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MARCH 15, 2001

Amidst an environmental crisis pitting the needs of consumers versus the protection of salmon considered vital to tribal culture, tribes in Washington on Wednesday urged citizens to conserve water in the wake of a statewide drought.

"Let there be no doubt. The salmon are in serious trouble," said Billy Frank, Jr., Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. "So we call on people to support the Governor and the Department of Ecology when they use the tools available to them to conserve water."

Representing 19 tribes in Washington, Frank's words come as Governor Gary Locke yesterday declared a drought emergency, the worst in more than 20 years, he said. He made the announcement while standing in Alder Lake, a hydropower source which would normally be filled with 12 feet of water under normal conditions but is now near empty.

"For anyone who thinks a major drought cannot happen in the Evergreen State, this drought is real and the effects are going to be real," said a dry Locke. "We are facing an extraordinary situation that demands the full attention and cooperation of all citizens."

Calling on state residents to work with one another, Locke is instituting voluntary conservation measures. Home owners, farmers, and business are all being urged to scale back their water needs now that the supply is 75 percent below normal.

"Working together, we can keep our fish swimming, our farmers in business, and our citizens from going thirsty," said Locke.

For Washington's tribes, the drought comes at a critical time. Armed with treaty rights and a historical and spiritual connection to salmon, they are currently battling the state over failing to protect already threatened or near extinct species of salmon.

Last month, the tribes filed a lawsuit in federal court aimed at forcing the state to fix and maintain culverts in western Washington that impede spawning salmon. By doing so, they opened another chapter in their 30-year struggle to have their fishing rights respected.

But their battle represents a larger one affecting other tribes in the region. The Bonneville Power Administration, a federal agency which provides about 50 percent of the power in the Northwest, is being forced to scale back salmon protections in the face of rising power costs, a move which affects the treaty rights of four tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

The drought in Washington will only lead to more power woes, say state Department of Ecology officials. Consumers will see their utility rates increase because the less water means less generating power.

Hoping to stem off economic hardships, the state's drought declaration opens up a $5.1 million account that will be used to purchase or lease water rights from water users. Several state agencies will identify areas where fish and agriculture are threatened and the fund will be used to funnel water where it is most needed.

Consumers themselves can help out, too, says Frank. Not washing cars or watering lawns will help conserve the precious resource, he said.

"I hope to see a lot of brown lawns this summer," said Frank. "I will view them as a badge of honor."

The declaration allows the state to issue emergency water permits, although Department of Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons says there is so little water that none will probably be granted. The state will also seek federal financial assistance.

Relevant Links:
Drought Declared in Washington, Department of Ecology - http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/drought/droughthome.html
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission - http://www.nwifc.wa.gov
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - http://www.critfc.org

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