Quinault Nation hails victory in dispute over lake on reservation

Monday, June 5, 2017  

A dispute over a lake on the Quinault Nation finally appears to be coming to an end.

The state and federal courts have repeatedly confirmed that Lake Quinault belongs to the tribe. But non-Indian opponents keep trying to keep the dispute alive.

The Washington Supreme Court, however, has declined to hear the case. That means a ruling that dismissed the opponents' lawsuit stands.

“Hopefully, this will end the long odyssey through multiple courts to an end,” President Fawn Sharp said after the court issued an order denying an appeal on May 31. “There is no question that the tribe owns the lake. We always have. Now court decision after court decision have upheld our ownership.”

North Quinault Properties, the group behind the lawsuit, has the option of asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the matter.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, North Quinault Properties LLC v. Quinault Indian Nation

Quinault Nation secures dismissal of lawsuit over lake ownership (March 10, 2016)