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Environment
Bill would allow Makah whale hunt without waiver


Some members of the House Resources Committee are considering a bill that would allow the Makah Nation of Washington to exercise its treaty rights without seeking a waiver under federal law.

A spokesperson for the House Resources Committee told The Peninsula Daily News that there is "some talk" of drafting a bill. It would allow the tribe to hunt whale without going through the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law limited the tribe's treaty rights.

The House committee, headed by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), passed a non-binding resolution, H.CON.RES.267, in support of the tribe's treaty rights on Wednesday. The resolution, sponsored by Pombo, expresses dissatisfaction with the abrogation of the tribe's rights under the 9th Circuit decision.

Get the Story:
Federal legislation being considered to clear way for Makah to hunt whales (The Peninsula Daily News 10/21)

Relevant Links:
Makah Nation - http://www.makah.com
Makah Request for a Waiver of the Moratorium on Taking Marine Mammals - http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/mmammals/graywhales/index.html

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