Oregon Tribe Partners with Agricultural Producers to Restore Salmon and Steelhead Habitat

Strategic Insights -

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have spent decades building long-term relationships with farmers, ranchers, and irrigation districts to restore salmon and steelhead habitat in Eastern Oregon. With funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Habitat Conservation, the Tribes are implementing nine restoration projects, removing barriers and reconnecting creeks and streams in the Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Grande Ronde subbasins of the Columbia River. These projects will restore 248 miles of threatened steelhead habitat, 158 miles of threatened bull trout habitat, and 112 miles of threatened spring Chinook salmon habitat.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have built long-term relationships with farmers, ranchers, and irrigation districts to restore salmon and steelhead habitat in Eastern Oregon.
  • The Tribes are partnering with organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Umatilla County, and Umatilla Basin Watershed Council to restore habitat and improve water management for farms.
  • The NOAA-funded projects are removing barriers and reconnecting creeks and streams, restoring 248 miles of threatened steelhead habitat, 158 miles of threatened bull trout habitat, and 112 miles of threatened spring Chinook salmon habitat.
  • The projects are also improving irrigation management and efficiency, saving water for the stream and benefiting the farm operation and the environment.
  • The partnership between the Tribes and local landowners is a win-win, with the Tribes contributing to the basin's health and the landowners benefiting from improved water management and habitat restoration.
  • The restoration work supports local economies, with $910,000 of the $1.1 million spent on NOAA-funded projects going to local engineering and construction firms.

Statistics:

  • $3.3 million in funding from the NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation
  • 9 restoration projects implemented to restore salmon and steelhead habitat
  • 248 miles of threatened steelhead habitat restored
  • 158 miles of threatened bull trout habitat restored
  • 112 miles of threatened spring Chinook salmon habitat restored
  • $910,000 spent on local engineering and construction firms
  • 9 project partners, including Trout Unlimited, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Umatilla County, and Umatilla Basin Watershed Council

Sources:

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation
  • Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
  • Trout Unlimited
  • Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Umatilla County
  • Umatilla Basin Watershed Council
  • Grande Ronde Model Watershed Council
  • Bonneville Power Administration
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • Whitney Land Company
  • Blue Mountain Wildlife
  • Participating Landowners