towler to address some areas of potential concern. Mr. Morris thinks that an approvable plan for short-term evaluations, that would allow passage, should be ready in approximately one month. Dr. Jack Buckley asked if there is a mortality threshold for the lift operating or not. Mr. Morris said he could not recall but can certainly find out. Dr. Buckley asked what we knew about the age structure of these sturgeon entering the facility and trap. It was noted that the fish are not being aged (no structure(s) removed – e.g., fin rays) but size data are collected. Mr. Karl Meyer commented that he was concerned for the genetic diversity and health of the upper spawning population given continued lack of upstream passage at Holyoke Dam.

E. Lamprey Subcommittee  Lamprey Management Plan is undergoing final review in Committee.  Discussion of Commission Letter to support flows on West River below Corps projects to protect lamprey Spawning and Rearing Areas. Tech member Lael Will described ACOE fall retention of sub-basin’s typical limited low flow discharge to accumulate pond for pulse flows on a few dates for recreation purposes.

There was some discussion by members on the known details which were expanded on by Mr. Eric Palmer. It was noted that the VT Agency of Natural Resources (VTANR), USFWS and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) have a signed agreement to work together on issues of flow regulations but that doesn’t appear to be occurring in spite of a VTANR written request to meet and discuss this matter. CRASC members were interested in receiving copies of the documents agreements and letters which Mr. Palmer said he could provide. Dr. Fisk asked, what is it that the CRASC TECH is requesting? Dr. Slater replied a letter to identify the history, current issues and concerns, and seek a path forward for addressing concerns for ACOE regulated Flood Control Projects flow alterations. Dr. Fisk asked can we point to existing agreements. Mr. Palmer replied yes we have those agreements. It is suspected that with the end of the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program the ACOE may not recognize the importance this group places on the other native diadromous fishes, several of which utilize the West River (sea lamprey and American eel are examples).

It was determined a letter from CRASC should highlight diadromous fish habitat concerns with ramping rates and water storage tied to whitewater boating releases. Dr. Buckley asked if the earlier agreement state Atlantic salmon specifically. The agreement did not, but a copy will be sent to members for their review. The Commissioners asked that Ken Sprankle draft the letter and send around for edits/review.

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Mr. Palmer stated that the VTANR had sent a letter a year ago on these concerns and requested a meeting but did not get any response. Mr. Bob Stira noted that the discussion and use of the term run-of- the river has different definitions and that it is important to be clear on exactly what that is intended to mean – that goes for agencies and companies going forward.

F. American Eel Subcommittee (Steve Gephard)

 CTDEEP opened the Fishing Brook Eel Pass in old Saybrook in early April to monitor glass eel passage, as mandated by the Atlantic States marine Fish Commission. 6,810 elvers have passed as of 6/14- this is 2,000 less than last year.  Glass eel numbers are down in other locations in CT and elsewhere this year.  The Leesville Dam Eel Pass was damaged during the winter but temporary repairs were made to allow elvers to pass. More repairs will be made this summer.  A new eel pass was installed in the West Springfield fishway on the Westfield River in MA this week.

G. Habitat Subcommittee (Steve Gephard)  The Nature Conservancy completed a dam removal on the East Branch of the Eightmile River in Lyme, CT. Dam had a steep pass that was passing lamprey and other species but the dam owner wanted to remove the dam for stream restoration. Project removed the last major dam on the Eightmile River and opened eight miles of habitat which is already being used by trout and other fluvial species which had been absent.  The Inland Fisheries Division worked with CT DOT to design an eel pass at a perched culvert under I-91 on an unnamed tributary of the Sawmill Brook (Mattabesset River).  Springborn Dam (Scantic River CT) removal is scheduled for this summer, it 26 ft high and had sediment issues.  Connecticut River Watershed Council Projects: o Instream and riparian restoration of 6,000+ feet of the North River in Colrain, MA damaged by Irene. o Bagatelle Dam Removal, tributary to West River, Drummerston, VT o Geer Dam removal, West Fairlee, VT o Ompomponoosuc River PVLT dam removal, East Burk, VT o Passumpsic River instream and riparian restoration o Green River, Guilford VT Riparian tree plantings o Chickley river, Hawley, MA Bioengineered Bank stabilization o Bissel Brook Stratford, NH Culvert replacement

Mr. Bob Stira asked if there was a central database for the cost of dam removals and associated data. Dr. Slater the data is out there but not centralized. Some reports have compiled data (e.g., American Rivers reports(s)) using case studies to help support the work and process. Dr. Slater there are such wide ranging factors (case by case basis) that effect costs it would be difficult to apply some standard rates.

4. Other Business

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Mr. Dan Morris shared his involvement through NASCO on the “International Year of the Salmon” which started in the Pacific management arena, but has expanded to include the Atlantic salmon management area as well. The Pacific origins of this outreach program do not align directly with concerns and management of Atlantic salmon but they are working together to be more inclusive. He stressed the benefits of efforts to engage with the public more broadly and that the World Fish Migration Day was a good related example.

Meeting was adjourned by motion and vote at 12:15PM

Attendees Bill Hyatt Jack Buckley Andy Fisk Eric Palmer Wendi Weber Scott Decker Dan Morris Adria Elskus Ken Sprankle Steve Gephard Caleb Slater Bob Stira Lael Will Jim Carroll Karl Meyer

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