Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Freshwater aquatic habitats in the Northwest sustain native fish such as bull trout, salmon, and lamprey that are important to the region's food economy, outdoor recreation, and as Tribal resources. However, increasing water temperatures and fluctuating precipitation can increase the vulnerability of these habitats and native species to biological invasions. Among non-native species that are known threats to the iconic native bull trout are brook trout and smallmouth bass. This project aims to inform freshwater ecosystem management by developing a modeling tool that predicts the likelihood of non-native fish invasion and impacts in the Northwest under different future scenarios and management approaches. The modeling tools will help decision-makers evaluate and prioritize actions that safeguard native bull trout and freshwater streams from the impacts of non-native fishes and interacting environmental stressors.

This work advances EO 14313 Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission (July 3, 2025) by evaluating fish, wildlife, and habitat to inform species recovery efforts and management plans at federal, state, and Tribal levels. It also advances science-based conservation of natural resources and strengthens the ability of agencies and communities to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems from biological degradation. Additionally, this work supports EO 14276 -Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness (April 17, 2025) and SO 3447 -Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and Waters (January 7, 2026) by providing science to improve fisheries management, sustain access to recreational fishing, and safeguard the region's cultural and economic interests.

Projects supported under this cooperative agreement should advance Administration priorities, including, but not limited to, American energy dominance, critical mineral development, water security, infrastructure resilience, and natural hazard preparedness. Research and activities may incorporate scientific expertise in areas such as hydrology, geology, geospatial science, biosecurity, and near-earth space science, including extreme events such as drought, flooding, wildland fire, coastal erosion, severe storms, and geologic hazards, to develop actionable science, data, and tools that support informed decision-making by resource managers and stakeholders.