Lummi tribal members reef net fishing.  One of two photos included with Lummi Press Release.

3:30pm  June 6, 2016  Lummi Nation PRESS RELEASE

Lummi Nation praises Wash. Department of Natural Resources’ decision to uphold treaty rights and deny lease

Bellingham, Wash.— Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark announced today that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has denied Pacific International Terminal’s (PIT) application for an aquatic land lease. The lease was an essential step in PIT’s attempt to build North America’s largest coal-export terminal in the Lummi Nation’s treaty-protected fishing waters off Cherry Point. The statement below from Tim Ballew II, chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council, can be quoted in full or in part.
This is a historic moment in Washington’s history. By denying Pacific International Terminal’s request for an aquatic lands lease for DNR-managed aquatic lands at Cherry Point, we take another huge step toward permanently protecting Lummi’s sacred site.
We applaud Commissioner Goldmark for following the law and upholding Lummi Nation’s treaty rights. Because of his leadership, our schelangen, our way of life, can survive for future generations of families that will fish the waters of the Salish Sea and harvest along its shores.
By affirming the decision made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Washington recognizes the devastating impact a terminal at Cherry Point would have on Lummi’s treaty rights.
Because of Commissioner Goldmark’s decision, the water we rely on to feed our families, for our ceremonies and for commercial purposes remains protected. But this is more than a victory for our people—it’s a victory for treaty rights.

Contact:
Sheena Kinley-Sanders
Assistant to the Chairman

[contact information is provided on the complete post on Lummi Communications Facebook page]

Link to photos and full letter from Washington State Department of Natural Resources to Pacific International Holdings, LLC: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lksp92zc2jxbiih/AABKkJ1XG5jNPE5ShhZ8b8pia?dl=0

Read this complete post on the Lummi Communications Facebook page here.