AUGUST 20 23
August 2023 • Confederated Umatilla Journal Confederated Umatilla Journal
VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 8
The monthly newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
CTUIR water project slated for federal funds STAFF REPORT
Cynthia Esporito cleans a freshly caught lamprey during this year’s Lamprey Celebration at Willamette Falls. PHOTO BY LEE GAVIN
Second annual Lamprey Celebration a hit OREGON CITY, Ore. – On a hot July day, Umatilla youth scrambled over the rocks at the base of Willamette Falls. There was thick moss, dry and scratchy like a Brillo pad, the smell of fish heavy in the air, and the sound of laughter carrying across the roar of the water as the kids harvested Pacific lamprey at the falls. That there even was a harvest underscored work the Umatilla and other tribes have led to restore the
eel-like fish’s population. “This work we’re doing, it’s not for us,” Umatilla board member Corinne Sams said to the group of children circled around her. “It’s for your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren.” Sams led the youth in song, honoring the lampreys’ gift of their lives, before the group began to search the base of the falls for pockets of lamprey to harvest. A crew harvested approximately 200 lamprey in the morning before LAMPREY CONTINUED PAGE 10
CTUIR 46411 Timine Way Pendleton, OR 97801
NIKA BARTOO-SMITH Underscore News + ICT
WASHINGTON – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will soon benefit from investments secured by Sen. Jeff Merkley, Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, and Sen. Ron Wyden. Merkley and Wyden secured investments for 22 community-initiated projects in an Interior spending bill, including $3 million for the CTUIR to install a wastewater treatment plant that will produce recycled water for non-potable uses. This localized treatment facility will produce water for irrigation needs, reducing the amount of groundwater that needs to be drawn from the community’s aquifers.
“The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are extremely grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden for their support of this important water quality project. Increasing the water treatment capacity for the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Umatilla County will allow both to grow, expand housing opportunities and to do so in an ecologically renewable manner,” said Kat Brigham, CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair. Another $2 million was included for the Wallowa Lake Irrigation District to continue its work with partners to create safe passage for fish listed under the Endangered Species Act. Funding will also be FUNDS CONTINUED PAGE 12
Reservation burn ban continues JAMES HALL CTUIR Fire Chief PENDLETON, Ore. – Open burning, including trash in burning barrels and yard debris, continues to be prohibited on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Sweathouse and ceremonial fires are exempt from the ban, however, a verbal burn permit must be obtained from the Umatilla Tribal Dispatch at 541-278-0550. Burning
permission will be dependent on firefighting resource availability and current weather conditions. The burn ban will lift when Umatilla Tribal Fire Department deems conditions appropriate. The Office of Air Quality is responsible for burn permits and determination of burning activities. If you need additional information regarding air quality, or agricultural or other types of burning, call (541) 429-7080.
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Pendleton, OR Permit #100