Policy Lessons and Indigenous Governance: Providing a Basis for a Successful Salmon Reintroduction Framework in the Upper Columbia River

Abstract

Since the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in the mid 1900s, the passage of anadromous salmon to the Upper Columbia River Basin has been completely hindered. Studies have determined that there remains viable habitat for these species of salmon in the Upper Columbia which could support natural reproduction. The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative (CRSRI), an Indigenous-led program, is now working to reintroduce these salmon to their historic habitat for the betterment of the ecosystem and cultural and economic well-being of the local Indigenous communities that once depended on them. A provincial policy – the British Columbia Wild Salmon Policy, and a Canadian law – the federal Species at Risk Act – are examined to assess their potential use to a governance system for reintroduced salmon of the Upper Columbia River Basin. Indigenous rights and land claims also provide support for First Nation’s constitutional rights to manage resources on their traditional territory. In this paper, I argue that First Nations led governance is a must in this reintroduction scenario; First Nations are well placed to lead a management program that equally takes into account Indigenous knowledge, western science, and community input. Necessary considerations for this governance framework are also outlined, citing explicitly defined long-term goals and management plans (such as distribution and abundance objectives, extent of commitment to management, and criteria to determine when salmon have been fully re-established), the consideration of potential consequences (potential implications with protection status of other species, political consequences, etc.), and iterative processes as main focus points. Key recommendations include establishing an advisory board made up of Indigenous groups, researchers, and stakeholders to implement a community-based program that works collaboratively with federal and provincial governments and programs as well as NGOs to implement the necessary biological, socioeconomic, organizational, managerial, and political strategies. Key Terms: Upper Columbia River Basin, salmon reintroduction, First Nations led governance