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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 26, 2014)
Page 8 Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon November 26, 2014 Wildlife: many factors depleting populations (Continued from page 3) This results in fawns hav- ing higher mortality rates than adult deer. Elk: Unfortunately, we only observed 82 elk on sur- veys last year. We probably missed some animals, and were not able to determine population esti- mates or bull and calf ratios for elk. Last year there was an ap- proved cow hunt during De- cember at the last minute, which is during the same time period as our surveys. And we believe the disturbance from the hunting activities moved the elk around. There was a lot of hunt- ing on the ground during our surveys. Elk herd up a lot more than deer, so if you don’t find, or miss the herd you miss a majority of the popu- lation. So we were unable to get an accurate estimate. We will be conducting an- other survey this December for deer and elk, and will hopefully have better luck with the survey. Past surveys that have de- termined bull and calf ratios suggest that populations are a little more stable than deer, but are by no means ideal. Bull ratios have been hov- ering right around Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) standards, which is 15 bulls per 100 cows. Calf ratios have been be- low the sustainable threshold for about the last 15 years, but have not been as bad as the fawn ratios. For elk, the sustainable calf ratio is around 30 calves per 100 cows. The reserva- tion calf ratios have averaged around 25 calves per 100 cows for the past ten to 15 years, which indicates a de- cline in the population. Negative factors The low fawn and calf ra- tios and low population num- bers are really an indicator that there is a much bigger issue going on. There are a lot factors that Survey: need for predator monitoring (Continued from page 3) The purpose is to monitor population growth or decline as well as determine whether they are occupying habitat or not. This is due to the amount of timber harvest that takes place on the reservation. The owls only nest in mature, older forests, so timber har- vest activities directly impact their habitat and populations. These surveys are also con- ducted on the ground and pri- marily at night. Other wildlife There is not really any monitoring of other wildlife species at this time. As stated earlier, wildlife monitoring can be very time intensive and expensive, so we are really limited by the number of staff and funding available. Predator monitoring is definitely needed; however, there aren’t really a lot of easy ways to monitor predators. It most likely would in- volve trapping and collaring animals to determine popu- lation densities. These tech- niques are both expensive and time consuming. It would also be beneficial to monitor songbird and small mammal populations, be- cause a lot these animals are indicators of habitat condi- tions, and may also be used to estimate predator popula- tions. But again, this is lim- ited by available staff and money. In the future the Wildlife Department hopes to acquire grant or some other funding to study some of these other wildlife populations. Wildfires histori- cally were healthy for the land, but currently they are having a negative impact... are affecting the deer and elk populations, and really it’s cu- mulative effects from mul- tiple factors that are causing the low populations of wild- life on the reservation. There are many land man- agement disturbances across the landscape. Look at the winter range, which is the lower elevation areas on the rangelands: The majority of the landscape is in poor con- dition to support healthy numbers of wildlife popula- tions. Healthy winter range habi- tat is essential for deer and elk, because winter is the most stressful time for ani- mals. They are very vulner- able during this time, and are at greatest risk to die due to restricted forage availability, weather and body condition. According to a vegetation inventory conducted over the last couple years, 86 percent of the reservation winter range, which is primarily the open rangeland area, is cov- ered in annual grasses. Annual grasses such as cheat grass and medusa head provide no nutritional value to deer and elk. Deer are primarily brows- ers. They prefer to eat forbs (for example flowering plants) and the new growth on shrubs and brush. They will also eat some grass, but not a lot. And when you look at the landscape on the reservation you don’t see a whole lot of forbs and native bunch grasses. Elk are primarily grazers and prefer grasses, primarily native bunch grasses. They will also occasionally browse, but not much. Only 10 per- cent of the reservation’s win- ter range habitat is composed of perennial grasses, and 4 percent is composed of shrub steppe habitat (bitter- brush and sagebrush). Wildlife essentially need three things to survive: food, water and cover. If one of those elements is missing, then it’s unlikely you’ll find those animals there. The rangelands also re- ceive a lot of grazing pres- sure from horses, and the horses directly compete with deer and elk for forage. There has been a lot of wildfire activity on the reser- vation. Fire is a natural cycle that was historically healthy for the landscape. However, because the landscape is al- tered from the heavy grazing pressure, and the presence on annual grasses and invasive weeds, wildfire currently has a negative impact on the rangelands. The fires have burned up a lot of the shrub habitat which is important forage and cover for wildlife and what mostly comes back after a fire are more annual grasses and weeds because they out compete the native vegeta- tion. The winter range is only half of the habitat. There is also the summer range, which is mostly composed of the forested area. There is timber harvested year round on the reserva- tion. These activities not only remove habitat, but cause a lot of disturbance. Timber harvest activities also open a lot of roads. Roads have a substantial ef- fect on deer and elk. Although roads provide a convenience, they come at a cost. Roads are a direct loss of habitat. They also cause habitat fragmentation reduc- ing the usability of habitat within a quarter mile on ei- ther side of the road. Roads also increase access for poaching. So on top of all these other land management issues that area affecting wildlife populations, you add poach- ing. Harvesting deer and elk out of season, harvest above bag limits, and the harvest of does or cows, all play large roles in reducing reservation deer and elk populations. Board of Directors of Ven- tures shall be made by a com- mittee, but to get the current board in place and appoint members to the board in a timely manner due to tribes financial status. The Tribal Council has opted to appoint the members to the board so that the board can continue with plans for revenue mak- ing ideas for the tribe; now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon, pursuant to Article V. Section 1(o) of the Constitution and By-laws, that the following persons are appointed to the Board of Directors of Ventures: Class I (expiring Decem- ber 31, 2016): Theodore “Ted” Kulongoski (non mem- ber); and Olney Patt Jr. (mem- ber). Class III (expiring Decem- ber 31, 2015): Pi-ta Lewis Pitt (member). Resolution no. 11,927. (non-member), terms ending Dec. 31, 2016. Resolution no. 11,929. Resolutions of Tribal Council 2014 (attached to this Reso- lution as Exhibit “A”); and, Whereas the Tribal Coun- cil believes that adoption of the updated SIIP Plan is in the best interests of the Tribe and its members; now, there- fore, Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council Whereas the Tribal Coun- of the Confederated Tribes cil is the governing body of of the Warm Springs Reser- the Confederated Tribes of vation of Oregon pursuant to the Warm Springs Reserva- Article V, Section 1 (a), (d), tion of Oregon (“Tribe”); and (1) of the Tribal Consti- and, tution and By-Laws, that the Whereas the Tribal Coun- Tribal Council does hereby cil have recognized the need approve and adopt the up- for development and imple- dated Confederated Tribes mentation of a Strategic In- of Warm Springs Reser- frastructure Improvement vation Strategic Infrastruc- Plan (SIIP) to serve both ex- ture Improvement Plan isting and future development dated April 2014 (attached as on the Reservation; and, Exhibit “A”; Resoluion no. Whereas the Tribe recog- 11,921.) nizes the need to enhance and strengthen development of the Tribes human and natu- ral resources, support the safety and welfare of the Whereas the War m Tribal community, and en- Springs Housing Authority courage development of the has received Tax Credit funds Reservation, while also sup- from the State of Oregon for porting community values the purpose of constructing and the goal of furthering 35 homes as Greeley Heights self-determination through Subdivision, Phase VI on the exercise of the Tribe’s in- Tribal Land: herent sovereignty; and, Map attached as Exhibit Whereas the SIIP pro- “A”, metes and bounds sur- vides a coordinated forecast vey to be completed at a later for financing the Reservation’s date; and, domestic water, wastewater, Whereas the proposed transportation, power, tele- project was approved by communications and related Resolution No. 11,916 on needs; and, September 8, 2014; and, Whereas the Tribe has Whereas in addition to needed to update the Com- the 35 homes to be built it is munity Infrastructure Plan also planned to remove the (1999-2010), and has con- existing restrooms at the tracted with Cascade Design Northern end along Quail Professionals for infrastruc- Trail and replace it with a ture planning assistance; and, Community Building next to Whereas the result of the existing playground; now Tribal staff ’s work with Cas- therefore, cade Design Professionals is Be it resolved by the the updated SIIP, dated April (The following are some of the recent Resolutions of the Twenty- Sixth Tribal Council. Copies of all resolutions are available through the Tribal Council office.) Reservation infrastructure New housing Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon (“Tribes”), pursuant to Article V (1) of the Tribal Constitution and By-Laws of the Tribes, that the Greeley Heights Subdivi- sion, Phase VI, in addition to the construction of 35 homes and a community building to be included as part of the project is hereby granted; and, Be it further resolved that the Chairman or Vice- Chair man and Secretary- Treasurer/CEO are hereby authorized to execute the nec- essary documents for and on behalf of the Confederated Tribes. Resolution no. 11,941. Hunting, trapping code Whereas the Tribal Hunt- ing and Trapping Code Chap- ter 350 requires the Tribal Council to review the status of wildlife populations annu- ally and set seasons and bag limits; and, Whereas the Tribal Coun- cil has reviewed the attached Exhibit “A” limits, seasons and other regulations as rec- ommended by the Natural Resources Branch and the Fish and Wildlife Committee; now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon pursuant to article V, Section 1 (i) and (l) of the Tribal Constitution and the Hunting and Trapping Code 350.210, that the “2014 Reservation Hunting Season Regulations” are adopted as provided in the attached rec- ommendation from the Natu- ral Resources Branch and the Fish and Wildlife Committee. (Resolution no. 11,922.) Credit board Whereas the Confeder- ated Tribes of the War m Springs Reservation has char- tered the Credit Enterprise at Warm Springs; and, Whereas Article IV of the Credit Charter provides for the appointment by the Tribal Council for members of the Board; now, therefore, Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon, pursuant to Article V, Section 1 (s) of the Constitution and By-Laws, that the following person be appointed to the Board of Directors of Warm Springs Credit Enterprise with the term as indicated: Class II: Mary Sando- Emhoolah (member), and Scott Griggs (non-member) (terms ending Jan. 1, 2017.) Class III: Evaline Patt (member, term ending Jan. 1, 2015). Resolution no. 11,925 P&W board Whereas Warm Springs Economic Development Cor- poration (“Ventures) is a cor- poration formed by the Tribal Council (“Tribal Council”) of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reserva- tion of Oregon, pursuant to Article V, Section 1(o) of the Constitution and By-laws, by adoption of Resolution No. 9983 on February 27, 2007; and, Whereas Article IV, Sec- tion 3 of the Corporate Char- ter of Ventures provides that the selection of members of Composite, Forest boards Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon, pursuant to Article V, Section 1(s) of the Constitution and By-Laws, that the following person be appointed to the War m Springs Composite and For- est Products Board with the term indicated: Class II: Jonathan K. Smith (member); and Douglas Haaga (non-member), terms ending Dec. 31, 2015. Class III: Robert Macy Sr. (member), and Don Sohappy P&W board Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon, pursuant to Article V, Section 1(s) of the Constitution and By-Laws, that the following person be appointed to the War m Springs Power and Water Enterprise with the term in- dicated: Class I (member): Kahseuss Jackson-Williams (term ending Jan. 1, 2017.) Class III (member): Olney Patt Jr. (term ending Jan. 1, 2016.) Class III (non-member): Ed Tarbell (term ending Jan. 1, 2016.) Resolution no. 11,926. Housing board Be it resolved by the Twenty-Sixth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reser- vation of Oregon, pursuant to Article V, Section 1 (s) of the Constitution and By-Laws and WSTC 400.022 (2) and (6) of the Warm Springs Tribal Code, that the follow- ing are hereby appointed Commissioners of the Warm Springs Local Housing Au- thority: Commissioners: Margaret Buckland and Moses Kalama (terms ending May 30, 2016); and Evaline Patt and Roscoe Thompson Sr. (terms ending May 30, 2017.) (Resolution no. 11,924)
