The Columbia River Basin Pacific Lamprey Summit was held on Friday October 22, 2004 at the Native American Student Community center at Portland State University. Presentations addressed basic lamprey ecology and the status of lamprey and lamprey research in the Columbia River Basin. They also identified some critical uncertainties and key research needs related to lamprey restoration.

Additional presentations addressed issues related to the upstream and downstream passage of lamprey at Columbia River Basin Corps of Engineers dams. Mainstem dams present significant upstream passage blockage for Pacific lamprey. A draft “Whitepaper”, addressing Pacific lamprey passage needs, priorities, and timeframes at the Corps’ Snake and Columbia River dams, was presented. Some of the modifications made to improve salmon passage may be impacting lamprey passage.

Kemper McMaster, State Supervisor of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service, provided an update on the status of the petition to list Pacific lamprey (and other lamprey species) under the federal Endangered Species Act. The lamprey is an indicator of water quality

• Vision. Panelists expressed their vision of success for lamprey management and conservation in a variety of ways. Some panelists noted that their vision was to re-establish a sustainable lamprey population.
• ESA listing. The desire to avoid an ESA listing of Pacific lamprey was voiced by panelists. Many panelists expressed willingness or a commitment to work collaboratively or on a team to address lamprey issues. Tribal panelists noted the need to better communicate the traditional values of the lamprey to the younger generations. The audience for lamprey conservation needs to be expanded.
  Most panelists recognized the need for additional funds and resources to support additional monitoring and research on lamprey, to support specific management and conservation actions (including structural changes at dams) to benefit lamprey habitat or passage, and to support the collaborative process itself. Panelists noted that an essential first step is developing an assessment of the state of the science on lamprey, identifying gaps in understanding, and prioritizing future research, management, and conservation needs.
• Research. Most panelists agreed that additional research was greatly needed to better understand lamprey biology, life history, habitat, and passage needs. Panelists noted information was needed on basic lamprey ecology as well as on interrelationships with salmonids or other species. They noted that research was also needed to identify the best approaches for improving lamprey passage and survival. The Corps requested feedback on its “white paper” on proposed lamprey passage improvements. Assessment of the “state of the science” on Pacific lamprey, identifying gaps in understanding, and prioritizing future research, management, and conservation needs. The Columbia Basin Lamprey Technical Workgroup and the Fish Passage Center are undertaking components of this action. Reconvene the executive policy discussion to review a set of prioritized recommendations for Pacific lamprey research, conservation actions, funding needs, and resource allocation. Individual agencies and tribes should internally review their research, management, and conservation activities, and better integrate Pacific lamprey needs into existing and future workplans.