Fish Passage and Reintroduction into the U.S and Canadian Upper Columbia River

Author: U.S.Columbia Basin Tribes, Canadian First Nations

Reintroduction of salmon and other species is proposed through a pragmatic and phased approach to fish passage planning, research, testing, and design/construction and would be followed by monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management. Each phase of this ecosystem recovery program would be pursued based on the knowledge gained and successful outcomes from previous phases. With recent […]

Reintroduction of salmon and other species is proposed through a pragmatic and phased approach to fish passage planning, research, testing, and design/construction and would be followed by monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management. Each phase of this ecosystem recovery program would be pursued based on the knowledge gained and successful outcomes from previous phases. With recent and significant advancements in transboundary collaboration and legal and technical knowledge, Columbia River Treaty reconsideration is the appropriate opportunity to reconcile the consequences of past, narrowly focused decisions on river development and operations.
This proposal is based on four initial objectives:
Objective 1: Restore naturally spawning and hatchery-based runs of sockeye and chinook salmon salmon into the upper Columbia basin above Chief Joseph, Grand Coulee and Canadian dams to restore indigenous peoples cultural and spiritual values and subsistence harvest opportunities.
Objective 2: Determine contribution of reintroductions to salmon recovery, ecosystem health, and long-term sustainability of salmon and other fish species in light of expected climate change.
Objective 3: Establish and increase subsistence, sport, and commercial fish harvest opportunities for all communities and citizens along the Columbia River.
Objective 4: Restore access and population structure of resident bull trout, sturgeon, and other native fish species to historical habitats.

Reintroduction of salmon and other species is proposed through a pragmatic and phased approach to fish passage planning, research, testing, and design/construction and would be followed by monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management. Each phase of this ecosystem recovery program would be pursued based on the knowledge gained and successful outcomes from previous phases. With recent and significant advancements in transboundary collaboration and legal and technical knowledge, Columbia River Treaty reconsideration is the appropriate opportunity to reconcile the consequences of past, narrowly focused decisions on river development and operations.
This proposal is based on four initial objectives:
Objective 1: Restore naturally spawning and hatchery-based runs of sockeye and chinook salmon salmon into the upper Columbia basin above Chief Joseph, Grand Coulee and Canadian dams to restore indigenous peoples cultural and spiritual values and subsistence harvest opportunities.
Objective 2: Determine contribution of reintroductions to salmon recovery, ecosystem health, and long-term sustainability of salmon and other fish species in light of expected climate change.
Objective 3: Establish and increase subsistence, sport, and commercial fish harvest opportunities for all communities and citizens along the Columbia River.
Objective 4: Restore access and population structure of resident bull trout, sturgeon, and other native fish species to historical habitats.