Washington moves to settle salmon case with tribes

Thursday, August 30, 2007  

The state of Washington says it will settle a lawsuit over healthy salmon runs after losing a key ruling.

State and tribal officials met with Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on Wednesday to discuss the case. At issue are culverts that haven't been managed and are hindering salmon.

Martinez ruled that the state has a duty under the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott to ensure tribes can fish at their usual and accustomed places. The state and the tribes now have to figure out how to pay for culvert repairs.

Get the Story:
Culverts: State, tribes to negotiate (The Seattle Times 8/30)
Little pink salmon in really big trouble (The Tacoma News Tribune 8/30)

Get the Decision:
US v. Washington (August 22, 2007)

Related Stories:
Editorials: Tribes deserve healthy salmon runs (8/27)
Washington tribes win ruling in salmon case (8/23)