Saw something about the QIN in negotiations with WDFW and CRIFC for the ability to net the Big C. Anybody (Rivrguy??) with actual knowledge on this?

HERE YA ARE


ILWACO — In a move with massive implications for commercial and recreational fishermen — and for the Chinook Indian Nation — a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife email leaked May 28 confirms the Quinault Indian Nation is seeking fishery rights in Willapa Bay and the Lower Columbia River.

“The Quinault have indicated their intent to seek a determination from the federal court in U.S. v. Washington alleging they have a treaty right to harvest throughout Shoalwater and Willapa bays and about 60 miles up the Columbia River,” WDFW Columbia River Fishery Manager Ryan Lothrop said in the email obtained by the Chinook Observer.

“Before Quinault can bring their allegations to the court, they have to hold a ‘meet and confer’ with the U.S. v. WA parties, including Washington and treaty tribes. The meet and confer is scheduled for this Friday (May 29),” Lothrop added.

Lothrop confirmed late Thursday afternoon that the email obtained by the Observer and the situation to which is refers are real. The May 29 meeting is between parties to the litigation and is not open to the public or news media.

United States v. Washington — commonly known as the Boldt Decision — in 1974 gave tribes who were parties to 1850s treaties the right to half the catch in their “usual and accustomed grounds and stations,” with the tribes and the state managing the fisheries together. Willapa Bay, the south Washington coast and the Columbia River estuary were largely spared many direct consequences of Boldt because there weren’t ratified fishing treaties covering this area.

If the Quinault claim is upheld, their fishers could be entitled to half of the lucrative Dungeness crab fishery in the area, along with a half share of fin fisheries, such as salmon returning to Willapa Bay and the Columbia estuary. The Lower Columbia is co-managed by WDFW and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Chinook Indian Nation, unrecognized by the federal government and presently lacking treaty fishing rights, would find their long-time territory under the control of the Quinault, their traditional rivals. The Quinault have played a key behind-the-scenes role in opposing Chinook recognition efforts. The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is federally recognized but their current fishery rights are unclear at the time of this report.

The Quinault plans have been circulating for several months but there was no documentation to validate the allegations, and none of the parties have been willing to speak on the record.

Sources disclosed to the Observer that the Shoalwater Tribe was notified via letter months ago. However, the tribe did not respond to an email from the Observer seeking confirmation they had been notified.

The Observer submitted a public records request with WDFW on April 15 asking for the letter and/or emails regarding the matter. On April 21, WDFW Public Records Specialist Keri Street issued the Observer a formal notification that the agency had received the request, but provided an estimated time of fulfillment of Nov. 13.

This is a developing story and we will have more in-depth coverage as detai

Desk of The Quinault President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


QUINAULT INDIAN NATION INITIATES PROCESS TO RECOGNIZE ITS SOUTHERN TREATY FISHING AREAS

TAHOLAH, WA — The Quinault Indian Nation has initiated the process under United States v. Washington to seek recognition of treaty-reserved fishing rights in southern waters historically used by the Quinault People.

As a first step, the Nation convened a Meet and Confer with interested parties pursuant to the procedures governing United States v. Washington. The meeting provides an opportunity for discussion before the Nation files a formal Request for Determination with the United States District Court.

The Treaty of Olympia preserved the Quinault People's right to fish at their usual and accustomed grounds and stations. For generations, those resources have sustained Quinault families and remained central to the Nation's culture, economy, and way of life. The Nation understands the historical record demonstrates extensive Quinault use of southern waters at and before treaty times.

“This effort is about honoring the promises preserved by our ancestors and ensuring that our history is accurately recognized,” said Quinault Indian Nation President Guy Capoeman. “Our people have long understood these waters to be part of the places where Quinault families lived, traveled, and fished. We have a responsibility to protect what was reserved for us and to ensure those rights are preserved for future generations as intended.”

The Nation emphasized that the initiation of this process does not result in any immediate changes to fisheries management or existing fishing activities. The matter will proceed through the established United States v. Washington framework.

Quinault remains committed to maintaining respectful government-to-government relationships with neighboring tribes, the State of Washington, and federal agencies throughout the proceedings.
“This is an important step for the Nation, but it is also a measured one,” President Capoeman added. “We approach this effort respectfully, in good faith, and with a commitment to the orderly resolution of unresolved treaty-rights questions.”

What will be interesting is that the initial Boldt Decision paperwork outlines, for the Court, the U&A of each of the Stevens Treaties Tribes. It will be interesting to see the data and expansion. May open some interesting doors.

For example, the original decision gave Yakama U&A in the Nisqually. Have to check to see if it was just the river or into marine waters.