BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
BPA enters agreement with tribes to reintroduce salmon in upper Columbia

After months of mediation, BPA has entered into an agreement to support three upper Columbia River tribes' effort to reintroduce salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.

Today's announcement represents a historic step forward for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe; for the salmon that are central to the Tribes' culture; and for preserving power generation and transmission reliability in the region. 

Administrator John Hairston

On Sept. 21, the Bonneville Power Administration and other federal agencies and departments signed a settlement agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.  Through this landmark agreement, BPA will provide $200 million over 20 years for projects to support the reintroduction of salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.

The agreement will be made available to the public once it is filed with the court.

Administrator John Hairston attended a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. also attended by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Northwest tribal leaders and other dignitaries.

In a press release issued by the Department of Interior, Hairston said, "Today's announcement represents a historic step forward for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe; for the salmon that are central to the Tribes' culture; and for preserving power generation and transmission reliability in the region. This landmark agreement furthers work already begun by the Upper Columbia United Tribes and advances the goal of returning fish to areas they haven't been able to access for decades. Reintroducing salmon upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams via a focused, collaborative and science-driven approach is the centerpiece of this agreement. By investing electric ratepayer dollars in meaningful actions for fish rather than costly litigation, the agreement also secures the vital role of the Columbia River System for Northwest citizens and public power customers." 

To learn more about the agreement see the BPA administrator's letter to the region, the recording of the ceremony, and the DOI press release.