Underwater image of Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir in the Willamette Basin.
Stephen (Steve) Waste, Ph.D.
Steve is the Director of the Columbia River Research Laboratory, a facility of the Western Fisheries Research Center of USGS. Steve holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, School of Fisheries. He spent the early part of his career as a wildlife biologist and commercial fishermen in Alaska, working during the off-season for United Fishermen of Alaska and then the Alaska State Legislature.
Research Interests:
USGS – Supervise and manage a diverse fisheries research program across the western US. Manage personnel, budget, and facilities issues; e.g., facility replacement initiative. Provide leadership for program development and strategic planning efforts on: fish passage issues; large river monitoring; aquatic invasive species; developing a decision support tool for modeling climate change scenarios; and endangered species; e.g., salmonids, sturgeon, lamprey, forge fish, Moapa Dace. Represent USGS in regional forums such as the Sovereign Review Team for the Columbia River Treaty and the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership.
NWPCC – Served as the Council’s ex officio to the Independent Scientific Advisory Board, while the Board completed major reports on tributary habitat, artificial supplementation, harvest, population growth, and climate change. Developed a “Research Plan for the Columbia River Basin,” through negotiations with diverse parties in the region.
BPA – Provided BPA leadership for the Action Agencies development of the habitat, and other, elements of five-year and annual Implementation Plans and Progress Reports for the NMFS. Chaired the Federal Habitat Team of the Federal Caucus, coordinating efforts of all Federal agencies to implement the Basinwide Strategy for Salmon Recovery (All-H paper), including development of Federal Habitat Implementation Plans, and Federal Habitat Progress Reports.
NMFS – Led anadromous fish and habitat conservation efforts nationally, for the division. Advised agency head and senior departmental staff on agency and private sector initiatives critical to the conservation of anadromous fish and their habitats. Prepared Congressional testimony and briefed the Assistant Administrator of NMFS, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator of NOAA, and the Deputy Secretary of Commerce on anadromous fish issues. Coordinated inter- and intra- agency efforts to ameliorate anthropogenic impacts on anadromous fish. Developed national NMFS policies in support of anadromous fish conservation e.g., Fish Passage, Gravel Extraction, and Forestry/Fishery Interactions. Led a six-year rule making by directing the development, promulgation, and publication of a NMFS/FWS Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and a subsequent Interagency Policy for prescribing fishways under Section 18 of the Federal Power Act. Represented Department of Commerce on various workgroups of the Interagency Task Force on Hydropower Relicensing, co-chaired by Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes.
Science and Products
Native and Invasive Bivalves in the Pacific Northwest: Co-occurrence, Habitat Associations and Potential Competition in the Face of Climate Change
Native mussels are in precipitous decline across North America. As part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) First Foods management framework that places significant value on the cultural importance of traditional food resources, they have been identified as a top conservation priority in the Pacific Northwest. Freshwater mussels are a vital component of river ec
Species Studied at the Columbia River Research Laboratory
Many species are studied at the Columbia River Research Laboratory. These species include birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants. The list contains both common and scientific names. Related content tab provides descriptive information for various species studied.
CRRL Lead Scientists and Areas of Expertise
Lead Scientists - Expertise
Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir
Underwater image of Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir in the Willamette Basin.
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Native and Invasive Bivalves in the Pacific Northwest: Co-occurrence, Habitat Associations and Potential Competition in the Face of Climate Change
Native mussels are in precipitous decline across North America. As part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) First Foods management framework that places significant value on the cultural importance of traditional food resources, they have been identified as a top conservation priority in the Pacific Northwest. Freshwater mussels are a vital component of river ecSpecies Studied at the Columbia River Research Laboratory
Many species are studied at the Columbia River Research Laboratory. These species include birds, fish, invertebrates, and plants. The list contains both common and scientific names. Related content tab provides descriptive information for various species studied.CRRL Lead Scientists and Areas of Expertise
Lead Scientists - Expertise - Multimedia
Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir
Underwater image of Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir in the Willamette Basin.
Underwater image of Juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir in the Willamette Basin.
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