Citation:

Impact/Purpose:

Tribal Governments in the State of Idaho are working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, the State of Idaho, and other stakeholders to gather data on FCRs. The overarching goal of this process is to obtain information on fish consumption to enable Tribal governments to set water quality standards for tribal waters, and to allow Tribes to meaningfully participate as informed partners in Idaho DEQ’s ambient water quality criteria review process that impacts tribal interests. A Tribal heritage rate study was conducted as part of this effort. Recognizing that current Tribal fish consumption is suppressed due to a number of factors (e.g. decreased fish populations due to physical habitat modifications and adverse effects of chemical contamination, loss of Tribal access to fisheries resources, fears of exposure to contaminants in fish, and changes in fish harvesting by Tribal members associated adaptation to economic and cultural shifts), this study compiled and evaluated available data to determine heritage FCRs for the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT). Knowledge of past rates may help determine how current FCRs might increase in the future if current fisheries resources are improved and fish consumption is restored to past, higher levels. Information about FCRs may be used to support development of water quality standards that protect human health. Water quality is of great importance to the Nez Perce Tribe, since a substantial portion of their diet is derived from aquatic sources, and water and aquatic resources are of great cultural and spiritual significance. As part of the survey effort, discussions with the Tribe highlighted the issue of suppression of current fish consumption and its causes. Therefore, the survey team agreed to review and evaluate heritage rates available in the literature, which may be more relevant than current suppressed rates to the long-term restoration goals of the Tribe. The Nez Perce Tribe has treaty reserved fishing rights within the Columbia Basin and Snake River basins. In the Snake River Basin, the Nez Perce Tribe has quite possibly the largest number of tributary salmon and steelhead fisheries which can often occur year- round across the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The NPT has usual and accustomed fishing places throughout 13 million+ acres that have been found to been exclusively used and occupied by the Tribe (including the major portions of the Snake, Tucannon, Imnaha, Grande Ronde, Salmon and Clearwater Rivers and their drainages); the mainstem Columbia River; and other locations in the Columbia/Snake River Basin. The Nez Perce Tribe’s primary objective for the fish consumption survey is to support development of more stringent water quality standards that are protective of tribal members’ consumption of fish. The Tribe’s culture is and always has been intimately tied to fish, which is a staple of their diet and an integral part of their society; poor water quality impedes fish survival and can affect both the quantity and availability of fish that can be harvested and safely consumed by tribal members. The NPT has a vision of restoring fish species native to the Nez Perce Treaty Territory. To accomplish this vision, the Tribe has engaged in managing the resident and anadromous fish species in the streams, lakes, and watersheds within their management authority in an effort to rebuild habitat and restore opportunities for fish harvest. Their goal is that fish will be found in all available habitats and will provide fishing opportunities for present and future generations. Increased fisheries resources will support higher fish consumption.

Description:

This report culminates two years of work—preceded by years of discussion—to characterize the current and heritage fish consumption rates and fishing-related activities of the Nez Perce Tribe. The report contains three volumes in one document. Volume I is concerned with heritage rates and the methods used to estimate the rates; Volume II describes the methods and results of a current fish consumption survey; Volume III is a technical appendix to Volume II.

Record Details: