During the fiscal year 2026 contract period:

This project continues CSKT’s involvement in regionally important processes and programs that address resident fish and wildlife conservation and restoration. This involvement includes coordination and communication with NPCC, BPA, regional states, and tribes. This is particularly important to the implementation of the NPCC Program and the Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980. The results of this project will be effective and efficient coordination between the CSKT and other entities involved in the protection, mitigation, enhancement and management of the resources noted above. Specifically, it is expected this will improve and enhance exchanging information, finding consensus on difficult issues, the quality of decision-making, and the process of informing other regional decision-makers. Quantitative benefits cannot be readily estimated for these results, but it has been demonstrated that effective and efficient coordination provides for cost savings in highly controversial situations such as the Columbia River Basin that have conflicting rights and interests among a multitude of sovereigns and stakeholders.

Work under this contract will include NPCC meetings, attending fish and wildlife conferences such as the MT Chapter of AFS and the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, local and regional conservation efforts such as aquatic nuisance species prevention.