OAR 635-500-6030: Spring Chinook

(1) The following policies apply to spring chinook management in the upper Deschutes subbasin: (a) Only specific pathogen free hatchery reared eggs or juvenile spring chinook will be released into the upper Deschutes River subbasin until they return as adults to the Pelton Trap. (b) Only spring chinook adults known to have originated upstream of Round Butte Dam or reared in a M. cerebralis free environment will be released above the dam until passage measures are proven successful. (c) Spring chinook of any origin may be considered for passage into habitats upstream of Round Butte Dam once it has been determined the population is able to sustain itself. (d) The upper Deschutes River subbasin will be managed for native spring chinook consistent with the Native Fish Conservation Policy (OAR 635-007-0503). (2) The following objectives apply to spring chinook management in the upper Deschutes subbasin: (a) Maintain conservation levels of self-sustaining populations of naturally produced spring chinook upstream of Round Butte Dam. A stock recruitment model will be developed for spring chinook to determine specific escapement numbers necessary to meet conservation goals. (b) Provide opportunity to harvest spring chinook if spawner escapement goal is exceeds conservation goals in five consecutive years.