Tribe closes Lake Quinault to public

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LAKE QUINAULT, Wash. -- The Quinault Indian Nation has closed Lake Quinault to non-tribal members, citing "years of disregard toward our resources, rights, regulations and policies" the Tacoma News Tribune reported.

The closure affects fishing, swimming and boating on the lake, which is on Quinault tribal property. The tribe is developing a water quality sampling process to pinpoint polluters, Quinault Tribal President told Grays Harbor radio station KBKW. Letters were sent to non-tribal property owners that their septic systems were polluting the lake, the station said.

Asked when the lake will be reopened to non-tribal members, Sharp said that "it will be due to the cooperation of the non-tribal public and the remedial actions by lakeside property owners."

Tribal fishing is still permitted on Lake Quinault, the Tribune reported.