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JULY 26, 2000

The governors of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are urging tribal officials to accept their strategic plan for salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin.

"We believe that agreement on a regional approach, consisting of specific federal, state and regional plans that protect both our salmon and our communities, should be reached and accepted by federal and state officials in consultation with tribal leaders no later than January, 2001," said the states.

Among the agreement's provisions are improvements to the habitat, creating salmon sanctuaries, and protecting salmon from bird and animal predators. It also calls for supporting tribal ceremonial and subsistence fishing rights.

However, the governors' plan lacks provisions for dam breaching, which tribes and environmentalists have said is a necessary step in preserving such a vital part of tribal and regional life. Last week, the Clinton administration put dam breaching on hold for at least eight years.

Recovery of salmon "must focus not only on currently accessible habitat, but also look for opportunities to increase the current level of habitat access with all dams remaining in place," said the states.

The General Accounting Office on Wednesday released a report criticizing the Army Corps of Engineers for not adequately considering the environmental impacts of dam breaching. The Corps released a draft study in December and is conducting a more complete study.

Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash) has opposed breaching the dams. He has cited lack of scientific evidence to prove salmon would benefit from breaching.

Donald Sampson, executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, said the government should develop a breaching plan whether or not proof exists for the benefit. The CRITFC represents the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Nez Perce tribes.

Get the GAO report (in PDF format):
Army Corps of Engineers: An Assessment of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Lower Snake River Dams [1830k] (GAO 7/25)

Related Stories:
Dam breaching on hold (Enviro 7/20)
Racial tensions build over dams (The Talking Circle 04/14)
Treaty rights heat up (Tribal Law 04/14)

Relevant Links:
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - www.critfc.org
The State of Idaho - www.state.id.us
The State of Montana - www.state.mt.us/
The State of Oregon - www.governor.state.or.us
The State of Washington - www.governor.wa.gov/esa
The General Accounting Office - www.gao.gov
Northwest Power Planning Council: www.nwppc.org