[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 115 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, 
in partnership with some of my colleagues in the Senate. This 
legislation is just one part of the work we are pursuing, in 
coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Bureau of 
Indian Affairs (BIA), Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and 
in collaboration with affected Columbia River Treaty Tribes, to improve 
conditions and address unmet tribal housing needs along the Columbia 
River.
  This issue deserves significant attention and investment from the 
federal government. The history of the 31 Columbia River In-Lieu and 
Treaty Fishing Access Sites dates back decades. Western development, 
including construction of the three lower Columbia River dams beginning 
in the 1930s, displaced many members of the four Columbia River treaty 
tribes: the Warm Springs, Umatilla, Nez Perce, and Yakama Nation. Those 
tribes have a treaty-protected right to fish along the river at their 
usual and accustomed places, and were also promised housing to replace 
what was inundated after the dams became operational. That promise has 
largely not been kept. I'm working with my colleagues to address these 
unmet needs through the appropriations process and other legislation.
  To address fishing access that was wiped out by the dams, the Corps 
constructed 31 small sites along the Columbia, designed primarily for 
daily, in-season fishing access and temporary camping. However, largely 
due to the lack of promised permanent housing and out of a desire to be 
closer to the Columbia River, their cultural heritage, and traditional 
fishing areas, many tribal members live in makeshift housing or 
shelters at these sites. Because they were not designed for longer-term 
or permanent use, the conditions at these sites are deeply distressing 
and unsafe, without proper electricity, sewers, or water. I have seen 
these conditions firsthand on multiple visits, and they have garnered 
attention from local and national media. The sites are in dire need of 
urgent upgrades to electrical, sewer, and other infrastructure, beyond 
their daily operations and maintenance needs.
  This legislation calls for the Bureau of Indian Affairs 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 Tribes. It authorizes the BIA to improve 
existing federal structures and infrastructure, improve sanitation and 
safety conditions, and improve 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.
  This is a significant and meaningful step in helping to improve 
conditions at these sites and should be passed by both the House and 
Senate. Our efforts will not stop here. I will continue working with 
federal partners and Tribal nations to see that the need for more 
permanent housing is fulfilled.

                          ____________________