Tulalip tribal officials said Wednesday they support a proposed Boeing Co. pier and only filed critical comments with state regulators to preserve their voice in the decision-making process.

The tribe has "always supported all efforts to make sure that Boeing sees fit to locate its Boeing 7E7 project in Everett," tribal officials said in a statement issued Wednesday.

But at the same time, "we also need to balance this goal with our tribal responsibility to protect our water and historical fishing rights," added Tulalip Tribes Chairman Herman Williams Jr.

He said he was confident that Boeing, local governments and the tribe would be able to work together to find a solution that "respects the rights and privileges of each group while solidifying the economic stability of our community."

The tribes last week filed written comments with the state Department of Ecology opposing the city of Everett’s plan to change its shoreline master plan to allow for the construction of a $15.5 million pier the Port of Everett plans to build for Boeing at the base of Japanese Gulch.

The pier is considered a key element in efforts to persuade Boeing to base final assembly of the company’s new 7E7 Dreamliner passenger jet in Everett. With it, the company could barge huge containers of airplane parts to a rail line directly below the factory.

But even if the new jet is built elsewhere, the company wants the pier so it can bring in larger parts for its existing planes built in Everett — 747s, 767s and 777s.

The pier would be located in an area designated for the protection of a high-priority fish habitat, and the structure would "undeniably and substantially harm" that sensitive environment, tribal leaders said in written comments filed with the state. "Even the best mitigation and restoration efforts could not remove this harm."

However, the letter was "never meant to inhibit the ability of the city of Everett to meet the needs of Boeing," tribal leaders said Wednesday. Had the letter not been sent, they added, the tribes would have "lost their voice in protecting their 2,000-year-old tribal fishery."

Boeing, the port and the tribes continue to talk about issues surrounding the pier, and the company is confident that the concerns of all parties will be addressed, Boeing spokesman Chuck Cadena said.

Reporter Bryan Corliss:

425-339-3454 or

corliss@heraldnet.com.