Authors
Kat Black
Report Citation
#WS-1
Publication Date
30 May 2001
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Proceedings from the Columbia River Basin Tribal Water Quality Conference
Abstract
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The Columbia River Basin is currently home to 12 endangered salmonid stocks. Numerous
tribal, federal, state, local, and private organizations are working to change this
trend. Scientists have for many years recognized that increasing salmon numbers
requires an increase in the health of watersheds and streams in which the salmon
live. Increasing attention is being paid to improving water quality as a means to
improve salmon survival. The CRITFC sponsored Columbia River Basin Tribal Water
Quality Conference was held in Spokane November 15th and 16th 2000. The purpose
was to coordinate and exchange information on water quality issues that are important
to the Tribes. CRITFC invited members and water quality staff from the all the Tribes
of the Columbia River Basin, as well as other representatives from groups and agencies
that work with the Tribes on water quality issues. The event was attended by over
eighty registered guests, representing Columbia Basin Tribes from Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Montana, and Canada, and a variety of other organizations involved with the
Tribes in water quality protection and restoration efforts. Topics covered included
TMDL development on the Columbia Mainstem and in the tributaries, tribal water quality
standards, fund raising strategies, water contamination effects on wildlife and
humans, Superfund sites, groundwater quality, the northwest regional temperature
criteria guidance project, and various specific water quality studies and projects.
Representatives of the Tribes met in a closed session to discuss tribal viewpoints
on water quality issues, participation in regional and federal processes, and possibilities
of holding the conference again in another year. There was an expressed interest
in repeating the conference and possibly using it as a forum to hold policy level
discussions on water quality issues and cooperation among the Tribes. Planning for
the next conference will begin in January 2001.
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