The YN Conservation Officers will be addressing the issues pertaining to the protection of habitat from pollution, resident fish, illegal poaching of anadromous fish, Lamprey, and at-risk Wildlife. They will be enforcing laws that are established by the YN, State, and Federal governments.

The goals and objectives of the amplified YN conservation enforcement program are to implement an expanded enforcement program to provide additional protection against illegal takes of Columbia River Salmon species throughout their life cycle with an emphasis on weak stocks passing through the hydro-power corridor into tributary streams within the YN reservation, Ceded Territories of the YN and along the Columbia Basin.  The aim of the YN Fisheries/Conservation Enforcement project is to increase the protection of fish & wildlife in all watersheds under our jurisdiction. Conservation Enforcement Protection includes two primary components (1) reducing illegal take of Columbia Basin fish & wildlife, and (2) enforcing Habitat rules and regulations. Specific goals and objectives of the YN Conservation Enforcement Project are consistent with the regional enhancement efforts, including the YN Fisheries Resource Management Program; the CBFWA Multi-Year Implementation Plan, the NPCC Fish & Wildlife Program; the Anadromous Fish Restoration Plan of the Yakama, Nez Perce, Warm Springs, and Umatilla Tribes (1995), and the NMFS & USFS ESA Recovery Plans. The geographical scope of YN Conservation Enforcement is primarily the YN Reservation, Ceded territories of the YN, and the Columbia Basin.  The tactic is triadic: (1) substantially increase the stages of harvest & habitat enforcement on YN watersheds; (2) boost the efficiency of this effort by promoting cooperation among all relevant entities; and (3) educate the public on the predicament of depleted fish & wildlife stocks and the need to protect their critical habitat. We will adaptively manage the Conservation Enforcement via monitoring and evaluation according to biologically based performance criteria. The evaluation of desired/actual achievements are in terms of Inputs (e.g., budget, personnel, equipment), Outputs (e.g., fishery statistics, contacts, arrests, seizure, etc.), and Outcomes (e.g., fish & wildlife saved, critical habitats protected). Results will be monitored in accordance with performance standards and specific quantitative and qualitative criteria in conjunction with tribal and regional fish and wildlife management processes and objectives.