Northwest Treaty Tribes

10/12/2026

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is waiting for the federal administration to approve the transfer of 1,100 acres of federal lands back to the tribe, lands that include the tribe's creation site, plus old fishing grounds and village sites.

The return of more than 1,000 acres of federal land to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is a major milestone in the Elwha River's restoration.

10/09/2026

Quinault Indian Nation and Hoh Tribe fisheries staff liquefy portions of sand on Kalaloch Beach for Quinault's annual razor clam survey earlier this year. Staff count and measure any clams that float to the surface. The process is used to calculate the clam season's total allowable catch, with the tribe harvesting no more than 25.4% of calculated razor clams at least 3 inches and larger to leave enough adults on the beach to spawn.

Staff are especially eager to see younger clams, as they'll eventually grow to be harvested in future years.

"We like to see the little guys," said Quinault shellfish biologist Scott Mazzone.

10/08/2026

The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe has serious concerns about the loss of funding for the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, which supports long-term valuable data sets that the tribe has been building for a decade.

https://nwtreatytribes.org/tribe-feeling-impact-of-marine-survival-project-funding-cuts/

10/06/2026

Salmon swimming upstream in the Dungeness River this summer and fall were able to get through normally troublesome areas with help of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and partners improving the habitat.

https://nwtreatytribes.org/salmon-in-dungeness-river-get-help-swimming-upstream/

10/05/2026

The Swinomish and Squaxin Island tribes are among those fighting a new federal interpretation of the word “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. The change limits habitat protection and will have devastating impacts on the recovery of imperiled species like Pacific Northwest salmon.

The Trump administration’s interpretation of “harm” under the ESA could devastate the recovery of imperiled species, many which have cultural,spiritual and relational meaning and importance for tribal citizens.

10/01/2026

The Quinault Indian Nation is examining the impact of invasive European green crab on native Dungeness crab populations. The study could carry important implications for crab fisheries.

Quinault Indian Nation staff strapped on mud boots and strode into the tideflats near Ocean Shores late this summer to…

09/29/2026

The Suquamish Tribe and Puget Sound Restoration Fund are trying different outplanting techniques for cockles, growing them in PVC tubes similar to how shellfish farmers in Puget Sound raise geoduck.

https://nwtreatytribes.org/partnership-experiments-with-cockle-outplanting-in-geoduck-tubes/

09/28/2026

The Stillaguamish Tribe last week breached a section of river to open habitat for salmon and restore natural floodplain processes for the long-term health of the ecosystem.

The Stillaguamish Tribe completed its largest restoration project on the Stillaguamish River on Friday, when water from the North Fork rushed into a side channel for the first time in more than 150 years.

09/26/2026

A Skokomish tribal member shares his career path toward natural resources, starting with the military as a Chinook helicopter mechanic, then finding an interest in environmental science after exercising his treaty rights as a salmon fisherman.

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09/25/2026

The tribes are grateful for the legislators and agencies supporting efforts to better manage seal and sea lion populations that threaten salmon recovery.

A proposed amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act has renewed a debate over the merits of killing seals and sea lions to protect salmon. Proponents say it will help some endangered salmon populations while opponents say the legislation is misguided and likely to be counterproductive.