Page 12 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter for March, 2016
P. 12
chehalistribe.org PRSRT STD
© copyright 2016 US POSTAGE PAID
CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER OAKVILLE, WA
is a publication of the Confederated PERMIT No. 2
Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
* Or current resident
12
CONCERNS Maia Bellon, director of the state studies they have been doing within impacts. All agreed something needs
Department of Ecology, visits with the watershed to gather information be done to prevent flood impacts, but
From page 1 Chehalis Tribal Chairman Don Secena about salmon and other aquatic fish and other aquatic species must not
at the Chehalis River Basin Strategy species in the basin. be sacrificed.
a Programmatic Environmental meeting.
Impact Statement. They are collecting plan is modeled after the approach One of the most interesting things The overall consensus from the
information and studying the two taken to deal with low water conditions he mentioned was that even though meeting is that Mother Nature has
main projects, along with several other in the Yakima Valley river basin. the Chehalis River Basin is one of the always provided for our people.
smaller-scale actions. However, Bellon said the problem largest in the state, there hasn’t been Fish have long been honored by the
here is having too much water during very much funding established to Chehalis people. The loss would be felt
The tribe is a member of a local the rainy seasons. She also explained enhance the aquatic species. He shared for many future generations. Species
group called the Chehalis Basin climate change will need to be a factor slides that showed some of the natural such as salmon and lamprey have
Partnership. On Feb. 19, the CBP held that is addressed as studies take place. spawning beds in the upper watershed been a vital part of our culture and
its regular monthly meeting at Lucky and discussed what species will be important ceremonies for thousands
Eagle Casino and invited the state to The next presenter was Chrissy impacted if a dam is introduced on the of years. They also have provided
come discuss their proposed projects. Bailey, project lead from the upper reaches of the Chehalis River. food and significant economic
Department of Ecology. She explained opportunities. Long before our people
Four presenters came to talk about how the Programmatic Environmental Price said the upper watershed is settled on the Chehalis Reservation,
flood control and fish restoration Impact Statement will evaluate an important one, hosting a various we have a well-documented history of
projects. Many tribal members impacts from all of the proposed number of species spawning area. He living throughout the area. Bands of
attended the meeting, and they had actions in the basin. also pointed out that the Chehalis Chehalis people roamed all through
a lot of questions and concerns about Basin is home to the largest variety of the area where the dam is planned.
the proposed dam. The Department of Ecology will amphibians found in the state. Our people harvested lamprey eels on
gather information and look at each Rainbow Falls, something that is done
Tribal community meeting action to see what impacts (positive Many community members in to this day! Chehalis tribal fisherman
or negative) they might have. Ecology attendance raised questions and will never agree to construct a dam, no
On March 3, the Chehalis Tribe is planning to have a completed PEIS concerns. Tribal fishermen made it matter what type of dam is designed or
hosted a meeting at the Community by this fall and will submit it to Gov. clear they would not tolerate damage what promises are made.
Center to give people another chance Jay Inslee and the Governors Work to the salmon runs. Others were
to hear about the projects and share Group. The PEIS will help them form concerned about how a dam might Does building a dam to prevent
comments. A blessing before the event a plan of action for funding from the impact archaeological sites in the flooding outweigh what people
performed by Dan “Bones” Gleason government to assist all those affected basin, and someone else pointed out downstream want? If we continue to
set the tone for the rest of the evening. in the flood plain. that bear grass growing areas have fill in the flood plain by building in
The meeting was informational and been badly damaged already and a those areas, future generations will be
allowed for public comment from The next presenter, David Price dam could hurt them more. Tribal greatly affected.
tribal members. An overview was given from the state Department of Fish elders, adults and fisherman shared
by Maia Bellon, director of the state and Wildlife, gave a presentation on some past experiences and pointed at If we look at history, we have
Department of Ecology. other solutions to prevent large flood witnessed that dams always damaged
David Price of the state Department of fish and their habitat. There have to
Bellon said they are taking a multi- Fish and Wildlife presented Chehalis be other options to building a dam.
benefit approach to find solutions River Basin watershed impact studies. Rebuilding habitat is a good start.
to minimize flooding and enhance Hopefully, with a strong commitment
fisheries in the basin. They are looking from all parties to find solutions to
at several different actions in the basin flood issues, discussions will continue.
that would achieve either flood damage
reduction or improve the fisheries. Bellon closed the evening by thanking
tribal members for their input and
One of those possible projects is a promised feedback will be shared with
flood control dam in the hills near Pe Gov. Inslee. She said a draft PEIS will be
Ell. Another is a 100-mile long habitat finished by September 2016. After it is
restoration project. She said any of submitted to the governor and his Work
the solutions that are developed and Group, recommendations will come
implemented will need to avoid having with a plan to reduce flood damage
negative effects on others in the basin. within the Chehalis River Basin.
Bellon said the approach for this
Revised business licensing ordinance up for approval in April
By Janet Stegall, grant writer schedule and licensing requirements. made will positively affect Native Social Services program, also will be
In December 2015, the Planning The draft ordinance was made businesses. The overall fee for Chehalis $20, regardless of tribal status.
available to the public for review tribal business permits for non-Native
Department, with input from the and comment in December and is businesses is increasing to $50, Please plan to attend the April 12
Office of the Tribal Attorney, drafted scheduled to be on the April General however, Native-owned businesses General Council meeting to comment
a few changes to the current Business Council meeting agenda for feedback with tribal documentation will be on these changes.
Licensing ordinance. The changes from the General Council. $20 instead of $25. Chore Workers,
present a clearer and more concise who provide services to elders and For questions or comments or to
ordinance, as well as an updated fee The Planning Department is happy homebound individuals through the review changes in the meantime, call
to announce that some of the changes the Planning Department office at
360-709-1813.
© copyright 2016 US POSTAGE PAID
CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER OAKVILLE, WA
is a publication of the Confederated PERMIT No. 2
Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
* Or current resident
12
CONCERNS Maia Bellon, director of the state studies they have been doing within impacts. All agreed something needs
Department of Ecology, visits with the watershed to gather information be done to prevent flood impacts, but
From page 1 Chehalis Tribal Chairman Don Secena about salmon and other aquatic fish and other aquatic species must not
at the Chehalis River Basin Strategy species in the basin. be sacrificed.
a Programmatic Environmental meeting.
Impact Statement. They are collecting plan is modeled after the approach One of the most interesting things The overall consensus from the
information and studying the two taken to deal with low water conditions he mentioned was that even though meeting is that Mother Nature has
main projects, along with several other in the Yakima Valley river basin. the Chehalis River Basin is one of the always provided for our people.
smaller-scale actions. However, Bellon said the problem largest in the state, there hasn’t been Fish have long been honored by the
here is having too much water during very much funding established to Chehalis people. The loss would be felt
The tribe is a member of a local the rainy seasons. She also explained enhance the aquatic species. He shared for many future generations. Species
group called the Chehalis Basin climate change will need to be a factor slides that showed some of the natural such as salmon and lamprey have
Partnership. On Feb. 19, the CBP held that is addressed as studies take place. spawning beds in the upper watershed been a vital part of our culture and
its regular monthly meeting at Lucky and discussed what species will be important ceremonies for thousands
Eagle Casino and invited the state to The next presenter was Chrissy impacted if a dam is introduced on the of years. They also have provided
come discuss their proposed projects. Bailey, project lead from the upper reaches of the Chehalis River. food and significant economic
Department of Ecology. She explained opportunities. Long before our people
Four presenters came to talk about how the Programmatic Environmental Price said the upper watershed is settled on the Chehalis Reservation,
flood control and fish restoration Impact Statement will evaluate an important one, hosting a various we have a well-documented history of
projects. Many tribal members impacts from all of the proposed number of species spawning area. He living throughout the area. Bands of
attended the meeting, and they had actions in the basin. also pointed out that the Chehalis Chehalis people roamed all through
a lot of questions and concerns about Basin is home to the largest variety of the area where the dam is planned.
the proposed dam. The Department of Ecology will amphibians found in the state. Our people harvested lamprey eels on
gather information and look at each Rainbow Falls, something that is done
Tribal community meeting action to see what impacts (positive Many community members in to this day! Chehalis tribal fisherman
or negative) they might have. Ecology attendance raised questions and will never agree to construct a dam, no
On March 3, the Chehalis Tribe is planning to have a completed PEIS concerns. Tribal fishermen made it matter what type of dam is designed or
hosted a meeting at the Community by this fall and will submit it to Gov. clear they would not tolerate damage what promises are made.
Center to give people another chance Jay Inslee and the Governors Work to the salmon runs. Others were
to hear about the projects and share Group. The PEIS will help them form concerned about how a dam might Does building a dam to prevent
comments. A blessing before the event a plan of action for funding from the impact archaeological sites in the flooding outweigh what people
performed by Dan “Bones” Gleason government to assist all those affected basin, and someone else pointed out downstream want? If we continue to
set the tone for the rest of the evening. in the flood plain. that bear grass growing areas have fill in the flood plain by building in
The meeting was informational and been badly damaged already and a those areas, future generations will be
allowed for public comment from The next presenter, David Price dam could hurt them more. Tribal greatly affected.
tribal members. An overview was given from the state Department of Fish elders, adults and fisherman shared
by Maia Bellon, director of the state and Wildlife, gave a presentation on some past experiences and pointed at If we look at history, we have
Department of Ecology. other solutions to prevent large flood witnessed that dams always damaged
David Price of the state Department of fish and their habitat. There have to
Bellon said they are taking a multi- Fish and Wildlife presented Chehalis be other options to building a dam.
benefit approach to find solutions River Basin watershed impact studies. Rebuilding habitat is a good start.
to minimize flooding and enhance Hopefully, with a strong commitment
fisheries in the basin. They are looking from all parties to find solutions to
at several different actions in the basin flood issues, discussions will continue.
that would achieve either flood damage
reduction or improve the fisheries. Bellon closed the evening by thanking
tribal members for their input and
One of those possible projects is a promised feedback will be shared with
flood control dam in the hills near Pe Gov. Inslee. She said a draft PEIS will be
Ell. Another is a 100-mile long habitat finished by September 2016. After it is
restoration project. She said any of submitted to the governor and his Work
the solutions that are developed and Group, recommendations will come
implemented will need to avoid having with a plan to reduce flood damage
negative effects on others in the basin. within the Chehalis River Basin.
Bellon said the approach for this
Revised business licensing ordinance up for approval in April
By Janet Stegall, grant writer schedule and licensing requirements. made will positively affect Native Social Services program, also will be
In December 2015, the Planning The draft ordinance was made businesses. The overall fee for Chehalis $20, regardless of tribal status.
available to the public for review tribal business permits for non-Native
Department, with input from the and comment in December and is businesses is increasing to $50, Please plan to attend the April 12
Office of the Tribal Attorney, drafted scheduled to be on the April General however, Native-owned businesses General Council meeting to comment
a few changes to the current Business Council meeting agenda for feedback with tribal documentation will be on these changes.
Licensing ordinance. The changes from the General Council. $20 instead of $25. Chore Workers,
present a clearer and more concise who provide services to elders and For questions or comments or to
ordinance, as well as an updated fee The Planning Department is happy homebound individuals through the review changes in the meantime, call
to announce that some of the changes the Planning Department office at
360-709-1813.
