Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit January 28, 1998, Nos. 96-35014, 96-35082, 96-35142, 96-35196, 96-35200 and 96-35223 (United States v. Washington)

lead-opinion

Opinion by Judge TROTT; Concurrence by Judge BEEZER.

TROTT, Circuit Judge:

I. OVERVIEW

The State of Washington, groups of private tideland property owners (“Private Owners”), and commercial shellfish growers (“Growers”) (collectively, “Appellants”) appeal the district court’s judgment following two bench trials in an action brought by numerous Indian Tribes1 (the “Tribes”) and the