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Ruling in "Boldt Fishing Case," Subproceeding 09-01

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

On July 9, 2015, after a 23-day bench trial, the Honorable Ricardo S. Martinez issued Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and a Memorandum Order in USA v. Washington, Case No. C70-9213RSM, Subproceeding No. 09-01 determining the western boundaries of the usual and accustomed fishing grounds and stations ("U&As") of the Quileute and Quinault in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the northern boundary of the Quileute's U&A. After reviewing thousands of pages of exhibits and briefing and hearing from 11 witnesses, the Court concluded in its 83-page opinion that the western boundary of the Quinault Indian Nation's U&A in the Pacific Ocean is 30 miles from shore; the western boundary of the Quileute Tribe's U&A in the Pacific Ocean is 40 miles offshore; and the northern boundary of the Quileute Tribe's U&A is a line drawn westerly from Cape Alava. As part of the Court's determination, the Court also determined that the Quinault and Quileute's U&A encompasses those grounds and stations where they customarily harvested marine mammals - including seals and whales - at and before treaty time.