Lampreys are widely distributed in the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Columbia River basin. Until recently, conserving native lampreys was not a management priority, despite their commercial, ecological, economic, and cultural values. Biological and ecological information for these species is limited and few studies have been conducted within the Columbia River basin. Current information suggests that lamprey populations are declining, and in January 2003, four species of lamprey (Lampetra tridentata, L. richardsoni, L. ayresi, and L. hubbsi) were petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

In 1995, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council established the Columbia River Basin Pacific Lamprey Technical Workgroup to serve and guide coordination activities for new and existing lamprey projects funded, or proposed for funding, through BPA. Currently, the need for guided and coordinated lamprey research extends beyond the scope of the existing workgroup.

This effort will be accomplished by re-instating the Lamprey Technical Workgroup (Workgroup) to function under the authority of the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority. The Columbia River Basin Lamprey Technical Workgroup will serve as a subcommittee of the Anadromous Fish Committee of CBFWA. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will coordinate Workgroup activities by organizing meetings and annual workshops to facilitate Workgroup function.