Tribes participate in nationwide mussel watch program
Treaty tribes in Northwest Washington are working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to use caged mussels to analyze toxic chemicals in Puget Sound. The National Mussel Watch…
Swinomish Tribe holds blessing of the fleet
[display_podcast] The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community held its annual Blessing of the Fleet and First Salmon Ceremony on Thursday. The celebration, marking the beginning of the fishing season, honors and…
Collaborative efforts for Elwha River freshwater mussel rescue
[display_podcast] PORT ANGELES (October 16, 2008) – There was a sense of urgency when tribal, state and federal biologists recently snorkeled for 5,000 freshwater mussels along the bottom of a 300-foot-long shallow side channel of the Elwha River. A dredge was slated the next day to dig up the side channel as part of construction of the Elwha Water Treatment Facility.
This mussel rescue was part of larger efforts to prepare the Elwha River for the removal of its two fish-blocking dams; the 108-foot-tall Elwha Dam and the 210-foot-tall Glines Canyon Dam will be removed starting in 2012. The new treatment plant will help filter out river sediment that will be released after the dams are removed. (more…)
Makah Tribe Knows It’s In The Water
NEAH BAY (July 1, 2003) -- Gwen Swan knows the link between water quality and the dinner table better than most. The Makah tribal member eats seafood nearly every day.…