Columbia River Basin Federal Caucus

The Federal Caucus is a group of federal agencies with natural resources responsibilities in the Columbia River Basin. These federal agencies have interrelated authorities and jurisdictions for fish and aquatic habitat conservation.

Federal Caucus Member Directory

A self-funded federal agency that markets power from hydroelectric projects in the Pacific Northwest. It also maintains a vast transmission system and supports fish and wildlife conservation in the Columbia River Basin.

Contact:
Joel Scruggs
jlscruggs@bpa.gov

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), established in 1824, provides services to 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across 573 federally recognized tribes. BIA manages 55 million acres of land and promotes self-governance, economic development, and the protection of tribal trust assets.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees over 15 million acres in Oregon and 400,000 acres in Washington, managing diverse landscapes from forests to rivers. BLM lands provide recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, and economic benefits through timber harvests and other uses.

The Bureau of Reclamation Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region manages water resources in the Columbia River Basin, covering parts of Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming. It operates 54 reservoirs for irrigation and power, supporting 135 water user organizations, while balancing environmental, economic, and safety concerns.

Contact:
Sarah Fesenmyer
sfesenmyer@usbr.gov

NOAA Fisheries manages and protects marine resources in U.S. waters, working under laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Endangered Species Act. On the West Coast, it focuses on species recovery, habitat restoration, and sustainable fisheries, partnering with various stakeholders to ensure science-based decision-making.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) consists of 34,600 civilians and 650 military members who provide engineering and environmental expertise. The Northwestern Division supports water resource infrastructure, military construction, and environmental restoration, while also providing engineering services to deployed forces when needed.

Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Cewnd-pa@usace.army.mil

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works to protect human health and the environment through research, regulation, and enforcement. Since 1970, EPA has developed national standards, provided financial assistance, and supported environmental education and research to promote cleaner and healthier communities.

A placeholder image for Rocky Mountain State

The Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana, managing 67 National Wildlife Refuges and 15 National Fish Hatcheries. USFWS focuses on endangered species, migratory bird management, law enforcement, and partnerships with states, tribes, and federal agencies for conservation efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, focusing on conservation, water, timber, and recreation. Established in 1905, the Forest Service promotes sustainable land management, provides technical assistance, and supports rural communities while balancing the needs of people and nature for future generations.

The USGS provides reliable scientific data to help understand the Earth, reduce natural disaster risks, and manage natural resources. The Northwest Area Office serves as a central hub for USGS partnerships and public inquiries, aligning its leadership with other federal agencies.

Contact:
Bill Labiosa
blabiosa@usgs.gov

Announcements

Readout of a Meeting Between the Leaders of the Six Sovereigns, the Columbia River Task Force and White House Officials

Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy John Podesta and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory convened a meeting at the White House today of the Columbia River Task Force to discuss progress toward fulfilling the historic December 14, 2023 agreement to restore wild fish populations, expand clean energy production, increase resilience, and provide energy stability in the Columbia River Basin.
- From whitehouse.gov
- September 30, 2024
- New
- CEQ
DOE Launches Pacific Northwest Regional Energy Planning Study to Explore Solutions to Energy Planning Challenges

Today the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) announced the launch of the Pacific Northwest Regional Energy Planning Project (PREPP), a broad engagement‐based planning process that will produce regional analyses of infrastructure investments that will be required to meet the goals and requirements of regional participants, including resource adequacy, decarbonization, ecosystem priorities, and system resilience and reliability.
- From energy.gov
- September 20, 2024
- DOE
OMB posts Columbia River Salmon Budget Crosscut

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has prepared the Columbia River Salmon Budget Crosscut pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding, dated December 14, 2023, entered between the United States and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Nez Perce Tribe, the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, and the National Wildlife Federation.
- From whitehouse.gov
- July 31, 2024
- OMB
U.S. Department of State posts further details on the Agreement in Principle on modernizing the Columbia River Treaty

This web page provides supplemental details regarding the “Summary of the Agreement in Principle to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime,” available at https://www.state.gov/summary-of-the-agreement-in-principle-to-modernize-the-columbia-river-treaty-regime/
- From state.gov
- July 25, 2024
- DOS
$240 Million in Pacific Northwest Fish Hatchery Investments Announced

The Departments of Commerce and the Interior today announced a $240 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to support fish hatcheries that produce Pacific salmon and steelhead, underscoring the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to empowering Tribal Nations and fulfilling the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities.
- From commerce.gov
- July 25, 2024
- DOC
Agreement in Principle to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty

The Columbia River and its tributaries are the life spring and economic engine of the Pacific Northwest. For millennia, Tribes and Indigenous Nations have relied on it to sustain their culture. Additionally, the Columbia River and its tributaries account for 40 percent of U.S. hydropower, irrigate $8 billion in agriculture products, and move 42 million tons of commercial cargo ($20 billion in value) annually.
- From state.gov
- July 11, 2024
- DOS
Tribal Circumstances Analysis released

As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented agreement to restore wild salmon in the Columbia River Basin, the Department of the Interior today released a report documenting the historic, ongoing and cumulative impacts of federal Columbia River dams on Columbia River Basin Tribes.
- From doi.gov
- June 18, 2024
- DOI
Bureau of Reclamation and Washington Department of Ecology initiate water supply replacement study

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Washington State Department of Ecology have initiated the Lower Snake River Water Supply Replacement Study and will host two virtual public meetings to share information and address questions from interested parties throughout the study area.
- From usbr.gov
- June 18, 2024
- Reclamation

Collaborating for Salmon Recovery,
Water Quality, and Ecosystem Health