YAKIMA, Wash. — Native American tribes and federal officials celebrated the completion of the last of 31 tribal fishing access sites along the lower Columbia River on Monday, following years of collaboration to restore fishing rights to treaty tribes.
Congress authorized the federal government in 1988 to establish access sites for tribes guaranteed fishing rights by treaties but whose traditional fishing areas were flooded when the lower Columbia River dams were built. Construction of the first sites began in 1995.
The last site near Dallesport, a 64-acre site about 75 miles east of Portland, includes eight campsites for tribal members, a boat launch and dock, restroom and shower facilities, net repair racks and a fish cleaning table.
In addition, the site required extensive environmental restoration by workers, most of whom are Pacific Northwest tribal members. The site cost $4.8 million.
Read the complete Associated Press Story in The Bend Bulletin