Mr. ned, I applaud your sticktoitiveness on this topic! I himmed-n-hawed before I decided to respond, as I only can provide conjecture as to how the permitting processes proceed for new/replacement launches.

All of my experiences have been in freshwater construction on the mid/upper Columbia. I hypothesize that the tribal influence is less dramatic in this instance, as there is less dough to mine in freshwater (assumed), as compared to saltwater applications. But I will say that in the last 15-20 years, it appears that the pendulum has really turned in the favor of the tribes when it comes to favorable legal decisions, fish/game season setting/self-regulation, as well as "off rez" government document review also.

In this new age of "Woke, Hyper Sensitivity, and Celebrate-Individualism" the NW Native Americans/Indians/Tribes are aligning to really own The State of Washington's natural resources, with little resistance from our own WDFW. The Federal Gov has designed the system already by setting up the payouts for past dirty deeds in regards to habitat loss on the Columbia as restitution (BPA and every PUD get's hammered every 10-20 years by Tribes for more cash). Who can fault anyone if they get a chance to capitalize financially due to any of these circumstances, but when will it ever end??? What travesties have taken place in the last XX (50) years to keep these moral and racial divides continuing? That's what bothers me, as when does the money stop being paid out, and the speciality treatment end? Will there ever be a sunset clause to any of these race issues (and no reservations), regarding the resources? Ie-Natives get to fish/hunt like their ancestors, yet their ancestors were doing it how many 100's of years ago, and the tribes are lowering the % to be considered a "native" (really, seems like follow the money to me??)? It just can't self sustain, in my logic?? Am I asking the question nobody want's to ask, because then you're a RACIST??? IDK..sorry for the rant guys..