Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers Supporting Phase 2 Upper Columbia Salmon Reintroduction

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Published: Tuesday, 12 July 2022 20:30

As part of the Community Project process developed by Congress in 2021, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers identified 15 projects to be considered for funding by the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2023, which starts October 1.

One project would provide the Upper Columbia United Tribes $5 million to support implementation of their 21-year Phase 2 Implementation Plan (P2IP) to reintroduce salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams. Funding would support design and planning of upstream fish collection facilities at Chief Joseph Dam and evaluating juvenile Sockeye salmon behavior and survival. Results of juvenile studies will inform the future development of downstream passage facilities.

This will build on momentum from an outmigration research study that began earlier this spring. At sites in Lake Roosevelt, the Spokane River, Hangman Creek and below Chief Joseph Dam, over 3,900 juveniles were fitted with PIT tags, and over 700 with acoustic tags. Tag information will allow researchers to evaluate their behavior and survival as they migrate downstream and, for a lucky few, upstream 2-3 years later. The research team includes the U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Colville tribes, and the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUTs).

“2023 will be the 82^nd  anniversary of salmon being blocked from moving past Grand Coulee Dam,” said Forum Executive Director Andy Dunau. “The Congresswoman is adding her voice and influence to the growing number of sovereigns and interests committed to reintroducing salmon while also protecting affordable power generation.”