"2. There is only one provision in the U.S. v. Washington case (the "Boldt" decision) that talks about ending the 50/50 split of harvestable fish, and that is when treaty right holders are making a moderate level of income. That hasn't been defined in any court case, yet, but $96,000 a year for a family of four sounds like more than moderate to me."

Horse Pucky!!!

There is nothing in any of the Stevens' Treaties signed with Western Washington tribes that says a single thing about MODERATE INCOME. Neither is there any mention of that in the Boldt decision. While there has always been a commercial aspect to indian fishing (trading with eastern washington and plains indians) no one has ever attempted to but a monetary value on the treaty right, because its priceless.

There also is no trap door to the Boldt Decision, no way for the 50/50 split to come to an end.

Quinault Treaty http://www.nwifc.org/tribes/treaties/tquinault.asp

Treaty of Medicine Creek http://www.nwifc.org/tribes/treaties/tmedcreek.asp

Treaty of Neah Bay http://www.nwifc.org/tribes/treaties/tneahbay.asp

Treaty of Point Elliott http://www.nwifc.org/tribes/treaties/tpointell.asp

Treaty of Point No Point http://www.nwifc.org/tribes/treaties/tpnp.asp

Boldt Decision http://www.ccrh.org/comm/river/legal/boldt.htm