Coho Salmon Master Plan, Clearwater River Basin.

The Nez Perce Tribe has a desire and a goal to reintroduce and restore coho salmon to the Clearwater River Subbasin at levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support sustainable runs and annual harvest. Consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Plan (EcoVista 2003), the Nez Perce Tribe envisions developing an annual escapement of 14,000 coho salmon to the Clearwater River Subbasin. In 1994, the Nez Perce Tribe began coho reintroduction by securing eggs through U.S. v. Oregon; by 1998 this agreement provided an annual transfer of 550,000 coho salmon smolts from lower Columbia River hatchery facilities for release in the Clearwater River Subbasin. In 1998, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council authorized the Bonneville Power Administration to fund the development of a Master Plan to guide this reintroduction effort. This Master Plan describes the results of experimental releases of coho salmon in the Clearwater River Subbasin, which have been ongoing since 1995. These data are combined with results of recent coho reintroduction efforts by the Yakama Nation, general coho life history information, and historical information regarding the distribution and life history of Snake River coho salmon. This information is used to assess a number of alternative strategies aimed at restoring coho salmon to historical habitats in the Clearwater River subbasin. These data suggest that there is a high probability that coho salmon can be restored to the Clearwater River subbasin. In addition, the data also suggest that the re-establishment of coho salmon could be substantially aided by: (1) the construction of low-tech acclimation facilities; (2) the establishment of a 'localized' stock of coho salmon; and (3) the construction of hatchery facilities to provide a source of juvenile coho salmon for future supplementation activities. The Nez Perce Tribe recognizes that there are factors which may limit the success of coho reintroduction. As a result of these uncertainties, the Nez Perce Tribe proposes to utilize a phased approach for coho reintroductions. This Master Plan seeks authorization and funding to move forward to Step 2 in the Northwest Power and Conservation Council 3-Step review process to further evaluate Phase I of the coho reintroduction program, which would focus on the establishment of a localized coho salmon stock capable of enduring the migration to the Clearwater River subbasin. To achieve this goal, the Nez Perce Tribe proposes to utilize space at existing Clearwater River subbasin hatchery facilities in concert with the construction of two low-tech acclimation facilities, to capitalize on the higher survival observed for acclimated versus direct stream released coho. In addition, Phase I would document the natural productivity of localized coho salmon released in two targeted tributaries within the Clearwater River subbasin. If Phase I is successful at establishing a localized coho salmon stock in an abundance capable of filling existing hatchery space, the rates of natural productivity are promising, and the interspecific interactions between coho and sympatric resident and anadromous salmonids are deemed acceptable, then Phase II would be triggered. Phase II of the coho reintroduction plan would focus on establishing natural production in a number of Clearwater River subbasin tributaries. To accomplish this goal, Phase II would utilize existing Clearwater River subbasin hatchery facilities, and expand facilities at the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Site 1705 facility to rear approximately 687,700 smolts annually for use in a rotating supplementation schedule. In short, this document identifies a proposed alternative (Phase I), complete with estimates of capital, operations and maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, and permitting that is anticipated to raise average smolt replacement rates from 0.73 (current) to 1.14 using primarily existing facilities, with a limited capital investment for low-tech acclimation facilities. This increase in survival is expected to provide the opportunity for the establishment of a localized broodstock in the near-term, and provide the opportunity to establish natural production over the long-term. Phase II information is presented in this document to clearly articulate the long-term intent and vision of the coho salmon reintroduction program. Phase II would be proposed only if Phase I meets several indicators of success. If Phase I meets all identified indicators of success, authorization for Phase II funding would be pursued via a supplement to this Master Plan

Hanford Tribal Stewardship

In 2002, the Nez Perce Tribe, through its Environmental Restoration & Waste Management Program (ERWM), received a Citizen’s Monitoring and Technical Assistance grant (MTA), which set to analyze the Canyon Disposition Initiative (CDI) 221-U Facility (U Plant) decision-making process. The ERWM analysis focused on the technical data being utilized by the Tri-Party agencies (Department of Energy, State of Washington-Department of Ecology, and the Environmental Protection Agency) in making its recommendations for the CDI. The Nez Perce Tribe has advocated for Long-Term Stewardship because the Hanford site is located within its ceded territory, defined by Treaty of 1855. Long Term Stewardship is a priority issue for the Nez Perce Tribe and will continue to provide guidance on this process as it evolves, incorporating fundamental tribal, social, and cultural protective measures. What is stewardship? Every land user of Hanford site has their competing concept and definition of stewardship. Currently, it is defined in the Hanford Long-Term Stewardship (LTS) Program Plan as Long-term stewardship at Hanford Site is the management of residual risks (human health, ecological, and cultural) associated with any remaining residual contamination; protection of the Site\u27s cultural, biological, and natural resources; and the reuse of the Site\u27s assets to encourage a healthy regional economy. It begins at clean up completion.https://commons.clarku.edu/nez/1001/thumbnail.jp

Nez Perce Analysis of the Canyon Disposition Initiative Hanford Site, Washington

In 2002, the Nez Perce Tribe, through its Environmental Restoration & Waste Management Program (ERWM), received a Citizen’s Monitoring and Technical Assistance grant (MTA), which set to analyze the Canyon Disposition Initiative (CDI) 221-U Facility (U Plant) decision-making process. The ERWM analysis focused on the technical data being utilized by the Tri-Party agencies (Department of Energy, State of Washington-Department of Ecology, and the Environmental Protection Agency) in making its recommendations for the CDI. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Record of Decision (ROD), which presented the selected final remedial action chosen for the 221-U Facility (U Plant). This document finalized the selected alternative chosen by the Department of Energy. The Hanford area has long been a common use area by Columbia River Plateau tribes, due to its central location on the Columbia near the confluences of the Snake and Yakima rivers. This site, through the Nez Perce Treaty of 1855, is a “usual and accustomed” (U & A) area, where the Nez Perce retained its right and privilege to hunt, fish, and gather within those U & A areas. Thus, the Nez Perce Tribe is involved in the activities that occur on the Hanford site, which has been reaffirmed through federal actions and laws in the area. This research was completed money allocated during Round 4 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/nez/1000/thumbnail.jp

Treaty between the United States of America and the Nez Percé Tribe of Indians, concluded June 9, 1863, ratification advised, April 17, 1867, proclaimed April 20, 1867 (Facsimile)

Articles of agreement made and concluded at the Council Ground, in the valley of the Lapwai, W. T., on the ninth day of June, one thousand Eight hundred and sixty-three, between the United States of America, by C. H. Hale, superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Charles Hutchins and S. D. Howe, U. S. Indian agents, for the Territory of Washington, acting on the part and in behalf of the United States, and the Nez Perc Indians, by the chiefs, headmen, and delegates of said tribe, such articles being supplementary and amendatory to the treaty made between the United States and said tribe on the 11th day of June, 1855. For full text of treaty, see here: http://www.ccrh.org/comm/river/treaties/np63.ht

Wilderness Hearings Testimony Submitted By: Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho (8/17/83), Lewiston Idaho

This testimony by representatives of the Nez Perce tribe speaks to the importance of continued governmental and local support of the Wilderness Act and a denial that there is substance to claims that the Wilderness Act makes it impossible for sufficient timber to be gathered from non-wilderness-designated areas. This testimony suggests ways in which more timber can be harvested from areas already designated for this purpose and criticizes inefficient timber-culling practices that in turn create a perceived need for more land to be made available for cutting

Treaty between the United States of America and the Nez Percé Indians, June 11, 1855, ratified April 29, 1859 (Facsimile)

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the treaty ground, Camp Stevens, in the Walla-Walla Valley this eleventh day of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five by and between Isaac I. Stevens, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the Territory of Washington and Joel Palmer, superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon Territory on the part of the United States, and the undersigned chiefs, headmen, and delegates of the Nez Perce tribe of Indians occupying lands lying partly in Oregon and partly in Washington Territories, between the Cascade and Bitter Root Mountains, on behalf of, and acting for said tribe, and being duly authorized thereto by them, it being understood that Superintendent Isaac I. Stevens assumes to treat only with those of the above-named tribe of Indians residing within the Territory of Washington, and Superintendent Palmer with those residing exclusively in Oregon Territory. http://www.ccrh.org/comm/river/treaties/nezperce.ht

Special Master\u27s Term Sheet for Nez Perce Tribe Water Rights

Settlement Agreement aka Special Master\u27s Term Sheet, found as 1) an attachment to the Joint Status Report on Settlement Efforts and Motion for Stay, and 2) as Attachment 2 to the Consent Order entered on 1-30-2007. Parties: Nez Perce Tribe, ID, Idaho, US, United States. Agreement includes Nez Perce Tribal Component: on-reservation consumptive use reserved water rights at 50,000 acre-feet/year with priority date of 1855. Allowed uses include irrigation, DCMI, hatchery and cultural uses. Tribe will administer on reservation rights pursuant to a tribal water code. Renting of water within the state is allowed. US will establish a $50 million, multiple-use water and fisheries resource trust fund for acquiring land and water rights, work on fish habitat, fish production, agricultural development, cultural preservation and water resource development. US will fund domestic water supply and sewer systems. US transfer management control of Kooskia hatchery to Tribe and make an agreement with Tribe for joint management of programs at Dworshak National Hatchery. US will agree to transfer certain BLM land to Tribe and will enter into an agreement re management of BLM lands within the boundaries of the Reservation. US will pay Tribe rental for storage space in Payette River system. Salmon/Clearwater Component: involving instream flow water rights and provisions re habitat, Idaho forestry program, riparian management measures, road management measures, implementation monitoring, adaptive management, and more. Snake River Component: involving biological opinions, minimum instream flows, flow augmentation, mitigation, irrigation water, and more. General conditions applicable to entire agreement and to all parties. [Source: https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/water-rights/adjudication/SRBA/documents.html

Joint Motion for Approval of Consent Decree and Entry of Final Partial Decrees (including Nez Perce Tribe) and Scheduling Order, In Re SRBA Case No. 39576

Court Document: Joint Motion for Approval of Consent Decree and Entry of Final Partial Decrees, In Re SRBA Case No. 39576, Consol. Subcases 03-10022 (Instream Flow Claims) and 67-13701 (Springs and Fountains Claims) (4/11/2005). Parties: Nez Perce Tribe, US, United States, ID, Idaho. Brief description of claims resolved. Parties request that the Court 1) approve Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement; 2) in Consolidated Subcase 03-10022 dismiss all instream claims of Nez Perce and US as trustee; 3) in Consolidated Subcase 67-13701 dismiss all claims for springs or fountains on private lands; 4) enter partial final decrees for all springs and fountains claims on federal public lands; enter partial final decrees in the name of the US as trustee for the Nez Perce Tribe for 50,000 af of multiple use federal reserved rights on tribal lands and 6) enter partial final decrees for 205 state minimum stream flows. Joint Motion for Entry of Scheduling Order Governing Approval of Consent Decree and Entry of Final Partial Decrees. Addresses each partial final decree separately. [Source: https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/water-rights/adjudication/SRBA/documents.html