Spokane Salmon Restoration Collaborative Update
October 29, 2023
Recognition Package
A request for lead entity recognition has been drafted. Initiating government resolutions have been
received by the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Stevens County, Lincoln County, Spokane County, and the City
of Spokane. Resolutions being sought will be complete with receipt of one from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
of Indians, which is expected in November. In addition, letters of support have been received by the
Spokane Conservation District and the Pend Oreille Conservation District.
Email correspondence with background information was sent to Waverly, Tekoa and Latah, incorporated
towns adjacent to Hangman Creek (a tributary of the Spokane River). In addition, staff at the City of
Spokane Valley and Pine Creek Conservation District were contacted by phone and follow-up materials
provided. The Valley’s direct interest in participating is limited to native Redband Trout as salmon did
not migrate past Spokane Falls and into the upper reach of the Spokane River where the City of Spokane
Valley is located. All were given the opportunity to schedule an in-person presentation, comment,
provide a letter of support, and participate.
Technical Team
Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS) issued the final report “EDT Data Gaps Analysis and Collection Protocols for
The Spokane River Subbasin.” This included CFS receiving input from the technical team as part of a July
26 technical team meeting. After additional updates, a draft final report was issued to the technical
team for final input. A final report was then sent to the Spokane Tribe and approved. An October 26
workshop with the technical team is scheduled to initiate EDT data collection needs identified in the
report.
In parallel with EDT model development, the technical team is collaboratively identifying and reviewing
habitat projects that support native Redband Trout and salmon reintroduction. In this regard, the
Spokane Conservation District completed and sent to the technical team a draft design for the Waikiki
Spring Creek Restoration and Fish Passage Improvement project on the Little Spokane River. It supports
habitat needs for native Redband Trout/salmon reintroduction and is being developed collaboratively
with the Spokane Tribe. Its location on the Little Spokane River is near habitat projects being developed
by WDFW, the Lands Conservancy and the Spokane Tribe.
Staffing
The Spokane Tribe posted and interviewed candidates for a Fisheries Habitat Biologist position to
support the Lead Entity. The start date of the hire is expected in October.
Outreach
Regular verbal and email communication has occurred with stakeholders, the technical team and
interested entities. Progress on developing a story map/video conveying the history of salmon in the
Spokane watershed continues. Collection of assets is largely complete, and a video production company
identified to conclude development.