To: The Washington Department of Natural Resources
WA DNR: Honor the Lummi Nation's Treaty Rights
Please modify the boundary of the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve in order to protect the cultural and spiritual significance of Cherry Point for the Lummi Nation.
Why is this important?
Cherry Point, or Xwe’chi’eXen, is considered sacred to the Lummi Nation and protected by the Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855. In May, the Army Corps of Engineers recognized this treaty and denied permits for a coal shipping terminal at Cherry Point. Now, we are requesting that the state Department of Natural Resources follow the Corps' lead and protect Cherry Point for all future Lummi Nation people by adding the sacred 45 acres of land to the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve. The deadline for commentary is November 18.