2002-037-00: Proposals


	Proposal Number	Proposal Version	Type	State	Project	Title	Description	Creator	Percent Complete	Proposal Budget Limit	Create Date	Last Updated	Primary Contact	Proponent	Purpose	Emphasis	Solicitation	Portfolio	Biop Fish Accord
		Select all Proposal Version 1 Proposal Version 2	Existing Project	Select all ISRP - Pending Final Review Pending BPA Response				Select all Gene Shippentower Rasa Keanini (Inactive)


	RESCAT-2002-037-00	Proposal Version 1	Existing Project	Pending BPA Response	2002-037-00	Freshwater Mussel Research and Restoration	Since its inception in 2003, the Freshwater Mussel Project of the CTUIR has conducted research designed to understand the biology and ecology of freshwater mussels. Specifically, the project has focused on three main components designed to determine: 1) the status and distribution of freshwater mussels on CTUIR Tribal lands; (2) factors controlling the distribution and abundance of mussels, and (3) whether genetic differences exist among western freshwater mussel species in the Columbia River basin. The long-term goal of this project has been to restore freshwater mussels to the Umatilla River and other mid-Columbia basins as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild ecosystem diversity, function, and traditional cultural opportunities in the these basins. Freshwater mussels in western North America (genera Anodonta, Margaritifera, and Gonidea) are notoriously understudied, although they have historically been a major component of the biomass in western aquatic systems and likely have a disproportionately large impact on ecological stability and processes in these systems. Recently BPA and CTUIR have funded pioneering work on the genetic composition, taxonomy, host fish, physiology and habitat associations of western freshwater mussels. Now that some of the basic questions (e.g., genetics, host fish) regarding western freshwater mussels have been answered, applied pilot actions and research can be appropriately designed and implemented. Such studies and pilot efforts are critical for effective monitoring, conservation, and restoration programs. CTUIR is interested in conserving freshwater mussels and restoring viable populations in the context of “First Foods” resource management on Tribal and ceded lands. One of the major goals of CTUIR is to restore sustainable populations of freshwater mussels to the Umatilla River system. The John Day and Walla Walla River systems, on ceded lands, contain large populations of freshwater mussels, and are a high priority for conservation. These river systems (particularly the John Day) also provide opportunities to study the distribution, habitat requirements, and ecosystem functions of freshwater mussels. Conclusions drawn from the distribution of mussels in this system can inform restoration efforts in other mid-Columbia rivers, such as the Umatilla. The primary goal of the project is to successfully restore and monitor sustainable mussel populations into the Umatilla River and other mid-Columbia drainages. This work is important for several reasons; Freshwater mussels were historically abundant in the Columbia Basin and can provide a myriad of ecosystem services that benefit other aquatic species, including salmonids. Recent (e.g., 2011) studies suggest that freshwater mussels also benefit Pacific lamprey populations, in part by retaining organic matter in the system. Freshwater mussels have been harvested for food and shell material by Native Americans for over 10,000 years and are considered an important cultural resource. Freshwater mussels are critically endangered world-wide, and in the Umatilla River Basin tribal and federal agencies are currently working to restore freshwater mussel populations as part of their ongoing efforts to rebuild ecosystem diversity, function, and traditional cultural opportunities in the basin. The proposed project will take place primarily in the Umatilla River Basin and other mid-Columbia drainages. The work will be done by personnel from the CTUIR, along with contractors who have the unique expertise and a proven record on working on western freshwater mussels. The project will build on the strong research outcomes already obtained in the project, including specific information on genetic lineages, habitat preferences, host fish, and physiological rate functions and food requirements. Thus, we envision that the project will move from a research phase into a restoration and monitoring phase that will result in the successful reintroduction of mussels into the Umatilla system and other basins. Successful preliminary relocation and monitoring efforts of mussels into the Umatilla River support this assertion. The effectiveness of these efforts will be determined by closely monitoring the translocated mussel populations. This will include documenting signs of recent recruitment, mortality and growth of translocated mussels. Habitat variables will also be recorded, as we expect mussels to have a positive influence on ecological stability and processes (e.g., substrate stability, seston quality and quantity and the presence of other sensitive macroinvertebrate groups). If these initial reintroduction efforts are successful, future efforts may include using mussels as bioengineers and substrate stabilizers at sites where habitat restoration efforts are on-going.	Gene Shippentower			10/04/2011	02/26/2014	Gene Shippentower	Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR)	Habitat	None	Resident Fish, Regional Coordination, and Data Management Category Review	Resident Fish, Regional Coordination, and Data Management Categorical Review	Fish Accord
	NPCC19-2002-037-00	Proposal Version 2	Existing Project	ISRP - Pending Final Review	2002-037-00	Freshwater Mussel Research and Restoration	Since its inception in 2003, the Freshwater Mussel Project of the CTUIR has conducted research designed to understand the biology and ecology (both biotic and abiotic) of freshwater mussels. Specifically, the project has focused on nine main components: Objective 1. Long Term Abundance and Distribution Monitoring Objective 2. Genetics and Taxonomic relationships Objective 3. Habitat Relationships Objective 4. Host Fish Relationships Objective 5. Artificial Propagation Objective 6. Promote Freshwater Mussel Best Management Practices Objective 7. Education and Outreach Objective 8. Freshwater Mussel Master Supplementation Plan The long-term goal of this project has been to utilize project findings for development and implementation of restoration actions for freshwater mussels in the Umatilla River and other mid-Columbia basins on ceded lands. The restoration of freshwater mussels is a part of an ongoing efforts to rebuild ecosystem diversity, function, and traditional cultural opportunities in the context of “First Foods.” Freshwater mussels are experiencing a global decline greater than any other species. These declines were first observed in North America in the early 1950’s. Many of the early declines were documented in the eastern U. S., but more recent surveys indicated mussels are in decline nationwide. The reason(s) for the decline include, but are not limited to, habitat degradation, introduction of invasive bi-valves, decline in native fish populations, pollution, disease, and inbreeding. Freshwater mussels are an important component of freshwater ecosystems because they provide positive feedback loops for both biotic and abotic components. Freshwater mussels provide food for wildlife and ecosystem services including, sediment stability, enhanced nutrient cycling, water quality improvement, and support greater macroinvertebrate communities. The burrowing activity of freshwater mussels has also shown to provide increased oxygen levels which benefits larval Pacific Lamprey. Freshwater mussels remain an important cultural resource for Tribal communities. Similar to the recent Master Plan for Pacific Lamprey Artificial Propagation, Translocation, Restoration, and Research (CRITFC, YIN and CTUIR, 2018), a Master Plan for Freshwater Mussels will be developed in 2019-2020. The plan is expected to be an integrated phased approach for artificial production that emphasizes adaptive management, with the ultimate goal of restoring sustained natural production of mussels throughout CTUIR ceded area subbasins in a feasible, cost effective, and biologically conservative manner. Tribal and federal agencies are currently working to restore freshwater mussel populations as part of their ongoing efforts to rebuild ecosystem diversity, function, and traditional cultural opportunities in the basin. Findings from our research to date has provided valuable information to help guide future restoration efforts in the Umatilla River and surrounding sub-basins on ceded territory. The information gained through our research helped better address the basic biological and physical needs that are required in order to make educated decisions to guide freshwater mussel restoration efforts.	Rasa Keanini (Inactive)		$393,000	11/14/2018	05/01/2019	Rasa Keanini (Inactive)	Umatilla Confederated Tribes (CTUIR)	Habitat	None	2019-2021 Mainstem/Program Support	2019-2021 Mainstem/Program Support	BiOp

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