Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill will help ensure that certain Columbia River Tribes have meaningful access to usual and accustomed fishing areas and related fishing facilities as established by treaty. Due to the construction of dams in the 1930s and 1950s along the Columbia River, the lands of these Tribes were flooded. Congress authorized the Federal Government to acquire and replace lost Tribal fishing areas along the river, including the construction of improvements. However, in recent years, there have been continued reports that the conditions at these fishing sites have deteriorated significantly. S. 50 directs the Department of the Interior to assess current sanitation and safety conditions on lands that were set aside to provide affected Columbia River Treaty Tribes access to traditional fishing grounds. The Bureau of Indian Affairs would also be authorized to execute improvements at the sites in coordination with the four Tribes that the sites serve. While this legislation is intended to address safety and basic maintenance needs, it is not the intent of Congress for these fishing sites to become permanent residences but to continue their existing purpose as traditional fishing access sites. With this caveat, we see no issues with this bill that was favorably reported by unanimous consent by the Committee on Natural Resources last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”