The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a long-running treaty and fishing rights dispute in Washington on Thursday.

In a unanimous opinion, the court said the Wenatchi Band retains fishing rights in the Wenatshapam Fishery along the Wenatchee River. The fishery is now part of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.

The decision said an 1894 agreement intended to reserve the Wenatchi Band's fishing rights. The Yakama Nation had claimed it had exclusive rights and tried to block Wenatchi descendants from the fishery.

The court said the Yakama Nation can continue to fish at the site under an 1855 treaty. The Wenatchi Band had claimed the Yakamas sold their rights in the 1894 agreement.

The Wenatchi Band is part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Get the Story:
Tribes Have Joint Fishing Rights, 9th Circuit Rules (Courthouse News Service 5/28)

9th Circuit Decision:
US v. Oregon (May 27, 2010)

Related Stories:
Judge backs fishing rights for Wenatchi Band (8/18)
9th Circuit allows tribe to assert fishing rights (12/5)