From: Puckett, Kathryn J

Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 5:26 PM

To: Peters, Rock D NWD; DUANE.MECHAM@sol.doi.gov
Subject: RE: Predation/Invasives
Attachments: Predator control Invasives 080409 editsmn (2).docx

Attorney client work product 
 
Rock, I leave it to you whether at some point you want to include Michael N's 1st comment ‐ probably would delete the 
second.   The innovation stuff seems important but it was not a consensus (i.e., Michael's first comment may not fit w 
that paragraph).   So perhaps the thing to do is note in a new paragraph that this is something else we could pursue.     
I'll let you decide whether there is value added or not since we're not much in this stuff.   
 
From: Peters, Rock D NWD [mailto:Rock.D.Peters@usace.army.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 11:55 AM
To: Lear, Gayle N NWD; Ponganis, David J NWD; Ritchie Graves ; Bruce Suzumototo; Katherine.Cheney; Skidmore,John T
- KEWR-4; Lorri Bodi; Puckett, Kathryn J; Harwood,Holly C - PGB-5
Subject: Predation/Invasives

HAttached is the invasive predator control for immediate response. This has been reviewed by Rock, John S, and
Ritchie.

<<Predator control Invasives 080409 edits (2).docx>>

Rock

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FCRPS BiOp Issue Paper

Workgroup: Rock, FWS, NOAA (sea lions), Skidmore, Dory Welch, Ritchie
Draft 7-31-09

Action Immediate Response:

Predator Control & Invasive species

Lead Implementing BPA, ACOE, NOAAF

Agency (others)

Current Activity Regional partners are currently working on a strategy to reduce non‐

Description native piscivorous predation on juvenile salmonids consistent with BiOp  
• FCRPS BiOp RPA 44  
activity  
• Involved parties Assess impacts of non-native species at regional scales. Combine spatially
and/or explicit information on non-native species populations (abundance, size, etc) and
agreements mechanisms and magnitudes of impact to identify areas where risks to salmon
are the greatest and where management strategies are needed to minimize these
impacts. We will evaluate multiple mechanisms of impact (predation,
competition) for a number of key taxa (including but not excluded to smallmouth
bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, shad, brook trout). These
assessments are needed to identify regions in the Columbia with greatest
potential impacts from non-native species. In addition, results of this effort can
be linked with proposed climate studies that will identify ESUs that are most
susceptible to the effects of climate change to help identify potential synergistic
interactions between climate and non-native species.
 
The Action Agencies hosted a predation workshop in Fall, 2008 with 
approximately 100 in attendance representing 18 federal, state and tribal 
entities, and several regional universities.  A report on the proceedings 
identified a number of predation management strategies, most requiring 
a level of basic field research as a first step in implementing full‐scale 
management action.  A smaller follow‐up meeting occurred in May, 2009 
to narrow the focus to a few high priority approaches warranting further 
development.  The following briefly describes the three highest priority 
subject areas that received regional consensus.   
 
 Current non‐indigenous piscivorous predation activities include 
developing a research proposal to be submitted to the ISRP to increase 
our understanding of some key uncertainties regarding predation by 
introduced predators on juvenile salmonids.  Key objectives include: 1) 

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documentation of the influence of juvenile shad on the growth and 
condition of introduced predators in the fall as they prepare for 
overwintering. 2) Documentation of the predatory impact of channel 
catfish, 3) Document whether localized removals of smallmouth bass may 
reduce the predatory impact on juvenile salmonids in areas of intense 
predation. 4) solicit innovative methods for controlling smallmouth bass 
populations which might include but not be limited to breeding triploid 
bass and introducing them to control reproduction; reservoir 
management to control spawning; other shoreline spawning control 
measures; other fishing methods than hook and line; etc. 
 
Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish and American Shad are all 
introduced species in the Columbia Basin.   With the exception of 
American shad, they are also predators on juvenile salmonids.  American 
shad do not consume juvenile salmonids, but are thought to substantially 
affect food webs in the mainstem migration corridor. In addition, the 
nutrients provided by juvenile American shad in the fall may serve to 
increase condition and survival of predators, therefore increasing net 
predation on juvenile salmonids. Conversely, they may reduce predation 
rates on subyearling Chinook salmon by providing an abundant, 
alternative source of food to predators. 
 
Basic research is needed to achieve the objectives stated above.  If the 
research supports the management action, then site‐specific removals of 
smallmouth bass and adult shad exclusion from upper mainstem dams 
could occur as early as 2012. 
 
Implementation partners:  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, USGS 
– Biological Resources Division (Cook, WA) 
Clarification for  
Rapid Response
(highlight new
actions that would be
taken in addition to
what we already have
planned)

Estimated Cost (this BiOp three year funding to develop management actions is $350K/year 

should be based on

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cost of new actions, for three years.  

and not cost for  
current BiOp Funding for implementation of management actions TBD 
activities)
Implementation  
considerations Bass removals on a large scale (like the northern pike‐minnow program) 
(highlight political
would require state permitting and, according to regional scientists, 
issues,
would – unlike this program on northern pikeminnow ‐ be unlikely to 
implementation
constraints, substantially affect the abundance or population structure of smallmouth 
sequencing issues, bass (or their likely impact on juvenile salmonids). Again innovative new 
etc.) methods were not proposed or discussed at the predator workshop 
largely because OR resists bass management because of political 
pressure. 
 
National sportsman political action committees do not support 
reductions in bass or walleye abundance in the Columbia Basin.   

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