Wyden & Smith Announce Funding
For Celilo Village
Bill Authorizes Funds to Rehabilitate
Dilapidated Landmark
August 1, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR)
and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced today the successful passage
of the Native American Technical Correction Act of 2003 which
contains a provision authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers
to rehabilitate Celilo Village in the Columbia River Gorge.
“Celilo Village is one of Oregon’s
unique historical treasures, but it is in desperate need of
appropriate restoration, ” said Smith. “This legislation
ensures the rehabilitation process will begin, and that the
federal government will finally make good on its nearly half-century
old promise to Oregon tribes.”
“The legislation passed today will ensure
that the Federal government will meet its long-overdue promise
of rebuilding this community," said Wyden.
The Native American fishing and trading site
of Celilo Falls on the Columbia River was submerged by the reservoir
created by the 1957 construction of the Dalles Dam. At that
time, the village was re-established at a nearby site with the
promise that regional tribes would be given fishing access sites
on the edge of the new reservoir. Although 400 acres of sites
were set aside, a new Celilo Village has never been developed.
The Corps of Engineers currently has the funds to develop a
new fishing site and Congress has now given it the authority
to do so. Smith and Wyden asked for authorization before the
celebration of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Observance.
The original Celilo Falls fishing site was located along what
is now known as the Lewis and Clark Trail.
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