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)