Columbia Basin Fish Accords Signing Ceremony

The Columbia Basin Fish Accords were signed on a ceremonial deerskin by (l to r) US Corps of Engineers Colonel Steven R. Miles, Umatilla Chairman Antone Minthorn, Colville Chairman Mike Marchand, Yakama Chairman Ralph Sampson, Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Director Tim Personius, Bonneville Power Administration Administrator Steve Wright, Warm Springs Chairman Ron Suppah, and CRITFC Chairwoman Fidelia Andy.

On May 2, 2008, the Columbia Basin Fish Accords were signed at Columbia Hills State Park, a historical village and fishing site where, carved into the rocks above, is “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. Together, the Colville, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the BPA, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers gathered to sign a ceremonial deer hide emblazoned with the accord logo, also unveiled at the event. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the several hundred gathered guests and dignitaries enjoyed a salmon dinner.

Fidelia Andy, CRITFC chairwoman

“It gives us great pride and hope to be in this special place, with the spirit of Tsagaglalal watching us – our witnesses to this day, hearing us say that through these Accords we commit to doing more to protect and restore the region’s fish populations,”
~ Fidelia Andy, tribal council member for the Yakama Nation and chair of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

“The Umatilla Tribe has long recognized that collaboration and partnerships are essential to salmon recovery. Each one of us brings something special and unique to this agreement. It’s this diversity of resources and knowledge that will be instrumental to our success. The Umatilla Tribe knows this to be true based on demonstrated success of restoring salmon to the Umatilla River. I am hopeful that the next ten years will see great strides in the health of the Columbia River Basin, the salmon, and those who depend on their existence.”
~Chairman Antone Minthorn, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

“Our people and the fish that are part of our lives come from the headwaters of the Columbia River Basin. These Accords will allow work to take place for the benefit of fish from the ocean up to the headwaters, addressing the whole salmon life cycle along the way. We think these Accords are a turning point in the way people in the Basin address fish recovery and we look forward to being an integrated part of this strong partnership. This finally brings funding for projects to the fish of the upper Columbia. In the past, all production measures were put out of reach of the Collville people. These Accords bring fish back to the Colville people.”
~ Chairman Mike Marchand, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation

Steve Wright, BPA administrator

“These Accords move the focus away from gavel-to-gavel management and toward gravel-to-gravel management. By putting litigation behind us and putting actions to help fish in front of us, we will better ensure that Columbia Basin fish will benefit.”
~Steve Wright, BPA administrator

“These fish accords respect the sovereignty of the Tribes. They break from the history of federal agencies developing a plan themselves, and then telling the Tribes what they would or could provide for salmon. This did not work. Misunderstandings, hard feelings, and litigation are what we produced. The foundation of these accords is respect among sovereigns -- respect for the expertise and authority of the Tribes. Working with Tribes as sovereigns allowed us to put our hearts and minds to looking for opportunity and solutions for the rivers and the salmon. We have a lot of work to do to restore salmon, lamprey, and steelhead. We pause for a few hours on this day to celebrate a new partnership, a new respect for our sovereignty, to honor this new accord. Tomorrow we return to our sacred work with vigor, dedication, and optimism.”
~Chairman Ron Suppah, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon

"Today we set aside litigation and opt for cooperation with our federal partners. We have been in the courts for ten years and have not gained the resources needed to protect these creations. Now, working towards recovery, we will focus our efforts and energy on the task of fish recovery instead of continually girding ourselves for litigation. Cooperation will be the nature of our relationship recognizing that both fish and hydroelectric power are important to the Yakama Nation and to the people of the Northwest.”
~ Chairman Ralph Sampson, Jr., Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation

The signed deer skin formalizing the Columbia Basin Fish Accords.

“Today, as partners, we are making a tremendous step forward in an endeavor that will bring benefits for decades to come.”
~ Col. Steven Miles, Commander, Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“These Accords show that, working together, we can improve habitat for fish while respecting traditional agricultural values.”
~ Bill McDonald, Bureau of Reclamation Regional Director

Read the entire press release here.