Private Tideland Implementation

The Tulalip Tribes initiated the court process to access private property on Hat Island starting in 1996. Private property owners are notified 30 days in advance prior to clam population surveys and harvest. Clam population surveys are conducted to determine the harvestable amount. The sustainable harvestable is 25% and the tribes are entitled to half of this amount. The intertidal properties are 70 foot lots on the north side of Hat Island, and a separate survey is conducted on each lot. Once the havestable amount is determined, the property owners are notified as to how many pounds will be harvested and when the harvest will occur. The tribes have 5 days during the year to harvest the tribal share of clams. The harvest is monitored by Tulalip Fisheries Enforcement and staff. The total amount of clams harvested is then reported to the tideland owner.