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Natural resources

Puyallup Tribe of Indians Opposes Deep Ocean Pressure Project in Washington State

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians has filed a motion to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings for the proposed Energy Production from Deep Ocean Pressure Project, citing concerns over the impact on the tribe's fishing rights and the environment. The project, located in Commencement Bay, Washington, aims to harness energy from the deep ocean pressure. However, the tribe claims that it will devastate fish populations and harm the habitat, impacting their treaty-protected fishing rights and other entitlements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Puyallup Tribe of Indians has intervened in the FERC proceedings for the Energy Production from Deep Ocean Pressure Project, citing concerns over the impact on their fishing rights and the environment.
  • The tribe claims that the project will devastate fish populations and harm the habitat, impacting their treaty-protected fishing rights and other entitlements.
  • The tribe has significant interests in the native anadromous fishery within the Reservation and at usual and accustomed fishing areas, as per the 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek.
  • The tribe has contributed to improvements in the fishery for decades and expects future success in maintaining the health of the fishery.
  • Insufficient details are provided in the project's application, making it impossible to fully assess the impacts to the habitat and fish.
  • The tribe reserves the right to make additional argument and comment in this proceeding.
  • The Puyallup Tribe of Indians requests that FERC grant their motion to intervene and deny this Application for Preliminary Permit.

Statistics:

  • 6,000 enrolled Tribal members
  • 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek provides for and defines the Tribe's interest in the native anadromous fishery within the Reservation and at usual and accustomed fishing areas.
  • 44% of the salmon population in the Commencement Bay and Puget Sound is comprised of chinook, pink, chum, and coho salmon.
  • The Endangered Species Act lists several salmonid species, including chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout.

Sources:

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION RE: Stirling T. Hebenstreit Energy Production from Deep Ocean Pressure Project PROJECT NO. 15320-001
  • 1854 Treaty of Medicine Creek, 10 Stat. 1132
  • August 27, 1988 Agreement Between the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Local Governments in Pierce County, the State of Washington, the United States of America, and Certain Private Property Owners
  • United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (W.D. Wash. 1974)
  • United States v. Washington, 506 F. Supp.187 (W.D. Wash 1980)
  • Puyallup Tribe v. Dept. of Game of Wash., 391 U.S. 392 (1968)
  • Puyallup Tribe v. Dept. of Game of Wash., 414 U.S. 44 (1973)
  • Puyallup Tribe v. Dept. of Game of Wash., 433 U.S. 165 (1977)
  • United States v. Washington, 854 F. 3d 946 (9th Cir. 2017)
  • United States v. Washington, 864 F. 3d 1017 (9th Cir. 2017)

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