Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Environment
Judge rejects Klamath Tribes salmon lawsuit


A federal judge in July dismissed the Klamath Tribes lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages for lost salmon runs.

The tribes blamed PacifiCorp for the reduced runs. Tribal officials say the company's dams have violated their fishing rights.

But U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken said PacifiCorp can't be held liable because it wasn't a party to the treaty. He cited a recent ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which blocked a similar salmon lawsuit by the Skomosish Tribe of Washington. The judges in that case said damages could be sought from the federal government but not states or other entities.

Get the Story:
Judge rejects salmon lawsuit (The Klamath Falls Herald and News 8/18)

Related Decison:
Skokomish Tribe v. Tacoma (March 9, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Klamath Tribes - http://www.klamathtribes.org

Related Stories:
Klamath Tribes propose to buy back old reservation (07/19)
Klamath Tribes hold out for restored reservation (06/23)
Klamath Tribes suffered after being terminated (6/21)
Judge wants Klamath Tribes lawsuit dismissed (04/22)
Appeals court rejects tribe's treaty rights claim (03/10)
Klamath Basin tribes gain attention for salmon (07/29)
Klamath Basin tribes stage protest in Scotland (7/26)
Klamath Basin tribes head to Scotland to fight for fish (7/19)
Tribes to travel to Scotland to make case for fish (7/9)
Non-Indians want input into proposed land return (01/13)
Klamath Tribes outline goals for forest management (12/17)
Klamath Tribes address land restoration proposal (11/12)
Klamath Tribes reject proposal to restore land base (10/15)
DOI to probe White House interference on Klamath (09/08)
McCaleb: White House had 'chilling effect' on BIA (07/30)
Tribal bias charged in Klamath dispute (3/14)