Operational Planning. The Agreement includes operations for the protection of fall Chinook salmon from the beginning of spawning through the early rearing period when Chinook fry are susceptible to stranding. In addition to measures carried over from the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bar Agreement to protect fall Chinook salmon during the spawning, pre- hatch, post hatch and emergence periods, the Parties will work together to provide minimum flows and regulate flow fluctuations in the Hanford Reach during the rearing period. The Hanford Reach Agreement sets forth criteria and schedules that will be used by Grant County PUD in limiting flow releases from the Priest Rapids dam in order to minimize flow fluctuations and the stranding of salmon fry. It also establishes minimum flow guidelines to be used by BPA during the rearing period to assist ▇▇▇▇▇ in controlling flow fluctuations in the Hanford Reach. In addition, Chelan and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ County PUDs must assist Grant County PUD by following certain reservoir operating procedures designed to reduce flow fluctuations during the rearing period. The Monitoring Team established under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bar Agreement continues under the Hanford Reach Agreement with additional duties. It conducts aerial surveys during the spawning period in addition to visual observations to help determine critical ele vation levels to be protected by Priest Rapids flows. Beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2013, the Monitoring Team will develop a program to estimate rearing period fry losses.
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