I think it questionable for them to plant steelhead, with federal funds, for the exclusive use of the tribes. Very few of these fish are caught in the oceans or contribute to anyone but the tribe. At one time it could be justified by arguing the tribe needed the fish for economic reasons or to offset low run numbers that were a result of damage done to the watershed. In the case of the Quinault, most of the watershed is now in the reservation or in the national park. The tribe most certainly does not need the revenue to survive, and could easily pay for the raising themselves. In that case, and probably in the case of the Makah hatchery, the raising of steelhead in the numbers can not be justified by treaty obligations. It simply is a government handout to the tribe.

I don't blame the tribe from taking advantage of it. I would too. But I do wonder why it the federal government continues to fund it.