United States v. Washington State

In June 2016, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Washington state's management of culverts violates 19th century treaties with Native American tribes because they restrict the movement of salmon. In August, Washington State asked for a rehearing, saying the decision puts millions of dollars on taxpayers to update the culverts. In order to grant a rehearing en banc, a majority of the 9th Circuit's 28 active judges must vote in favor. The tribes involved in the case include the Suquamish Tribe, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.