The Yakama Nation of Washington has withdrawn from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission amid complaints by tribal leaders and members.

The tribe says the commission is overstepping its boundaries. "They're trying to claim that they're the head of the whole Columbia River, but they're not," Chairman Louis Cloud was quoted as saying.

Jeff Sohappy, the nephew of a tribal member who went to prison for fishing on the river, said the commission wrongly issued him a citation. "They're just getting too damn bigheaded," he was quoted as saying.

The Yakamas say the commission's 11 officers will no longer have jurisdiction over tribal members. Three other treaty tribes -- the Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce -- belong to the organization.

Get the Story:
Yakamas withdraw from tribal fish commission (AP 3/14)
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Relevant Links:
Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - http://www.critfc.org
NOAA Fisheries - http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov

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