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BPA, Utilities Sign Historic Contracts by Staff BPA Journal, December 2008

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and BPA, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, have entered into a 10-year agreement that will strengthen Snake River populations of steelhead and salmon, including sockeye. The parties signed a memorandum of agreement last month in Fort Hall, Idaho.

Under the agreement, BPA will provide $61 millioin over 10 years, enabling the Tries to continue existing programs and implement new projects to benefit Endangered Species Act-listed and nonlisted fish and wildlife. The agreement identifies comprehensive actions and recognizes the Tribes' proven scientific and resource management expertise.

This agreement also reflects the growing regional sentiment to focus on collaboration rather than litigation. This past May, four Columbia River tribes and two states (Idaho and Montana) signed similar agreements with the federal agencies.

These earlier agreements, collectively referred to as the Columbia River Basin Fish Accords, focus on Columbia River salmon and steehead stocks. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' agreement adds to the Accords, providing commitments for projects focused in the Snake River Basin.