Tribal Consultation

The Columbia River Crossing project is fully engaged in government-to-government consultation with American Indian Tribes affected by this project. Consultation formally began in December 2005. The project team consults with both the natural and cultural resource offices of each affected tribe and will periodically meet with tribal councils and committees as appropriate.

Consulting Tribes

Federally Recognized Tribes

Non-federally Recognized Tribes

Chinook

The following tribes have treaty rights to the Columbia River

Confederated Tribes of Umatilla
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Nez Perce Tribe
Yakama Nation

Consultation Process

The tribal consultation process includes seeking review and input from affected tribes to help resolve concerns at each of the major project milestones. In addition, document review, face-to-face meetings and multi-tribal and /or multi-agency meetings will take place.

Consultation Goals

To achieve respectful engagement between the needs of the tribes and states as supported by numerous federal and state agreements and executive orders including: Presidential Executive Order 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, Washington State Centennial Accord, WSDOT Executive Order 1025 Tribal Consultation, and Oregon Revised Statutes 182.162 Relationship of State Agencies with Indian Tribes, among others.
To achieve compliance with legally required steps under the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and other applicable state and federal laws.
To resolve effects this project may have on the rights of tribes which they reserved under treaties with the United States, as supported by the Constitution of the United States.
To reach full and fair settlement on any tribal treaty-related issues in a manner that is compatible with the mutual interests of the tribes, ODOT, WSDOT, FTA, FHWA, and the objectives of the project.
To achieve a richer and lasting understanding of the area and build durable relationships between WSDOT, ODOT and the affected tribes who are or will be engaged in consultation for other projects.
For the CRC project team and tribes to engage in an open exchange of information about the project, its potential effects, and appropriate mitigation.