Yakama Nation backs Columbia River agreement

Thursday, May 1, 2008  

The Yakama Nation of Washington will be signing a $900 million agreement for the Columbia River after all.

Tribal leaders were supposed to go to Columbia Hills State Park for a signing ceremony yesterday morning. But they didn't show up because tribal members, in a general council meeting, voted against joining the tribal-federal agreement.

On Wednesday night, tribal members reversed course and voted to move forward. Some had said they didn't have enough information about the deal, which was announced in early April.

In addition to the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of Washington and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission signed the agreement.

The tribes and CRITFC will receive federal funds in exchange for dropping their lawsuits against the federal government over dams and salmon management practices on the Columbia River.

Get the Story:
Tribe agrees on funding for fish (The Yakima Herald-Republic 5/1)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Progress in salmon recovery deal (4/9)
Editorial: Tribal salmon agreement is historic (4/9)
Columbia River tribes reach salmon agreement (4/8)