The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs gave bipartisan support to the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, passing the bill out of committee on a voice vote.  The legislation is sponsored by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Washington counterparts Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell would enable the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make safety and sanitation improvements at the tribal treaty fishing access sites along the Columbia River.  The Army Corps of Engineers designed the sites to be used primarily for daily, in-season fishing access and temporary camping, but in many cases tribal members now use the areas as longer-term or even permanent residences.  The legislation is supported by the four Columbia River Treaty tribes and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.