[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 48 (Monday, March 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE COLUMBIA RIVER IN-LIEU AND TREATY FISHING ACCESS SITES IMPROVEMENT 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 20, 2017

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, I am reintroducing the Columbia 
River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act. For 
decades now, the federal government has forgone its obligations to the 
four Columbia River Treaty Tribes, after flooding tribal communities, 
houses, and traditional hunting and fishing sites with the construction 
of the Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day dams.
  This bill is just part of the work we are pursuing to improve the 
living conditions at these sites along the Columbia River. This issue 
deserves significant attention and investment from the federal 
government. The history of the 31 Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty 
Fishing Access Sites dates back decades. Development that began in the 
1930s displaced many members of the four Columbia River treaty tribes: 
the Warm Springs, Umatilla, Nez Perce, and Yakama Nation. Those tribes 
have a treaty-protected right to fish along the river at their usual 
and accustomed places that needs to be respected.
  The tribes were also promised housing to replace what was inundated 
after the dams became operational and that promise has largely not been 
kept. I'm working with my colleagues and the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (Corps), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Columbia 
River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and the effected tribes to address 
these unmet needs through the appropriations process and other 
legislation.
  To address fishing access that was wiped out by the dams, the Corps 
constructed 31 small sites along the Columbia, designed primarily for 
daily, in-season fishing access and temporary camping. However, largely 
due to the lack of promised permanent housing and out of a desire to be 
closer to the Columbia River, their cultural heritage, and traditional 
fishing areas, many tribal members live in makeshift housing or 
shelters at these sites. Because they were not designed for longer-term 
or permanent use, the conditions at these sites are deeply distressing 
and unsafe, without proper electricity, sewers, or water. I have seen 
these conditions firsthand on multiple visits, and they have garnered 
attention from local and national media. The sites are in dire need of 
urgent upgrades to electrical, sewer, and other infrastructure, beyond 
their daily operations and maintenance needs.
  This legislation calls for BIA to conduct a much-needed assessment of 
current conditions at the In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access sites under 
BIA ownership on both sides of the Columbia, in coordination with the 
tribes. It authorizes the BIA to improve existing federal structures 
and infrastructure, improve sanitation and safety conditions, and 
improve access to electricity, sewer, and water infrastructure. BIA may 
contract with tribes and tribal organizations to conduct this important 
work that will lay a critical foundation for the construction of 
permanent tribal housing.
  This is a significant and meaningful step in improving the living 
conditions at these sites and should be passed by the House and Senate. 
Our efforts will not stop here. I will continue working with federal 
partners and tribal nations to see that the need for more permanent 
housing is fulfilled and tribal member's treaty rights are respected.

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