News Stories Jun. 12, 2018

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is warning that recent high spring flows may have brought northern pike into Zone 6 reservoirs.  These non-native invasive predators have recently become established in Lake Roosevelt and may have been carried downstream this spring.  It is critical for salmon recovery that northern pike do not become established downstream of Lake Roosevelt. They are ravenous predators that will literally eat fish greater than half their body length. Tribal fishers – if you catch a northern pike, you are advised to kill it immediately.  If possible, you are asked to keep the pike fresh or frozen so it can be examined by CRITFC invasive species staff. Contact Blaine Parker at 503-238-0667.  They ask that if you are not able to keep it, or do not wish to, please take several photos for identification purposes.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Mayors from seven U.S. cities in states with legal marijuana said Monday they have formed a coalition to push for federal marijuana policy reform just days after President Donald Trump expressed support for bipartisan congressional legislation to ease the federal ban on pot. President Trump says he would “probably” back a bipartisan congressional effort to ease a U.S. ban on the drug that about 30 states have legalized in some form.

The four Columbia River Tribes set Summer Season Tribal Fisheries. Zone 6 Commercial Gillnet Fishery will be open form 6am Monday June 18 through 6pm Friday June 22 and again June 25-June 29. The tribes will consider additional fishing at a later time. Platform and Hook & Line fish caught after 6am Saturday June 16 may be sold commercially until further otice.

21 tribes in the Northwest and the federal government can claim a major court victory in a case about salmon restoration and tribal treaty rights. A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling that requires the state of Washington to repair hundreds of barriers to fish passage over the next 17 years. The so-called “culverts case” has been in the courts since 2001. That’s when the tribes first filed suit. Robert Anderson is a law professor at the University of Washington and Director of its Native American Law Center. He says the 9th Circuit had already ruled squarely in favor of the tribes, saying the state is obligated to repair a long list of culverts that are blocking fish passage. The case is connected to the famous “Boldt decision” that ultimately confirmed the tribal treaty rights of Native Americans and allotted 50% of the annual catch to native fishermen. In this latest round of the case, Washington state argued the timeline is too aggressive. And it blamed the federal government for culvert designs that now have to be rebuilt. In a statement, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says it’s unfortunate that state taxpayers will be shouldering all of the responsibility for the federal government’s faulty designs.

The Veterans Pow Wow Open Men’s Basketball Tournament is this weekend in Warm Springs and there are 21 teams on the bracket. It’s a double elimination tourney and will have games played at the Community Center and the Old Elementary School gym. Games are start at 6pm Friday.

In its May 30^th Session, Warm Springs Tribal Council passed several resolutions. The Council was represented by Chiefs Heath, Smith, and Moses, Chairman Austin Greene, Vice Chairman Charles Calica, and members Ron Suppah, Carina Miller, Brigette McConville, Lee Tom, Valerie Switzler, and Raymond Tsumpti.  The Council acted on the following resolutions: Resolution No. 12,492 approving proposed commercial crayfish harvest regulations edits was carried unanimously.  Resolution No. 12,493 approving Tribal Council support of the Housing and Urban Development’s Imminent Threat grant application to complete the necessary water treatment plant upgrades was also unanimously carried. Resolution No. 12,494 approving Warm Springs Community Action Team to apply as the lone representative of the Tribes’ for funding from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s 2018 Oregon Tribal Grants program. The project is to move, renovate and oversee design and construction processes necessary to complete the business incubator project. It was unopposed. And, a resolution was carried, approving a Memorandum of Understanding between Branch of Natural Resources Forestry and the Timber Company to be implemented in good faith – it was approved by a vote of 7 for, zero opposed and 3 abstaining.