I agree with the statements made by salmo stating the native rights and court decisions. I also agree with many of his statements about our failings as a "group".
The "group" needs federal leadership willing to provide the power to make the decisions.
Our fisheries are not regulated by one political entity. Each entity (sport, commercial, tribal,lobbyist, state, federal,)has their own political agenda based on their own greed or beliefs. Presently the only entity (Federal)that has the power to make a decision of importance doesn't pay attention to good intelligent resource management decisions. I use the Elwha dam as a example....The majority of lower powered entities (State, Diashowa, fishermen, Elwha indians) want the dams removed. One dam comes out, but the upper dam's fate, solely controlled by the federal government is played as a political pawn. This occurs even when the Elwha tribe wants both dams removed.
I believe there is another politcal entity that has the power to negotiate with the natives other than the federals. It is the Private conservation groups. Conservation groups have the organization and resources to negotiate a deal but lack the capital or power.
I truly believe capital can be raised to compensate for commercial harvest reductions once a deal is reached.
What about the power to make a deal? Who are the Deal makers?
First you need the tribes to make a deal. But can you make a deal with the tribes that can hold up in court? Yes but it won't be easy. Example: The JKT made a deal with the Clalam County to pay a percentage of their gross at the casino to pay for services( fire, police). They refused to pay the county for the services saying they were running in the red.
The deal was on the GROSS not the net yet they still refuse to meet the original agreement.
So this deal was made with a very strong government entity yet couldn't be enforced. Only the federal government has the power to actually hold the tribes to a deal.
Conservation Groups have the political power to sway the federal government into giving the power to make a deal stick.
Are there any conservation groups that are willing to lead? Many people on this board belong to conservation groups. Plant the seeds of change with your groups.
Salmo states that if the tribes came to the table this time they would have a bevy of lawyers with them (agreed).......But who makes the final decision after the lawyers make their recommendations?....The tribes Do!!
Let the talks begin....Without discussion there can be no agreement.
Ok there are surely holes in my theory...Let me see the holes so I can fix them.
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Martywww.steelheader.net marty@steelheader.net
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