Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program 2019-2020 Executive Summary LEGISLATIVE REPORT This annual legislative report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of The Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) from STEP volunteer efforts October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. STEP activities are integral are valued at to accomplishing Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) fish management objectives. During the 2019-2020 period, statewide STEP $1,320,000 volunteer efforts involved nearly 720 young and 1,500 adult volunteers equaling annually 18 full-time equivalents (FTEs). STEP volunteer efforts are valued at $1,320,000. Due to COVID-19, this is nearly half of the normal involvement. The types of projects conducted through STEP reflect the diverse ways that volunteers can assist with fish and habitat management needs throughout Oregon. The issues and priorities within individual watersheds are often unique to those areas and the focus of STEP efforts can vary across the state. Generally, activities can be grouped into four main categories. EDUCATION AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT INVENTORY AND MONITORING 29,000 people Nearly 310 volunteers participated in STEP contributed to fish monitoring educational activities and inventory efforts These include trainings, classes, tours, presentations, Participants logged 4,000 hours in 157 projects statewide, assessing workshops, and public events. Due to COVID restrictions sport fisheries, conducting fish passage inspections participation was about one-third of normal as events were and surveying habitat in streams and rivers. canceled and schools moved to distance learning. HABITAT IMPROVEMENT FISH CULTURE STEP volunteers million improved more than 2.5 Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, 400 miles steelhead and trout were reared of waterways for fish or released by STEP volunteers 415 participants improved Oregon’s fish habitat by fish passage, These fish were used for enhancement or augmentation in-stream, riparian and fish carcass placement projects, and the purposes. Of these, nearly 1.9 million fish were fed and cared for Keep Oregon Rivers Clean (KORC) program. by STEP volunteers before release and 5,200 fish were collected for broodstock. STEP BACKGROUND The Oregon Legislature established STEP in 1981 as a program within ODFW. Its mission is to “achieve the recovery and sustainability of the state’s native salmon and trout through the education of Oregon’s citizens and their involvement with fish management efforts.” Since then, more than 388,000 adult and youth volunteers have contributed more than 3.9 million hours to an estimated 46,500 STEP projects. STEP is funded by a combination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) grant program and ODFW funds. The program consists of a Volunteers collecting brood at Indian Creek Hatchery. coordinator and administrative assistant in the ODFW headquarters office in Salem and 11 STEP biologists located throughout the state. The coordinator and assistant divide their time between the STEP program and ODFW’s Since 1981, 388,000+ volunteers Restoration and Enhancement Program. have contributed more than 3.9 million hours ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Governor appoints a 13-member STEP to approximately 46,500 STEP projects Advisory Committee (STAC), which is comprised of citizens representing all of Oregon. The committee meets quarterly around the state and advises ODFW on policy and the implementation of STEP. The committee administers the STAC Mini-Grant Program, funded through a $50,000 biennial grant from the ODFW Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Program Mini-Grants are available in amounts up to $2,000 for projects that further the goals of STEP. From October 2019 to September 2020 meetings were held in Salem and virtually. During this time period, no representatives were appointed. The full version of this report is available online at www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/step/ under “Annual Progress Reports” heading. Preparing to deliver eggs to classroom incubators. Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem, Oregon 97302 (503) 947-6232 www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP SALMON AND TROUT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP) 2019-2020 Annual Progress Report Prepared by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive Salem, Oregon 97302 This project was partially financed with funds obtained through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program. CONTENTS Page BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Summary of Current Efforts ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Tables and Figures .................................................................................................................................................... 6 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 Education and Program Development ................................................................................................................... 10 Inventory and Monitoring ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Habitat Improvement ............................................................................................................................................. 10 Fish Culture ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 Northwest Region ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Lower Willamette STEP............................................................................................................................................ 13 Mid-Willamette STEP ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Upper Willamette STEP ........................................................................................................................................... 19 North Coast STEP ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Mid Coast STEP ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Southwest Region ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 Umpqua STEP .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 Tenmile, Coos, and Coquille STEP ............................................................................................................................ 41 Lower Rogue STEP ................................................................................................................................................... 45 Upper Rogue STEP ................................................................................................................................................... 53 High Desert Region ...................................................................................................................................................... 53 Eastern Oregon STEP ............................................................................................................................................... 65 STEP Administration .................................................................................................................................................... 65 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................................. 70 Appendix 1: Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program Advisory Committee (STAC) ............................................. 71 Appendix 2: Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Staff ....................................................................... 72 2 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY This report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. The Oregon Legislature established STEP in 1981 as a program of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) that seeks to “achieve the recovery and sustainability of the state’s native salmon and trout through the education of Oregon’s citizens and their involvement with fish management efforts”. Although this goal will not be achieved by the program acting alone, annual volunteer efforts through STEP to enhance fisheries and restore habitats lend critical support to the management programs of ODFW and contribute to the more extensive statewide efforts toward fish and watershed restoration under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The role of STEP within ODFW is defined by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS 496.430 through 496.465) and Oregon