State Supreme Court rules in Swinomish Tribe’s favor in water dispute
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled in the Swinomish Tribe's favor on Oct. 3, in a challenge to the Skagit River instream flow rule amendments adopted in 2006 by the…
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…
Environmental groups support Swinomish in water rights dispute
Earthjustice and the Center for Environmental Law and Policy filed a friends of the court brief today with the Washington State Court of Appeals supporting the Swinomish Tribe's effort to…
Swinomish Tribe keeps an eye on water rights issue
Years of agriculture, development and other human activity have led to declines in salmon runs throughout Puget Sound. One reason is that these activities lead to a reduction in the…
Swinomish Tribe challenges irrigation practices in Skagit delta
The Swinomish Tribe has asked the state Department of Ecology to investigate whether the irrigation practice of collecting water in a check dam violates water rights, and the tribe’s treaty rights, in the Skagit Valley.
The tribe conducted a survey of irrigation practices in the Skagit delta last year, making observations from public right of ways. The tribe’s unverified conclusion was that almost half of the observed irrigation in the delta in July and August appeared to be taking place without a water-right permit. (more…)
Will the Rivers Run Dry?
What would it matter if we clean up Puget Sound but the rivers feeding it run dry? We came a small step closer to making sure we always have water…
Muckleshoot: Lake Tapps plan puts fish at risk
Tacoma News Tribune: Federally protected stocks of salmon and bull trout will lose if the state goes ahead with its proposal to divvy up White River water between Lake Tapps…