The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed its dismissal of the Skokomish Tribe's $6 billion treaty rights claim on Wednesday but transferred portions of the case to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

A divided panel of 11 judges split on major issues in the case, including whether the tribe filed its suit too late and whether individual tribal members can assert treaty rights claims. At least four judges said the tribe should be allowed to sue the city of Tacoma, Washington, and a public utility for building two dams that affect salmon runs.

The majority, however, did say the tribe might have a case against the United States government. Portions of the suit were transferred to the claims court.

Get the Story:
9th Circuit rejects tribe's $6 billion claim (AP 3/10)
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Court Decision:
Skokomish Tribe v. Tacoma (March 9, 2005)

Earlier Decisions:
USA V CITY OF TACOMA (June 4, 2003) | SKOKOMISH INDIAN V TACOMA (June 3, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Skokomish Tribe - http://www.skokomish.org

Related Stories:
Appeals court to hear Wash. tribe's treaty dispute (03/17)
Appeals court to rehear Wash. tribe's treaty case (2/25)
Appeals court rules on Skokomish Tribe claims (06/05)