Tribal fish hatcheries are set to receive a significant boost in support with a $10 million investment from the Biden-Harris Administration. The funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will expand the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Fish Hatchery Maintenance program, allowing federally-recognized tribes to obtain competitive grants to improve their fish hatchery facilities.
According to a news release from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the $10 million investment will benefit 10 tribes in eight states. Some of the tribes that will receive funding include the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia, the Squaxin Island Tribe of the Squaxin Island Reservation in Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho, the Navajo Nation spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California, the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe in Washington, the Tualip Tribes of Washington, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe- Mille Lacs Band in Minnesota, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland expressed the importance of this investment, stating, "This investment through the President's Investing in America agenda is vital to help Tribes ensure their fish hatcheries can support healthy fisheries that advance the ecological, economic, treaty, and cultural goals of their communities. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to upholding Tribal treaty rights and advancing economic development and resilience in Indian Country."
The Fish Hatchery Maintenance Program, which is being expanded with this funding, has previously supported projects such as the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians' fish hatchery rearing facility. The program provides funding to federally recognized Tribes for the maintenance of fish hatcheries, including structures where fish spawn, are hatched, reared, held, or cared for. Facilities used in the stocking of fish or shellfish are also included.
To receive these funds, tribes must go through an application process that includes ranking criteria. According to a BIA document, the criteria used to rank applications include resource value, involvement of tribal youth, health, safety, and security, economic value, water quality, and rights protection.
With this $10 million investment, tribal fish hatcheries will be better equipped to support healthy fisheries and advance the ecological, economic, treaty, and cultural goals of their communities. The Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to upholding Tribal treaty rights and promoting economic development and resilience in Indian Country is demonstrated through this significant investment.
