It is well known, and documented, that salmon carcasses provide an important role in terrestrial and aquatic ecology. Over the past century wild salmon runs throughout the Northwest have seen sharp declines. The reduced transport of marine derived nutrients and biomass, via migrating salmon, has likely had a profound impact on the productivity of aquatic organisms at base of the food web, and juvenile salmon.

While wild runs have remained relatively low, hatchery runs remain stable in the Upper Columbia. As hatcheries strive to reduce their impacts on native salmon stocks, many hatchery-origin salmon are removed from the system. Removal of this source of biomass and marine derived nutrients creates an opportunity to assess the potential for redistribution throughout targeted watersheds at appropriate spatial and temporal scales.

The Cascade Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (CCFEG) is currently assessing the technical and logistical feasibility of collecting, storing, screening/treating, transporting, and distributing excess salmon carcasses throughout the Upper Columbia. CCFEG is investigating opportunities to collect carcasses (average numbers, species, locations, and timing), the costs and infrastructure required to store, transport, treat (for pathogens if necessary), and distribute excess hatchery carcasses. We will work with Washington Department of Ecology to identify how existing water quality parameters may influence nutrient enhancement opportunities. We will collaborate with stakeholders (WDFW, USFWS, PUD's, RTT, Watershed Action Teams, Yakama and Colville Tribes, etc.) who have an interest in nutrient enhancement. The outcome of this assessment will be the first step in establishing a region-wide nutrient enhancement program, an *action identified as a priority within the Upper Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan (Tier 2 action for the Wenatchee, Entiat, and Methow. RTT Summary of Priority Reaches and Actions (March 2009)).

*The plan calls for nutrient enhancement in specific watersheds (Wenatchee, Entiat, and Methow), but a "region-wide" program would be needed in terms of providing the source of nutrients to implement sub-basin specific plans.