United States v. State

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

RAFEEDIE, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

A History of the Case

This sub-proceeding, filed by the United States and 16 Indian Tribes,1 involves the Stevens Treaties2 which were interpreted in United States v. State of Washington, 384 F.Supp. 312 (W.D.Wash.1974) (hereinafter Washington I); aff'd, 520 F.2d 676 (9th Cir. 1975) (hereinafter Washington II); aff'd in substantial part, 443 U.S. 658, 99 S.Ct. 3055, 61 L.Ed.2d 823 (1979). The parties filed this action seeking a declaration of the nature and extent of tribal off-reservation shellfishing rights, and the extent…