The Swinomish and Squaxin Island tribes have filed a federal lawsuit challenging changes to the U.S. Endangered Species Act that narrow the interpretation of harm to protected species, potentially reducing protections for critical habitats. The tribes argue that the changes, which took effect September 14, could undermine salmon recovery efforts, Indigenous treaty rights and consultation requirements for development projects. Species potentially affected include Puget Sound Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and southern resident killer whales. The legal challenge comes as tribal communities continue major habitat restoration initiatives, including the 250-acre Smokehouse Tidal Marsh project in Washington State.
