Fy 2007 Innovative Project Solicitation Application of Innovative Acoustic Telemetry Technology to Underpin Statistically-Valid Survival Estimates for Chinook Salmon in the Nearshore Ocean Off the Mouth of the Columbia River

B.S. Wildlife Management/Biology, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, 1974

M.S. Wildlife Science, Oregon State University, 1976

M.S. Biometry, Cornell University, 1978

Ph.D.Biometry, Cornell University, 1985

Current Position

Professor of Biological Statistics, University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Dr. Skalski has over 25 years of experience as an environmental scientist and statistician. He has worked with state agencies, federal agencies, and tribes on the design and analysis of environmental investigations. His expertise is environmental sampling, parameter estimates, and the design of large-scale environmental studies under constraints. He has developed statistical theory for impact assessment, accident assessment, and long-term monitoring design. Dr. Skalski has also written over 25 peer-reviewed papers and 2 books on the design and analysis of tagging studies to assess the demographics of mobile species.

Deriso, R. B., M. N. Maunder, and J. R. Skalski. 2007. Variance estimation in integrated assessment models and its importance for hypothesis testing. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 64:187-197.

Buchanan, R. A., J. R. Skalski, and S. G. Smith. 2006. Estimating the effects of smolt transportation from different vantage points and management perspectives. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 26:460-472.

Townsend, R. L., J. R. Skalski, P. Dillingham, and T. W. Steig. 2006. Correcting bias in survival estimation resulting from tag failure in acoustic and radiotelemetry studies. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics 11:183-196.

Skalski, J. R., K. E. Ryding, and J. J. Millspaugh. 2005. Wildlife demography: Analysis of sex, age, and count data. Academic Press. San Diego, CA. 656 pp.

Johnson, G. E., J. B. Hedgepeth, J. R. Skalski, and A. E. Giorgi. 2004. A Markov chain analysis of fish movements to determine entrainment zones. Fisheries Research 69(3):349-358.

Skalski, J. R., R. Townsend, J. Lady, A. E. Giorgi, and J. R. Stevenson. 2002. Estimating route-specific passage and survival probabilities at a hydroelectric project from smolt radiotelemetry studies. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 59: 1385-1393.

Rebecca A. Buchanan

Education

Ph.D., Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management, University of Washington, 2005

M.S., Mathematics Education, Syracuse University, 1998

A.B., Mathematics, Bryn Mawr College, 1995

Research Scientist IV, University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Science

Design statistical methods for environmental and ecological studies, with primary focus on salmonid studies in the Columbia and Snake river basins.

Analyze release-recapture data from salmonid studies.

Provide consulting to research community in form of statistical advice and analysis.

Make findings available to the community via scholarly articles, technical reports, and presentations.

Expertise

Dr. Buchanan has been a research scientist at the University of Washington since 2005. Her area of expertise is statistical salmonid movement models based on tagging data.

Buchanan, R. A., and Skalski, J. R. A Migratory Life-Cycle Release-Recapture Model for Salmonid PIT-Tag Investigations. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics, in press.

Buchanan, R. A., Skalski, J. R., and Smith, S. G. (2006). Estimating the Effects of Smolt Transportation from Different Vantage Points and Management Perspectives,” North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 26: 460-472.

Buchanan, R. A., and Skalski, J. R. (2006). Design and Analysis of Salmonid Tagging Studies in the Columbia Basin, Volume XIX; Analysis of Fall Chinook Salmon PIT-Tag Data: Estimating Transportation Effects.” 2004-2005 Technical Report, Project No. 198910700. 47 electronic pages. (BPA Report DOE/BP-0001249407).

Skalski, J. R., Buchanan, R. A., Townsend, R. L., Heisey, P., and Dotson, C. Using Likelihood-Based Methods to Analysis a Large Factorial Release-Recovery Experiment. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics (in review).

Buchanan, R. A. (2005) Release-Recapture Models for Migrating Juvenile and Adult Salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers Using PIT-Tag and Radiotelemetry Data, unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Washington, Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management.

Ph.D., 1981, Fisheries, University of Washington

M.A., 1975, Biology, Humboldt State University

B.A., 1972, Biology, Humboldt State University

Dr. Giorgi is a senior fisheries scientist with BioAnalysts, Inc. His duties involve research sudy design, execution and analysis. Additionally he is a technical adivsor and analyst for a variety of clients, including BPA, NPCC and the USACE.

Dr. Giorgi has a broad foundation in issues pertaining to hydropower impacts on aquatic resources, and has been conducting research on Pacific Northwest salmonid resources and resident fish since 1982. He specializes in fish passage, migratory behavior, juvenile salmon survival studies, biological effects of hydroelectric development and operation, biological effects of water management actions, and fish passage modeling. In addition to anadromous salmonids he has conducted migratory studies on bull trout, lamprey and redband trout. His research approaches have included the use of radio telemetry, acoustic tags and PIT-tag technologies.

National Research Council (Giorgi contributing author). 2004. Managing the Columbia River, Instream Flows, Water Withdrawals and Salmon Survival. National Academy of Science Press, Washington D.C. 246 pages.

Skalski, John R., Richard Townsend, James Lady, Albert E. Giorgi, John R. Stevenson. 2002. Estimating route-specific passage and survival probabilities at a hydroelectric project from smolt radio telemetry studies. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 59(8):1385-1393

Skalski, John R., James Lady, Richard Townsend, Albert E. Giorgi, John R. Stevenson, Charles M. Peven, Robert D. McDonald. 2001. Estimating inriver survival of migrating salmonid smolts using radio telemetry. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58 (10): 1987-1997.

Giorgi, A. E.; T.W. Hillman, and J.R. Stevenson. 1997. Factors that influence the Downstream Migration Rates of Juvenile Salmon and Steelhead through the Hydroelectric System in the Mid-Columbia River Basin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management; 17(2):268-28.

Skalski, J., and A. Giorgi. 1993. Juvenile passage program: a plan for estimating smolt travel time and survival in the Snake and Columbia rivers. Bonneville Power Administration, DOE/BP-35885-3, Portland, OR. 55 pp.

M.S., Biological Oceanography, Oregon State University, 1981

B.A., Mathematics and Marine Biology, University of California at Berkeley, 1976

Current Position

Senior Research Scientist, Coastal Assessment and Restoration, Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Mr. Johnson is currently serving out of PNNL’s office in Portland, OR. He works on research, monitoring, and evaluation in the lower Columbia River and estuary, as well as juvenile fish passage issues at mainstem Columbia and Snake River dams.

Mr. Johnson’s expertise includes endangered salmonids, hydroacoustics, surface flow outlets, juvenile salmon migration, and hydroacoustics to study fish passage at dams and power plants. He studied the estuarine/nearshore tidal exchange of planktonic larvae of benthic invertebates along the Oregon coast.

Johnson, G.E. and D.D. Dauble. 2006. Surface flow outlets to protect juvenile salmonids passing trough hydropower dams. Reviews in Fisheries Science 14:1-32.

Johnson, G.E., S.M. Anglea, N.S. Adams, and T.O. Wik. 2005. Evaluation of the prototype surface flow bypass for juvenile salmon and steelhead at the powerhouse of Lower Granite Dam, Snake River, Washington, 1996-2000. N. Amer. J. Fish. Management 25:138-151.

Johnson, G., J. Hedgepeth, J. Skalski, and A. Giorgi. 2004. A Markov chain analysis of fish movements to determine entrainment zones. Fisheries Research 69:349-358.

Johnson G.E., B.D. Ebberts, D.D. Dauble, A.E. Giorgi, P.G. Heisey, R.P. Mueller, and D.A. Neitzel. 2003. Effects of jet entry at high-flow outfalls on juvenile Pacific salmon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23(2):441-449. 

Skalski, J.R., G.E. Johnson, C.M. Sullivan, E. Kudera, and M.W. Erho. 1996. Statistical evaluation of turbine bypass efficiency at Wells Dam on the Columbia River, Washington. Can. J. Fish. Aquatic Sci. 53(10):2188-2198.

Johnson, G.E., J.R. Skalski, and D.J. Degan. 1994. Statistical precision of hydroacoustic sampling of fish entrainment at hydroelectric facilities. N. Amer. J. Fish. Man. 14(2):323-333.

Johnson, G.E. and J.J. Gonor. 1982. The tidal exchange of Callianassa californiensis larvae between the ocean and the Salmon River estuary, Oregon. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 14:501-516.

M.S., Fish and Wildlife Management, Montana State University, Bozeman. June 1989.

B.S., Biological Sciences, Fish and Wildlife Management option, Montana State University, Bozeman. June 1987.

Current Position

Senior Research Scientist, Ecology, Energy Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Mr. McMichael has been a Project Manager and Principal Investigator for several acoustic telemetry projects using the newly-developed Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System (JSATS). These projects have addressed critical uncertainties regarding juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead survival and behavior through the Snake and Columbia Rivers and into the Pacific Ocean.

Mr. McMichael is considered a regional expert in salmonid behavior, with emphasis on hatchery-wild interactions and fall Chinook salmon. His research has been widely published. Mr. McMichael excels at coordinating complex projects that involve diverse personnel from a wide range of disciplines. The wide range of projects Mr. McMichael has managed or been involved in has given him a good understanding of the complex linkages between biotic and abiotic factors and their interactions as well as a unique ability to identify management options to address aquatic problems.

McMichael, G. A., T. N. Pearsons, and S. A. Leider. 1999. Behavioral interactions among hatchery-reared steelhead smolts and wild Oncorhynchus mykiss in natural streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19:948-956.

McMichael, G. A., J.A. Vucelick, C.S. Abernethy, and D.A. Neitzel. 2004. Comparing fish screen performance to physical design criteria. Fisheries 29(7):10-16.

McMichael, G. A., C. A. McKinstry, J. A. Vucelick, and J. A. Lukas. 2005. Fall Chinook salmon spawning activity versus daylight and flow in the tailrace of a large hydroelectric dam. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:573-580.

McMichael, G. A., C. L. Rakowski, B. B. James, and J. A. Lukas. 2005. Estimated fall Chinook salmon survival to emergence in dewatered redds in a shallow side channel of the Columbia River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:876-884.

Pearsons, T. N., S. R. Phelps, S. W. Martin, E. L. Bartrand, and G. A. McMichael. 2007. Gene flow between resident and anadromous rainbow trout in the Yakima Basin: Ecological and genetic evidence. In P. Howell and D. Buchannan, editors, Redband Trout: Resilience and Challenge in a Changing Landscape. Oregon Chapter, American Fisheries Society.

B.S. Wildlife Biology, Washington State University, May 1993

A.A. Arts & Sciences, Columbia Basin College, June 1989

Current Position

Research Scientist, Ecology, Energy Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Mr. Titzler manages a variety of project field operations tasks from the deployment to data collection phases. This includes fixed-aspect hydroacoustics to evaluate downstream fish passage routes and fish behavior at Columbia and Snake River dams. He provides technical support to the field operations phase of the lower Columbia River and lower Snake River acoustic telemetry projects. He also pilots and manages the acoustic telemetry research vessel. Mr. Titzler is USCG certified for operating vessels to 100 tons within 100 NM of shore.

Mr. Titzler’s expertise and strengths includes project field deployment planning, field deployments, hardware design, hydroacoustic system setup, and troubleshooting. He also works on a variety of other projects that includes salmon habitat and monitoring river environments.

The following are projects he has provided major contributions:

Hydroacoustic Evaluation of the Effects of Spill Treatments on Fish Passage at Little Goose Dam 2006

Hydroacoustic Evaluation of Fish Passage at Lower Granite Dam with a Removable Spillway Weir in 2006

Hydroacoustic Evaluation of Fish Distributions at the Ice Harbor Dam Removable Spillway Weir, 2006

Hydroacoustic Evaluation of the Effects of Turbine Loading on FGE, Gap Loss, and Debris Performance of Prototype VBS's at McNary Dam in 2005

Hydroacoustic Evaluation of Fish Passage at Ice Harbor Dam with a Removable Spillway Weir in 2005

Jessica A. Vucelick (Carter)

Education

B.A. Biology, Lewis and Clark College, Portland Oregon, 1997-2001

Research Scientist, Ecology, Energy Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Mrs. Vucelick has held an integral role in several acoustic telemetry projects using the newly-developed Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System (JSATS). She acts as the database manager for the telemetry studies, in addition to providing technical and analytical support and contributing to project reports. Other projects on which she has worked include feasibility of using PIT tags to determine mixing of non-Newtonian fluids (U.S. Department of Energy), evaluation of the Priest Rapids Project (PRP) on fall Chinook salmon between 2000 and 2003 for the Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, passage evaluations in the Yakima Basin (BPA), Chandler Canal smolt loss and low water fish screen investigations (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation).

Mrs. Vucelick excels at managing large datasets across multiple related projects. She has been successful at understanding project needs and designing efficient data collection protocols that help in ensuring timely products.

McMichael GA, CA McKinstry, JA Vucelick, and J Lukas. 2005. "Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Activity Versus Daylight and Flow in the Tailrace of a Large Hydroelectric Dam ." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25(2):573-580. doi:10.1577/M04-044.1