EVERETT—Tribal leaders, fish habitat and salmon recovery experts, and members of the No on 2117 campaign announce that a majority of federally-recognized Tribal Nations in Washington state oppose Initiative 2117, that if passed by voters this November, would prohibit carbon tax credit trading, also known as “cap-and-invest,” which would gut Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
Spencer Island Park, in Everett, was chosen as the location for Thursday’s announcement to bring attention to the salmon recovery project that is set to lose $500,000 in funding if I-2117 passes in November, a No on 2117 spokeswoman told the Lynnwood Times. The project’s goal is to restore the large river delta that provides a valuable nursery habitat for juvenile threatened salmon species, increasing survival and supporting Puget Sound population recovery.
“From warming salmon streams to eroding shorelines, Northwest Tribes know firsthand the need to protect our lands and waters, and to defeat Initiative 2117,” said Suquamish Tribal Chair and President of the Associated Tribes of Northwest Indians Leonard Forsman. “We join together in strong opposition to Initiative 2117, which threatens the lands, cultures, and traditional ways of our region and our communities.”
As of the September 26 announcement, 16 Tribal Nations in Washington state have endorsed the No on 2117 campaign alleging that passage of the initiative this November would have devastating impacts on the air, water, salmon, and transportation. In addition to the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, there are: Chehalis Tribe, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Hoh Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Quileute Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and the Tulalip Tribes…