BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Pacific Lamprey Research and Restoration Project

BPA project number   9402600

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
CTUIR

Sponsor type   OR-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Deborah Docherty, EWN 503/230-4458

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   7.5F.1

Short description
Assess status and survival limitations of Pacific lamprey, develop restoration plans and implement in Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington.

Project start year   1995    End year   

Start of operation and/or maintenance   

Project development phase   Planning, Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
No other lamprey restoration projects ongoing.

Project history
The once-abundant Pacific lamprey populations are believed to be severely depressed or absent in mid and upper Columbia and Snake River tributaries where hydroelectric projects have created serious migration impacts. To date, little attention has been given to the enhancement efforts for this species. Depressed upriver lamprey runs have forced the tribes to gather this traditional food fish in lower Columbia locations and declining runs have impacted treaty secured fishing rights. The tribes desire to see lamprey problems identified and restoration plans developed and implemented within 3 to 4 years.

Biological results achieved
Only status report completed at this time. Anticipated eventual results are enhancement or reestablishment of depressed or extirpated lamprey populations.

Annual reports and technical papers
Status report to BPA initially and annual reports thereafter.

Management implications
The initial project will involve research on Pacific lamprey abundance, distribution, habitat condition, passage impacts, and transplantation or artificial production techniques. This information will enable managers to identify problems and potential solutions to be later implemented.

Specific measureable objectives
Address lamprey population limiting factors by implementing mainstem and tributary restoration measures. Rebuild/restore currently depressed/absent populations to levels which can be self sustaining and provide for traditional tribal fisheries. Conduct lamprey counts at mainstem dams to help measure success.

Testable hypothesis

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods
1) Monitor lamprey abundance at mainstem Columbia and Snake River dams
2) Identify past and present distribution of lamprey in NE Oregon and SE Washington subbasins
3) Identify habitat limiting factors, both in tributaries (spawning & rearing) and the mainstem Columbia River (passage)
4) Research transplantation and artificial propagation techniques and identify potential stock sources
5) Develop and implement lamprey restoration projects in mainstem Columbia and/or tributaries

Brief schedule of activities
Initial status report was completed in 1995. Monitor abundance at mainstem dams starting in 1996. Passage research and evaluation of artificial production/transplantation to begin in 1997. Implementation of lamprey restoration projects to begin in 1998 or 1999.

Biological need
The once abundant Pacific lamprey populations in the Columbia and Snake rivers are thought to be severely depressed or extirpated in many locations. Without efforts to identify the problems and implement solutions or restoration projects, the Pacific lamprey will likely go extinct in the entire upper Columbia and Snake rivers and tributaries.

Critical uncertainties
Numerous habitat problems are suspected to be responsible for the currently low lamprey populations. Specifically, mainstem passage and tributary spawning/ rearing are thought to be the critically impacted life history stages. This project will help clarify these problems and recommend actions to address them.

Summary of expected outcome
Following identification of limiting factors and development and implementation of restoration actions, the downward trend in upper Columbia and Snake river lamprey populations would be expected to stop and numbers would likely begin to increase.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
The tribe will coordinate with U.S. Army COE to conduct adult lamprey counts and sample juveniles at existing smolt facilities at mainstem dams. The Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission and Oregon State University will participate in the project. A multi-agency work group will be formed to address issues related to transplantation and artificial production.

Risks

Monitoring activity
Proposed action includes abundance monitoring at mainstem dams. This would initially be conducted to document population status and continued to monitor success of restoration efforts.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   System Policy

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $352,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $300,000