Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (2015)

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Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Integrated Resource Management Plan

Results of

The 2014 Colville Reservation

COMMUNITY SURVEY

April 15, 2015

Prepared by the

Center for Applied Research

www.centerforappliedresearch.com

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION�� 3

RESPONDENT PROFILE�� 4

ELIGIBILITY��4

DEMOGRAPHICS��5

EMPLOYMENT��6

COMPUTER ACCESS��7

HOLISTIC GOAL AND DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS�� 8

WATER RESOURCES�� 9

AIR QUALITY�� 10

AGRICULTURE�� 12

RANGELAND�� 13

FORESTS�� 14

FOREST ACCESS ROADS��17

FISH AND WILDLIFE�� 18

CULTURAL RESOURCES�� 21

SURVEY QUESTION RESPONSES�� 25

RESPONDENT SURVEY COMMENTS�� 45

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

INTRODUCTION

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are updating the Integrated Resource

Management Plan (IRMP) that provides goals and objectives to manage the Tribes’ natural

resources. The purpose of the plan is to protect and enhance the productivity and health

of the Tribes’ forests, rangelands, fish and wildlife populations and habitat, water, soils

and air quality while preserving cultural resources and traditions.

The 2014 Colville Reservation Community Survey solicited input from tribal members and

residents of the Colville Reservation. The purpose of the survey was to document the

community’s priorities, preferences and concerns regarding the management of the

Tribes’ natural resources.

The survey questionnaire was prepared by the Tribes’ multidisciplinary IRMP Core Team.

Although the survey was open to all members of the Colville Tribes, the team chose to

include all residents of the Reservation as well as employees of the Tribes and the Bureau

of Indian Affairs who work on the Reservation. The team felt that the Reservation community is most affected by management of the Reservation’s natural resources.

The team assembled a survey crew of tribal members experienced in survey administration with a designated survey crew supervisor. The crew was tasked with ensuring that

all communities and age groups were provided the opportunity to participate in the survey. The survey questionnaire was also made available electronically via the Tribes’ website and email. Eligible respondents had to be a tribal member, a resident of the Colville

Reservation or an employee of the Tribes or BIA, 18 years or older, to complete the survey.

The survey results play an important role in developing goals and objectives for the management of the natural resources of the Colville reservation. The results reveal the ways

that community members use natural resources such as firewood and plant gathering,

hunting and fishing and recreational activities along the lakes, streams and rivers of the

Reservation. The results also reveal community perceptions of the Tribes’ management

of forest and range resources and the benefits that accrue to the Tribes as a whole and the

larger community as well as the flora and fauna of the Reservation.

This report compiles the responses and provides an analysis of the results. Most respondents completed all the questions, but in some cases, questions were left unanswered.

In addition, some questions allowed respondents to check more than one response to

a question, whereas others required only one response. Some questions had follow-up

questions when the answer was “Yes.” Consequently, total responses vary accordingly.

The percentages reported throughout this report may not sum perfectly to 100% due to

rounding and especially on questions where multiple responses were chosen by respondents.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

RESPONDENT PROFILE

Colville community members’ were generally very amenable to participating in the 2014

Colville Reservation Community Survey when asked. In total, 1,026 individuals provided completed or substantially completed responses to the survey. These responses serve

as the basis for the summary and analysis provided in this report.

As is common with this type of survey, the first several questions of the survey (Questions 1 – 8) were primarily used to establish the locational, demographic, and employment characteristics of the respondents. Though this information is not directly pertinent

to the goal of this survey (i.e., assessing community opinion about the Tribes’ use and

management of natural resources), it is highly useful for a variety of ancillary purposes.

In this analysis, this information was used to evaluate the representativeness of the sample and the robustness of the sampling methodology; however, the Center also utilized

this data to refine certain question responses in an effort to provide greater insight and

more informative data-driven conclusions.

ELIGIBILITY

Question 1 and follow-up Question 1a asked respondents to provide their tribal membership eligibility and location of residence. A large majority of respondents (69%) are tribal

members who reside on the Colville Reservation. Another 11% of respondents are tribal

members who do not live on the Reservation; and combined, approximately 80% of survey respondents are members of the Colville Tribes.

If a respondent indicated being a resident of the Reservation, Question 1a asked that

respondent to identify their District of residence. Based on responses to this question,

the sampling methodology employed in this survey produced a fairly even geographical

sampling of Reservation residents. Only one District, Keller, appears to be under sampled

in terms of the number of responses returned from residents of this District as compared

to the number returned by residents of the other three Districts. However, given Keller

district’s lower resident population as compared to the other districts, the Center does

not view this as an issue that would bias or negatively impact the survey results or the

conclusions presented herein.

A summary of Reservation resident responses by District is as follows: 28% (244) from

Omak, 31% (275) from Nespelem, 10% (84) from Keller, and 32% (280) from Inchelium.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

DEMOGRAPHICS

SURVEY RESPONSE STATISTICS BY AGE AND GENDER COHORTS

2014 Colville Community Survey v s . 2012 U.S. Census Estimates

Male (Total Population)

Female (Total Population)

Male (Surveyed)

Female (Surveyed)

2,000

Number of Individuals/Respondents

1,800

A total of 1,026 individuals responded to the 2014

Community Survey.

1,600

As a proportion of the total number of individuals

residing on the Colville Reservation (according to 2012

U.S. Census Estimates), this represents approximately

20.6% of the target female population, 10.3% of the

target male population, and 14.4% of the total target

population (i.e., 18 years of age or older).

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

23%

200

Age 18-24

22%

29%

Age 25-34

11%

26%

Age 35-44

12%

Age 45-64

14%

Age 65 and Older

Questions 2 and 3 asked respondents to indicate their age and gender. This information

was then compared with the U.S. Census 2012 Estimates for the Colville Reservation to

determine if the population sampled by the survey is representative of the demographic

composition of the Reservation. The graph above summarizes the responses to both of

these questions and depicts the sampled population as a proportion of the total population broken down into age and gender cohorts reported in the U.S. Census. As shown, the

survey sampled approximately 14.4% of the total eligible Reservation population (6,965),

and was especially successful in garnering opinions from individuals aged 25-64.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Questions 4 – 6 sought to better understand the socioeconomic attributes of the sampled

population. While responses to these questions were generally not directly used in the

natural resource analysis provided in this report, this information will be useful for the

socioeconomic impact analysis in the IRMP Environmental Impact Statement.

EMPLOYMENT

Question 7 focused on the employment status of survey respondents. Based on responses

to this question, approximately 60% of respondents were employed full-time and approximately 12% of respondents indicated they were unemployed. These figures for unemployment mirror those

# of Responses % of Respondents 2010 U.S. Census

figures reported by the Employment Status

Full-time

employed

614

60%

U.S. Census Bureau in the

Part-time employed

2010 Census, wherein unHomemaker

employment was report89.6%

Full-time student

ed at just over 10%. Using

Retired

114

11%

the Census figures as a baDisabled

sis for comparison, the

Umemployed

122

12%

10.4%

survey obtained responsNot indicated

es from a representative

cross-section of the population, at least in terms of

employment status.

Question 8 asked respon- Household Income

dents to identify their

Less than $10,000

gross annual household

$10,000 - $14,999

income bracket. As with

$15,000 - $19,999

Question 7, the Center uti$20,000 - $39,999

lized data associated with

$40,000 - $59,999

this question to assess the

$60,000 - $74,999

effectiveness of the samOver $75,000

pling methodology in obNot

indicated

taining a representative

sample of the Reservation

population.

# of Responses % of Respondents 2010 U.S. Census

178

17%

17.8%

5.6%

277

27%

54.0%

208

20%

22.6%

0.0%

Comparing the survey results with the 2010 Census results suggests that the sample

population was adequately representative of the total Reservation population in terms

of household income. Individuals in the lowest income brackets were sampled at ideal

rates, as were individuals in the lower to middle income brackets. However, households

in the upper income bracket, i.e., “Over $75,000”, may have been slightly under sampled.

The 2010 Census indicates 22.6% of households on the Reservation fall into this income

bracket, but only 9% of survey respondents reported this level of household income.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

COMPUTER ACCESS

Question 9 asked survey respondents about their access to the Internet and their online

tribal information resource visitation patterns. The number of respondents who indicated they did have access to the Internet (67%) was essentially equal to the number of

respondents (68%) who have visited the Tribes’ website. Half of respondents had viewed

information at www.tribaltribune.com. This series of questions was designed to ascertain whether or not Internet-based communications to community members is an effective way of disseminating information within the community, and if so, which online

resources are more likely to be visited by community members.

Age Group

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-64

65 or older

Not indicated

Total

Sample

Size

Question 9

Do you have a computer with access to the Internet?

If yes, have you visited

If yes, have you visted

Those Answering

www.colvilletribes.com ? www.thetribaltribune.com ?

"Yes"

220

187

392

143

1026

168

122

284

685

65%

76%

65%

72%

41%

55%

67%

66%

81%

75%

70%

35%

55%

68%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

37%

61%

53%

32%

27%

50%

HOLISTIC GOAL AND DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS

The Colville Business Council adopted the Holistic Goal by resolution in 1996. The Holistic Goal seeks to maintain the Colville Reservation as a self-sustaining sovereign entity

with flourishing enterprises and productive landscapes of rangelands, croplands, forests,

riparian areas, streams and lakes that provide a rural life-style with the population in

balance with a biologically diverse environment.

Familiarity with and Opinion of Holistic Goals

Community Survey Responses by Age Group

Age Group

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-64

65 or older

Total

Question 10

Familiar with Holistic

Goal?

% of Age

YES

Group

172

319

10%

21%

29%

44%

27%

31%

Question 10a

Success in Achieving Goal*

Significant

Progress

Some Progress

Little Progress

No Progress

11%

67%

68%

42%

49%

33%

48%

19%

33%

36%

46%

34%

17%

11%

13%

10%

*As a percentage of those answering in the affirmative to Question 10

Note: It should be noted that 3 individuals answering in the affirmative to Question 10

did not indicate their age. These individuals are not included here.

The survey queried whether respondents were familiar with the Holistic Goal and 32%

indicated that they were familiar. Of these, the group most familiar with the Holistic Goal

were in the 45-64 age group (44%). Those familiar with the goal were asked to rate the

success of the Tribes in achieving it. The majority (48%) felt that some progress has been

made with an additional 7% rating progress as significant, for a total of 55% with a positive evaluation. Only 10% of those familiar with the Holistic Goal felt that no progress has

been achieved and 34% felt that there has only been a little progress in achieving the goal.

During development of the 2000 IRMP, the planning team developed a list of Desired

Future Conditions. The list expands on the environmental aspects of the Holistic Goal

with specifics on the preservation and enhancement of the natural resources of the Reservation.

Only 23% of respondents were familiar with the Desired Future Conditions. Of those

familiar, the majority (51%) felt that some progress has been made with an additional 4%

who felt that significant progress has been made, resulting in a total of 55% with a positive evaluation. This corresponds with the positive evaluation of progress achieving the

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Holistic Goal. Of those familiar with the Desired Future Conditions, 40% felt that little or

no progress has been made.

Familiarity with and Opinion of Desired Future Conditions

Community Survey Responses by Age Group

Age Group

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-64

65 or older

Total

Question 11

Familiar with DFCs?

% of Age

YES

Group

111

234

19%

18%

22%

28%

18%

23%

Question 11a

Success in Achieving DFCs*

Significant

Progress

Some Progress

Little Progress

No Progress

67%

64%

56%

48%

42%

51%

25%

28%

17%

42%

34%

15%

*As a percentage of those answering in the affirmative to Question 11

Breaking down responses by age group indicates that younger respondents are more

optimistic than older respondents in their evaluations. Those in the 25-34 age group feel

that progress has been made on the Holistic Goal (70%) and toward the Desired Future

Conditions (67%). At the other end, only 38% of elders (65+) felt that progress has been

made on the Holistic Goal, however, this group was evenly split on the Desired Future

Conditions (50% each).

WATER RESOURCES

The survey contained four questions related to water resources (Questions 12-15) which

were aimed at drinking water, wastewater, and the recreational use of water features on

the Reservvation.

Regarding drinking water, the majority of respondents (63%) indicated the community

water system as being their delivery source, while approximately 34% receive their water

from a private well. When asked about the quality of their drinking water, approximately

78% of respondents answered “Good” or “Adequate”, while 21% answered “Poor.” After

controlling the question of drinking water quality (Question 13) based on drinking water

source (Question 12), only 13% of respondents who obtained their water from a private

well indicated “Poor” quality drinking water; whereas 26% of respondents who obtained

water from the community water system indicated “Poor” quality drinking water.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Question 14 asked respondents how their wastewater was discharged from their homes.

Approximately half of respondents (53%) indicated they were connected to the community’s sewer system, and 44% answered, “Private septic leach field system.”

When asked about their recreational use of water resources on the Reservation (Question 15), over 70% of respondents utilized these resources for fishing (71%) and swimming (75%). The second most common recreational uses indicated by respondents were

cultural activities (51%) and boating (43%).

Question 15

Do you take advantage of the recreational opportunities

provided by the lakes, rivers and streams?

Fishing

Boating

Waterskiing

Swimming

Cultural activities

Other

Not interested

Responses

730

445

124

766

520

126

Percentage

71%

43%

12%

75%

51%

12%

AIR QUALITY

As suggested by responses to Question 16, air quality on the Colville Reservation is generally good to very good, with 95% of respondents indicating either “Excellent” or “Good”

in response to the question. However, a large percentage of respondents (43%) indicated

that the air quality on the Reservation is worse in summer months than any other time of

year. Known point source polluters on the Reservation include timber milling operations

and the large number of gasoline filling stations in the Omak/Okanogan area. Unauthorized burning of detritus, forest/wild fires, and residential wood burning are also common sources of air pollution throughout the Reservation.

Question 17

Is there any time of the year when the air quality is worse

than other times?

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Don't experience any change

Responses

233

129

446

167

226

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

23%

13%

43%

16%

22%

Responses to Question 18 show that a large number of respondents (54%) use firewood

during the winter to heat some portion of their residence. Several follow-up questions

(Questions 18a-18d) pertaining to the use of firewood as heating fuel were posed to this

group of respondents. Of this group, 91% burn firewood in a woodstove rather than a

fireplace, and 77% claim firewood as their primary source of heat in the winter. Question

18c asked this group of respondents to estimate the number of cords of firewood they

burn each year, a summary of the responses to this question is shown in chart below.

About how many cords of wood do you burn each year?

As a percentage of respondents answering "Yes" to Question 18

24%

22%

13%

11%

16%

10%

1 or less

7 or more

The survey also asked respondents to comment on some of the health concerns pertaining to smoke from: residential use of firewood, prescribed burns related to forest management, and wild/forest fires. The large majority of respondents (80%) did not name residential use of firewood as an air quality problem, nor did 62% of respondents name

prescribed burns as an air quality problem or health concern. However, 54% of respondents indicated that smoke from wildfires is a health concern.

Question 21

Is smoke from wildfires a health concern for you?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

554

361

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

54%

35%

10%

AGRICULTURE

Farming and upland agricultural irrigation on the Reservation has been on the decline

since the 1950s. Since that point in time, some tribal lands have been converted to orchards, and the Tribes have identified the potential to develop modern agricultural infrastructure suitable for commercial operation. When asked about expanding commercial

irrigation infrastructure on the Reservation, a significant number of survey respondents

(47%) indicated this would have a positive effect in the community (an additional 34%

stated they had no opinion on the matter).

Question 22

Should the Tribes expand agriculture on the Reservation by

developing irrigation infrastructure for large-scale

commercial agriculture?

Yes

No opinion

Not indicated

Responses

481

171

353

Percentage

47%

17%

34%

Of the 1,026 survey responses received, only 75 respondents (7%) claimed to have ever

been involved in commercial agriculture as a business or an employee. On the other

hand, 166 respondents (16%) indicated that they personally owned some form of livestock, most notably: horses (82%), chickens (25%), and cows (19%).

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

RANGELAND

There are over 918,000 acres of rangeland within designated range units on the Reservation. Questions 25 – 30 asked community members to share their opinion about how

those lands are utilized and how they should be managed by the Tribes.

In the last two decades, cattle grazing has played an increasingly less dominant role in

the Reservation economy; only 8% of survey respondents indicated that they grazed livestock on the Reservation’s rangelands. The Tribes’ Land Operations/Range Program reports that there are currently 4,000 head of cattle, which only accounts for about 35-40%

of the allowable animal unit months. When survey respondents were asked whether or

not the Tribes should allow off-reservation cattle ranchers to graze cattle on the Reservation, 71% indicated an aversion to the concept.

Question 27 was designed to gauge the community’s general feelings toward cattle grazing on the Reservation. Thirty-four percent (34%) of respondents felt grazing was an important source of income to tribal ranchers and allotment owners, and 34% of respondents

felt that livestock and wildlife grazing are essential to maintaining rangeland health and

production.

Question 27

How do you feel about cattle grazing on the Reservation?

Grazing is an important source of income for tribal ranchers and

allotment owners.

Grazing is part of the Reservation culture and should be

continued.

Livestock and wildlife grazing are essential to maintain the health

and productivity of the Reservation rangelands.

Cattle can impact streams and wetlands when they are allowed to

remain in one place for too long.

Responses

Percentage

345

34%

240

23%

345

34%

588

57%

Heavily grazed range units should not be grazed every year.

505

49%

Grazing should be discontinued on the Reservation.

214

21%

Question 27 also revealed that survey respondents believe cattle grazing on rangeland has

the potential to negatively impact streams and wetlands if not managed correctly (57%),

and that heavily grazed range units should not be grazed every year (49%). However,

only 21% of respondents indicated their belief that grazing on the Reservation should be

discontinued all together.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Question 28 asked respondents to state their feelings about wild horses on the Reservation. The majority of respondents (57%) indicated that they thought wild horses are part

of the Reservation culture and should be maintained, though 38% indicated that the herd

should be limited to less than 200 horses. Only 8% of respondents stated that wild horses

should be removed from the Reservation entirely.

The Tribes recognize that invasive non-native plant species pose one of the most serious

threats to wildlife habitat and biodiversity throughout the Reservation. The vast majority

of survey respondents (94%) indicated their concurrence with this assessment, stating

that it is important or somewhat important for the Tribes to control the spread of noxious

weeds on the Reservation. This concurrence, however, was caveated by the response to

Question 30, where 70% of respondents stated that whenever possible, non-herbicidal

weed control measures should be used as a first resort. Only 7% of respondents did not

agree with this statement.

FORESTS

Respondents were asked to indicate how they feel about the Tribes’ management of the

forested lands of the Reservation. Question 31 provided nine possible responses from

which a respondent could choose any response with which they agreed.

Question 31

How do you feel about the Tribes’ forest management?

(Check all that apply):

Responses

Percentage

It provides an essential revenue source for the Tribes.

479

47%

It provides many jobs for tribal members and others.

534

52%

137

13%

133

13%

556

54%

125

12%

317

31%

Timber harvesting involves too much clear-cutting.

354

35%

The forest should be allowed to return to its natural state with no

management or fire suppression.

It should return to the level of harvesting it was at during the last

10 years before the downturn in the economy.

It should be accelerated above recent levels by additional treatments

for overstocked areas to increase revenue, jobs and per capita pmts.

It should focus on forest-wide thinning of insect and fire prone tree

stands to restore forest health.

The Tribes have been successful in minimizing the negative

environmental effects of forest practices and timber harvesting.

Not enough has been done to reduce the environmental impacts of

timber harvesting and other forest practices.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Respondents agreed significantly that the forests of the Reservation provide an essential revenue source (47%) for the Tribes and jobs (52%) for tribal members and the community. Many respondents to Question 32 indicated that they work or have worked in

forest related positions, including the tribal and BIA forestry programs or other natural

resource programs at the Tribes, as well as timber harvesting, milling and manufacturing,

and fire management.

The strongest response to the question on forest management (54%) prioritized forest-wide thinning of insect and fire prone tree stands to restore forest health. Question 42

further revealed respondents preferences concerning forest management. Five alternative management approaches for the Tribes’ forest and rangelands were presented and

respondents were asked to choose which management approach should be adopted.

Respondent Views on Alternative Approaches to Forest and Range Management

2014 Community Survey Responses by Age Group

Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Alternative 5

Concentrate on

forest and

Enhance and

Expand forest

Eliminate

Continue the

improve the rangeland health

and cattle

harvesting and

current

strategy

current

strategy

problems

production

livestock

grazing

Sample

Age Group

As a Percentage of Age Group

Size

18-24

18%

39%

26%

15%

25-34

220

17%

52%

40%

35-44

187

15%

49%

39%

12%

45-64

392

10%

61%

55%

65 or older

143

23%

46%

43%

10%

13%

Not indicated

14%

27%

23%

Total

1026

15%

53%

45%

10%

153

543

458

102

153 Responses 543 Responses

458

Responses

102

Responses

543

458

153

102

Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Alternative 5

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

The majority (53%) preferred a management approach that would enhance and improve

the Tribes’ current management strategy. The second largest response (45%) was for an

approach that would concentrate on forest and rangeland health problems. Although

most respondents chose only one alternative, 291 chose more than one. The majority of

them (203) chose a combination of the Enhance & Improve and the Forest & Rangeland

Health alternatives.

Responses to questions concerning progress in achieving the Holistic Goal and Desired

Future Conditions revealed that 55% of respondents felt that progress has been made

in managing the natural resources of the Reservation. Similarly, in Question 42, 53% indicate that the current management approach is effective but seek enhancement, with

a clear indication that forest and rangeland health problems should receive additional

emphasis (45%).

This is further emphasized by responses to Question 34 concerning the importance of

controlling insects and disease. The responses were almost unanimous (97%) that controlling insects and disease was very important (83%) or somewhat important (14%). Fire

protection and fuels management also received near unanimous support (97%).

Only 7% of respondents want to see a management focus that expands forest and cattle

production. More respondents (10%) would prefer to entirely eliminate both timber harvesting and livestock grazing on the Reservation. Accelerating timber harvesting was

supported by only 13% of respondents. Interestingly, even returning to the harvest level

prior to the recession only received support from 13% of respondents to Question 31.

Approximately one-third of respondents feel that not enough has been done to reduce the

environmental impacts of timber harvesting and other forest practices, and that timber

harvesting involves too much clear-cutting.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

FOREST ACCESS ROADS

Forest access roads, which are largely constructed to facilitate forest maintenance and

timber harvesting, are also used by the community for a variety of purposes. Question

35 asked how people use the roads and their feelings about the impact of the roads.

Significantly, 70% of respondents acknowledged that the forest roads provide access for

hunting, fishing and gathering.

Question 36 asked how respondents use the forest access roads, with hunting receiving

the most responses (72%), followed by gathering (66%), fishing (55%) and firewood

gathering (51%). Only 5% of respondents indicated that they do not use forest access

roads.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

These uses are important to a significant majority of respondents as corroborated in later questions. Question 45 (“Do you hunt?”) received an affirmative response from 66%

of respondents, Question 49 (“Do you fish…”) received 73%, and Question 55 (“Do you

gather…”) received 69%.

The importance of forest access roads for fire protection was indicated by 58% of respondents, the second largest response to Question 35. The need to maintain these roads

to prevent environmental damage is supported by 50% of respondents and 39% believe

that, lacking maintenance, many roads have caused soil erosion that degrades fish habitat and water quality. Only 23% of respondents feel that there are too many forest access

roads. Uncertainty as to whether a forest access road was open or closed was expressed

by 58% of respondents and 34% indicated they have knowingly driven on a closed road

to access forest resources.

FISH AND WILDLIFE

The Colville Reservation has a wide variety of wildlife habitats as well as streams, lakes,

and rivers with a variety of fish species. Survey respondents were almost unanimous in

their concerns about managing these resources. Asked how important it is for the Tribes

to monitor wildlife populations, habitat conditions and harvest data, 97% indicated that

it is either very important (81%) or somewhat important (16%).

Protecting threatened, endangered or sensitive species of fish and wildlife is almost unanimously supported by respondents. Only 1% of respondents feel that this protection is

not important.

Whereas, 75% of respondents feel that lakes, rivers and streams are adequately stocked

with fish, significant concern was expressed about wildlife conditions, especially for

game animals. Respondents indicated (52%) that, in general, the habitats of the Reservation adequately support the wildlife species important to them. However, 46% either feel

that they don’t (16%) or aren’t sure (30%).

Question 50

In general, do you think the habitats of the Reservation

adequately support the wildlife species that are important

to you?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

529

169

303

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

52%

16%

30%

Of the respondents who indicated that they hunt, 92% hunt on the lands of the Reservation. Almost all hunting respondents hunt deer (97%), followed by elk (73%), grouse

(59%) and moose (40%).

Question 45b

If yes, have you ever hunted any of the game listed

below? (Check all that apply):

Moose

Deer

Elk

Waterfowl

Turkey

Grouse

Other

Responses

271

651

489

208

401

Percentage

40%

97%

73%

11%

31%

59%

Game animals and fish are an important source of food for tribal families, with 73% indicating game animals and 52% indicating fish as an important food source. The resilience

of game animals on the Reservation, however, is a significant concern. The largest percentage (39%) of respondents feel that the number of big game on the Reservation has

declined in number over the last 15 years. Over half (52%) of respondents reported seeing

big game animals wasted or taken for antlers or other body parts.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Focusing on hunter responses to questions on game animals (46, 47 & 48) reveals a strong

belief that their numbers are declining (43%) and only 18% feel that their numbers are increasing. Non-hunters support this, but 45% of them acknowledge that they don’t know.

Hunters had the strongest response (60%) to sightings of wasted animals and non-hunters were the most likely (65%) to indicate they hadn’t seen this evidence.

Question 48 asked whether hunting season for does should be reduced or eliminated to

increase the deer population. Hunters expressed the strongest support (42%) for this, but

also a significant opposition (32%). Overall, 39% of respondents support restrictions or

elimination of doe hunting and approximately 32% oppose them.

Respondent Views About Hunting on the Reservation

Hunters vs. Non-Hunters

Hunters

70%

50%

35%

30%

45%

43%

40%

10%

65%

60%

20%

Non-Hunters

21%

18%

11%

40%

44%

42%

37%

32%

20%

18%

20%

13%

Increasing About the Declining

in number

same

in number

Don't

know

Yes

opinion

Question 47

Question 46

Question 48

What do you think is happening to the Have you ever seen Should the hunting season for

number of big game on the Reservation evidence of big

does on the Reservation be

over the last 15 years?

game animals

reduced or eliminated to

hunted and wasted increase the number of deer?

or just taken for

their antlers or other

specific body parts?

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Reservation lands designated as game reserves, wilderness areas and mitigation lands

are managed with an emphasis on wildlife values. Question 43 asked respondents how

important it is to them to continue this management focus on these lands. Once again,

respondents were virtually unanimous (95%) in stating that it is very important (82%) or

somewhat important (15%) to manage these lands for wildlife values.

Question 43

The Tribes have designated over 200,000 acres of

Reservation land as game reserves, wilderness areas and

other lands dedicated primarily as wildlife habitat. How

important is it to you that these lands continue to be

managed for wildlife values?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

787

189

Percentage

77%

18%

CULTURAL RESOURCES

The protection and preservation of cultural and archaeological resources is extremely

important to survey respondents. When asked whether the IRMP should provide for

protection and preservation (Question 53), respondents were virtually unanimous (97%)

in stating that it is very important (85%) or somewhat important (12%).

Question 53

How important is it to you that cultural and archaeological

resources (e.g. pictographs, rock art, picture trees and other

indications of those who came before) be protected and

preserved under the Integrated Resource Management

Plan?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

873

126

Percentage

85%

12%

Language preservation is also very important, and providing children with the opportunity to learn their native language (Question 52) is considered important by almost all

respondents (96%). It is considered very important by 79% of respondents and somewhat

important by another 17%. Only 3% of respondents feel that it is not important.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Traditional cultural plants play an important role in the lives of respondents who are almost unanimous (97%) in their desire to protect and preserve them under the IRMP

(Question 54). Only 1% indicated that it is not important.

Question 54

How important is it to you that traditional cultural plants

be protected and preserved under the Integrated Resource

Management Plan?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

824

176

Percentage

80%

17%

A large majority of respondents (69%) indicate that they or their family members actively

gather plants on the Reservation (Question 55). Of those who gather, they were evenly

divided between describing their access to these gathering sites as fairly easy (49%) or

somewhat difficult (49%). Only 4% indicated that access to most sites was very difficult.

When asked if they have particular sites that they use regularly, a large majority of respondents (84%) said “Yes.”

Question 55

Do you or any family members actively gather plants on

the Reservation that are traditionally used for food,

medicine or ceremonial purposes?

Yes

Not indicated

Responses

711

294

Percentage

69%

29%

Respondents were also asked if their ability to gather plants and other natural resources

have been impacted by land management practices or wildfire (Question 55b). The two

most cited impacts were wildfire (45%) and livestock and wildlife grazing (45%). Closed

roads (42%) and timber harvesting (42%) were the second most cited impacts. Loss of

access to particular sites was indicated by 35% of respondents.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Question 55b

Has your ability to gather plants and other natural

resources been impacted by any of the following?

(Check all that apply):

Wildfire damage

Closed roads

Livestock or wildlife grazing

Over harvesting of plants or other natural resources

Timber harvesting

Herbicide treatment of weeds

Loss of access to particular areas

Not impacted

Responses

319

296

323

133

300

169

247

Percentage

45%

42%

45%

19%

42%

24%

35%

13%

Respondents (66%) indicated that they use forest access roads to access gathering sites

(Question 36) and 34% indicated that they have driven on a closed road to access gathering sites, game animals or for recreation (Question 38). Tribal members desire to continue

actively gathering traditional cultural plants on the Reservation. Gathering foods, medicines and plants used for ceremonial activities represents an important aspect of tribal

members’ cultural identity. Traditional gathering on foot or on horseback has changed

to access with vehicles and a road system. The community sees the road system as access, including community members who might not have access otherwise. Comments

by some respondents also mention the need for maintenance of these roads to ensure

gathering access.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

SURVEY QUESTION RESPONSES

This section compiles all of the responses to the survey questions. Most respondents

completed all the questions in the survey questionnaire, but in some cases, questions

were left unanswered. In addition, some questions allowed respondents to check more

than one response to a question, whereas others required only one response. Some questions had follow-up questions when the answer was “Yes.” Consequently, total responses vary accordingly.

The percentages reported throughout this report may not sum perfectly to 100% due to

rounding and especially on questions where multiple responses were chosen by respondents. Responses are shown with the actual number of responses and the calculated

percentage. Colored bars are displayed to illustrate the percentages. Percentages shown

in khaki represent the percentage of all survey responses (i.e., all 1,026 responses). Percentages shown in brown represent a subset of applicable responses to the preceding

question (i.e., some number of responses less than 1,026).

Question 1

Are you a:

Tribal member living on the Reservation

Tribal member living off the Reservation

Non-tribal member living on the Reservation

Non-tribal member employed by the Tribes or BIA

Not indicated

Responses

704

115

125

Percentage

69%

11%

12%

Responses

244

275

280

Percentage

28%

31%

10%

32%

1a.

Question 1a

If you live on the Reservation, what District do you

live in?

Omak

Nespelem

Keller

Inchelium

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Question 2

Are you:

Male

Female

Responses

430

596

Percentage

42%

58%

Question 3

What age group are you in?

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-64

65 or older

Not indicated

Responses

220

187

392

143

Percentage

21%

18%

38%

14%

Question 4

What is your current marital status?

Never Married

Married or living as married

Divorced or separated

Widowed

Not indicated

Responses

351

409

190

Percentage

34%

40%

19%

Question 5

Are you head of the household?

Yes

Responses

733

293

Percentage

71%

29%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Question 6

How many people, including yourself, are in your

household?

Not indicated

Mean

Median

Question 7

What is your employment or work status?

Full-time employed

Part-time employed

Homemaker

Full-time student

Retired

Disabled

Umemployed

Not indicated

Responses

148

255

205

165

112

Percentage

14%

25%

20%

16%

11%

3.25

Responses

614

114

122

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

60%

11%

12%

Question 8

What best describes your annual household income

(before taxes)?

Less than $10,000

$10,000 - $14,999

$15,000 - $19,999

$20,000 - $39,999

$40,000 - $59,999

$60,000 - $74,999

Over $75,000

Not indicated

Responses

178

277

208

Percentage

17%

27%

20%

Question 9

Do you have a computer with access to the Internet?

Yes

Responses

685

341

Percentage

67%

33%

9a.

Question 9a

If yes, have you visited the Tribes’ website

(www.colvilletribes.com)?

Yes

Responses

467

218

Percentage

68%

32%

9b.

Question 9b

Have you visited The Tribal Tribune

(www.thetribaltribune.com)?

Yes

Responses

345

340

Percentage

50%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

10.

Question 10

Are you familiar with the Tribes’ Holistic Goal

(CBC Resolution 1996-23)?

Yes

Responses

322

704

Percentage

31%

69%

10a.

Question 10a

If yes, how successful have the Tribes been in

achieving the Holistic Goal during the last 15 years?

Significant progress has been made

Some progress has been made

Little progress has been made

No progress has been made

Not indicated

Responses

155

109

Percentage

48%

34%

10%

11.

Question 11

Are you familiar with the list of Desired Future Conditions

in the Tribes’ Integrated Resource Management Plan?

Yes

11a.

Question 11a

If yes, how successful have the Tribes been in

achieving the Desired Future Conditions during the

last 15 years?

Significant progress has been made

Some progress has been made

Little progress has been made

No progress has been made

Not indicated

Responses

234

792

Responses

120

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

23%

77%

Percentage

51%

35%

12.

Question 12

Is the drinking water in your home provided by:

Private well

Community water system

Other

Not indicated

Responses

347

643

Percentage

34%

63%

Question 13

Do you feel the drinking water quality in your home is:

Good

Adequate

Poor

Not indicated

Responses

417

377

218

Percentage

41%

37%

21%

Question 14

Is your wastewater discharged via:

Community sewer system

Private septic leach field system

Not indicated

Responses

543

449

Percentage

53%

44%

Question 15

Do you take advantage of the recreational opportunities

provided by the lakes, rivers and streams?

Fishing

Boating

Waterskiing

Swimming

Cultural activities

Other

Not interested

Responses

730

445

124

766

520

126

Percentage

71%

43%

12%

75%

51%

12%

13.

14.

15.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

16.

17.

Question 16

How would you generally describe the outdoor air quality

where you live?

Excellent

Good

Poor

Responses

376

595

Percentage

37%

58%

Question 17

Is there any time of the year when the air quality is worse

than other times?

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Don't experience any change

Responses

233

129

446

167

226

Percentage

23%

13%

43%

16%

22%

Question 18

Do you use firewood to heat any part of your residence in

the winter months?

Yes

I have a pellet stove

Responses

555

389

102

Percentage

54%

38%

10%

18.

18a.

18b.

Question 18a

If yes, do you have a:

Wood stove

Fireplace

Responses

506

Percentage

91%

12%

Question 18b

Is this your primary source of heat?

Yes

Responses

426

129

Percentage

77%

23%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

18c.

Question 18c

About how many cords of wood do you burn each

year?

1 or less

7 or more

Responses

132

123

Percentage

11%

24%

22%

13%

16%

10%

Question 18d

What is the primary species of wood you burn?

Larch/Tamarack

Douglas Fir

Ponderosa Pine

Lodgepole Pine

Other

Responses

458

223

Percentage

83%

40%

18d.

19.

20.

Question 19

Does smoke from woodstoves and fireplaces create an air

quality problem for you during winter months?

Yes

Responses

206

820

Percentage

20%

80%

Question 20

The Tribes use prescribed fires to reduce the buildup of

excess fuels in the forest and to maintain forest health. Is

smoke from prescribed burn treatments a health concern

for you?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

211

634

164

Percentage

21%

62%

16%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

21.

22.

Question 21

Is smoke from wildfires a health concern for you?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

554

361

Percentage

54%

35%

10%

Question 22

Should the Tribes expand agriculture on the Reservation by

developing irrigation infrastructure for large-scale

commercial agriculture?

Yes

No opinion

Not indicated

Responses

481

171

353

Percentage

47%

17%

34%

Question 23

Are you involved in any commercial agriculture (such as

farming and orchards) as a business or as an employee?

Yes

Responses

951

Percentage

93%

Responses

166

860

Percentage

16%

84%

23.

24.

Question 24

Do you own any livestock?

Yes

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

24a.

25.

26.

27.

Question 24a

If yes, what livestock do you own?

Cows

Chickens

Horses

Sheep

Goats

Pigs

Ducks or geese

Other

Responses

136

Percentage

19%

25%

82%

Question 25

Do you or any member of your household graze livestock

on any of the Reservation’s rangelands?

Yes

Responses

942

Percentage

92%

Question 26

Over the years the amount of cattle grazing on the

Reservation’s rangeland has decreased significantly. Should

the Tribes allow off-reservation cattle ranchers to graze

cattle on the Reservation if they pay the full market rate?

Yes

Responses

294

732

Percentage

29%

71%

Responses

Percentage

345

34%

240

23%

345

34%

588

57%

Heavily grazed range units should not be grazed every year.

505

49%

Grazing should be discontinued on the Reservation.

214

21%

Question 27

How do you feel about cattle grazing on the Reservation?

Grazing is an important source of income for tribal ranchers and

allotment owners.

Grazing is part of the Reservation culture and should be

continued.

Livestock and wildlife grazing are essential to maintain the health

and productivity of the Reservation rangelands.

Cattle can impact streams and wetlands when they are allowed to

remain in one place for too long.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

28.

Question 28

How do you feel about the wild horses on the

Reservation? (Check all that apply):

They are part of the Reservation culture and should be

maintained.

They should be managed to keep the herd size under 200 horses.

The growing number of horses has an increasing impact on

rangeland and stream corridors of the Reservation.

Responses

Percentage

580

57%

395

38%

330

32%

Question 29

How important is it for the Tribes to control the spread of

noxious weeds on the Reservation?

Important

Somewhat important

Not important

Don't know

Not indicated

Responses

862

106

Percentage

84%

10%

Question 30

Should alternative weed control measures such as insects,

mowing, reseeding and hand-pulling be used instead of

herbicides whenever possible?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

715

231

Percentage

70%

23%

They should be removed from the Reservation.

29.

30.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

31.

Question 31

How do you feel about the Tribes’ forest management?

(Check all that apply):

Responses

Percentage

It provides an essential revenue source for the Tribes.

479

47%

It provides many jobs for tribal members and others.

534

52%

137

13%

133

13%

556

54%

125

12%

317

31%

Timber harvesting involves too much clear-cutting.

354

35%

The forest should be allowed to return to its natural state with no

management or fire suppression.

Responses

160

102

126

140

106

Percentage

16%

10%

12%

14%

10%

It should return to the level of harvesting it was at during the last

10 years before the downturn in the economy.

It should be accelerated above recent levels by additional treatments

for overstocked areas to increase revenue, jobs and per capita pmts.

It should focus on forest-wide thinning of insect and fire prone tree

stands to restore forest health.

The Tribes have been successful in minimizing the negative

environmental effects of forest practices and timber harvesting.

Not enough has been done to reduce the environmental impacts of

timber harvesting and other forest practices.

32.

Question 32

Have you ever been or are you now employed in any forest

related businesses? (Check all that apply):

Tribal/BIA Forestry

Natural Resource programs other than Forestry

Timber harvesting, lumber mills and wood products manufacturing

Fire management

Private contractor for forest services

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

33.

Question 33

How important is it to you that the Tribes provide fire

protection and work to reduce the buildup of fuels in

wildland areas?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

807

187

Percentage

79%

18%

Question 34

How important is it to you that the Tribes manage the

forest to control insects and disease?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

849

146

Percentage

83%

14%

Question 35

There are over 5,000 miles of forest access roads on the

Reservation. How do you feel about these roads? (Check

all that apply):

Responses

Percentage

The roads are necessary to manage the commercial forest.

451

44%

The roads are important for fire protection.

594

58%

The roads provide access for hunting, fishing and gathering.

720

70%

The roads should be maintained to prevent environmental damage.

512

50%

Lacking maintenance, many roads have caused soil erosion that

degrades fish habitat and water quality.

397

39%

There are too many roads in the forest.

240

23%

I don’t use the roads.

34.

35.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

36.

Question 36

Do you use forest access roads for any of the following?

(Check all that apply):

Hunting

Fishing

Gathering plants and other natural resources

Off-road and all-terrain vehicles

Firewood gathering

Other

Responses

736

566

681

214

522

144

Percentage

72%

55%

66%

21%

51%

14%

Question 37

Have you ever been uncertain as to whether a forest access

road was closed or open for use?

Yes

Responses

599

427

Percentage

58%

42%

Question 38

Have you ever driven on a closed road to access gathering

sites, game animals or for recreation?

Yes

Responses

353

673

Percentage

34%

66%

Question 39

Should Off-Road or All-Terrain vehicles be restricted to

specified locations on the Reservation?

Yes

No opinion

Not indicated

Responses

493

282

238

Percentage

48%

27%

23%

37.

38.

39.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

40.

41.

Question 40

Do you or any member of your household gather

firewood for your personal use or resale?

Yes

Responses

536

490

Percentage

52%

48%

Question 41

Do you or any member of your household cut trees for

poles or posts for personal use?

Yes

Responses

324

702

Percentage

32%

68%

Question 42

Which of the following approaches do you think should be

the management focus for the Reservation’s forests and

rangeland?

Continue the current management strategy.

Enhance and improve the current management strategy.

Concentrate on forest and rangeland health problems.

Expand forest and cattle production.

Eliminate timber harvesting and livestock grazing.

Responses

153

543

458

102

Percentage

15%

53%

45%

10%

Question 43

The Tribes have designated over 200,000 acres of

Reservation land as game reserves, wilderness areas and

other lands dedicated primarily as wildlife habitat. How

important is it to you that these lands continue to be

managed for wildlife values?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

787

189

Percentage

77%

18%

42.

43.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

44.

45.

Question 44

How important is it to you that the Tribes manage the

Reservation to protect threatened, endangered or sensitive

species of fish and wildlife?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

839

153

Percentage

82%

15%

Question 45

Do you hunt?

Yes

Responses

674

352

Percentage

66%

34%

45a.

45b.

Question 45a

If yes, where do you hunt? (Check all that apply):

On the Reservation

On lands north of the Reservation (former Reservation land)

Other

Responses

622

305

Percentage

92%

45%

Question 45b

If yes, have you ever hunted any of the game listed

below? (Check all that apply):

Moose

Deer

Elk

Waterfowl

Turkey

Grouse

Other

Responses

271

651

489

208

401

Percentage

40%

97%

73%

11%

31%

59%

Question 45c

Is hunting an important source of food for you and

your family?

Yes

Responses

745

281

Percentage

73%

27%

45c.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

46.

Question 46

What do you think is happening to the number of big

game on the Reservation over the last 15 years?

Increasing in number

About the same

Declining in number

Don't know

Responses

162

183

398

283

Percentage

16%

18%

39%

28%

Question 47

Have you ever seen evidence of big game animals hunted

and wasted or just taken for their antlers or other specific

body parts?

Yes

Responses

529

497

Percentage

52%

48%

Question 48

Should the hunting season for does on the Reservation be

reduced or eliminated to increase the number of deer?

Yes

No opinion

Not indicated

Responses

395

324

286

Percentage

38%

32%

28%

Question 49

Do you fish in the Reservation lakes, rivers or streams?

Yes

Responses

749

277

Percentage

73%

27%

47.

48.

49.

49a.

Question 49a

If yes, how often do you fish?

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Responses

146

440

168

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

19%

59%

22%

49b.

49c.

50.

51.

Question 49b

Is fishing an important source of food for you and

your family?

Yes

Responses

530

496

Percentage

52%

48%

Question 49c

Do you find that the lakes, rivers and streams are

adequately stocked with fish to meet your needs?

Yes

Responses

559

190

Percentage

75%

25%

Question 50

In general, do you think the habitats of the Reservation

adequately support the wildlife species that are important

to you?

Yes

Not sure

Not indicated

Responses

529

169

303

Percentage

52%

16%

30%

Question 51

How important do you think it is for the Tribes to

monitor wildlife populations, habitat conditions and

harvest data?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

833

161

Percentage

81%

16%

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

52.

Question 52

How important do you think it is for children to have the

opportunity to learn their native language?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

808

173

Percentage

79%

17%

How important is it to you that cultural and archaeological

resources (e.g. pictographs, rock art, picture trees and other

indications of those who came before) be protected and

preserved under the Integrated Resource Management

Plan?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

873

126

Percentage

85%

12%

Question 54

How important is it to you that traditional cultural plants

be protected and preserved under the Integrated Resource

Management Plan?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not important

Not indicated

Responses

824

176

Percentage

80%

17%

Question 55

Do you or any family members actively gather plants on

the Reservation that are traditionally used for food,

medicine or ceremonial purposes?

Yes

Not indicated

Responses

711

294

Percentage

69%

29%

53. Question 53

54.

55.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

55a.

55b.

55c.

Question 55a

If yes, is your access to most gathering sites:

Fairly easy

Somewhat difficult

Very difficult

Responses

348

350

Percentage

49%

Question 55b

Has your ability to gather plants and other natural

resources been impacted by any of the following?

(Check all that apply):

Wildfire damage

Closed roads

Livestock or wildlife grazing

Over harvesting of plants or other natural resources

Timber harvesting

Herbicide treatment of weeds

Loss of access to particular areas

Not impacted

Responses

319

296

323

133

300

169

247

Percentage

45%

42%

45%

19%

42%

24%

35%

13%

Question 55c

Do you have particular sites that you and your family

use regularly to gather traditional foods or traditional

medicines?

Yes

Responses

599

112

Percentage

84%

16%

56.

Question 56

Should the Tribes provide educational information about

culturally important plants and their uses?

Yes

No opinion

Not indicated

Responses

903

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Percentage

88%

RESPONDENT SURVEY COMMENTS

The final question of the survey provided respondents with the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns regarding natural resources and the way they are managed and used. Of the

1,026 respondents, only 309 (30%) responded to this question. The responses help to further illuminate the reasoning behind many of the responses to survey questions.

Question 57: Do you have any other observations or concerns about how natural resources are managed or used on the Reservation?

A natural resource extraction based economy, ie: timber, minerals, and grazing,

is prone to constant fluctuation. Even when there is an opportunity to profit

from natural resource extraction, we must consider maintaining the long-term

value of all resources on the Reservation. Water, wildlife, fish, and recreation

are also necessary to support the tribal community in monetary, subsistence

and traditional ways. We must manage the Reservation with multiple values in

mind in order to represent the diverse values and needs of tribal members.

I think the Tribe is doing a good job of managing their natural resources as a

whole across the Reservation. The only thing I have noticed is that hunting

season seems to be a little excessive as to limits and length of season. I believe

they should be reduced to increase population.

Prioritize preservation and providing for the necessities of our people, lands,

waters and air. 1. Preserve our lands and ensure that the forest and fields remain for future generations. We need to focus on saving the trees from disease

and insects, and save the fields from being overtaken by weeds and insects and

fires. 2. Preserve our waters. The climate is changing and the threat of drought

is near. We need to ensure that our lands and towns always have adequate

water to survive. We need to focus on keeping our waters pure and plentiful.

Possibly work out an agreement for one or more water reserves off the Columbia River. 3. We need to start thinking of providing food, water and shelter for

our people to ensure our survival. By becoming self-sufficient and more independent through our natural resources and the food sources: 1) grow wheat,

grains, fruits and vegetables. 2) Maintain our own fish, deer, elk, moose, poultry, cattle, etc. 3) Water reserves. 4) Too many of our people are homeless. We

can’t depend on outside sources (they just don’t care). We should care enough

to provide shelter for our own people. 4) Deer are scarce. It is embarrassing.

We as natives should know better than to hunt so much that we deplete our

food source. Cut the hunting season down to almost none until the deer, elk

and moose are plentiful. There are no birds to hunt any more. We need our

birds back. The fish are fine now, but when the drought comes we will need to

preserve them.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

Listen to all members rather than the few elders who claim to be the only land

experts as well as tribal council members with the same attitude. Develop and

access all reservation sites for community development where safe and sound

land management activities would enhance the reservation.

Enhance management in all natural resource programs.

I would like roads blocked and restored to natural after logging. People need

to be traditional and walk to hunt. This will also cut down on abuse and the

taking of wood off reservation!

Management is the operative word. A strong management plan must be in

place and all concerned must be made aware of the plan. Once a plan is in

place, enforcement must be followed through with, otherwise the plan is useless. Do not make policy just for the sake of policy. Grazing - enforce the rules

set forth by the grazing contract.

I feel that if they go to college to learn about natural resources, I have trust in

the people that are hired to do their job to take care of the natural resources of

our land

The Tribes have a model program and the state and federal governments look at

our forests as an example of what they should look like.

10.

I believe all information about gathering of native plants on and off reservation should be made available to tribal members. Strengthen and improve our

working relationships with other agencies when it comes to all aboriginal lands

in regard to artifacts, hunting, fishing and gathering. Tribal departments should

collaborate to plant native plants (edible, medicinal and spiritual) in addition to

trees, fish and wildlife. Work on a plan to reintroduce traditional foods through

an agricultural, gathering, hunting and fishing plan that would teach our tribal

members to eat healthier, be able to go out and gather, hunt, fish and be able to

harvest and store these foods and medicines. We should have signage for areas

in English and Salish. Revitalize huckleberry patches and improve roads to get

out to huckleberries. Over grown brush on roads and other brush are choking

out edible plants.

11.

I believe natural/cultural resources are very important and need to be protected. However, it is important to account for human need as well. There should

be a good balance between preservation and the economy to where they help

and balance one another. That is my general opinion. I am new to the area so

I am still learning about the particulars. I believe this is a very important issue

everywhere.

12.

Language. It is a known fact that the nx?anxcub abd nunukou languages are at a

critical state. These languages need to be taught in the Nespelem area where the

majority of their members reside. Range: I also believe ENDING OPEN RANGE

to cattle and reducing wild horses is NECESSARY in healing our water, springs,

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

creeks and rivers. I have surveyed different lands throughout the reservation

and I have seen with my eyes the trampled banks and creek beds and smelt with

my nose the devastation of pollution cattle have on our lands and NO WHERE

off Reservation lands is open range permitted and cattle allowed to roam freely

destroying creeks and streams, so WHY do we allow it here??? Cattle aren’t a

native Indian food. As an Indian lady it is degrading to be put second to cattle. Water: With “Global Warming” I believe with my heart and soul our water

needs to be healed and protected. Please hear my cry for our water. If we respect Mother Earth, she will continue to care for us Indian People. Gathering:

I have gone to dig roots during the spring and cattle had been released into

our digging grounds. If there wasn’t Open Range this wouldn’t be an issue.

There are many families that go out into the forest to pick berries and Indian

medicines STILL! We don’t broadcast that we still continue our culture, it is our

teachings to be humble during certain practices. But the over harvesting, and

forest undercuts are grossly massive. We are not a European Forest. We are

Indian/Native and our forest should be kept to the best of natural state as possible. Fish: Our salmon, due to the fact that there is no ladder for fish passage

at Chief Joseph Dam or Grand Coulee Dam, we have no salmon. I am Indian,

my body and soul crave salmon. We need clean water on our reservation so

that when the day comes when the salmon are returned to the upper Columbia

River we will have clean water and a home for them.

13.

Focus more on noxious weed eradication. Do some professional studies to show

the possible positive impact that correct and adequate management of livestock

can have on our wildlife populations. Also study positive impacts that correctly

managed livestock can have on our land and noxious weeds. Do better education on the necessity of managing our forest.

14.

I think all programs involved are doing a good job.

15.

The IRMP should not be motivated primarily by income generating opportunities. It should be based first and foremost on preserving the resources for future

generations, for maintaining habitats for the wildlife. Predators such as coyotes

would not be living so close to our communities if we were not destroying their

habitats. I think success should be measured by balanced numbers. Getting

rid of bounties on animals would be a success. Insect Control. I think the environment can control itself to an appreciable degree. That is largely undercut by

propaganda that supports the logging industry.

16.

Water is the most important resource on our reservation. Therefore we need to

make its protection for preservation a first and foremost objective to adhere to.

Not really fond of the idea of nonmembers leasing rangeland, however, if they

are paying top dollar to use our natural resource and abiding by our management guidelines then sure, why not? The CBC needs to be involved and ready

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

to assist management on issues that are stagnating the process. Sit down and

make a decision on wild horses. Keeping in mind that those horses belong here

as much as the CBC does. With the return of the wolf - it will decrease herd

numbers.

17.

I am concerned about mistreatment and improper handling of human remains/

ancestors and the lack of cultural sensitivity pertaining to the topic.

18.

It is quite evident that our huckleberry harvest is depleting, possibly due to

wildfires and harvesting logs. Our streams in a sense are disappearing due

to logging and are contaminated by open range stock. Save our huckleberrys,

streams, and lakes for future tribal members so they can go picking huckleberrys and fishing at our lakes and streams across the reservation. Where have

our deer gone? Years ago they roamed by the hundreds, we saw big herds of

deer and no difficulty hunting and getting food for the table. Over the years it

appears the deer herds are getting smaller and smaller and hard to find deer,

moose or elk.

19.

My recommendation is to remove (decommission) as many roads as possible,

improve road maintenance for the roads that remain and relocate road prisms

from defined waterways.

20.

Roads are necessary for land management, but can adversely affect other resources such as wildlife (migration impediment, alter hydrology, increase sediment yield, etc.). Thus, there needs to be a review of the roads that are necessary for proper management and other roads that are not necessary. Those road

sections should be removed.

21.

I am pretty discouraged by the ownership of private lands held by timber companies like Boise Cascade and Forest Capital. They had recently harvested a

majority of their lands within our boundaries of the reservation. I am positive

BIA Forestry got the blame at first until it was known who was doing the harvesting. These companies are in it for the financial gain, which is understood

because it is a business. But the things I observed about their harvest practiceslike little or no protection of wetlands or streams and the clear cutting they did.

I know there is nothing we can do to stop this on fee lands, but I think if any of

these lands become available for purchase, we as a Tribe need to be ready and

act when they decide to sell. It is important that we enact or re-enact the land

purchase fund through stumpage to help buy back fee lands on our reservation.

I also feel there are too many roads in our forests. I know at one time these

roads served purposes like timber harvesting. At times these roads were gated

or tank trapped to prevent use. Some people take it upon themselves to destroy

the gates and make trails around the tank trapped roads, defeating the purpose

to protect these road beds from erosion and weeds. Maybe in the future, the

Natural Resource departments as a whole can come together and work on road

issues. Put money into maintenance and obliterate roads that serve no purpose

anymore. Thank you very much for this survey, it’s been long overdue.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

22.

People should not be able to release their horses to run wild. Not all these horses are wild horses.

23.

I would like to see more operational-scale collaboration and integration between respective natural resource departments and programs, guided by landscape-scale management plans developed from cultural values and scientific

support. In addition, extending collaboration to agencies managing resources

neighboring the Reservation could improve landscape health and practice and

strengthen our sovereignty. Explore/develop merging and growing/changing

markets like carbon, ecosystem service, timber, alternative energy and fuels,

and ecotourism for solutions to environmental and socioeconomic issues on the

Reservation.

24.

I am concerned about the insects that are eating the trees. Also knapp weed and

other invasive weeds. I used to walk a few miles a day and the old trails I used

are very brushy and weedy now. The cattle used to keep the trails open. If cattle are taken care of they do not damage the range.

25.

There seems to be no management or enforcement regarding the use of off-road

vehicles particularly as it relates to hunting big game and horn hunting. These

hunters are carving out roads in sensitive winter range and ruining landscapes

with sensitive soils. Winter range areas for big game need to be protected from

motorized vehicles by people hunting for shed antlers. They are pushing deer

and elk off their winter beds, feeding and fawning areas when those animals

are most vulnerable. We need to have more of a management and enforcement

presence on our North Half allotments. They have become open areas for the

public to squat and hunt on. Let’s make sure the Tribes’ and tribal members’

court battles of the past were not in vain. We need to stick with our number one

priority established through the IRMP a few years ago: protect waters, water

quality, water uses. This was done through a public process were we had input,

and I appreciate input on this one, too!

26.

I think those who are working for our Tribes in the natural resource areas are

doing a fine job. I would like to see the people of these programs work on getting natural resource information out to our children by way of working with

the schools and youth programs. We should be exposing our next generation of

natural resource workers to the importance of this work now.

27.

Balance and the ability of the tribal membership to use their lands for traditional uses is critical in maintaining the Tribes’ culture.

28.

I felt your survey leans toward the wooded higher elevations of the Colville

Reservation without regard to the lower, treeless more barren southern half;

the whole of the Okanogan Valley. As you are aware, most of the bands on the

Colville Reservation were moved here from other areas. The different bands

were placed on this non-productive reservation lacking adequate traditional gathering sites for food, medicines and materials. It is a known fact all of

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

our seasonal rounds have always been done off reservation at our traditional

gathering places for foods, medicines and basket and textile materials. I have

seen the deer population down river from the Omak area depleted to zero by

hunters from up-town and HUD housing hunting by vehicle and frequently

spot lighting the areas that are traditionally heavy migratory channels for deer,

coyotes and bear that local natives never hunted. Those hunters have no regard

when trespassing, hunting among the cattle herds, making in-roads where there

should be none (causing soil erosion), ignoring gates and leaving them open.

There is much negative reaction especially from the Nespelem and Inchellium

area about “damage” livestock does to reservation lands and flora. Facts are

grazing curtails wild fires and eliminates noxious weeds. Raising livestock is

our livelihood, we depend on it, paying exorbitant range fees for scrub lands.

The Colville Tribes were set up initially as a farming business, right? In our area,

erosion to the soil is caused by the influx of all terrain vehicles. Tribal members

from Omak and Okanogan won’t show regard to areas they trespass and play

on. In the summer white people from off reservation take the liberty to travel isolated back roads without asking what is out there or who owns it or if

their noise is a threat to livestock. People in your survey should be educated to

the fact that during the summer months especially, livestock on rangelands are

there nurturing their young. And from those animals come your foods, clothing

and medicines.

29.

Cattle grazing. My grandmother was a cattlewoman who every year would

graze cattle in the Camp Progress/Omak Creek area in the Omak district. I have

fond memories of helping her check on the herd and mend fence. So when the

topic became a hot/political issue a couple of years ago, I was against ending

grazing on the Reservation and felt that tribal departments such as Range and

Environmental Trust would work to ensure today’s cattlemen and range users

maintained their units responsibly. My work is in support of salmon recovery

efforts that involve Okanogan River tributaries including Omak Creek. I suppose I’m in support of continued grazing if we do not expand, even for the sake

of revenue, and hold accountable the cattlemen for ensuring minimal impact to

our water quality, fisheries habitat, & forest road systems.

30.

I have lived here almost 20 years and enjoy and respect the Colville tribal ways

of respecting the land and surrounding area. To me it is the closet thing to paradise that I have ever seen in my travels.

31.

A lot of progress has been made in timber harvesting technology methods but

the Tribes continue to use some of the older methods because it is more economical to the contractor. On the same hand, these older harvesting methods

are more damaging to the soil, residual plants and roads. Many of the cultural

plants on the reservation are fire-adapted. Because of the lack of fire use, many

of these plants are nearly depleted in some areas. Our ancestors used fire as

a method of management to keep these plants in great numbers. We need to

make more of a concerted effort to use fire in these areas to bring back some of

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

the cultural plants. It is becoming increasingly difficult to harvest huckleberries

on the reservation. Part of that is due to the lack of management of the forest in

these areas. There are harvesting techniques that would work in these areas but

are not used because they are not as economically beneficial. The roads built for

forest management are not maintained. If they are not maintained, they need

to be permanently closed. Too many of the roads have severe erosion. There are

also way too many open roads out there. Simply closing the dead-end roads

would help big game use some of these harvested areas, which become excellent habitat. Fire use should be considered in the wilderness areas. No management has taken place in these areas and they have become unusable by most big

game species as well as tribal members. Most wilderness areas have some sort

of management plan. Removal of all natural disturbances will ultimately create a stand-replacement scenario with undesirable results. Forestry currently

makes a sad attempt at road buffers along major roads when designing harvest

blocks (at the request of Fish & Wildlife). Although the intent to do good things

is there, the result falls short. A very narrow strip of timber is left with the idea

of creating a visual buffer to help game species from being hunted from the

road. If the intent is truly to create a visual buffer, these buffered areas would

need to be 300-500 feet wide in some areas. In doing so this creates severe consequences for fire suppression efforts. This buffer acts as a ramp or a jump for

fires approaching the road. This puts firefighter safety at risk as well as possibly

increasing fire size due to the difficulty to contain fires in these areas. Buffers

could still be used but designed 100’ or more away from the road.

32.

I believe the reservation has a lot of farmland that is dormant or not being used

that could be. This land can grow several different types of crops to gain revenue for the tribe and also jobs. We have old irrigation systems that can be restored. We have areas that irrigation systems can be developed in. We have a lot

of land for dryland crops. I think the tribe couldn’t go wrong with agriculture.

It would help in many ways (noxious weeds, water quality, wild life, revenue,

jobs, education, livestock, etc.)

33.

I would like to see the Holistic Goal of 1996 be reinstated and followed for the

whole tribe. This would allow us to make better decisions for our forest/lands/

culture and our Tribal government as a whole.

34.

You speak of our 5,000 miles of access roads and I am wondering why most all

of these are closed? Most, if not all, of these roads stop a person from hunting

deer, elk and moose.

35.

Forest management is very important both culturally and economically. I think

the Colvilles are still looked at as a model of forest management, across the US.

36.

The Colville Fish & Wildlife is an example to non-tribal programs, and I believe this should be communicated with the understanding that Colville tribal

culture and government understand the biosciences and related fields through

indigenous knowledge-based systems.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

37.

The importance of agriculture to this reservation is vital and needs to be supported. Its economic and cultural contribution to the people is to be valued both

for the present and the next generations. As has been expressed repeatedly, it is

understood that sound management practices must be adhered to at all times,

be it cattle ranching, orchards and all. Diversification and sustainability could

be accomplished by expanding agriculture. In conjunction with supporting agriculture, it is vital to combat the noxious weeds found across the reservation.

All programs and land owners need to do what they can to help, as it is an

on-going problem. This is a need I hope the IRMP will support. Thank you all

for this opportunity to address concerns for our air, land, and water!

38.

Natural resource management needs to be more than only forestry and fire

management implementing treatments on the project level. The other natural

resource interdisciplinary departments need to get past the mentality that their

job duties are to limit or stop the treatment work that the forestry department

proposes. I don’t know how the plan can be called an Integrated Resource Management Plan when most of the natural resource departments have no intentions to do any project activity work. To do nothing is not an option in regards

to forest management, unless the CCT and tribal membership are willing to lose

large acreage of commercial forest to wild fires! Let’s work together to create a

model example of landscape management that attempts to treat and improve all

aspects of the ecosystem.

39.

We need to manage our natural resources to protect them and not for profit. We

need to educate the people of the value of culture and the use of hunting and

gathering. Hunting is now becoming more of a sport and the gathering of medicines is becoming lost. We need to educate the people and other programs on

the importance of forestry to treat forest health. We need to identify the domestic horses on the reservation and remove them due to people releasing them.

Too many horses are now taking away habitat from the wildlife. Add turkeys to

non-member’s bird hunting list.

40.

Protect critical habitat areas. Set aside lands and water areas as public lands.

Protect and manage like the Department of Interior. Manage for future generations. Provide access to gathering areas. Close open range. No cattle should be

allowed in forest areas and gathering areas. Tribal community members are the

experts of management of communities and tribal resources. Tribal members

need to take charge of how things are planned, monitored, managed and when

and how to implement. Learn language and apply learning to resource management. Prepare a long-range comprehensive plan.

41.

This summer I went to gather huckleberries and it was more plentiful than years

before. In 2011, I went to the Gold Lake area to gather berries and there were no

berries. I go to the same area every year. I was sad that the forest was chopped

up and the place had very little berries. I would like to see restoration of the

forest and would like to see less clear cutting.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

42.

Would like more funds dedicated toward constructing better roads - more

maintenance. Natural disasters such as windstorm affecting timber not in the

cut base should not be harvested unless safety concern or detriment to animals,

water or other natural resource. Income to tribe is not a good enough reason.

Do not appreciate belittling of the departments trying to protect environment

and wildlife by BIA forestry and Council.

43.

I have heard numerous times that our forests are managed for “timber health”

but it seems from my observations that our forest harvest practices do more

damage than good in the short term. Resource managers seem to be working in

silo’s and not enough horizontal collaboration is occurring. Rather than “timber health” or “forest health” on the macro scale, resource management should

be done on the large scale of watershed and ecosystems.

44.

There are too many roads. We need to set a miles-per-square-mile objective and

don’t go over it. No more excuses.

45.

How many people from the IRMP staff knows of our foods and plants and medicines that we use? Maybe take a survey of these departments to see if they

can identify our medicine plants, our foods, our roots, berries. Because if they

don’t know what we use to live off and survive from then how can you manage

this???

46.

Most of the employees see this as income and are not really interested in the

reservation lands, forests & streams & lakes. They do what they’re told and go

home. When these employees take the job seriously and take ownership over

our lands and protect them from all the intruders we will then have a program

that will save our lands for future generations. Most employees know very

little about the culture of the tribes that lived here. A lot of the people who

could have taught them the culture are now gone but we still have a little left

to salvage. We need help from drug enforcement to help with those who use

the reservation lands as a place to get high and party leaving a real mess behind

that no one cleans up. The young are our future and it is sad to see how little

respect they give to our lands and people.

47.

More emphasis should be put on ecosystem function and less on revenue.

48.

I have great concern in regards to our forests and water. I lived away for over

a decade. I don’t recall our lands and waters being in such disrepair. It’s sad

because they look awful. Even my daughter has mentioned it and she was only

7. I also worry about our district being harvested too much. There are so many

areas you can see from roadways, beaches, - it wasn’t like that before. I’d like

to see more tree planting and other measures to restock our forests. Our district

provides the Tribes with the revenue and it’s not right. We only have 4 members on CBC but it’s not enough when they’re 10 others who can vote to take our

trees and not replenish them properly from Inchelium. P.S. Pooh stinks

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

49.

We have one of the best wild horse management programs going. Form a bear

and cougar hound dog management program. That lets the deer fawn, elk

calves, moose calves, and big horn lambs survive.

50.

Nothing is mentioned in this survey about the mineral natural resources. Are

they be considered in the IRMP?

51.

Our waters are being polluted and need to be protected. Old timers are our relatives as well and need to be acknowledged and not just treated as a commodity.

52.

I think it is important to bring our elders and those who have spent their lives

either working for the forest services, owning a ranch, or being avid hunters

and fishermen. I would like to see community meetings in each district that are

publically posted and open to everyone. However, in addition, contact elders,

fluent speakers, ranchers, loggers and farmers. Actually recruiting those people

to come. I have concerns about amount of range that goes on. The amount of

cattle on the roads and in the huckleberry fields. I am also concerned about the

amount of slash in the huckleberry fields. It is dangerous for elders to pick in

most spots in Incheleum.

53.

I am happy to see that efforts are being organized and focused.

54.

Have heard of a program at another reservation where the youth collect Indian

medicine for the elders as well as getting to know what benefits they have.

55.

While working on the Reservation I have seen areas largely impacted by weeds,

particularly Russian thistle on or near the Baily Basin area. Why not use prisoners to help pull or spray these weeds? Some areas around Horse Heaven

Flats have been grazed until there is no more grass left. I have noted wild horses and/or cattle over grazing and making a mess of some of the coves along

Buffalo Lake. Fencing out and maintaining fences to keep both out is a good

solution. Any sensitive plant or archaeological areas should be fenced from domestic stock. Native plants should be protected by fences. Domestic stock and

wild horses should be fenced out of streams.

56.

I believe over harvesting of timber has greatly affected the creeks on our reservation. Also, I believe the cattle have decimated our creeks as well.

57.

1) No more cattle. 2) Reduce timber harvest. No clearcuts. 3) Protect our sacred

water. 4) No herbicides or insecticides. 5. No R.R.T’s in timber. 6) Protect our

cultural and traditional areas. 7) Ecologically - environmentally protect all land

- air - water- fish and wildlife - cultural plants - trees. Prevent contamination by

cattle, herbicides, insecticides, clearcutting of timber, roads, save the land for

tribal members/family and the future generations (not yet born.)

58.

I think that our tribe should be a lot more concerned with the health and well-being of our people, land, water and timber.

59.

The wild horses should be managed better.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

60.

Many of the current practices are irresponsible and unsustainable. The cattle are

damaging roads, plants, and waterways. This is not an opinion, but an empirical fact. The logging and “forest management” practices (ie., what is actually

happening on the Rez) are sloppy, often with garbage and left over branches,

trees and brush that aren’t always piled. The Devils’ Elbow complex fire was

able to spread quickly because of leftover fuel (from the clearers not doing their

jobs!). If we don’t drastically change forest management, our grandchildren’s

grandchildren won’t be able to enjoy our natural resources and culture.

61.

Need better predator control of bears everywhere and coyotes are high in numbers. They eat the young deer and such. Overgrazing in some areas, cattle ruin

the creeks making them uninhabitable for fish and wildlife that drink from it.

Tree planting should be monitored to make sure they are planted right. All clear

cuts should be replanted if they will grow. The lake does all right just depends

on predator fish being over populated.

62.

Keep up the great work.

63.

I wish Chinook salmon could come back to above Chief Joseph and above Grand

Coulee Dam.

64.

I think sites to gather traditional foods should be protected for ceremonial purposes.

65.

With clear cutting, some of our gathering sites are damaged or non-existent any

more, and with damage to watersheds, the creeks where I took my children are

non-existent.

66.

Open some roads just not for logging.

67.

Please acknowledge the laws of the land practiced here for more than 10,000

years. Yes, ten thousand. Take care of the infants, youth, adults and elders now.

Spred Nselcin asap. Honor spoken agreements and do so in love, trust, peace

and harmony. That’s what’s in my heart.

68.

The roads to our house are not maintained or back roads to go berry picking.

69.

We need an aggressive improvement to eliminate weeds.

70.

It should actually be elders who can hand down traditions that include harvesting, preservation and use of “Indian medicines”. Traditions vary from family to

family or band to band. Some traditions or methods are so sacred they are never

shared.

71.

It would be naive, as a non-tribal resident to be able to have equal ability to

gather and hunt. It seems understandable to exclude non-tribal members but

there should be some accommodation for residents to be able to live in a tradi-

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

tional way as well. It is why we wanted to live here. I think it would build a

stronger community with more in common, especially at times when there is

abundance of deer, game, and edibles.

72.

Some departments are a little too sensitive about protecting what they feel is

important and have no consideration for other departments who are trying to

meet their goals as well.

73.

Management of enforcement for natural resource programs needs to be improved. I believe there is a disconnect between natural resource managers and

biologists and those that enforce the rules and regulations for fishing and hunting.

74.

Based upon my experience, much of the forest management/timber harvest is

ground based, thereby requiring a high-density road network. Many of the

roads are constructed to conduct a timber sale and therefore are constructed for

short-term use. Many of the roads are not maintained and are located in close

proximity to defined waterways.

75.

Yes, I believe that non-tribal members have way to much access to traditional

foods. Even it they are policed, nothing happens to them. Park rangers should

be more active in preserving native food areas. If non-native members are married to a native, that native should be out harvesting foods and medicines right

along with that spouse. Being married to a native does not make you native.

76.

There is an extreme lack of resource protection and enforcement. The Fish &

Wildlife Department should have dedicated game wardens, and aggressively

enforce game laws. Poaching on game reserves is rampant and uncontrolled.

77.

Wetlands need to be protected from being drained by landowners and from

being damaged by livestock.

78.

There are management systems in place that are not being followed or monitored and harvesting timber for revenue has taken precedence over the protection of our forests and gathering areas. There has been devastation of the lands

without management or cleanup of broken forest trees. Logging trucks cause

more damage on the roads and forests are totally impacted by their carelessness. Grazing areas are not managed very well as evidenced by the destruction

of gathering areas and the water contamination. The overall protection of all

hunting and gathering sites are not maintained or monitored in any way while

money revenues become of higher importance than following the laws set out

by the Tribe. Such devastation will soon endanger future growth. The future

holds nothing for our children and grandchildren if we don’t know the full

impact it is now having on our reservation; we need feedback and information

on management today. The most valuable resource as Indian people is our

language. I truly believe that all the languages of all bands be supported and

maintained to strengthen the Colville Tribe as a whole. The support of several

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

languages by the Tribe is such a huge commitment by our leadership, but to

not fully support all language groups sends a message that our language is not

‘endangered’ enough or we are not important. The Nez Perce Language is an

endangered language on the Colville Reservation and the non-support by the

Tribe is quite oppressive. But members of the band continue to strive to keep it

alive.

79.

“The CBC, and in particular the Natural Resource Committee, needs to fully

involve knowledgeable tribal members in resource management decision-making. Forestry management decision-making needs to integrate natural resource

protection, rather than centering solely on timber harvest. Forestry needs to develop planning that addresses the following protective measures: No individual RRT units exceeding 100 acres in size . Place more emphasis and effort in

protecting and restoring traditional cultural plants and associated communities.

This is both a cultural and natural resources concern. Integrate resource protection directly into forestry and range management. BIA Forestry and Land Operations should stop side-stepping NEPA and NHPA, and instead address state

and federally listed threatened and endangered plant species, and traditional

gathering resources, as directly required by federal law.

80.

Forestry project proposals (for a harvest or salvage) should not include RRT or

RRT-like treatments that exceed a total of 500 acres per project proposal.”

81.

Excessive groundwater pumping in many locations on the reservation is drying

up streams, wetlands, and lakes.

82.

Common areas are being over populated. Not enough roads in primitive or

prime game habitats. Off road terrain vehicles on Soap Lake adjoining roads.

Bad manner of non-tribal members using roads with no respect to land or hunters.

83.

I want to see the lands and its resources available for years to come. While making money is nice, it comes and goes. If too much commercialization of tribal

lands is allowed, slowly the land will erode and the natural environment we are

blessed with will become a thing of the past, replaced by wasteland and weeds.

Change in the environment is inevitable but knowledge and education for the

inhabitants will help people to understand how to take care of and respect our

land.

84.

Management of natural resources should not be driven by the need for income

to the Tribes. We have limited resources, they should not be used carelessly,

but cherished and looked after. I have seen a particular change in our forests

in my adult life. When the mills were running the employees were told our

debt was four years ahead of the trees being harvested. It was necessary to

keep on cutting. We beat a dead horse when the market crashed and we continued to depend on resources that were no longer bringing in income. We need

accountability. There were a few people making decisions that impacted the

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

tribal economy adversely. We need to get into service providing as a means of

income. Our natural resources are limited and will only sustain us so long. The

economy has changed - the Tribes need to catch up.

85.

Yes, I believe the tribe and others can do more about noxious weeds and especially pine beetles.

86.

I believe stricter laws should be in place for those convicted of crimes, such as

poaching, wasting meat, and tearing up our resources with ATV’s. They should

loose their rights to hunt or even reside on the reservation. I wish those people who buy horns on the reservation would not be allowed here, it gives our

young people an incentive to do the wrong thing just to make quick money.

87.

I find that the average tribal member and many council members are unaware

of the basic principle by which natural resources are managed. This includes

the units of production (MBF, AUM, sediment loading, etc.) We will have a very

difficult time reaching agreement on how to manage if this continues. In addition I’m dismayed by recent tactics of the cadre of young “environmentalists”

now inflicted on the Reservation, blindsiding forestry during national reviews

without prior discussion, direct lobbying of the Council to appoint their points

of view, and arrogant attempts to bully are not consensus-building nor are they

professional.

88.

Forest Capital should have to replant seedlings in the areas they had clear cut.

No more of the spraying in these areas. More thinning in areas in need of it.

89.

The Tribes’ natural resources are and will always be very important to the Tribes

and their people. Their people will always continue to manage the use of resources. The people need to find a balance between the cultural aspects of management and the scientific approach to management so that the values that are

held important can continue to be realized. Are there impacts? Yes. Will there

continue to be impacts? Yes. Can they be managed? Yes! The Tribes need to be

mindful of the outside influences from the scientific based communities and

entities within its own programs so that the cultural based management philosophies are not lost or over influenced by these groups. The Tribes are its people

who have been living on this land since time immemorial and will continue to

remain here and manage its resources for its needs. It is in our best interest to

do so responsibly.

90.

Not all programs are working together; they seem to have their own agendas.

Sometimes I think the programs forget who they work for. Questions in this

survey are somewhat biased toward certain programs. They are somewhat setup to put more doubt in the public’s mind and not get to the heart of the problems, which are that this is the Reservation and we are allowing non-members

to influence what is being done within the boundary of this reservation.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

91.

I often see water pumped out of Omak Creek by large tanker truck that is not

owned by a tribal member, and who does not live by the creek. 2). I am also

concerned about how well the “game preserve” is monitored to guard against

poachers and illegal use. This habitat needs protection, especially after so many

wildfires - to allow animals to repopulate. 3). I have a concern about what our

tribal youth are being taught about our tribal lands - especially those who are

either living in towns, or in areas off the reservation. Educational units should

be developed for educators to integrate into their curriculum, whether for life

science or social studies; and even native American studies. 4. Some of the

sites we have used with our grandparents are inaccessible for root gathering,

especially on the north half. I do belong to the committee on plant gathering,

and hope they can make a difference for our youth to learn where and when to

gather roots, plants, and “sweat rocks”. 5. I teach and I want to help educate our

youth about our reservation and natural resources.

92.

All roads should be managed and maintained for hunting and berry picking of

herbs and plants, and roots.

93.

We camp at Hall Creek and the creek from the storm a few years ago had really

clogged up. I know that there is no control over that but it was real sad to see the

mess it had created in the creek. If I knew how to do the clean up or how to get it

going I would. Going berry picking as a kid I always remembered all the trees.

Now going to those same spots and they are completely wiped out. The clear

cutting on our reservation is crazy. But the overgrowth in some areas is crazy as

well. I love our land regardless. I know we do not have as much as we used to

and some take it for granted. But making everyone aware is just the beginning.

94.

The foresters who oversee logging operations need to do a better job of making

sure the loggers are following the rules set out for them. Logs skidded down

the road, decks on some and not enough water so roads turn to powder.

95.

I think they should better regulate hunting. I feel like a lot of elk and deer are

being poached. I also think that they should limit the amount of tags that are allowed per season per tribal member. With social media it is obvious that there is

a lot of hunting just for horn and the thrill of the kill rather than it being a need

to provide food for family. I’ve heard the excuse, “Oh I have lots of family that

need meat.” Well, if they ask you specifically for meat, why are you out there

killing?. I’m all for hunting, but I think the right is abused on the reservation.

96.

The value of our cultural plants is diminishing mostly through the lack of

knowledge and use. It is becoming more difficult because the values of certain

resources outweigh the value of others. For instance, the value of a marketable

tree over the value of husk husk. The value of the tree helps support the Tribes,

but the value of the husk husk supports the culture. The value of each should

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

be taught to our children so that when they are making these choices they will

be able to identify both. They are both important. The knowledge of use of the

plant does no good without the plant. We should always think of our future

generations.

97.

I am a hunter and fisherman, it is very sad to see how Indian people treat their

resources. It’s very surprising to see how many people do not show respect

for resources. So many people take our resources for granted. For example, too

many people wasting harvested animals and fish. Too much damage to plant

resources. Too much litter on mountain roads and fishing grounds. Need more

authority to patrol for misuse of resources.

98.

I have a problem with the language in three of the survey question answer options. In Question 27, the last option is too general. To be specific I think grazing should be discontinued for all non-Indian cattle ranchers. If you are an

enrolled Colville and have cattle to graze on the reservation that is fine with me.

Question 42 combines expanded forest production with expanded cattle production. Is the survey’s intention to create a favorable bias for allowing cattle to

continue status quo on the reservation? Expanded forest production could be

good, expanded cattle production is destructive and not good. The last option

combines timber harvesting with livestock grazing. I am not opposed to timber

harvesting but I am opposed to livestock grazing for all non-Indian ranchers.

Question 55b combines livestock grazing with wildlife grazing. I come from a

family that still uses Indian food and medicinal plants. I never once ever heard

my mother or grandmother complain about wildlife eating or damaging these

plants. But a cow will. If they don’t eat them they will trample them. Question

28 about wild horses: how did 200 or less become the magic number? That’s

50 horses per district, not very many. Horses have been depicted as a problem

through articles in the Tribal Tribune submitted by the BIA Range Department.

I agree that there is a specific problem of horses being dumped on the reservation by God knows who? Could be tribal members, but maybe not. But horses

were more a part of our culture than cattle ever were or ever will be. And they

still are! Non-Indian owned cattle are in no way significant to our culture yet we

allow them to invade and exploit and damage our tribal lands by the hundreds

or thousands year after year. Any range fees they pay is not enough to offset the

damage they do by overgrazing, spreading noxious weeds, mucking up creeks

and swamp lands, trespassing on private land and lease land and collectively

owned tribal lands (consuming forage that is not being paid for). We have no

enforcement entity to stop this abuse so the only solution is to discontinue grazing to non-Indian cattle.

99.

All Reservation members need to take the survey. Open game refuges? We don’t

need them. Anyone wasting game should lose their hunting rights. Farming is

the key to preserve our wildlife. They feed on fields in the spring and eat out of

the hay barns in winter. We need fish in Fish Lake and Bourgeau. Cattle keep

game trails open and keep fire danger down.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

100.

I have seen an increase in the amount of garbage thrown out of vehicles on our

reservation. Each spring our family picks up garbage on all the range roads and

county roads in our immediate area. We have increased from 2 weekend outings

to gather garbage to two full weeks for the same distance we have covered for

the last 16 years. The amount has increased from a pickup load to 4 loads. It is

very disappointing. The grandkids have learned about plants and not to throw

trash in the process. I view this as a lack of respect for our lands.

101.

I don’t live on the reservation, but I grew up in Nespelem. I’m not entirely educated on the status of the overall health of our environment. I do see a lot more

timber harvest and clear cut spots now, whereas I did not in the past as a child.

I notice more large fires now than ever. As a child, we used to be able to pick

strawberries and huckleberries right off the dirt road going to Gold Lake and

there was a large abundance. I’m unsure if these resources are still available

today in the same quantity. I am concerned about how many deer are being

allowed to kill. Sometimes it seems too many are being killed. I’m concerned

about the water on the reservation, unsure if it’s clean or is tested enough to

ensure there is nothing present to cause health issues to humans and animals. I

see a lot of trash in some areas/homes, broken glass on our beaches, beer bottles

and cans in the lakes. For the most part, I think the Colville Reservation is beautiful country and the Natural Resource Departments have been doing a great

job with it. I just hope it stays that way.

102.

There are too many clear cuts. This affects the wildlife, food and shelterwise.

Roads need to be maintained for better access. Make sure all the wood being

taken off the resevation is for tribal members and their personal use, not for selling to the non-tribals for profit. Also that the person getting the wood is a tribal

member and not stockpiling it.

103.

I think this survey is a complete waste of time, we all know that the business

council will ignore the concerns of membership.

104.

Only when traveling about the reservation is there is a problem without having a very good map. When I checked for one at the Nespelem office, they

did not have one available. There was one on the wall that would have been a

good source of information. The lady at that office said when asked why there

weren’t maps available like that one to give out, that the Tribes really did not

want people to be traveling about and exploring the reservation. Did not seem

like a good answer to me. I still want that type of map.

105.

ORV permits should be available for non-tribal members at a cost. The tribe

should designate a few areas in each district as an ORV park. ORVs with headlights and taillight should be allowed on the roads like Okanogan.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

106.

Don’t like seeing so many natural springs being polluted by cows. We need to

toughen our laws and regulations about non-members hunting and gathering

on the Reservation. We need to do more to prevent littering in our hills and

lakes. We need to be replanting trees in our forests. We need to reclaim land of

non-tribal companies who are clear cutting!! Get rid of all non-tribal cows!

107.

Yes. quit closing all the logging roads. Senior wood workers can’t get to wood,

hunters can’t get on roads. There are too many rules. Quit following everything

the white guy does.

108.

I think the word “protected” is used in the wrong context. The only way to protect something is to actively manage it and correct problems as you proceed. All

the natural resources have to be managed to a point and if we do not manage it,

it will manage itself. There is a balance that needs to be maintained so we can

have all of our cultural resources when we want it plus have the ability to buy

a home, car, clothes, and go to pow wows. If we allow nothing to be managed

then we will have our lands taken from us by the federal government and they

will exploit all of the natural resources on our lands, from gold mining, harvesting trees, and selling lands by the rivers for agricultural purposes. We are

a sovereign nation and we need to start acting like it or it will be taken away

from us. I find it worrisome when the Tribes are not calling the shots because,

by allowing others to, this is giving our sovereignty away and that is not right.

We as Indian people have the inherent right to control our destiny and I don’t

think that’s what is being done as of late.

109.

I do have a concern about doe hunters. I don’t believe any family needs 10-15

deer a year. I feel there should be a limit of 5-8 deer per year per member. People start hunting just to hunt and then it seems that’s when the waste of meat

starts. Not by everyone but you see it more.

110.

Wild horses need to be managed. Game reserves need to be expanded.

111.

In Omak district, the mule deer have significantly declined in the last 20 years.

In that same area (Omak district), whitetail deer and elk have increased.

112.

When I was a kid we always burned off all the pine needles and brush, but now

forest fires are like an inferno. When we quit burning, that was a mistake. It

helped with insects. Our forests were healthy. Sitdown was so beautiful with

huge trees and we burned the understory so we could ride all through. You

can’t imagine how beautiful it was. God made this beautiful earth and trees

and when we cut all our trees for money, God is going to get us good, and it has

already started with windstorms and fires. Please do a better job of cleaning up

after timber harvest. Don’t take all the trees, you must leave some. Money is not

worth cutting all our trees.

113.

Logging practices need to insure that culturally sensitive areas need to be protected.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

114.

Bring back the salmon to the waters above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee

dams. Irrigation systems need to be developed in the Omak district to enable

the grape industry to be established. This will provide a much higher revenue

stream from Reservation lands.

115.

I’m concerned about the range. Tribal members being charged so little but the

Range has to move/rotate the tribal member’s cattle/livestock. I also believe

the forest roads need to be cut…a lot!

116.

We are harvesting too much timber at a loss of financial profits. We need our

Natural Resource Committee and full CBC to stop so much timber harvesting.

Open our eyes look to other areas for finance opportunities. Our Natural Resources Departments are overloaded with high paid managers. We do not need

so many tribal and BIA forestry positions. Same with Range: so over staffed and

over paid. Let’s look at less positions investing our income sources. How about

cell towers, wind production, recreation. It’s sad that CTFC is allowed to let

our RBR and houseboats and highway tire businesses to be run into the ground.

Also, CTFC should be forced to run their payroll thru the tribe’s system. AP

works for us. Alp. and accounting need to be restaffed completely.

117.

Air quality is very good without the fires.

118.

In the last couple of years there has been a significant reduction of cattle grazing on the Reservation. Our family hunts primarily on the Reservation and we

have noticed a significant benefit from reduced grazing. When we drive into

the mountains we encounter considerably less cattle, which in turn means that

there is a lot less cow poop and delayed driving from cattle that won’t move.

We also believe the deer don’t like the cows and avoid areas they are in. Some

of the cattle also graze down the grass and shrubs too much, so overgrazing is

less likely. For those tribal members who still have cattle, it’s good they have

the opportunity to graze their cattle so long as it is done in such a way that the

forests are protected and doesn’t interfere with other wildlife. Cows are foreign

to our forests.

119.

I know that prescribed burns are done to reduce excess fuels during fire season

but have the Tribes ever considered using the excess fuel for such goods as:

mulch, wood chips for lawns & gardens, maintain spill cleanups as sawdust is

good for cleaning up spills especially oils or chemicals to soak up, for sale to the

general membership, or to other local business? I don’t have a problem with the

burning, but the cost it takes to hire contractors can be outweighed by selling

the excess fuels as goods to other people. It would be income and still manage

to take away the excess in a safe, clean and effective alternative way. I have seen

some prescribed burn areas and they are at times in areas where huckleberries:

a very good, and well known source of food for tribal members for gatherings,

or special occasions are burned or no longer available due to burn piles and

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

equipment eroding the ground in which the plant grows. This is a very important food staple and an important traditional food that all tribal members would

like to see in abundance and not a shortage of.

120.

I am an enrolled tribal member with enrolled children and grandchildren but I

am married to an enrolled tribal member of a different tribe as well as a descendant of an enrolled Colville Tribal Member who is a bread winner providing

food, wood and other natural resources listed above but due to his not being

enrolled, he is unable to hunt or fish or even use any natural resources although

he’s lived here all his life and is a Native American on federal land. I think you

should look at your policy to let other Indians hunt and fish on the reservation

as well as get fire wood for our family without having me and elder women go

out with him every time!

121.

1. More tribal members should be encouraged and provided professional preparation/higher education for the directorships of the various natural resources

management positions: biologists, foresters, environmentalists, water specialists and geologists. 2. More education, preparation and tutoring for the enrolled

tribal members in grades 6-12 so they are better prepared and eligible to go on

to post-secondary higher education in the professional fields. 3. Summer youth

employment for grades 9-12/ages 14-18 in the natural resources programs. 4.

More internships for the students progressing satisfactorily in the natural resources fields majors. 5. More opportunities for all people working and studying the natural resources to have quarterly meetings with elders and leaders

with expertise in our tribal customs, practices and folklore to gain awareness of

our traditional way to be “in harmony/balance of all aspects of nature - our resources and environment. 6. Provide annual training to the CBC Council members soon after being seated regarding the important role and responsibility

they hold over all tribal resources.

122.

Are there watering holes sufficiently available for various species across the

reservation and nearby reservations? More and more tribal members are using

cameras to hunt for game and watch their feeding schedules.

123.

The public campsites need to be monitored more often. It has come to my attention that non-tribal members camp at different lakes and deposit their black

water into the lakes. The drinking water on the reservation is getting bad. What

is up with the fish in our lakes and streams? Why is it that they think it would

be safe to only consume a few of them monthly. Are our fish being poisoned?

124.

I don’t want our medicine plants to be out there for all to see. There are teaching

and usages that go along with these plants or foods. I’m sorry to say if that family has not taught or handed down those usages for those plants/foods to their

family. How impersonal it would be to read it out of a book rather then learning

the usage from a knowledgeable elder or person to teach them these uses. To

see the look and feel the elders/person’s love and ties to our plants and foods,

you can’t get that in reading or seeing a picture from a book.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

125.

Hunting: I think the deer season needs shortening, especially for does. Perhaps

following WA state example and setting up 3 pt. or better in some designated

areas. Gathering: The Tribes need to actively pursue purchasing land off the

Reservation that are traditional food gathering sites. In particular certain camas

and bitterroot areas need to be purchased and then managed through a limited

permitting process. Please keep in mind the use needed by Nespelem, Inchelium, Keller, Grand Coulee, and Paschal Sherman schools. The lands needs to

be acquired in order to insure continued future access. Recreation: Build an indoor community pool open to all. Language: There needs to be participation in

weekly Salish language classes by all CCT council members and administrators.

Lead by example and effort, not by being above the learning process. It’s never

too late to start. Establish a story telling troupe. Such a group could provide

cross-age contacts, as well as provide a venue for younger people to gain skills

and confidence. Energy: Establish a solar array for electricity at old Precision

Pine or on the hillside above PSIS to start CCT electricity independent of PUD

and Nespelem Co-op.

126.

Water: need a tribal reservoir to store water for the future. Environmental trust

needs to locate a site as soon as possible and proceed to fill it up with clean

water from the Reservation. Cultural: Preserve and protect cultural (medicinal

plants, fish and wildlife). Stop herbicide/insecticide use. Use of timber cutting

with machinery cutting everything in the forest in a timber sale and our sacred

water (creeks-lakes-rivers). Plan for the future generations yet to come. All resources must be preserved and protected, we can’t leave the land, air and water

destroyed by our plan. The unborn will see what we have or have not done. i

don’t want the future generations to say: “they left us a mess - no clean water no timber - no fish and wildlife - no cultural plants, etc. All we have are casinos.

127.

I am concerned about the 2-14 wildfires we had this year concerning our traditional root and berry patches, if they were considered a lost cause. Also our

grazing land for the health of our livestock, especially our water and good grass

in the pastures.

128.

I complain that 1. Nontribal members aren’t monitored throughout range season, allowing other cattle (not theirs) to be snuck out on range. 2. Tribal member

owners should pay more per anum, nonpayment has been a historical problem

and they don’t respect the land as much, don’t check their cows. Costs for monitoring are getting high and range fees are NOT ADEQUATE.

129.

Cut out clear cutting. Cut out excessive high lead logging, which calls for extra

roads. Return to select marking and cutting young trees.

130.

Stop clear cutting or manage it better. The consequences of the practice is very

visible and harmful to life and safety. Mother Earth’s chances to heal the elements of our life’s needs are severely jeopardized. Nature is dying off faster

because of what man is doing to kill our life. Habitat needs air, water, wildlife,

sunlight, etc.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

131.

Cattle just need to be removed, nothing culturally important about them.

132.

Cattle should never be near rivers and aquifers. They contaminate 1 cow 20

acres.

133.

We need to charge for water for off-reservation orchards, etc. They are draining

our precious water. As a whole the forest looks good compared to other forests.

What I don’t like is clear cutting. What I don’t like is I do have allotted land and

I can’t even get to it because people that bought land next to mine have built

buildings on my ingress road and put chain fences with padlocks on the gates

and I can’t access my land.

134.

Inform us how bad toxic waste is in the Okanagan and Columbia rivers.

135.

Language seems to be working. Mills shut down, housing is being developed.

But I believe there needs to be greater community pride - I am guilty - I have

the “ugly” house on the block. Does anyone know the exact current acreage set

aside of sharp-tailed grouse? I used to dig potatoes - fragile lil critter - very hot

burns wipe them out - reseeding choked alot out and they didn’t come back weeks took over - then another fire in a couple of year. Our own mills were shut

down - then one opens to an outside concern - with no mining - no mining - no

mining - no water and the drought dilemma - need to revisit and rethink. Lots

of things happening globally. Fish - our salmon that return - the 2011 earthquake

in Japan and the crippled nuke plants bleeding into the NW Pacific - I would

like to see public notification of radiation levels in all the salmon runs - this is

crazy! we need to know. Native food - Hanford Northwinders- the Colvilles

have what kind of cancer rates - what is in our foods - did you ever try to tell an

old lady that aluminum pots weren’t good for you and could cause Alzheimers?

Sheesh. I bet tradish people really don’t want to know - but I do. We could

open mill and build lumber exclusively for our own housing market boom - are

you watching the developments? Who thinks Keller is due some housing - fed

funds are shrinking - I think we are nuts going to Home Depot to buy 2x4s and

plywood and posts! What happened to the blowdown after the Keller storm?

136.

Cows: I feel they are not managed properly and/or very poorly. Cows should

not be allowed to open rangelands. Their drinking water sources should be

in water troughs like they were in the past. Trees: Stop cutting wood in places

where the land is considered a wildlife refuge like Hellsgate, etc. Develop alternative types of resources for multiple uses, i.e. hemp products, etc.

137.

There seems to be a lack of respect by those who access the forested areas of the

Reservation as they leave garbage litter, beer cans, etc.

138.

Limit grazing for cows.

139.

Being in the field on an almost daily basis, I see a lack of NRD presence in our

wildlife reserve areas. I’ve seen several non-members dressed in “hunting” attire in the Hellsgate area. However, when reported, it seems though it is OK.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

140.

Not enough supervision of people/employees out in the field and not adequately documenting progress is wasting tribal dollars on employees or workers wasting time. We need management to get from behind the desks and go

out in the field more often.

141.

I think that we need to look more into this plan and figure out if it’s really going

to work for us and if our future generations have anything to look forward to.

142.

The horse population has to be maintained so as to not overpopulate like back

in the olden days when there were thousands of wild horses. The bear population has never been addressed, there are way too many bears. They come into

town and have to be trapped. They kill deer fawns every year. They can smell

them out. The same with cougars, their populations must be maintained, as it

will continue to hurt our deer and elk here. In some places there are also way

too many coyotes. There should be some way to regulate the wood cutting to

allow members off res to be able to cut at least 3 cords or have designated cutters to do that. May dad has a fireplace and its hard for him to get wood. He

lives in Spokane and usually his wood has to come from elsewhere.

143.

Yes, there seems to be a lot of poaching of deer and elk by tribal members and

nontribal members. I like to take my nieces and nephews out for walks in

woods and see a lot of deer shot and just missing heads. Also bears in San Poil

community are getting bad again.

144.

The management of water sucks. The San Poil River is soon to be San Poil creek

by the small amount of water that remains in the river bed. Our eagles are decreasing rapidly in my opinion. I’m mostly concerned about the water. People

these days have no respect for our land anymore. My friends and I always

picked up our cans, bottles, etc., at the various hang out spots along the river,

but now the more garbage they can leave the better. It makes me sick to see all

the garbage scattered. I pick up what I can on a pretty regular basis and there’s

always 4-6 big bags of garbage I pick up.

145.

Yeah you need to start caring for our land and natural resource cause if have

you been out there then you know its bad and looking bare. No trees hardly

anywhere. Open your eyes.

146.

Wolves are eating lots of moose, elk and deer from what I have seen out in the

woods. They have cut the herds by half to 2/3 of game herds.

147.

Need more controlled burns to clean up old logging sites that were left in shambles. Horse and cows left to graze urinate and mess in our streams and creeks.

Horse and cows with only water to drink out of Omak Lake (yuk). Need to not

leave wild horses out to starve all winter (not humane). Non-tribal members

don’t need to graze their cattle on rez. We should not provide land/water for

white people to come and do orchards, cattle, hay fields. They get rich using

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

our natural resources. Council tries to patronize us by telling us “oh they are

providing infrastructure”. Big Deal!! We don’t need that. Just giving/leasing

water/land for pennies, how dumb of council to do, especially when Gebbers

has the entire other half (non-tribal site) in orchards. Now Colvilles give their

side. The reservation and resources should not be for sale or lease to them.

148.

Preserve our natural resources.

149.

We need to be doing more education in our daycares, headstarts and schools. I

would love to help if I was allowed during the day at work.

150.

The one main concern that I have is the poaching of game - deer, elk, and moose.

151.

Getting too many wolves killing deer and other animals we eat.

152.

Loggers need to be informed about how to do their jobs w/o destroying the

environment.

153.

Roads are bad, bad, bad.

154.

We are going back to the same devastation. We received money from the lawsuit, the BIA settlement. We need oversight from a neutral party. The wolves

are taking subsistence from tribal members. The people need input on tribal

sovereign issues.

155.

I do not believe non-members should be prohibited from fishing in the San Poil

River.

156.

I feel they need to evaluate how they get BIA/tribe to the timber sales (roads)

and reduce the slash that you find after they harvest an area.

157.

I think the areas where communities have chosen their landfill sites should be

reevaluated at least so far as Inchelium goes. Seems way too close to major water bodies.

158.

Quit killing does or cow elk for at least 3 years. Rotate areas like Hellsgate reserve to different parts of the Res.

159.

I believe that too much burning/cutting has happened in earlier years and now

the effect is showing in the mountains.

160.

I think if at all possible, the trees that have fallen because of high winds should

be used. Also I don’t fish because I have to eat certain fish and I don’t know

what they are so I just don’t eat them. Also clearcutting sucks. Looks terrible.

161.

What I’ve seen over the years is good.

162.

Cattle are damaging watersheds. Mule deer population is declining.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

163.

Homes - Omak district has the largest population but we don’t have access to

land so that we can build and provide a home for our family on the Reservation.

Much of the land is owned by non-members. Also Mission side Omak lake

beach could be maintained better.

164.

I have fished, hunted, and gathered berries and medicines in forested areas of

the Reservation. Tribal members are getting lost when trying to reach their favorite hunting and gathering places due to too many logging roads that are not

marked as to where you will end up, if you are low on fuel and have elders/

childern on board it could spell out a serious issue if in the dead of winter or hot

summer day. I would think that cell towers should be placed in remote areas

for safety concerns such as breakdowns or running out of fuel due to being lost.

165.

Better compliance for logging, tree thinning, and/or other forestry practices.

166.

I believe that timber harvesting is not managed in some areas as our lands are

destroyed beyond recognition at times. There are not enough trees left to repopulate certain forest areas. We were also told that the non-native loggers are

taking our firewood off the reservation for their own uses. The foreman of that

particular logging company said it should be their right as they are coming all

the way over here to work. They get paid enough to be here or they wouldn’t

take the contracts in the first place but obviously there are plenty of non-natives

taking much needed firewood from our reservation. And when and if they are

caught doing so that wood should go to needy families or the elderly around

the reservation.

167.

The Wolf population should have been addressed in the IRMP policy. They

should be better managed to reduce the impact on the elk, deer and moose.

There should be a low threshold of population management. Limit the pack to

two sets.

168.

My concerns are more geared toward the usage. I am very concerned about

the wasting of our resources such as the wildlife and our wood products. More

emphasis needs to put peer pressure to help eliminate these problems. Our enforcement has a difficult time with these because most of the time when these

things occur there is very little evidence left at the scene of the crime to help to

prosecute these persons. That’s why our people have to step up and report what

they can to aid in eliminating these problems.

169.

Would like to see huckleberry picking on the reservation for natives and their

families only. No tourist or outside pickers allowed.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

170.

The deer count is low as there are too many cougars. I don’t think that timber

harvesting should go over the recommended board feet. I believe the most

important piece to this management plan is preservation for our future generations and to do what is best to maintain our resources. Money is a benefit but

not the most important piece of the whole plan. Also, I would like to know how

the wolves are affecting the plan or where they fit in.

171.

1) I am concerned about the roads during spring thaw; I see vehicles with a lot

of mud. Are they driving on roads too early and wrecking the roads for the rest

of the Tribal members? 2) I gather chokecherries and the chokecherry bushes

by the Nespelem Rodeo were cut down. It will take years to regrow these bushes. 3) I saw plastic pipes while gathering huckleberries and later found out this

could be used for growing marijuana plants. This should be addressed also.

172.

All I know is that our lands need to be managed better. Perhaps more education

on this information that was given to me on this survey.

173.

Not enough replants of trees after a forest fire. Cattle eating tops of medicine

plant making them harder to find. Deer population seems to be down. During

summer too many people using the Gold Lake area for parties - afraid of drunk

drivers, this impacts and berry picking/medicine harvests.

174.

I feel there are too many non-Indians and non-Colville’s harvesting our natural

resources. When I am on the forest roads, there are a lot of non-Indians hunting,

fishing, gathering huckleberries, roots, mushrooms and wood. We need better

enforcement by our natural resource officers and/or police department. It really sucks to get out in the forests and realize there is nothing left to harvest for

my own family.

175.

Yes, I worry about the creeks as they are not being managed as they should

be. There are no emergency solutions if they flood and no management of the

beavers that are damming up the creeks with trees, and in the winter when it is

freezing the creeks overrun flooding homes and other structures. There is no

emergency system set to warn people. As the tribe talked before about putting

emergency systems in, at this point I know of nothing that has been done.

176.

We have personnel that are suppose to be out in the field to inspect, report

and assist with the management of our natural resources. A supervisor should

do a sporadic inspection, due to the concerns that are related to the impact of

over-grazing and keeping the regulations up to standard. I know that we are

in a change where our forest is dwindling and not cleaned up after it has been

logged. In previous years when a logging contractor got a bid to log, they had

to clean up the waste before they got a new unit. This is not a given since they

are benefitting by the sale of the logs. The cattle and horses could be moved and

treated like the hunting seasons - what is being leased out and some land not

leased so that new growth can be permitted.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

177.

Wildland fires will increase with global changes. Forest health with bug disease

on the increase with poor health and bug encroachment. Hunting seasons are

too long. Law enforcement is not getting into the woods and doing their job.

They assist Tribal PD when they need to be out doing their job.

178.

The Tribes should have a website where people can share their knowledge and

talent. The tribes should have a TV channel where people can share their knowledge and talents. We get tired of hearing about politics in the Tribune. We want

more people of all ages represented. The tribes should pay for vans or buses for

groups of people to attend talent shows and concerts and to go gathering with

elders, the traditional foods and medicines. Language needs to be taught everywhere to all ages. Classes need to be available for community members to learn

our traditions - not at the “Tribal College” either - they are unapproachable and

unfriendly.

179.

There are too many non-tribal cattle ranchers. I would like to receive help with

gardening, such as tilling the soil so I can grow food for our family. I would

like to see all tribal members receive this kind of help who need it. I would like

to see elders be given rides to their traditional food gathering places and have

all generations involved with them so they will learn and keep the traditional

gathering practices going. I would like to see tribal money paying for the gas

and food for these trips and utilizing tribal vans and buses. I would like to see

the tribe hire elders to share their language and knowledge in the schools of all

levels and regular weekend gatherings where teaching and learning take place.

Language is of utmost importance; our lives are connected to our land. Also,

regarding men who have a felony over ten years old, they should be able to use

a hunting rifle to hunt for their families and I would like to learn how to take

care of fruit trees, with help from the tribe.

180.

I am very concerned overall about the over harvesting of the timber on the reservation. The forests are a source of shelter for food, plants, etc. It is very

frustrating when tribal representatives make the decision to log for quick $$$.

I worry about hunting and those who make it more sport based, rather than

using it as a much-needed food source. Natural Resources needs to ensure that

our reservation is safe, healthy and productive with our natural resources. It

is so important for the future of our reservation. I only support agriculture if

it is a type of plant based like hemp or other products that can be grown and

harvested for profit. I know some reservations are growing cotton but I know

our climate is not conducive but there must be other products that would/could

be grown.

181.

I’ve never personally seen evidence of wildlife waste by hunters, but heard

stories. I have seen good huckleberry patches disappear. Who scouts the areas during huckleberry season before logging is allowed to begin? I’ve seen

a perfectly good firewood harvesting area one year and the next year it was

blocked off from access on a northern part. While there, a family member saw

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

a four-wheeler with two people with orange vests riding there and when they

saw a family member, they quickly turned around and left. That concerns me.

Are those north roads being tank trapped so non-tribal people can’t be in there

to hunt? I believe there is not a lot of information about where important plants

and herbs can be found. Tours and workshops might be helpful, on the importance of uses. Grazing lands are important for those tribal members who wish

to utilize them. I believe it should be strictly allowed only for tribal residents,

members.

182.

I feel the practice of timber management, such as clear cutting, should be used

in limited amounts - such as fire damage or insect control.

183.

We have beautiful areas that can be used for recreation, mainly winter. Involve

landowners in the management. More home sites, new zoning.

184.

Leave the beaver alone. Stop trapping beaver and re-build the natural watersheds. Stop cattle grazing and the spreading of noxious weeds. Stop damage to

water bodies. Start a cannery to dispose of the reservation’s unwanted horses. If

they aren’t owned by responsible owners and maintained, they shouldn’t roam

or run loose causing damage to the rangeland.

185.

Waterways are changed by human activity. Some are on purpose, some from the

lack of foresight. Tribal members are one of our greatest natural resources and

they are always being overlooked when directors are chosen. Those who speak

up for tribal cultural reasons are black balled. Contractors are given immunity

for abusing tribal members.

186.

Start working harder to preserve our culture for next generations.

187.

We need to leave the forest alone, there’s too much RRT’s. They need to clean up

their mess when they are done logging, its not good for berries. Noxious weeds

need to be controlled better. Need to get rid of the wolves, they are killing all

the deer.

188.

They are cutting too many trees, we are raping our forests, they need to stop cutting so much volume off the reservation! We are not getting any money for our

timber so we shouldn’t be cutting any timber. The mill is getting all the money

that the tribal members should be getting. We are giving away our timber!!! And

at what cost to tribal members?!

189.

I think that Omak Lake could have a lot of commercial uses for the tribe. A resort would be financially viable, provide local recreational activities and jobs for

tribal members.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

190.

I feel we need to upgrade our sewer waste knowledge. Lots of sewer systems

are not up to par and it shows when you know what you are looking at. We

don’t even have an inspector to check the systems that are being installed. That’s

a waste of time and money. I’ve put in many systems on our Rez. Our inspection process is a joke compared to the county. This is very important.

191.

Instead of piling and burning thinnings and logging debris, the Tribes could

purchase commercial choppers and chip it. This could either be spread in the

present area or blown onto trucks and hauled to power plant sites, eg. Kettle

Falls, or the Tribes could use their mill generating facility or build a new one.

This could eliminate air pollution and provide jobs and tribal income from electricity generation.

192.

They are doing their best with what they have to work with.

193.

I myself think that the hunting season on the Reservation and North-Half should

be reduced. I feel that there are too many hunters on the Reservation to have a

two deer limit per day. I also feel the wolves should be removed from the reservation as we already have a lot of hunters and why should we allow wolves to

hunt here when we don’t even allow our descendants to hunt or fish.

194.

Wolf season needs to be same as the rest of predators due to the difficulty of

hunting them. Close down doe season to raise numbers.

195.

Wolves need to be maintained as I believe they are taking down our big game.

196.

With the return of the salmon, teach ways to harvest and allow selling for profit.

Egging salmon is a great market.

197.

Maybe educate the kids on the importance of taking care of our land and resources.

198.

I believe that, in general, what the tribal people need is more than something to

do, but a reason to do it. There are way more than adequate natural resources

on this reservation to comfortably provide a living for every tribal member who

wants to and should work, and all without depleting the natural resources. The

real need is for ambition and humble servant leaders. Qualities, which cannot

be bought, or legislated.

199.

Restrict antler size for bucks only season.

200.

I think there are too many roads within our forest. Please reduce.

201.

Timber harvest should return to SELECT CUT.

202.

Cows are not indigenous to this land, they cause a great deal of damage and

should not be allowed on the reservation.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

203.

Cattle are not indigenous to this land, their numbers should continue to decrease. Consider rotating other livestock (sheep) to graze the forest under strict

management control. Cattle have created far too much damage to the land and

water. Create an effective, sustainable cultural environment (berries, roots, etc)

for harvesting especially for elders who find it more difficult to challenge hills,

brush, rocks, etc.

204.

Management should be based on future outcomes, not on what can be done for

short term goals.

205.

Too much trash on the reservation. Drinking drivers are not monitored closely

enough. Speeding vehicles on narrow roads, especially trucks. Improvements

to areas like Coyote Creek Campground. It use to have water available not any

more but it should have. Should be some other areas like Coyote Creek Campgrounds for families to pull over and get out of the car. It would be nice to have

restrooms and water available. Maybe some trails to walk.

206.

I believe timber harvesting is a valuable tool for good forest health, along with

thinning, plantings and burning, but I believe a lot of money is wasted on the

forestry department with do-nothing jobs. It should be trimmed and the money

put into more of the effective treatment practices that actually promote healthy

forests.

207.

Study, learn and teach our language to Head Start, K-12 and community members. It is vital to the preservation of our native culture.

208.

Some hunt too much. Thinning needs to be done more. Clear cutting needs

to be stopped. Open range near creeks and streams and lakes need to be controlled. You can hardly step near them without stepping in cow shit and piss.

Campgrounds and fishing areas needs to be fenced off so livestock can’t go in

and damage them. if tribal ranchers let non-members come in on their range

with their cattle, take their range away from them.

209.

We need less clear cuts. We need to let the sheep back in to eat up the brush so

it won’t be such a fire hazard. All of the roads are all brushed in and you can’t

hunt or see off the road to see anything. If you drive around without a saw,

you end up turning around because of trees across roads. Does forestry ever

carry saws to clear roads? I’m getting too old to do this. You see, I like to take

drives once or twice a week. I also like to drive to Hellsgate and look at the wild

horses, which I think is pretty cool. I don’t think they are hurting anything, they

keep the springs open and move around and don’t over graze. Where the good

patches of huckleberry are, it is so crushed in that you have to walk a ways to

get to them. It’s getting harder every year. Since they tank trap the roads to the

good patches you have to drive to find them now and with the tank traps, if a

fire starts, they have to wait for a cat to get there. By then, the fire is in a pretty

good start. We need the tank traps removed, the roads taken care of and the

loggers need to do a better job cleaning up their sites. There are a bunch of enColville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

rolled members that shouldn’t be enrolled. I’m a full blood and my great granddaughter isn’t enrolled. And the ones that got enrolled overhunt to feed their

white ancestors; they are the first in line to get salmon, too. I just heard about

them putting out bids on the wild horses with helicopters. Why not pay the

Indian boys to catch them. You are always saying you want the Indians to work

and receive the money, not outsiders. They’d probably do it for less, plus enjoy

chasing the horses (I used to ride with my brother and do this, and it was fun)

(Not for pay.) It is kind of traditional to see who could do this the best and it

brought honor and made them feel like they accomplished something and you

take that away from them. You see this was a challenge, skill, and knowledge.

It made you think about how to outsmart them. I was also told one member

asked if they could do it with snowmobiles and was told no. Why helicopters

and not snowmobiles. Same difference. The horses are gonna run either way. I

don’t think there will be enough snow anyway but give the boys a chance. Pay

Indians, not whites.

210.

I believe that we need to be careful to manage the reservation for the benefit of

future generations.

211.

You used to see tribal owned log trucks hauling logs. You could count them on

your fingers now. Maybe on one hand. They are all non-tribal now. It breaks

my heart.

212.

Hunting should be controlled to a certain number of game for each hunter. Most

are hunting when meat is not used or needed.

213.

The deer hunting season should be returned to year-round. When I returned it

a few years ago I noticed the deer were not as stressed. I know the season was

shortened years ago because of the winter kill, but the shorter hunting season

was only supposed to be temporary.

214.

I believe we have not taken full advantage of what we have on the Reservation.

Yes, I believe in protecting the environment and preserving it for Mother Nature. But we have so many potential jobs and, if properly managed, it would

not only help protect the environment but also provide us with the materials

and ore to make our own products and actually become self-sustaining and

sovereign. Examples: hemp/medical marijuana, gold/silver mining and ore

mining and processing. Pretty much everything the Business Council disagrees

with to actually make money instead of holding our hand out to “Uncle Sam’

for that payout to shut up and die.

215.

I feel hunting season should go back to opening on July 1st. I feel people need to

be notified when F&W are giving away salmon. I feel more money needs to be

put up for pow wows so we can bring in more dancers. We should put on stick

game tournaments with big payouts.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

216.

Our natural resource officers need to patrol more out in the forest to prevent

poaching. I have worked in forestry for 33 years and have seen them out there

a handful of times! This also applies to other illegal activity that is happening

out there.

217.

The only thing that concerns me is bringing the wolves to our reservation, when

we didn’t even have them in the first place. That’s going to take out our white

tail, and mule deer. Not right now but in the future it will happen.

218.

Control the unwanted weeds on the Reservation. They are choking out our

good and natural grass. I garden and need the water. The irrigation ditch we

have, we’ve been trying to get them to fix it. It is a fire danger because the grass

around our house is dried up. We also have livestock that drink from the ditches. Since the ditch broke down we went through 5 house pumps just watering

our animals. We also get wildlife around here, too. When our mom was alive,

she enjoyed watching them. I think they should quit using that harvester in the

woods. It tears up the land and makes it look ugly out in the woods.

219.

When you log and give bids to non-tribal people who are married to a tribal

member, they seem to think they own the Reservation. They don’t clean up after

hydraulic or oil spills. Sometimes they leave broken equipment for days. They

leave logs behind because it wasn’t a load to bring in or “I forgot about it.” They

also mess up our berry patches, taking years of new growth. They make too

many roadways and tear up the road that we use to drive on. There are cattle

in the water during the summer, going through other homes and grazing. The

non-tribal white people may pay big money, but it is our land their cattle destroy and they don’t fix it. There are not enough range riders out there because

BIA has their own and don’t care about Indians. They seem to always say they

try to provide for us but really, do they? They don’t fix good fencing on our

Reservation like they do across the river. You should create new jobs for the

tribal members. Where are they? The mill chip is going to waste. Seed it or start

it up. Why not keep our logs, like we used to, and provide for our future? We

don’t get no per capitas for the stores, casino or gas like we were promised long

ago. Lots of poachers just to provide for their families, growing weed here on

res - no go - safe and sorry for our people - never happens, lots of words, like

wind in the sky.

220.

Wind blown down trees in the area of Hall Creek, Twin Lakes, and Keller. These

trees were downed from “freak wind storms.” This was not natural and we need

to clean this up for fire hazards or clogged creeks. If the creek is not cleared by

the iron bridge, Hall Creek will wash it away next spring runoff. If the timber

is not logged, we as a tribe are no better than the non-Indian looking at dollar

signs only and not looking at protecting and preserving. Roads are closed due

to trees falling across them. Why couldn’t the fireguards employed be opening

these roads when they’re blocked? And when they cut the trees, open the whole

road not just enough for a small pickup or ATV. If there was a fire, not all veColville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

hicles will get by. Trees in the creek. If we cannot have equipment by creeks,

let’s enlist our young unemployed men to manually cut trees. There should be

many available in a few programs. I know the trees do cool down the creeks,

but these post windstorms raised hell up here.

221.

Omak game reserve entrance at Haley Creek. When I had my tag last year, I

entered this way and noticed a wooden sign with spray-painted notice of “Reserve” or something. I also hunted the Omak Reserve 3 times from morning

until dawn and did not see 1 game officer.

222.

BIA is in control of monitoring current logging practices. The number of logging

trucks driving across the reservation at break neck speeds to get from here to

there? The number of clear cuts visible, this is bad. At the rate the CCT is going,

there will be nothing left for our children and grandchildren. We ask as people,

to stop being so damn greedy, and leave some for tomorrow: trees, medical

plants, deer, elk, moose, horses, etc.

223.

People who use the natural areas should be taught to “Leave it better than you

found it.”

224.

One thing that bothers me is cows are allowed to roam the Reservation and

poop in our streambeds, which should be fresh running streams. A person can’t

even take a drink out there where they are hunting, if thirsty.

225.

Non-tribal members logging our reservation under contract while we have

tribal members that are able to log, keeping money within the membership.

Non-tribal members getting firewood and bringing it across the ferry, off reservation, for personal use or to be sold, going unreported. Non-tribal members

clear cutting areas and not cleaning up their plots, leaving the land pillaged and

unfit for future trees to grow.

226.

CCT relies too much on timber for revenue that never makes its way to the

“people” unless they are able to work with in the Forestry Departments.

227.

Our people fought long and hard to get rid of the cattle on this Reservation. It

is finally in recovery from past over-grazing. Since, the damage to our vehicles

within these Range Units, has decreased substantially. Wildlife habitat is also in

recovery, finally! Leave it be….

228.

The Russian Olive tree that was planted by a wildlife biologist from Chief Joseph dam is my biggest concern. The tree is growing out of control, and it

needs to be removed from the reservation at all costs. Future generations need

to know what this land looked like before someone got the bright idea to bring

that tree here. The federal government should be responsible for the cost of removing this tree. The tree provides good habitat for animals, but at what cost?

Preserving the reservation should be a priority for the tribe. In fifty years no

one would be able to tell that it is the same Columbia River I grew up with.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

229.

Non-tribals sure seem to make their rounds within the tree lines at times; unsure if they are dumping garbage is my concern. Tribal programs have contractor garbage on the rez in different locations like they’re too lazy to transport it

to the dumps that are just down the road.

230.

All of the years that I have been out on the land I have seen evidence that our

own people disregard the care for the land by leaving their garbage, junk, and

contractors leaving cardboard box and plastic behind from the greenhouse-very

shameful. Contractors that leave behind such garbage should not be given contracts for 1-3 years this includes tree cutters that leave behind their gas or oil

containers.

231.

Wolf management. The wolf population should be greatly reduced. And why

was it not addressed in this IRMP. This should be a part of IRMP plan how it

plans on managing it’s wolf population.

232.

Firewood: Why are tribal members not allowed to stockpile firewood for sale?

It’s hard to buy 10 re-sale tags at once (20x10=200) Knowing you only have

access for a short period of time to the timber because of snow. So you should

consider allowing stockpiling and resale tags to be bought when wood is sold,

nver seen a white man law that similar. All Native American tribes north of

us stockpile wood as a source of: income, heat, and traditional use. Why is it

a problem for us to due the same, and why $420.00 each cord. Wood for sale

415.00 average rate, minus $20.00 resale, - $40.00 gas, - $15 oil = $75.00 - profit

margin is low. 10 cords per stove w/an average of 7 cords each home is a little

low. Logging company should not take any dry western larch or Douglas fir

for logs. I think they should leave for tribal members, heat and income use. If

a clear cut meet another one, leave a chain (66’) between blocks for wildlife - a

wildlife strip. Recreation: We should concentrate a little more on the recreational activity on the Columbia - fishing, camping, hunting (birds) for non-tribals,

around and near the fish hatcheries, etc.

233.

Maintain the Reservation.

234.

I would like to see more emphasis on recycling of paper, glass and metal containers.

235.

Help the earth.

236.

Take better care of our Reservation.

237.

Bring back the youth groups to clean up and preserve the Reservation. Stop

serving hot dogs and hamburgers at the Sunflower and teach all the kids what

native foods were eaten and serve that instead.

238.

Training for members. College/job. Free items for hunting/fishing for members. Per capitas from wood/mills for members.

Colville Reservation 2014 Community Survey Results

239.

Big game parts not profitable are left to rot. Game meat is sold off reservation. Indian only/tribal only areas and lakes and stre

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