Salmon Recovery Planning

This project supported Makah staff participation in the many interconnected agencies and groups throughout the region that are involved in salmon stock and habitat preservation and recovery efforts. The primary forums included the Cooperative Monitoring Evaluation and Research (CMER) Group, Lake Ozette Sockeye Steering Committee, Lake Ozette Technical Review Team, WRIA 19 and the North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity (NOPLE), and the North Pacific Coast Lead Entity (NPCLE) and Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership (WCSSP), both as an Initiating Government (IG) and as Technical Review Group (TRG) representatives. Staff interaction with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA Fisheries, as well as other area tribes, cities, counties and citizen groups were also by supported by the grant. Partial funding of the Makah Fisheries Management (MFM) Salmon Biologist position supported tribal participation in policy forums specifically focused on regional salmon recovery and coordination of the Makah Tribes research efforts with those being done by other groups or agencies. Our involvement in these forums contributed to the development of project grant proposals supporting salmon recovery and habitat restoration and drafting comments that address emerging or existing land-use regulations, project permit reviews, and sub-basin planning impacts to water quality and quantity to ensure adequate protection of salmonids.

Funding of salmon recovery planning allows and supports the Tribes participation and coordination in groups and meetings that affect regional salmon restoration planning, habitat preservation, stock management, and funding efforts. Participation provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and experience toward prioritizing projects, reducing duplication of effort, and maximizing productivity and effectiveness. It will also allow the Makah Tribe to pursue a number of additional funding opportunities from other grant sources in support of salmon recovery efforts to implement the action strategies of the Lake Ozette Sockeye Recovery Plan.