Maine tribes disappointed by defeat in court

Friday, August 10, 2007  

The Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation are disappointed by a federal court decision that blocks them from regulating water quality on their reservations in Maine.

The tribes opposed the state's plan to regulate water affecting their lands. But the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the state's authority, saying the tribes lost some of their sovereignty under land claim settlement acts.

Tribal leaders, however, saw some hope in the decision. They said the Environmental Protection Agency could play a role in overseeing the state's regulation in order to protect tribal subsistence rights.

The tribes depend on fish and water from rivers that the state has the power to control.

Get the Story:
Court's rejection of water case disappoints Maine Indian tribes (The Bangor Daily News 8/10)

Court Decision:
Maine v. EPA (August 8, 2007)

Relevant Documents:
EPA Federal Register Notice | PDF version

Relevant Links:
Penobscot Nation - http://www.penobscotnation.org
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point - http://www.wabanaki.com
Passamaquoddy Tribe, Indian Township - http://www.peopleofthedawn.com

Related Stories:
Sovereignty limits on Maine tribes upheld (8/10)
EPA allows state jurisdiction over Maine tribal lands (12/3)
Maine tribes march for sovereignty (5/24)
Maine tribes to hand over documents (5/21)
Maine tribes cite industry pressure (5/13)
Maine tribes agreed to state oversight (4/12)
Supreme Court declines tribal cases (2/20)
Today's actions by Supreme Court (2/19)
Supreme Court docket shaping up (2/19)
Supreme Court declines tribal cases (2/20)
Supreme Court rejects tribal privacy case (11/14)
EPA foresees long battle over tribal water authority (11/14)
Maine tribes lose paper case appeal (6/21)
Maine tribes want document case reviewed (5/17)
US sues to compensate Penobscot Nation (5/3)
Tribes ordered to release some documents (5/2)
Court rejects challenge to tribal authority (4/17)
Maine tribes await EPA decision (4/17)
Go directly to jail, do not collect sovereignty... (2/7)
Leaders pledge support of Maine tribes (11/17)
Tribal leaders ordered arrested (11/10)