Columbia Basin Fish Accords 1st Anniversary Celebration

Nearly 400 guests attended the Accords 1st Anniversary Celebration, which featured a tepee village highlighting the partners' projects made possible by the agreements.

Nearly 400 tribal, federal, state and local leaders returned Friday to a historic fishing village on the banks of the Columbia River, celebrating unprecedented collaboration cemented a year ago at the same place by Columbia Basin Fish Accords. Nestled inside tribal tepees were displays from the ten Accords parties highlighting active fish protection projects, recognizing partnerships and demonstrating the economic benefits of the Accords to local communities.

The landmark Accords replace years of divisiveness over salmon recovery efforts in the Basin with specific, science-based improvements for the region's fish. They supplement biological opinions for salmon and steelhead listed as endangered and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's fish and wildlife program through firm commitments to improvements in the hydro system, habitat and hatcheries; clear benchmarks for biological benefits and secure funding for ten years.

"It was a year ago that the tribes, as sovereign nations, and the federal action agencies reached an agreement to restore habitat for the Columbia Basin’s salmon populations,” said N. Kathryn Brigham, chair of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. “Today we are working together - combining our experience and expertise and solving problems.”

A color guard of tribal veteran's and Army personnel present the US and tribal flags.

Tribal, state and federal partners have launched new projects and expanded existing projects throughout the Columbia River Basin during the first year of the Accords. Projects underway through the Accords include: improvements in passage and assurance of sufficient water for the Walla Walla River’s salmon populations, restoration of sockeye runs in Redfish Lake; installation of lamprey passage systems at Bonneville Dam; and numerous other projects designed to restore critical habitat from the estuary to the tributaries.

Tribal and federal leaders signed the Accords on May 2, 2008 at Columbia Hills State Park, a historic village and fishing site under the watchful eye of “Tsagaglalal,” or “She Who Watches.” Tribal legend explains that Tsagaglalal was turned into stone so she could remain at her village to watch over the river and its people for eternity.

“The next ten years hold a promise of opportunity to work together, supporting the efforts of our partners, building on each other’s success, and remaining flexible to conditions on the ground,” said Alonzo A. Coby, Chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. “One of our sacred traditions is hunting salmon, it’s what we learned from our grandparents and will pass on to our grandchildren. This agreement is a commitment to preserve our traditions, promote our recovery efforts and leave this world a better place for tomorrow.”

The Accords are the direct result of two years of extensive negotiations between tribes, states and federal action agencies that have responsibilities for operating and maintaining the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). The FCRPS action agencies (Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation) have agreements with:

The ceremonial deerhide bearing the signatures of all the Accords parties was unveiled at the event.

• The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation;
• The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon;
• The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation;
• The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission;
• The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation;
• The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
• State of Idaho
• State of Montana

CRITFC Chair N. Kathryn Brigham.

While the Accords address the needs of salmon and steelhead, they also assist non-listed, culturally significant species such as Pacific lamprey and sturgeon.

“The Colville Tribes are very pleased with its Fish Accord with the federal government,” said Michael Finley, Business Council Vice Chairman and Natural Resources Committee Chair for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation. “The Accord is providing the funding needed to finally help restore salmon and steelhead from the upper Columbia River that have been largely ignored for too long. We are also looking forward again to the day when we can have meaningful ceremonial and subsistence salmon fisheries as a result of our Accord.”

For specific details of the Accords and the types of projects involved, please visit: www.critfc.org and www.salmonrecovery.gov.

Comments from other Accord signatories:

Brig. Gen. William E. Rapp, Northwestern Division commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“We have surmounted many obstacles to arrive at this moment where we can look back at a year that clearly demonstrates the benefits of anticipation, collaboration, communication, and innovation. As competition for water in the river system intensifies over time and the gap between demand and availability grows, our way ahead will be all the more important, and it is my sincere hope that mutual willingness to share responsibility and act in the best interests of the region, as symbolized by these Accords, continues to be the hallmark of our work.”
~ Brig. Gen. William E. Rapp, Northwestern Division commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“Today is truly a day for celebration. It is rare to see such collaborative efforts as we have witnessed with the Fish Accords. These Accords are the example of the relationships needed to benefit salmon in the Pacific Northwest. We are proud to be part of these collaborative partnerships.”
~ Tim Personius, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region, Bureau of
Reclamation

Steve Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration.

“For the first time, we have a widely supported, scientifically sound approach that seeks to move us out of the courtroom and to the rivers and streams that the region’s fish depend on. Tribal and non-Tribal people are seeking to alter the status quo because humans can be swamped by litigation and fish can’t swim in it. One year into this 10-year effort we have made real on-the-ground progress that helps fish. We have also strengthened the bonds in the Pacific Northwest beyond our wildest expectations, realizing the dream that historical antagonists can put down the swords and work together for the common good. We believe that the best chance for salmon recovery lies in us humans working together in harmony.”
~ Steve Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration