The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have been awarded $2 million in federal funding to address critical maintenance and modernization needs at their salmon and steelhead hatcheries. The funds, part of a larger $240 million investment from the US government, aim to empower tribal nations by supporting hatcheries vital for fulfilling treaty-reserved fishing rights and providing subsistence, and economic benefits to tribal communities.
The CTUIR will utilize the funds across its 11 artificial production facilities spread across the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Grande Ronde River Basins. The aging infrastructure, coupled with the challenges of climate change, has created a significant backlog of maintenance and modernization needs.
This investment marks a crucial step in addressing the broader issue of deferred maintenance and modernization at tribal hatcheries across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The remaining $186 million from the federal allocation will be distributed competitively to tribes in the coming months, focusing on improving the long-term viability and effectiveness of critical infrastructure for Pacific salmon and steelhead propagation.
These efforts build upon the US government’s commitment to restoring salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin and recognizing the historical and ongoing impacts of federal dams on tribal communities. By supporting tribal hatcheries, the government aims to ensure the continued production of millions of fish annually, which plays a crucial role in tribal employment, subsistence, cultural traditions, and the overall health of the ecosystem.
