The Quinault Indian Nation could soon re-open Lake Quinault to non-tribal members, with the tribe’s governing body considering new regulations for the lake.
Tribal officials met with Lake Quinault residents March 26 to discuss new regulations — including fishing and boating policies, docks and a restriction on non-resident boats. In a press release, Quinault President Fawn Sharp said protecting fish and wildlife habitat is the tribe’s highest priority.
“Closing the lake was not an easy decision for the Quinault Nation to make,” Sharp said. “We realize it caused difficulties for a number of people. But I’m happy to say that our relationship with the businesses and residents in the Lake Quinault area has improved and that there seems to be greater understanding about our reasons for taking the action we did.”
The Quinault Business Committee passed several regulations restricting access to the lake last year, citing pollution as the main reason. In April of 2013, the tribe prohibited all non-tribal fishing in Lake Quinault, and outlawed all non-tribal swimming and boating in June.
The swimming ban was lifted in July, but lake residents received notices later that month requiring them to remove their docks from the lake. Tribal officials later told property owners in September that they no longer needed to remove their docks, and that regulations regarding docks would come soon.
Another community meeting — described as a forum to educate the public about invasive species — is tentatively scheduled for April 19, according to the press release. The time and location of the meeting have yet to be determined.
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