Purpose:

The purpose of this contract is to enhance the Colville Tribes’ existing law enforcement program to increase protection of upper Columbia spring Chinook and steelhead, both listed as endangered species, and their habitats.  Protection of all fish and wildlife species will also be enhanced, with an emphasis on depleted stocks and populations.


Project Goal:

The goals and objectives of the Colville Tribes’ Conservation Enforcement Project are to provide additional protection against illegal takes of Columbia River salmon, steelhead, resident fish, and wildlife species throughout their lifecycle (and their habitats) with an emphasis on weak populations affected by the hydroelectric system.  This enhanced enforcement will occur on Reservation, tribal lands, usual and accustomed fishing sites, and elsewhere when conducted in a joint enforcement action with other law enforcement entities.  The overall goal of the Colville Tribes Conservation Enforcement Project is to increase protection of fish and wildlife in all watersheds under tribal jurisdiction.  The project will have two primary components 1) reduce illegal take of upper Columbia River fish and wildlife, and 2) enforce habitat rules and regulations.

The project approach is threefold: 1) substantially increase the levels of harvest and habitat enforcement in watershed with the Colville Tribes’ jurisdictions, 2) enhance the efficiency of this effort by promoting cooperation among all relevant entities, and 3) educate the public on the plight of depleted fish and wildlife populations and the need to protect their critical habitat.  The project will be adaptively managed based on a performance monitoring and evaluation program.

The Conservation Enforcement Project is part of the June 5, 2008 Memorandum of Agreement between the Action Agencies and the Confederation Tribes of the Colville Reservation (project #11).

Objectives:

1) Develop & refine conservation enforcement RM&E methods and designs

2)  Tribal Enforcement

3)  Conservation Enforcement Regional Coordination

4)  Outreach and Education

5)  Gather, Summarize, Disseminate  Conservation Enforcement Data & Results