Biden Administration Announces Historic Commitments with Six Sovereigns Over the Rest of America

NEWS RELEASE
December 14, 2023

Media Contact:
Elisabeth Shepard, Press Secretary to Governor Kotek
Elisabeth.Shepard@Oregon.Gov

Washington Governor Jay Inslee
Mike Faulk | media@gov.wa.gov | 360.902.4136

Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
Brent Hall | brent@bhhall.com | 541.215.0404

Star Diavolikis, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
star_diavolikis@yakama.com

Kayeloni Scott, Nez Perce Tribe
kayelonis@nezperce.org

Biden Administration Announces Historic Commitments with Six Sovereigns

Springfield, OR – Today, the Biden Administration announced its commitment to partner with Six Sovereigns1 on actions that address the urgency of the salmon, climate, and Tribal justice crises facing the Columbia River Basin.

“The Pacific Northwest's iconic salmon and steelhead are essential to our ecological and economic wealth, and a sacred part of tribal ceremonial, spiritual, and subsistence practices since time immemorial,” Governor Kotek said. “The Columbia River treaty reserved tribes exemplify steadfast leadership in salmon restoration and stewardship, forging a strong partnership with our states in a shared commitment to comanaging this precious natural resource for generations to come. This successful and unprecedented partnership between the six sovereigns and the United States government has established a shared vision and pathway forward for restoration in both the lower and upper Columbia River Basin. Oregon looks forward to continued collaboration on a successful restoration.”

The Six Sovereigns – who joined together to develop the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative – welcome this partnership with the Biden Administration. This is an integral step in their collective work to prevent salmon extinction and restore salmon to healthy and abundant levels - all while ensuring a stronger, more resilient Pacific Northwest.

The Administration's commitments outline the critical steps we will be taking together, to address an extinction crisis among a keystone species throughout the Columbia River Basin. But more than just avoiding extinction, today marks a renewed commitment to restoring salmon to healthy and abundant levels, while addressing the services provided by the Federal Columbia River Power System and creating a roadmap for the region to meet growing electricity demand with new, clean energy resources.

The Six Sovereigns’ Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) provides a path to solutions that consider all affected parties that rely on the Columbia River. The CBRI builds on a foundation of sound science and – like Governor Inslee and Senator Murray’s report and recommendations, and Congressman Simpson’s Initiative – advances actions that solve for salmon, climate, and Tribal justice while also building a stronger, more resilient Northwest.

The Six Sovereigns appreciate the Biden Administration for acknowledging the needs of the salmon and the communities that depend on them. With today’s announcement, the Administration is embracing the United States’ treaty and trust obligations to Tribal nations, while also considering the interests of those who utilize and depend upon the Columbia River -- energy consumers, irrigators, fishers, recreationalists, and farmers, to name a few.

As we look ahead, the Six Sovereigns are optimistic about the ongoing partnership with the Biden Administration to advance and implement the urgent, actionable elements set forth in these commitments.

1. The Six Sovereigns include Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, State of Oregon, and State of Washington.