TREE TALK
by Gary Martin
How’s it going this month! Congratulations to all graduates and students! A BIG THANK YOU to our school systems for everything they do! Now get out there and have a safe, fun summer vacation! On May 12, we enjoyed a great day of environmental, cultural and all-around education with Nespelem School at Owhi Lake. I think this was our 12th year. As always, we had an awesome time! To allow room for photos, I’ll try to keep the talk short.
Resource workshops for the day included: Parks & Recreation Officers with Boat, EMS with Ambulance, Smokey Bear & Fire Management, Indian Health Service & Dental Department, Sweathouse, Hide Tanning, Fire Drill, Language Preservation with games, U.S. National Park Service, Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Tribal Fish & Wildlife & archery skills, Omak/Nespelem Forestry with timber cruising and tree planting, Colville Timber Resource Company, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Chief Joseph Dam) & water safety, Lake Roosevelt High School students and Nespelem School Culture Program with archery. THANK YOU ALL!We really appreciate all of you workshop leaders, speakers, site coordinators, helpers and volunteers! THANKS for caring! A BIG THANKS to all you students, teachers, bus drivers and staff of Nespelem School for coming to the lake! A BIG THANKS to the Nespelem School lunch team for the tasty lunches! A BIG, BIG THANKS to the Nespelem Parent Education Committee and the Colville Timber Resource Company for sponsoring our cool t-shirts!
Thank you kids, for your willingness to enjoy some environmental and cultural education! This day is for you! Your smiles and positive attitudes really make the day special! We look forward to seeing you again next year! Hope everyone had a great, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Talk with you again next month. J
NOTICE
A $500 - $1,000 REWARD is BEING OFFERED for INFORMATION LEADING to the CONVICTION of INDIVIDUALS ILLEGALLY HARVESTING FISH and WILDLIFE RESOURCESThe illegal harvest of fish and wildlife animals on the Colville Reservation does occur from time-to-time. Individuals who harvest illegally are violating Tribal law and possibly Federal law. Often these illegal harvests result in the wastage of meat of big game animals or possibly the harvest of Federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act. The illegal harvest of fish and wildlife resources also harms the rights and privileges of the Tribal membership in their pursuit of legally harvesting fish and wildlife resources.
Your assistance in the enforcement of Tribal rules and regulations is being solicited.
As approved by Colville Business Council Resolution 2005-052, a reward system is being offered to assist in the apprehension and conviction of individuals who engage in the illegal harvest or poaching of fish and wildlife resources. A $500 - $1000 reward will be provided to an individual who provides this information.
All information will be confidential and will be required to be validated. The reward will only be issued upon conviction of the perpetrator(s) by Tribal Court.
Currently, a $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of an individual(s) that shot and killed an immature bald eagle at Owhi Lake around December 22, 2004.
If you wish to provide information, you are asked to contact Tribal Enforcement at Parks and Recreation (634-3145) for more information or to report any fish and wildlife violations.
Colville Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Program
Construction and operation of Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams essentially destroyed forever in excess of 88,000 acres of critical low elevation wildlife habitat. This habitat comprised land cover types bordering the Columbia River and its tributaries. This was habitat, rich in bio-diversity, supporting a large number and variety of wildlife species. Existing conditions throughout the region very likely preclude management entities from ever being able to fully mitigate these losses. However, the Colville Confederated Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Program and other similar ones around the Columbia Basin provide partial mitigation leading towards fulfillment of the Northwest Power Act and NPPC’s Fish and Wildlife Program goal of fully mitigate hydropower losses. In addition, the regions primary limiting factors for fish and wildlife are habitat loss, fragmentation, and isolation from past and current land use practices. The Colville Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Projects will protect and maintain some of the few remaining portions of grassland, shrub-steppe, mixed range, riparian, and conifer forest/savanna habitat that is still in fair to good condition in the region. Large areas of land are needed to protect larger species of wildlife with greater habitat requirements and need for relatively undisturbed habitat. The idea is to have an area large enough to supply a secure core protected area surrounded by a buffer of land to meet species habitat needs and provide connectivity to the next core areas for population viability.
The initial dramatic change associated with development of the Columbia Basin Project was changing approximately 151 miles of the Columbia River from a free-flowing stream into an 80,000 surface-acre lake for Grand Coulee Dam and 51 miles of Columbia River from a free-flowing stream into a regulated reservoir for Chief Joseph Dam. The area lost to some anadromous fish species represents approximately 10 percent of the identified spawning areas for Steelhead trout, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, and Chum salmon in the Columbia River Basin. The loss of Salmon runs to the upper Columbia river following construction of Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams was devastating to the Colville Tribes. In addition, the reservoirs flooded critical, low elevation habitat for deer and many other wildlife species that are vital to the Tribes well being.
The area was, at the time of the change, a region of open country, relatively primitive and isolated in many places and primarily devoted to use as habitat by wildlife, limited ranching, historical and cultural Indian use, and some limited recreational pursuits by man. Development of the Columbia Basin Project set in motion trends that were to intensify the utilization of the region’s air, water, land, and wildlife resources. Much of the original condition of the land will not be renewable as all of the region’s resources became and will become increasingly utilized.
The Northwest Power Act of 1980 provided a means of addressing some of these losses. Because of the nature and magnitude of the losses it is doubtful that they can ever be one hundred percent mitigated. However our goal is to mitigate for as much of these losses as is possible. We have been mitigating for these hydropower projects for over 15 years and are still only thirty-three percent complete.
The development of the Columbia Basin Project has precluded use of the area in its natural environmental state or, to a limited extent, other developmental plans by future generations. Lands that were inundated are lost forever they have become extinct. Construction of Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams and the BOR irrigation project have and, as development proceeds, will continue to create and impose new influences and new impacts on the region. Development has resulted in trade-offs in which short-term uses of land, manpower, and other resources were, and will continue to be, made to gain long-term productivity, primarily of electrical energy, agricultural products, increased economic activity, fish and wildlife, and social benefits.
In 1990, the NPPC reviewed and approved the Colville Confederated Tribes Hellsgate Big Game Winter Range Wildlife Mitigation Project (Hellsgate Project). The focus of the Hellsgate Project is the protection, restoration, and enhancement of critical winter habitat for big game and shrub-steppe/ sharp-tailed grouse habitat on lands purchased and managed for wildlife mitigation on the Colville Indian Reservation. In addition, the CCT have set aside special management areas (Hellsgate Reserve, Tribal lands, and Agency Butte) surrounding certain Hellsgate Project land parcels to conserve and protect big game winter range and sharp-tailed grouse habitat. The Hellsgate Project began mitigating for wildlife losses in 1992 and is currently made up of four separate ranches (the Graves, Berg brothers, W. and H. Kuehne ranches) and several separate parcels (Nespelem Bend and properties within the Hellsgate Reserve). These lands contain similar habitat types to those that were inundated by the dams. To fully mitigate all the wildlife losses associated with these dams, additional lands need to be acquired and managed under the Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Program (Hellsgate O&M Project). Each area will have site-specific goals to manage the lands to optimize available habitat for management species (desired future conditions). These managed lands contain a wide diversity of vegetative types and habitats for a variety of wildlife species. In all cases, the biological requirements of wildlife and the protection of critical habitat will take precedence over all other land use considerations in the management of these lands. Currently we are finalizing a Conservation Easement with the BPA to acquire and manage 18,431 acres on the Westside of the Colville Reservation for mitigation (former Joy property and Tribal lands). These lands will be added to those already acquired (approximately 25,501 acres) and placed in Tribal Trust. In fiscal year 2006, the Tribes have requested from BPA an additional 6 million dollars to complete acquisitions for wildlife mitigation. These lands will then be part of the Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Program and BPA will provide operation and maintenance monies to continue the protection, restoration and enhancement of those lands for wildlife for the next 99 years.
Simpson Lake Status Report
Colville Confederated Tribes Fish Hatchery Monitoring and Evaluation ProgramThis is a status report not an official report. I am Allen Hammond M&E Tech IV. I wanted to give the Inchelium District and all the tribal membership an update on the 2003 project proposal requested and attempted at Simpson Lake.
Simpson Lake has a problem with winterkill on the trout fish. The only fish that survive with the low oxygen levels are the brown bullhead. These fish are of the undesirable variety were introduced to the lake in the past and have increased their population because of this ability. Which in turn increases competion for food on the trout. This throws the whole system out of balance. To attempt to balance the system we had received the go ahead to move forward on the effective solution to install a solar power aeration system that would increase dissolved oxygen levels enough to reduce or prevent winter-kills by allowing for better survival. This would also increase the amount of habitat in the lake for trout to utilize for feeding and growing, which would lead to an increase in size and health. With increased size they would also become predatory toward the brown bullheads, which would decrease their population.
There was another option, which was chemical removal of the brown bullheads to elevate competition of food, which is very harsh and does not increase oxygen levels in the winter and this option does not only effect the bullheads but the whole system. This was decided against at this time.
The monitoring and evaluation program purchased a solar power aeration system and buoy computer system that was to keep track of temperature and oxygen levels. It was installed with the help of the summer youth during the summer of 2003 into Simpson Lake. The youth were very excited at the prospect of helping the lake become healthy.
With the equipment and manpower the cost of the whole system was $10,000 plus.
In the summer of 2004 a person or persons took it upon themselves to use the equipment for target practice. None of the equipment was salvageable the solar panels had bullet holes in them as did the buoy which held the electronic equipment. We had to dredge for the buoy not knowing if it was stolen or sunk. When we found it we hoped the electronics would be OK. This was not so they were exposed to the water for to long and ruined. This is very disappointing for the fact that someone thought this was fun with out thought to the destruction they caused not just to the equipment but also to Simpson Lake itself. Fish & Wildlife does not have the funds to repair or replace either. We have other units at other lakes in all the other districts that are working great which so far have escaped destruction or any harm for that matter. I ask that people be aware of the potentials these systems have for our fisheries and please not destroy them. If any one has knowledge of who shot up Simpson Lake equipment I hope they will come forward. We will continue to stock brook trout for as long as it is possible.
Babies In The Wild
By Jim Priest, Senior Wildlife Biologist
Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department
It is that season of the year when we start seeing deer fawns and elk/moose calves, as well as baby birds, along roads and neighborhoods. Just some of the newborns the Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department get brought into us about this time every year. However, physically picking these animals up and transporting them to the Fish and Wildlife Department is the last option that should be exercised.
I can understand the emotional difficultly of leaving a newborn in the woods or along the road. But people need to think this through before taking any action. These little creatures are cute and appear helpless, but remember that nature has been taking care of its own for quite sometime and often has a better plan. Even though people have the best intentions and feel they are doing the right thing, what happens to it after we get it may be less desirable.
Fawns and calves are often sighted this time of year along roads, streams, trails and even backyards. People are often tempted to “rescue” a lone baby animal because they assume that it has been orphaned, but this is usually not the case. Does and cows temporarily will leave their young to keep from drawing predators to the offspring through their own body scent. Because fawns and calves are born with little body scent of their own, this action of leaving the little-one actually helps in the survival of the offspring when it is at this very vulnerable stage. This is a natural defense mechanism to help hide them from predators and the mother is never to far away.
If a fawn is found on the road, this can be a difficult call, but this might help. If the baby is mobile, leave alone and do not chase it. But if the baby is laying down in the road, not moving and is easily catchable, gently pick the animal up and place it about 20 feet off the road and leave the area. The doe is nearby and she will return for it once the disturbance is gone. Also make sure that if there are dogs around that they are constrained.
The same goes for baby birds. The best thing to do is leave them be and keep the dogs and cats away so the bird is undisturbed and it’s parents can safely care for it. Baby birds are not always successful on their first flights and it may take them a short period of time to regain their strength and get things back together for their next attempt. Also, staying away from the nest as much as possible will help greatly.
The reality of the situation is that the young have a far better chance of survival and leading a normal life than if it is brought to us. My options are pretty limited to what I am able to do. Legally, under Title IV, Section 4-1-220 (v) Capture, Holding or Possessing Wildlife: “No person shall without a permit issued from the Director, capture, hold in captivity or possess any live wildlife.” So without a permit, an individual is not allowed to possess any wildlife.
We have a permitted wildlife rehabber at our disposal and we use them occasionally. But a fawn takes about $500 in formula and such to raise not accounting for the structures that need to be built, salaries and other incidentals. One fawn may not cost much, but multiple fawns will increase the cost significantly. This can be tough on a facility that is already operating on a shoestring and the assurance of survival is questionable.
My other option is to send the baby to Washington State University for use in lab work. Occasionally fawns are obtained and raised at facilities like the Wildlife Biology Departments at WSU and used for food habit studies. Survival is still not assured and release is questionable. Even if the fawn is eventually released, without the honing of behavioral skills and survival tools, the likelihood of the fawn making it through the next winter is slim.
At this point, I guess the best thing to do is to leave babies’ alone and let nature take it’s course. I know it can be tough looking into those brown eyes and watching this cute little spotted critter trying to get around on wobbly legs, but their future and survival are probably better out in the wilds than the other alternatives we can offer. So my suggestion is to keep your distance, let things be and look on with appreciation of what life thrives on the Reservation.
3-D Archery Shoot
There is going to be a 3-D Archery shoot in Nespelem area sometime in August.
I will put flyers out to inform you of the dates and locations.
The Spring Fling Shoot was such a success and a valuable learning experience. People wanted another 3-D Shoot.
During this shoot I will be spending more time helping our youth shoot. There will be people there to help people learn about their archery equipment.
I am hoping that anyone involved or wanting to get involved in Archery to show up with your bows.
For more information, call (509) 826-2551 or Aaron Carden, Box 4376, Omak, WA 98841.
2005 BIG GAME AERIAL SURVEY
REPORT
Prepared By Eric Krausz, Wildlife Biologist
Acknowledgements to Jim Priest, Rick Desautel, and Jon Batten
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ARTICLE
2005 RESERVATION MOOSE HUNT
APPLICATION FORM
2005 NORTH HALF MOOSE SPECIAL HUNT
APPLICATION FORM
2005 NORTH HALF BIGHORN SHEEP SPECIAL HUNT
APPLICATION FORM
