Salmon, Tribes, and Hydropower Dams in the U.S. Puget Sound

This article examines the relationship between American Indian tribes, hydropower dams, and salmon in the U.S. Puget Sound region, highlighting the differing approaches of the Skokomish and Nisqually tribes in the relicensing process for the dams. Next, it discusses the crucial role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in relicensing hydroelectric projects, focusing on the Nisqually Tribe's partnership with Tacoma Public Utilities. The author delves into the conflict between recreational water activities and fish habitat conservation in the Nisqually and Skokomish Rivers, emphasizing the concerns of the Nisqually Tribe regarding salmon migration and the opposition of Tacoma Public Utilities to releasing additional water. Last, it compares the strategies of the Nisqually and Skokomish Tribes in negotiating the relicensing of dams and their implications on salmon habitat in the Puget Sound region.