| The Bonneville Power Administration, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, is proposing to enter into a new 10-year Columbia Basin Fish Accord with the Kalispel Tribe. The proposed Accord will provide $40 million in BPA funding to deliver substantial benefits for listed and non-listed fish – including bull trout, west slope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. The fish and wildlife projects include land acquisitions, habitat and hatchery improvements in the area of Lake Pend Oreille and the Tribe’s Reservation along the Pend Oreille River about 55 miles north of Spokane, Wash. The proposed Accord acknowledges the Tribe’s resource management expertise and its commitment to fish and wildlife and provides for the Tribe’s greater participation in decisions that affect its interests. The provisions address the shared interest of the Tribe, Corps and BPA in operations at Albeni Falls Dam and the protection of the natural resources of the Pend Oreille River and its tributaries. BPA initiated a 30-day public comment period on the proposed Accord July 1, 2011. Following an assessment of the comments, a Record of Decision would be prepared for the administrator’s signature. BPA is pleased to add the Kalispel Tribe to the growing list of Columbia Basin Fish Accord tribes and states that are working together on a common goal to provide on-the-ground benefits for fish and wildlife. For more specifics of the proposed Accord with the Kalispel Tribe and information on how to comment, see: BPA letter announcing public process Fact sheet: Kalispel Tribe and action agencies propose new Accord agreement News release announcing proposed new Accord Draft MOA with Kalispel Tribe |