CTUIR signs Columbia River Basin Agreement
By Terry Murry on Monday, February 26th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Delegates representing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation visited the White House Friday for a ceremonial signing of the Columbia River Basin Agreement between the U.S. government and the Six Sovereigns.
This historic accord, which was announced Dec. 14, lays the groundwork for the federal government to work with the CTUIR, Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the states of Oregon and Washington to protect and restore salmon, steelhead and native fish to the Columbia River Basin.
Representing the CTUIR were Board of Trustees Member-at-Large Corinne Sams and Garrett Brown of the Office of Legal Counsel.
“In 1855 we signed a treaty with the United States government, and we secured the exclusive right to fish in our usual and accustomed areas in perpetuity,” Sams said. “In the early days, our historic runs were over 20 million. Now its estimated run this year is 124,000. We are on the brink of extinction, and the status quo is unacceptable.”
As part of the agreement, the Biden-Harris Administration commits to new funding for fish and wildlife. The Bonneville Power Administration, which is responsible for marketing hydropower under the Energy Department, will invest $300 million over 10 years to restore native fish and their habitats in the CRB. $100 million will be provided to the Six Sovereigns for fish restoration projects, and $200 million will be provided for hatchery modernization, upgrades and maintenance.
The Energy Department is committing to developing at least one to three gigawatts of tribally sponsored clean energy projects to build energy infrastructure that, if Congress authorizes breach of the Lower Snake River Dams, could help replace power generated by those dams.
The Biden-Harris administration is committing to adjusting federal hydro system operations to deliver a net-benefit for some fish, while maintaining grid reliability and upholding health and safety requirements.
Also, the Biden-Harris administration will undertake or help fund studies on how services provided by the four Lower Snake River dams could be replaced to inform Congress should it consider authorizing breaching the dams.
Photo shows CTUIR Board of Trustees member and chair of Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Corinne Sams signing Columbia River Basin Agreement (CTUIR)
