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Columbia River Compact
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| Columbia River Compact | |
| Formation date: | 1918 |
| Member jurisdictions: | 2 |
| Issue(s): | Natural resource management |
 | |
The Columbia River Compact is an interstate compact between Oregon and Washington that regulates the commercial fishing seasons on the lower Columbia River. This compact is also congressionally consented.[1]
History
At the turn of the twentieth century, commercial fishing on the Columbia River was governed by competing laws and regulations in Oregon and Washington. Through the compact, conceived in 1915 and authorized by Congress in 1918, the fish and wildlife departments of each state set the commercial fishing season. Under the compact, neither state may make changes in their commercial fishing regulations or season without the consent of the other state.[2]
In developing the compact, the two states apportioned the river into six fishing zones over 302 miles. One zone—covering approximately 147 miles—is set aside exclusively for Indian fisheries. Per federal law, Indian fishers are entitled to half the harvestable surplus fish of the river. Accordingly, fisheries in the remaining five zones must ensure they leave enough fish to allow the Indian fishers their legal share.[2]
See also
External links
- The Council of State Governments - National Center for Interstate Compacts
- Columbia River Compact
- Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Footnotes
