The Skokomish issue is directly the result of a legal opinion issue from the Federal agency tied directly to the tribes and their welfare. WDFW stated that they would be reviewing that opinion. Well, here we sit waiting and waiting.

If the tribal threat is to trash the whole NOF process if the Skok is brought into the negotiations that is simply why WDFW needs its own NOAA/NMFS issued permit. I have been told second or third hand that NOAA has indicated the permit process could take up to 5 years and that the State could not ride on the tribal permit during that period. Truth? I don't know but if so that threat of the State not being able to prosecute a fishery while a permit application is under review is simply unacceptable.

At the same time the current situation is also unacceptable and amounts to another standoff which really boils down to the tribes winning.

So, WDFW, what is your status on the Skok?