Pacific Lamprey Fund

Through the fund, we support stakeholders and conservation groups by funding efforts to enhance and identify Pacific lamprey habitats and support further research within the Lower Deschutes Basin.

The Pelton Round Butte Lamprey Fund was established to protect and research existing populations while supporting habitat enhancement efforts downstream of the Project.

We plan to award $3 million for in-stream habitat improvements, barrier removal, passage feasibility and reintroduction, as well as research surrounding migration, core spawning areas and population sizes.

There are two separate funding categories: the Mitigation and Enhancement (M&E) Fund, and the Lamprey Research Fund.

Lamprey Mitigation & Enhancement (M&E) Fund

Fund amount: $500,000 available in 2020, 2025 and 2030

Purpose: To enhance Pacific lamprey populations in the Deschutes Basin downstream of the Pelton Round Butte Project.

Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2020, to be reviewed bi-annually in June and December.

Eligible Project Categories:

• Barrier removal and passage improvement

• In-stream habitat modification and enhancement

• Translocation of adults and/or juveniles to under-seeded or newly accessible habitat

• Development of artificial propagation for rearing ammocoetes for release

• Construction, installation or testing of new passage technology if approved by Lamprey Fund Advisory Committee

Application

• Lamprey Mitigation & Enhancement Fund Application

• Lamprey Mitigation & Enhancement Fund Application Instructions

Lamprey Research Fund

Funding amount: $1,500,000 to be distributed over 10 years

Purpose: Research should focus on the mainstem Lower Deschutes River in order to establish an understanding of lamprey populations below the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project. 

Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2020, to be reviewed bi-annually in June and December.

Eligible project categories:

• Population research and monitoring

• Distribution and abundance monitoring

• Spawning escapement estimates

• Adult and juvenile migration studies

• Genetic sampling and abundance for stock identification and parentage studies

• Monitoring effectiveness of habitat enhancement and passage improvement projects

• Development of habitat/abundance models

• Identification of limiting factors

Application

• Lamprey Research Fund Application

• Lamprey Research Fund Application Instructions

Pacific lamprey. Photo courtesy of the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.

Pacific Lamprey Passage Evaluation and Mitigation Plan (PLEMP)

The PLEMP was developed by the licensees with the approval of the appropriate fish agencies pursuant to their respective statutory authorities. It contains five sections:

1. Habitat assessment to further define lamprey spawning and ammocoete (larval) rearing habitat in the Deschutes River Basin; use of this information to quantify habitats suitable for production of lamprey both upstream and downstream of the Project.

2. Passage assessment for out-migrant and adult Pacific lamprey through the Project with existing fish passage facilities.

3. Experimental reintroduction of lamprey will occur after the assessment of lamprey passage through the Project.

4. Alternative lamprey mitigation may be developed if passage is determined by the Fish Committee to be infeasible with existing facilities.

5. Re-initiation of passage efforts will be implemented if alternative lamprey mitigation occurs and new information demonstrates that passage is feasible.

Pacific Lamprey Alternative Mitigation Plan