Maia Bellon
Cascadia Law Group

Scott Schuyler
Upper Skagit Tribe

Jennifer Ferris
HDR, Inc.

DESCRIPTION

Nearly every hydro project in the Northwest is located on a river that has deep cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to Tribes. Many of these projects are also either historic or located in areas with rich historical resources. Hydro project owners are obligated to consider these resources when relicensing and operating their projects.  This panel will cover the topic from multiple angles including tribal, hydro operations, recreationists, other visitors, and historic property managers.

Who should attend: Hydro operators, regulators, tribal members, and consultants – all of whom have roles and responsibilities related to historic and cultural resources associated with the hydropower system.

Why you should attend:
These issues, if ignored, can derail a project. Given forethought and attention, these issues can help projects move forward in a timely way and help forge important relationships, as well as provide educational opportunities.

Moderator:
Maia Bellon, Partner, Cascadia Law Group

Panelists:

• Scott Schuyler, Natural & Cultural Policy Representative, Upper Skagit Tribe
• Jennifer Ferris, Senior Cultural Resource Specialist, HDR, Inc. 
• Nakia Williamson-Cloud, Cultural Resources Program Director, Nez Perce Tribe

Speaker Bios:

• Maia Bellon is a partner with Cascadia Law Group, PLLC (Olympia, Washington). Maia’s practice focuses on water, environmental and energy issues, climate change and public policy. She represents clients involved in significant issues of environmental, natural resource, energy policy, and major projects. Maia advises hydroelectric clients on Tribal and cultural resource issues, including National Historic Preservation Act compliance and water resource matters.
• Scott Schuyler is a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe. He has served as the natural & cultural resources policy representative since 1994. Scott has been a tribal fisher on the Skagit River for 41 years. His passions include; protection of tribal rights, sovereignty, & the environment.
• Jennifer Ferris is a Senior Cultural Resources Specialist at HDR. She has 23 years of technical experience in archaeology and cultural resources management in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S. Jennifer is very experienced working under state and federal regulations that pertain to cultural and tribal resources and serves as a technical lead on energy, water, transportation, and habitat restoration projects. Jennifer has developed close working relationships with Indian Tribes and agencies, and she regularly contributes at cultural resources conferences and is active in public education.