Upper Columbia Fish Passage

This post and text is courtesy of Steve Bird's Upper Columbia Blogspot - He is a fellow angler, guide, supporter and advocate for the Upper Columbia American Reach and beyond.....Take time to inform yourself through the links in this post and take the time to submit input - jack

.........I wrote a couple posts recently about the importance of the upcoming renewal of the Columbia River Treaty with Canada. The original treaty, which went into effect in 1964, was about flood control & energy guarantees, & made no provision for fish. The U.S. Entity, comprised of the Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are considering proposals for a third mandate to serve the native fishery. Maria Cantwell gives an outline of the treaty in my earlier post ‘Salmon Returned to The Upper Columbia?’ And Suzanne Skinner outlines it here: 

http://www.celp.org/2014/02/21/fish-passage-and-reintroduction-into-the-us-canadian-upper-columbia-river/

A confederation of upper river tribes & tribal fishery agencies have drafted & submitted a plan to the Entity that suggests eventual fish passages around Chief Joseph & Grand Coulee Dams, as well as several Canadian dams, & re-establishing anadromous runs in the upper Columbia: http://www.celp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014-02-14-Letter-to-Elliot-Mainzer-and-Brg-Gen-John-Kem-with-Enclosure.pdf

I am surprised how little press this seems to be getting, as one would expect a groundswell of support from every citizen of the Pacific Northwest & beyond.  The reopening of another 2000 miles of drainage to salmon & steelhead? The economic & environmental boon to our state, & beyond? The jobs created? (Real jobs.) This is an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up. Please, take a few minutes & read the tribal proposal, then send an email to your state reps & the governor & let them know how vital this is to the future of our state.