The Suquamish Tribe and U.S. Navy on Saturday commemorated the signing of a historic agreement that recognizes and addresses impacts to the tribe’s treaty-reserved fishing rights in Sinclair Inlet resulting from a major naval construction project at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, according to a news release today from the tribe.
The agreement follows years of government-to-government consultation and good-faith negotiations regarding the Navy’s planned 12-year modernization project at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. The project includes the construction of new dry dock infrastructure to accommodate larger aircraft carriers and seismic upgrades throughout the facility.
The project’s construction will significantly impact the tribe’s access to treaty-reserved fishing grounds in Sinclair Inlet, with portions of the area inaccessible during construction. To address the impacts, the Navy agreed to a comprehensive mitigation package recognizing the effects of the project on the tribe, its members, treaty-reserved rights, trust resources, and cultural practices, according to the release.
“The Suquamish Tribe is honored to host the United States Navy and Assistant Secretary Brendan Rogers to acknowledge this historic agreement recognizing and mitigating impacts to the Tribe’s treaty-reserved rights resulting from the Navy’s drydock construction project,” Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman said in the release. “Reaching this agreement has been a long and challenging journey for the Suquamish Tribe. Since the establishment of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1891, naval activities have impacted our people, our lands, and our waters. For generations, those impacts were often overlooked and inadequately addressed. This agreement reflects years of government-to-government engagement, relationship-building, and hard work by both the Navy and the Tribe.”
Under the agreement, the Navy will compensate tribal fishers and members for loss of access to Sinclair Inlet for fishing and cultural purposes. The Navy also will contribute funding for infrastructure, operations, and educational program improvements at the Gorst Creek Salmon Facility; support the construction of a shellfish hatchery; and assist the tribe in reacquiring fractionated trust allotments at Doe-Keg-Wats, an ancestral village and site of profound cultural and ecological significance to the Suquamish people, the release said.
Rogers, assistant secretary of the Navy — Energy, Installations, and Environment, added in a statement, “This Memorandum of Agreement is a testament to what is possible when we lead with respect for sovereignty and mutual honor. It addresses critical waterfront-readiness needs, providing the essential infrastructure required to support our hardworking sailors, marines, and Department of the Navy civilians. The trust we have built today is the true foundation of this partnership.”
Adm. James Kilby, vice chief of naval operations, said, “We recognize and celebrate our collective work and willingness to engage in this Memorandum of Agreement to support both the United States Navy and the Suquamish Tribe.”
He thanked Forsman and the Tribal Council for their continued partnership, adding, “Without our shipyards, our Navy cannot maintain its fleet, and without our fleet, the Navy cannot defend our homeland.”
Forsman said the agreement marks a new chapter in the relationship between the Navy and tribe, “one grounded in mutual respect, meaningful consultation, and a shared commitment to coexistence.” He added, “It demonstrates that we can ensure the Navy’s vital mission to defend our nation and honor and uphold treaty rights for future generations.”
The ceremony included a presentation of colors from the Suquamish Warriors veterans organization, music from the Navy Band, and song, dance, and prayer from the tribe.