On December 14, 2023, the Biden Administration announced a historic agreement to work in partnership with Pacific Northwest Tribes and States to restore wild salmon populations, expand Tribally sponsored clean energy production, and provide stability for communities that depend on the Columbia River System.

Building on President Biden’s direction to Federal agencies, the agreement, when combined with other funding, will invest $300 million over 10 years to restore native fish and their habitats throughout the Columbia River Basin, with added measures to increase the autonomy of States and Tribes to use these funds. The Administration will also facilitate the build-out of at least one to three gigawatts of Tribally-sponsored renewable energy production, increased flexibility for the hydro-system, and studies of dam services. Of this $300 million, $100 million would be provided to the four Lower River Treaty Tribes, Washington, and Oregon to use for fish restoration projects, and $200 million would be provided for hatchery modernization, upgrades, and maintenance.

“In the agreement signed today, BPA sought to provide our ratepayers operational certainty and reliability while avoiding costly, unpredictable litigation in support of our mission to provide a reliable, affordable power supply to the Pacific Northwest,” said John Hairston, Administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration. The agreement keeps energy affordable by avoiding potentially significant rate increases from court ordered dam operations. The Bonneville Power Administration estimates that today’s agreement will have an annual average rate impact of 0.7 percent.

The biggest challenge came from environmental plaintiffs and Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “This agreement charts a new path to restore the river, provide for a clean energy future and the jobs that come with it, and live up to our responsibilities to Tribal Nations.” Federal investments to wild fish restoration over the next decade will enable an unprecedented 10-year break from decades-long litigation against the Federal government’s operation of its dams in the Pacific Northwest.

The agreement was filed in the Federal District Court in Oregon and sets commitments made by the Federal Government and implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States; the States of Oregon and Washington; the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama Tribes; and environmental non-profit organizations.

Implementation of the agreement will diversify and develop affordable, clean, and reliable energy options for the region. Investments under this agreement will help to ensure continued energy reliability and affordability, transportation, recreation, irrigation, and other key services, including in the event that Congress decides to authorize breaching of the four Lower Snake River dams. The four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River provide multiple benefits to Idaho and the region including $686 million in jobs, movement of wheat, irrigation and 95% emission-free power generated by BPA. Where is Idaho in this partnership?

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Proposals include upgrading rail infrastructure and grain storage, and developing energy output to protect grid and ratepayers along with recreational activities. This agreement honors Tribal treaty rights, honoring and respecting Tribal sovereignty, protecting Tribal homelands, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge and robust Tribal consultation into planning and decision-making.

Oregon Governor Kotek stated, “The Pacific Northwest's iconic salmon and steelhead are essential to our ecological and economic wealth, and a sacred part of tribal ceremonial, spiritual, and subsistence practices since time immemorial. The Columbia River treaty reserved tribes exemplify steadfast leadership in salmon restoration and stewardship, forging a strong partnership with our states in a shared commitment to comanaging this precious natural resource for generations to come. This successful and unprecedented partnership between the six sovereigns and the United States government has established a shared vision and pathway forward for restoration in both the lower and upper Columbia River Basin. Oregon looks forward to continued collaboration on a successful restoration.”

Washington Governor Jay Inslee added, “This agreement between the U.S. government and the Six Sovereigns and NGO plaintiffs is that path forward. It is a durable, comprehensive product of determined leadership by all parties to help secure the long term economic, energy, and salmon recovery needs of our region.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2024-01-05 23:22:17

Last Update: 2024-01-06 00:02:18