A settlement between several federal agencies and Native American tribes in Oregon was reached last week in a case challenging the government’s destruction of a small sacred site near Mount Hood when it widened a highway. (See prior related posting.) The 9th Circuit had dismissed the case as moot, and plaintiffs filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week the parties filed a Joint Stipulation to Dismiss (full text) in Slockish v. U.S. Department of Transportation, (Sup. Ct, Oct. 5, 2023). Under the settlement, the government is to construct a tree or plant barrier to protect the site, allow access to an existing quarry for ceremonial and cultural uses, and allow plaintiffs to rebuild a stone altar on the site. [Note that the filed stipulation appears to be erroneously dated “2022” instead of “2023”. The Supreme Court docket for the case confirms that 2023 is the correct date.] Oregon Capital Chronicle and AP report on the settlement.
