Leaders of tribes with treaty rights on the Columbia River celebrated the completion of the last of 31 fishing sites.

Federal law authorized the construction of fishing sites to replace the usual and accustomed grounds that were promised to the tribes under treaty. The Columbia River Treaty Fishing Access Sites Program began in 1995.

“The conclusion of these construction projects demonstrates the power of partnership and what we can accomplish when we work together,” Gerald Lewis, the chairman of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, said in a press release. “There is still work that needs to be done to address what was lost at these sites. I believe we will accomplish what we need to by working together.”

CRITFC represents the four tribes with treaty rights on the Columbia River -- the Yakama Nation, the Umatilla Tribes, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Warm Springs Tribes.

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Tribes celebrates new treaty fishing access site (AP 4/25)