[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E7-E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2019

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today, I am once again reintroducing 
the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement 
Act. Last Congress we came so close to making this bill into law--
passing it in the Senate and reporting it out of the House Natural 
Resources Committee. I am committed to finally passing this bill to 
improve the living conditions at the 31

[[Page E8]]

Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites along the 
Columbia River.
  This legislation calls for the Bureau of lndian Affairs (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 four Columbia River treaty 
tribes: the Warm Springs, Umatilla, Nez Perce, and Yakama Nation. It 
authorizes the BIA to improve existing federal structures and 
infrastructure, improve sanitation and safety conditions, and increase 
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.
  Congress must do more to help members of these four tribes who reside 
here after being displaced by decades ago by the construction of the 
Columbia River Dams and who never received the permanent replacement 
housing that was promised to them by the federal government. Those 
tribes have a treaty-protected right to fish along the river at their 
usual and accustomed places that must be respected.
  I will continue to work 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. In the meantime, Congress must 
improve the living conditions for the affected treaty tribe members, 
and we must pass this bill.

                          ____________________