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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-256 YNCRP recently conducted intensive cultural resource surveys of route segments 1b, 3a, 3c, NNR-3, NNR- 4, NNR-6, NNR-7, and NNR-8 (Camuso and Lally 2015). Three archaeological sites identified during this study are associated with the Crab Creek TCP and are recommended eligible for listing on the NRHP because of their association with the gathering of plant species used in important ceremonial practices. Based on this analysis, concern was expressed primarily about Route Segment 3b, which would pass near Wanapum Village at Priest Rapids Dam and other resources of concern to the Yakama and Wanapum. The study also identifies concerns with a portion of Route Segment 3c crossing the Saddle Mountains and Lower Crab Creek. 3.11.5.2 Native American Rights and Interests Native American people have occupied the region for thousands of years utilizing lands in the Project area for hunting, fishing, plant gathering, trade and exchange, and other cultural, social, and religious activities. Descendants of the first inhabitants continue to utilize the public lands and resources in their traditional use areas. Federally recognized tribes retain rights and/or interests in public lands through treaties, Executive Orders, and/or federal statutes. Treaty rights are pre-existing rights specifically retained by tribes in the treaty or agreement between the tribe and the federal government. Hunting, fishing, and gathering of roots and berries in usual and accustomed places and grazing on open and unclaimed lands are examples of specific rights reserved by treaty or other legal authority. Federal agencies have a trust obligation to consult with tribes to identify and consider potential impacts of plans, projects, activities, or other actions that may adversely affect reserved tribal rights, resources, and other tribal interests. The BLM, as the lead federal agency for the proposed Project, is responsible for ensuring meaningful consultation and coordination is conducted with tribes on a government to government basis. The proposed Project is located within the lands ceded by the Treaty of 1855 with the Yakama Nation and is within the traditional use areas of the Yakama, Kittitas, Wanapum, and the Columbia Salish bands. Issues and concerns to be considered include treaty rights and resources, sacred sites, traditional uses including areas of traditional cultural and religious importance, and any other areas that may affect tribal interests. The Project is located within areas known to be important to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Wanapum Band of Indians, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for plant gathering and processing, hunting, and other traditional uses. Maintaining healthy habitats for fish and wildlife and access to locations of traditional procurement activities are essential to the exercise of reserved rights and tribal interests. Opportunities to exercise reserved rights and the availability of resources have been impacted by a number of factors including increased settlement and changes in land use practices including agriculture, irrigation, ranching, and resource extractive practices that continue to alter the landscape and natural habitats. The changes contribute to reductions in resource availability and access to the locations of traditional use. Decreased availability of culturally and economically important resources such as native fish, game, or plant species and loss of access to areas of traditional use affect the traditional socio-cultural activities and practices essential to the exercise of reserved rights and tribal interests. Confidential reports by the YNCRP (Lally and Camuso 2013; Camuso and Lally 2014) have been prepared for the Project. The CCT prepared a confidential report for the NNR Alternative and concluded that the NNR Alternative (including Route Segments 1a/NNR-1 and NNR-2 through NNR-8, including the MR Subroute) did not cross any known TCPs for the Moses Columbia people, a constituent tribes of the Colville Confederated Tribes. The current findings indicate the NNR Alternative crosses three TCPs