Tribes with treaty rights on the Columbia River support a bill that will allow them to lethally remove California sea lions in order to protect endangered salmon runs.

H.R.964, the Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, authorizes the Warm Springs Tribes, the Umatilla Tribes, the Yakama Nation and the Nez Perce Tribe to obtain federal permits to remove a limited number of sea lions. The states of Washington and Oregon already have the ability to secure the permits.

"Tribal members remember a time where balance existed in a healthy and functioning environment," said Bruce Jim, the chairman of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. "The predation of salmon by sea lions is an impact that can't be ignored."

Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Washington), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced the bill on Tuesday.

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Hastings makes another run after gluttonous sea lions (The Seattle Times 3/9)