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Originally published Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 5:03 AM

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W. Wash. tribes say tribal fishing rights at risk

More than 150 years ago, American Indian tribes in western Washington ceded much of the state to the federal government in return for guarantees of salmon and other fishing rights.

Associated Press

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SEATTLE —

More than 150 years ago, American Indian tribes in western Washington ceded much of the state to the federal government in return for guarantees of salmon and other fishing rights.

Now, those tribes say their treaty rights with the U.S. are at risk because the region is losing habitat that salmon need to survive. They say their treaty rights won't mean much if there's no salmon to harvest. They warn of potential court action if more isn't done.

In a report last summer, the tribes said the federal government has not lived up to its obligations under treaties signed in 1854 and 1855.

This spring, three federal agencies proposed a plan to address those concerns. One federal official says the agencies take seriously the issues the tribes raised.

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