Makah Tribe FY 2017 Salmon Recovery Planning

This project contributed Makah tribal infrastructure support for 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 include the Lake Ozette Sockeye Steering Committee, Lake Ozette Technical Review Team, 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, and with other area tribes, cities, counties and citizen groups was also supported by the grant. Our involvement within these forums results in the development of policies supporting salmon preservation and recovery; and habitat restoration throughout the Makah Tribe’s usual and accustomed area. These forums also provided the Makah Tribe with a the means to maintain our active input on emerging or existing land-use regulations, project permit reviews, and sub-basin planning impacts to water quality and quantity to ensure adequate protection of salmon. The involvement in these various groups and processes result in opportunistic projects and efforts coming forward that allows the Tribe implement those that provide the greatest return based on cost to implement and benefits to Lake Ozette sockeye. This project provided staff the opportunity to explore and secure additional salmon recovery funding for the region.

Funding of salmon recovery planning allows and supports the Tribe’s 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.

Also, due to the minimal funding that is allocated towards Lake Ozette recovery in comparison to other ESA-listed ESUs, we also use this project to pursue a number of additional funding opportunities from other grant sources in support of salmon recovery efforts.