North Sound media localize culvert ruling
The Herald of Everett takes a look at culverts in Snohomish County, some that will have to be repaired by the state under Judge Martinez's ruling, and some that already…
Lummi, Nooksack tribes awaiting federal action on water rights
Nooksack River water rights were discussed yesterday at a local water policy board meeting in Whatcom County. The Bellingham Herald reports: The tribes contend that their fishing rights, recognized by…
Nooksack Tribe receives $700,000 to build 20 logjams
The Bellingham Herald reports on Salmon Recovery Funding Board grants in Whatcom County, including one to the Nooksack Tribe: The Nooksack Tribe and a salmon group have received $794,480 to…
Fraser River sockeye salmon returns among highest recorded
Treaty tribes in western Washington are having a bountiful Fraser River sockeye fishery this season, with at least three times the number of fish returning as expected. More than 30 million sockeye are estimated to return to the Fraser River in British Columbia this year – the highest run size recorded since 1913.
View photos of the fishery in the San Juan Islands on NWIFC’s Flickr feed.
Nine treaty tribes in western Washington have treaty-reserved rights to catch Fraser River sockeye in U.S. waters before they migrate upstream. The Fraser River sockeye treaty tribes are Lummi, Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Nooksack, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Suquamish, Swinomish and Tulalip. (more…)
Efforts under way to remove derelict fishing gear from Nooksack River
Tribal natural resource staffers have removed lost and abandoned fishing gear from the Nooksack River. The Bellingham Herald: The Lummis and Nooksacks have treaty fishing rights under the 1974 Boldt…
Nooksack tribal leader Harry Cooper passes away
Nooksack tribal leader and former Northwest Indian Fisheries Commissioner Harry B. Cooper Jr. passed away March 26. Cooper was born May 7, 1953 in Forks. He is survived by his…
Puyallup Tribe’s new tracking method points to smaller elk herd size
PACKWOOD – The South Rainier elk herd is smaller than previously thought, according to a new population model developed by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
“Our results point to a herd size of about 900. That’s about 1,100 fewer animals than a previous estimate by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Barbara Moeller, wildlife management biologist with the Puyallup Tribe. The tribal target population for the herd is 2,100. (more…)
We Have to be Salmon Tough
We need to be as tough as the salmon themselves if we're going to see their recovery. South Fork Nooksack River native spring chinook are almost extinct and need our…
Tribes rescuing native South Fork Nooksack chinook
DEMING (Dec. 26, 2007) – Sixteen yearling salmon in an aquarium at the state’s Kendall Creek Hatchery could be the salvation of South Fork Nooksack River chinook.
The Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, working with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have developed a plan to rescue the population, which is at risk of becoming extinct.
Commentary: Harvest shows sound wildlife co-management
The (Everett) Herald ran a guest commentary by Todd Wilbur, chairman of the Inter-Tribal Wildlife Committee:
After years of state and tribal efforts to restore the dwindling Nooksack elk herd, tribal and non-Indian hunters may have a chance to share the harvest of 30 surplus bulls. This is a terrific sign that our restoration efforts are working and is a direct result of effective wildlife co-management by the state and treaty Indian tribes in Western Washington.