FY 2018 NWIFC Program Administration

The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (the Commission), a Pacific Northwest tribal organization whose members are the Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Puyallup, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Skokomish, Swinomish, Sauk Suiattle, Upper Skagit, Tulalip, Makah, Stillaguamish, Muckleshoot, Suquamish, Nooksack, Lummi, Hoh, Quinault, and Quileute Tribes (the Tribes). Formed in 1975, the Commission provides its members with a single, unified voice on fisheries management and conservation issues, and assists the Tribes in conducting orderly and biologically sound salmon fisheries and recovery programs. The Commission supports the Tribes’ fisheries management programs through the provision of technical assistance, information sharing, policy coordination, and grant distribution. Notwithstanding their membership in the Commission, each tribe has and maintains an independent, government to government relationship with each other and with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund provides the Tribes with much needed funding for their ongoing efforts to protect and recover depleted salmon stocks in the Pacific Northwest, many of which are now threatened by extinction and subject to federal regulation by the NMFS under the Endangered Species Act. The funds for this program were used in the implementation of salmon recovery strategies through tribal projects related to salmon habitat restoration, salmon stock enhancement, salmon research, and supplementation activities.

The funding for this program is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between NMFS and the Commission. It is not the intent of the MOU to provide for federal approval of each tribal project. Rather, the MOU sets forth the Tribes and NMFS strategy for the efficient allocation of funds through the Commission for projects. To that end, a project funding process is established in the MOU to identify projects eligible for funding. To avoid federal approval of each project, the Commission implemented the project funding process in accordance with specified project criteria, applicable intertribal allocation agreements, and individual tribe-Commission sub-agreements which provided conditions for funding on a cost-reimbursement basis.

NWIFC administrative services supported through this award will aid member tribes in implementing their salmon recovery programs through the use of the PCSRF.