aggregate or with respect to specific groups, there is no doubt thatsalmon and steelhead 

 were a dominant factor in the cultures, religions and economies of many tribes. Because 

 most of the tribes were and still are located primarily in the upper portion of the Columbia 

 River Basin, the decline in number* of fish, combined with the shift of fish production from 

 the upper to lower basin (discussed below), has had a serious effect on those tribes, and an 

 incalculable effect on their economies, cultures and religions. 



(c) Habitat Loss and Degradation. General 



There have been significant losses and degradation of salmon and steelhead habitat in 

 the Columbia River Basin. Particularly severe was permanent blockage of large areas of 

 habitat above Chief Joseph- Grand Coulee dams and the Hells Canyon Complex. The 

 harmful effects of such projects are irreversible because it has not been feasible to provide 

 fish passage facilities for them. Moreover, even dams that permit fish passage have 

 inundated habitat, destroying spawning and rearing areas, and increasing downstream and 

 upstream migration time. It is estimated that salmon and steelhead habitat in the entire 

 basin has decreased from about 14,700 miles of stream before 1850 to about 10.100 miles 

 of stream In 1976, a 31 percent loss. Salmon and steelhead habitat in the Columbia River 

 above Bonneville Dam has decreased from about 11.700 miles of stream before 1850 to 

 about 7,600 miles of stream in 1976. about a 35 percent loss. 



The lower river area below Bonneville Dam has suffered significant losses of spring 

 Chinook habitat. However, there has been much less habitat loss for salmon and steelhead 

 in the lower river area overall compared to upriver areas. In the Willamette River, habitat 



