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MONDAY, JULY 1, 2002

Twenty years ago, the Confederated Umatilla Tribes of Washington launched a risky scheme to get more water and money for dying salmon runs.

The tribes in 1982 dumped chinook into the Umatilla River, knowing the fish were the wrong species. The move prompted the federal government to take an interest in making sure the situation wouldn't turn into an environmental nightmare.

The tribes also engaged local farmers in the fight to both protect its treaty rights and the right to agriculture. Along with the federal government, both sides eventually joined in a $100 million effort to ensure water for fishing and farming.

Get the Story:
Cooperative effort saves fish, farmers (The Seattle Times 7/1)