The Yakama Nation of Washington and three environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture to block the shipment of garbage from Hawaii to a landfill next to the reservation.

The tribe alleges it wasn't consulted about plans to store the waste on territory that was ceded by treaty. The tribe retains hunting, gathering, fishing and other rights on the land in question.

Chairman Harry Smiskin said the USDA told him the first shipment from Hawaii could come this week. He said the tribe is concerned that invasive species might escape from the trash.

The landfill would accept up to 150,000 tons a year of compressed, baled and plastic-wrapped municipal garbage, The Oregonian reported.

Get the Story:
Hawaii trash could be headed to the Northwest (The Oregonian 7/28)
Suit aims to halt trash shipping (The Honolulu Advertiser 7/29)

Relevant Documents:
Complaint: Yakama Nation v. USDA (July 28, 2010)