Being Frank

  January 2017

State Water Quality Standards Finally Updated

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis It took a long time on a rough road to get there, but today Washington has some of the most protective water quality standards in the nation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month finalized updated state … Continue reading →

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  December 2016

US Recognizing Tribal Rights

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis A wave of federal recognition of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights has reached a high-water mark in the closing days of President Obama’s administration. We hope President-elect Donald Trump will help push that wave even higher. Obama … Continue reading →

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  Oct/Nov 2016

State Should Drop Culvert Case Appeal

Whatcom Watch

Lorraine Loomis We are disappointed to learn that the state of Washington will continue its long-standing efforts to deny tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights by once again appealing a federal court ruling requiring the repair of hundreds of fish-blocking culverts under … Continue reading →

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  September 2016

Treaty Rights Aid Salmon Habitat Recovery Effort

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis   Despite their unbreakable connection, salmon harvest and habitat restoration continue moving down separate roads in Western Washington. Many people either don’t see or choose to ignore the fact that habitat determines harvest, and that we continue … Continue reading →

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  August 2016

Treaty Rights Aid Salmon Habitat Recovery Effort

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis Treaty tribes in western Washington have won some recent treaty rights battles, but we continue to lose ground in the war to restore and protect salmon and their habitat. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously … Continue reading →

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  July 2016

Cooperation Helps Us Survive

by Lorraine Loomi

  I am glad that the treaty tribes in western Washington were finally able to reach agreement with the state on a package of conservative salmon fisheries for Puget Sound. It took more than a month of overtime negotiations to … Continue reading →

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  June 2016

Habitat, Hatcheries Equal Fishing

Lorraine Loomis

by Lorraine Loomis   I am deeply disappointed that the tribal and state salmon co-managers were unable to reach agreement on a joint package of fishing seasons for Puget Sound this year. It was the first time in more than … Continue reading →

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  May 2016

Tough Times Mean Hard Decisions in Planning Fishing Seasons

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis Tough times call for hard decisions, and we are facing some of the most difficult times we’ve ever seen when it comes to this year’s expected coho returns to western Washington. After last year’s disastrous coho run, … Continue reading →

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  February 2016

More Salmon Habitat Protection Needed

Whatcom Watch

by Lorraine Loomis We’ve seen some incredible salmon habitat restoration projects the past few years, but there’s a big difference between restoring habitat and protecting it. We must remember that restoration without protection does not lead us to recovery. The … Continue reading →

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  January 2016

U.S. Should Honor Billy Frank’s Dream

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by Lorraine Loomis Billy Frank Jr., longtime chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, received many awards during his life and continues to be honored since his passing in 2014. His life was celebrated last month when President Barack Obama … Continue reading →

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