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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Policy Aims At Cooperation Between Tribes, Bpa Power Agency To Take Tribal Concerns Into Account Early In Planning Process

A groundbreaking policy adopted by the Bonneville Power Administration should improve relations with Native American tribes in the Columbia Basin, officials from the agency and tribes said Tuesday.

The policy they unveiled is the result of two years of talks between the federal power-marketing agency and tribal authorities, Bonneville administrator Randy Hardy said.

Provisions emphasize discussions between the agency and tribal officials will begin early when new programs are under consideration.

BPA also pledged ongoing technical cooperation with the tribe on matters such as fish and wildlife management, and agreed to pursue greater understanding of unique tribal values, particularly those regarding cultural heritage.

Hardy said the three-page memorandum should formalize Bonneville trust responsibilities under federal treaties with the tribes, and provide a foundation for forging future relationships.

“Before, it was all ad hoc,” he said. “We didn’t get tribes involved early enough.”

Lionel Boyer, fisheries policy representative for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall in southeastern Idaho, said the policy should ensure that doors often closed in the past will be open.

Until now, he said, agency policy-makers would have work on new programs all but finished before revealing their plans to tribal officials.

“I’ll no longer have to ask ‘Is this consultation or is this information,”’ Boyer said.

Yakama Tribe vice-chairman Jerry Menineck said if policy adoption was considered a 10-step process, tribal input might have been sought at step No. 8.

Particularly on resource issues, he said, “We should be at the forefront.”

Deb Louie, chairman of the Colville Tribe’s natural resources council, noted that no tribal representatives were included on a 15-member steering committee organized late last year by the region’s governors to conduct a comprehensive overview of the region’s energy-management system.

The panel’s discussions could have major implications for Northwest tribes, he said.

But Louie praised Bonneville for the steps taken already to preserve the integrity of tribal burial grounds and other archaeological areas.

“I think this is going to set a precedent,” said John Smith, Bonneville’s liaison with the tribes.

Policies adopted by other federal agencies for dealing with tribes around the country have been drafted with no input from the tribes themselves, he said.

“They sit on the desk or they sit on the wall and they’re not implemented,” Smith said.

He said Bonneville is compiling information about the 13 basin tribes, including treaty rights, history, and type of government, that will help guide agency employees who are working in an area for the first time.

Also, he said, tribal representatives may be brought into the agency to help train workers.

“It’s taken 150 years to get to this,” Boyer said. “Hopefully, it won’t take another 150 years to undo the damage that has been done.”

, DataTimes