Federal judge dismisses Lake Quinault ownership lawsuit

TACOMA — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to revoke the ownership of Lake Quinault from the Quinault Indian Nation.

North Quinault Properties LLC had filed the lawsuit in federal court in January. It questioned the tribe’s ownership of the lake. The private company included the Washington Department of Natural Resources in the claim, arguing it had failed to fulfill its management responsibilities.

But on Monday, U.S District Judge Ronald Leighton dismissed the claim against the state and the tribe. His order says the state is immune from the suit. It also says the complaint against the Quinault Indian Nation is barred because they have tribal sovereign immunity.

Quinault Nation President Fawn Sharp praised the judge’s ruling. She says Lake Quinault is undisputedly within the reservation and is sacred to the tribe.