Both of Seattle's mainstream newspapers published editorials in support of the treaty rights of Washington tribes.
The Times said the ruling was simple. "Sign a treaty that cedes millions of acres, and the right to take fish from healthy runs will be protected. Forever," the paper wrote.
The Post-Intelligencer urged the state to accept, not fight, the decision. "After six years of a legal fight that led to a big judicial decision against the state, Washington's government still doesn't get it. Its highway culverts should allow salmon to get through, not kill off whole sections of rivers, streams and wetlands as fish habitat," the paper wrote.
In the August 23 ruling, Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said the state has a duty under the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliot to salmon can access spawning grounds.
Get the Story:
Editorial: Healthy fish runs were in the treaty
(The Seattle Times 8/25)
Salmon: State doesn't get it (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 8/26)
Get the Decision:
US v.
Washington (August 22, 2007)
Related Stories
Washington tribes win ruling in salmon case
(8/23)
