The U.S. Supreme Court won't be hearing an inter-tribal fishing rights dispute from Washington.

The Suquamish Tribe and the Upper Skagit Tribe disagreed about the Suquamish Tribe's “usual and accustomed” fishing grounds." They each pointed to the historic Boldt decision that affirmed tribal rights under the Treaty of Medicine Creek.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals resolved the dispute in August 2009. The court said the Suquamish Tribe is entitled to a "broad, unlimited fishery" under the Boldt decision.

The Upper Skagit Tribe appealed but the Supreme Court today declined Suquamish Tribe v. Upper Skagit Tribe without comment, according to the order list.

9th Circuit Decision:
Upper Skagit Tribe v. US (August 6, 2009)

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