Brian Lanouette is the staff fisheries scientist for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s (USIT) Natural Resources Department. Brian fulfills a wide range of duties in the interest of USIT’s natural resources. He represents and advises USIT in a broad array of activities aimed at reviewing and providing technical recommendations for environmental documents and activities including: ESA related recovery plans; resource management plans; NEPA documents; fishery management plans; harvest planning; implementation of hydropower protection and mitigation; as well as habitat restoration plans for the enhancement and recovery of Pacific Salmon to promote USIT Treaty resources. He has a strong freshwater ecology background, in both lake and riverine ecosystems, with a research history that emphasizes a holistic approach to understanding fish productivity and population dynamics by viewing the fish as a product of the entire ecosystem. Brian seeks to bring this holistic approach to salmon recovery in the Skagit River Basin.
The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe sees it critical to remain actively engaged in the community and the Skagit Watershed Council, recognizing that both the community and salmon residing in the Skagit watershed benefit by sharing goals and maintaining close working relationships. Although Brian is seeking his first term on the SWC’s Board of Directors, he and USIT believe his scientific judgment and experience from participation in other salmon recovery forums would be a benefit to the Skagit Watershed Council through offering close collaboration with other stakeholders and science-driven decision-making. Collaboration, tribal connectivity, and tribal representation with the groups executing restoration and protection of both private and public lands is key to the Skagit Watershed Council’s success. With a strong background in aquatic ecology Brian also understands that agencies have to work together to make tough decisions to protect and restore salmon. It is through this understanding, and the melding of science with decision making. Brian wishes to assist in the collective group of individuals and agencies working to advance, and ultimately succeed in, salmon recovery throughout the Skagit Watershed.
