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SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/264670_watershed28ww.html
Seattle, Muckleshoots announce Cedar River agreement
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
By LISA STIFFLER
P-I REPORTER
The city of Seattle and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe announced an agreement today that could end a multi-year dispute over dam operations and the protection of the Cedar River and surrounding land.
The agreement provides the tribe a settlement worth $40 million in cash and land to compensate for environmental damage caused by the city's use of the area.
It also assures there will be enough water in the river to protect chinook and sockeye salmon as well as strengthens relations between the city and tribe, those involved said.
"This long-overdue agreement puts things right between the city and the tribe," said Mayor Greg Nickels, in a prepared statement. "It's a plan that's great for salmon, great for our regional drinking water supply, and great for Seattle's already-strong relationship with the Muckleshoots."
The river is home to sockeye, coho, steelhead and federally protected chinook salmon. It's also the location of the city's Landsburg Dam, which is operated by Seattle Public Utilities and used to siphon drinking water from the river.
The utility has projected rate increases of more than 4 percent on average for residential rate payers over the next three years and slightly larger increases for commercial users -- due in large part to the settlement, officials said.
The amount of land to be transferred to the tribe is approximately 1,400 acres.
In 2003, the tribe filed suit against a plan approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service that was meant to strike a balance between chinook protection, dam operations and logging in the area.
The agreement "removes these legal clouds forever," said Martin Baker, policy advisor for the utility.
Of particular concern to the tribe were guidelines regulating how much water was left flowing in the river and how much could be diverted for municipal needs. The plan, known as a habitat conservation plan, also included regulations for the protection of the pristine forest along some stretches of the river.
The agreement filed with the U.S. District Court's James Robart set a maximum amount of water that could be taken from the river by the city.
It also addressed a plan for managing birds, fish and other creatures; a 10-year research program that includes studies on animals including deer and elk that could be hunted for subsistence and ceremonial use; examination of medicinal and other uses of vegetation in the area; creation of a framework for resolving future issues between the city and tribe, including protection of treaty rights; and ongoing water conservation programs.
The agreement is "a bellwether event portending a close and productive relationship" between the city and tribe, said a prepared statement from the tribe. "The result will be better protected natural resources, certainty in meeting (c)ity needs and affirmation of the rights of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe."
A tribal spokesman declined to provide additional comment.
The city also has been sued over provisions in the conservation plan that cover a sockeye hatchery on the Cedar. Those challenging the hatchery say its operations could harm threatened chinook and undermines the salmon's recovery. Recreational fishermen and the tribe have supported hatchery operations.
Some design work on the hatchery -- which could cost upwards of $45 million including legal costs -- is ongoing while the court challenges continue, Baker said.
The agreement includes several million dollars that would go to the tribe if the hatchery is not completed.
Toby Thaler, attorney for those opposing the hatchery, slammed the agreement.
The settlement's commitment to the hatchery -- despite ongoing legal opposition -- cuts challengers out of the discussion, Thaler said, locks the city "into a project that still has not undergone adequate environmental review....That's just offensive."
The agreement still must be approved by the City Council, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council and the court.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa Stiffler can be reached at 206-448-8042 or [email protected].
© 1998-2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/264670_watershed28ww.html
Seattle, Muckleshoots announce Cedar River agreement
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
By LISA STIFFLER
P-I REPORTER
The city of Seattle and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe announced an agreement today that could end a multi-year dispute over dam operations and the protection of the Cedar River and surrounding land.
The agreement provides the tribe a settlement worth $40 million in cash and land to compensate for environmental damage caused by the city's use of the area.
It also assures there will be enough water in the river to protect chinook and sockeye salmon as well as strengthens relations between the city and tribe, those involved said.
"This long-overdue agreement puts things right between the city and the tribe," said Mayor Greg Nickels, in a prepared statement. "It's a plan that's great for salmon, great for our regional drinking water supply, and great for Seattle's already-strong relationship with the Muckleshoots."
The river is home to sockeye, coho, steelhead and federally protected chinook salmon. It's also the location of the city's Landsburg Dam, which is operated by Seattle Public Utilities and used to siphon drinking water from the river.
The utility has projected rate increases of more than 4 percent on average for residential rate payers over the next three years and slightly larger increases for commercial users -- due in large part to the settlement, officials said.
The amount of land to be transferred to the tribe is approximately 1,400 acres.
In 2003, the tribe filed suit against a plan approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service that was meant to strike a balance between chinook protection, dam operations and logging in the area.
The agreement "removes these legal clouds forever," said Martin Baker, policy advisor for the utility.
Of particular concern to the tribe were guidelines regulating how much water was left flowing in the river and how much could be diverted for municipal needs. The plan, known as a habitat conservation plan, also included regulations for the protection of the pristine forest along some stretches of the river.
The agreement filed with the U.S. District Court's James Robart set a maximum amount of water that could be taken from the river by the city.
It also addressed a plan for managing birds, fish and other creatures; a 10-year research program that includes studies on animals including deer and elk that could be hunted for subsistence and ceremonial use; examination of medicinal and other uses of vegetation in the area; creation of a framework for resolving future issues between the city and tribe, including protection of treaty rights; and ongoing water conservation programs.
The agreement is "a bellwether event portending a close and productive relationship" between the city and tribe, said a prepared statement from the tribe. "The result will be better protected natural resources, certainty in meeting (c)ity needs and affirmation of the rights of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe."
A tribal spokesman declined to provide additional comment.
The city also has been sued over provisions in the conservation plan that cover a sockeye hatchery on the Cedar. Those challenging the hatchery say its operations could harm threatened chinook and undermines the salmon's recovery. Recreational fishermen and the tribe have supported hatchery operations.
Some design work on the hatchery -- which could cost upwards of $45 million including legal costs -- is ongoing while the court challenges continue, Baker said.
The agreement includes several million dollars that would go to the tribe if the hatchery is not completed.
Toby Thaler, attorney for those opposing the hatchery, slammed the agreement.
The settlement's commitment to the hatchery -- despite ongoing legal opposition -- cuts challengers out of the discussion, Thaler said, locks the city "into a project that still has not undergone adequate environmental review....That's just offensive."
The agreement still must be approved by the City Council, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council and the court.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa Stiffler can be reached at 206-448-8042 or [email protected].
© 1998-2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
