Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (YN) Conservation Enforcement is established to ensure the monitoring and enforcement of tribal laws and regulations regarding the management and harvest of aquatic and terrestrial species with special focus on Threatened and Endangered species occurring on Tribal reservation and other Treaty lands. 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 Yakama Nation, State, and Federal governments.
The goals and objectives of the amplified YN program are to implement expanded enforcement that provides 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. 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
A part of this program involves Regional Coordination with regional fish and wildlife management, planning, enforcement and funding entities within Columbia Basin (e.g., the Columbia River Compact committees, Recovery Plan Teams, NPCC, and BPA). Identifying and prioritizing law enforcement activities in the Columbia Basin that will complement and maximize the efficiency of regional management goals relative to the protection and enhancement of anadromous and resident fish and wildlife stocks and their critical habitats.
Work and efforts promote outreach and education on the role of conservation enforcement through a variety of means, including training sessions, workshops for the local communities, elementary school lectures, and event exhibit booths. Increase public awareness of the effects of illegal take and habitat degradation on the Columbia River Basin anadromous salmonid stocks and resident fish and wildlife species. Emphasis shall be on the need to conserve depleted naturally spawning stocks. Educate the general public as well as resource user groups (e.g., sport and commercial fish harvesters, irrigators, ranchers, timber harvesters, and power producers) as to the critical and important role that protective enforcement plays in comprehensive recovery plans for salmon and resident fish.
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