Capacity Building for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Natural Resources

This project is designed to build the capacity of the CTWSRO to ensure coverage of analyses of impacts to the culturally significant aquatic resources in the lower and Mid-Columbia fish stocks water quality and water quantity. The CTWSRO branch of natural resources has been asked to participate in many different forums including FERC licensing of hydro dams for the city of Portland, Oregon, and Willamette valley system, participation in collaboratives and regional planning efforts. Non-governmental organizations continue to ask for participation on restoration review teams, land acquisition needs and input. Many agencies and organizations have received funding of various projects funded through the BIL and IRA. Much of these funds have been directed to various stakeholders and partners through the Deschutes, John Day and Hood River and Willamette basins. The CTWSRO has considerable interest in these basins as they lie in the Ceded lands and usual and accustomed territories where the Tribes exercises their treaty rights.



To ensure adequate coverage and participation of state, federal and private projects protect and or enhance the habitat and populations of the culturally significant species. The CTWSRO is to fill positions to cover FERC projects, and to analyze surface water impacts of various projects such as water rights transfers, and energy related siting projects across the State. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs also works closely with Seven National Forests as well as the Deschutes and John Day field offices of the BLM.As these projects begin working through the analysis phase the CTWSRO can have substantive participation to ensure treat rights are and treaty reserved resources are protected and accessible.

The species of concern include Mid-Columbia spring Chinook, Mid-Columbia Summer Steelhead, Deschutes Fall Chinook, Lower Columba Summer Steelhead, Lower Columbia winter Steelhead, Willamette Spring Chinook, summer steelhead, and coho salmon and Pacific lamprey. The CTWSRO has a vested interest in the streams, watershed and basins supporting these species of cultural significance. Having staff that can provide participation in these large-scale projects such as Bull Run FERC project, participation in Sandy River watershed council, analyzing water rights transfers in the Deschutes and John Day Basins ensure that these species have adequate tribal representation. The USFS and the BLM have landscape scale projects needing tribal review to ensure the lands are managed in the best interests of the CTWSRO. The se additional staff would be integral in assuring the tribes voice is heard.