In Common With: The Fish Wars, the Boldt Decision, and the Fight to Save Salmon in the Pacific Northwest

by Bill Wilkerson

In the 1960s and ’70s, the waters of Washington State boiled with conflict.

Because of state actions and policies, Washington Tribes had long been denied their fair share of the salmon harvest granted by treaties adopted by the US government and the Tribes in 1854. Tribal members staged “fish-ins” and other demonstrations, and ultimately pursued a federal lawsuit against the state. Decided in 1974 by US district court judge George H. Boldt, the landmark ruling gave Tribes an equal share of fish, meaning yields for non-Native fishermen plummeted. As a result, many non-Native commercial fishing businesses closed, and chaos and legal disputes continued into the 1980s. All the while, the number of salmon available for harvest steadily declined.

During this post-Boldt period, a group of Tribal and government leaders collectively decided change was sorely needed. Through collaboration, they forged major, seemingly unattainable agreements to cooperatively manage fisheries, all while protecting and enhancing salmon runs. Author Bill Wilkerson, then fisheries director for the state of Washington, and legendary Tribal leader Billy Frank Jr. were among a select group of courageous visionaries who worked to bring peace to state waters and reverse the steady decline of salmon runs. Without Frank’s dedicated participation in these talks, legitimizing the process in the view of local Tribes, it’s unlikely these agreements would have ever been made. In Common With is an insider’s look at a number of successful negotiations between historic adversaries. They included an international salmon treaty between the US and Canada, a long-term cooperative management agreement between the state and Tribes, and a major accord between the state, Tribes, and forestland managers to protect salmon habitat on privately owned forestlands.

This groundbreaking feat of diplomacy and partnership revealed the power of honoring one another’s opinions, needs, and wants. This spirit of cooperation and dedication to common ground serves as a shining example for contemporary leaders in today’s polarized political landscape.

Genres: History

385 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2024

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting insight into fishery history and forming of the Boldt decision, something that I read about during my studies. Its a great example on how important it is to include native fishermen in these processes, as they are nearly always the ones with the knowledge and experience needed to manage nature healthily. Unfortunately it was quite long, and slow going, so it took me a while to finish. I do recommend it, but more as a text book than an entertaining read.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[KC Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important and special account of a part of WA, Tribal, and environmental history. It deals with both micro and macro policy and people themes, and tells a beautiful story of creativity, commonality, and partnership. Because these themes often seem absent in today’s governing and policy world, I specifically hope people in public service read it and use it as a template to move into our world and their work with empathy, service, and connection in mind. I know I’ll use its inspiration as I continue to move forward my own career in public service.

That said, the book would appeal to nearly anyone - it moves easily and quickly, and tells a very interesting story of cooperation. The leaders outlined, including the author, set a great example for us all to follow, and I was very, very moved by this memoir. I couldn’t put the book down and am glad I read it.

It’s also nice to see the proceeds will benefit causes important to Billy Frank Jr and his legacy. This speaks volumes about Wilkerson’s respect and reverence for his friend and colleague, and gives deeper meaning to the story itself.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew fish wars and figuring out how to manage the resource post-the Boldt Decision could be so interesting? I enjoyed Bill Wilkerson's book very much. It's an absorbing first-person account of what went on behind the scenes in high-stakes negotiations related to not only fish, but US-Canada fishing, hydro power on the Columbia River and timber, fish and wildlife forest management practices. I started working in Olympia the year Wilkerson joined the Department of Revenue under then-Gov. Booth Gardner. I had no idea Bill was so young when he accomplished all of these big things. He really was a phenom. I haven't met him but knew him by reputation and remember watching him testify before House and Senate legislative committees. He was highly regarded as were Jim Waldo and Billy Frank. What a dynamic trio they were! Such intelligent, thoughtful, practical folks who genuinely cared about protecting the resource rather than scoring political points. Thank you to "Wilk" and to his co-author/editor Don "Jerry" Pugnetti Jr. for writing a compelling, inspiring, historical book. It should be required reading for anyone studying political science, public policy, law and/or environmental issues. I'm glad that Wilk and Jerry took the time to record his memories of the ground breaking work that he, Jim Waldo and Billy Frank (as well as many others) did to protect and enhance the things that make the PNW a unique and special place. This is an important book!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for the advanced reader copy.

As someone who works as fisheries scientist, employed by a tribe in the Pacific Northwest this is such a good resource of information for a formative time that happened before I was born. As someone born and raised in Washington, I am pretty sad and angry this wasnt taught to me, even in my "PNW history" course in high school. This was such a wild time in politics in our region and I was enthralled in the learning of it. 

Wilkerson gives a really great overview of what leadership and cooperation looks like and I felt so inspired by his ability to listen to those around him and learn as well as lead and not compromise his goal. 

Finished just in time to hear Bill Wilkerson and Ed Johnstone talk about this era as well.

[kendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is invested in fisheries and marine policy, this is a great book. I liked how the author demonstrated years of his own experiences and relationships with First Nations, government, industry folks, and fisheries. I was also glad to find that the book really highlights why First Nations are untrustworthy of non-Indigenous people in the fisheries space (and outside of fisheries but the primary focus in the book is fisheries or fisheries adjacent). Sadly this issue is still prevalent which makes this aspect of the book really standout as these issues are continually pervasive in policy spaces.

All that said, it was so incredibly packed of information and so slow, making it quite an unenjoyable read. I have read books that communicate policy and the “behind-the-scenes” parts of fisheries work without being so convoluted. This is why the rating is what it is. I’ll likely buy the book when it’s published because I think it is a wonderful ressource for fisheries policy understanding and will be recommending it to my colleagues who also are interested or work in policy as well.

[Randal White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up as a avid sportsman and fisherman, I remember when the Boldt decision was issued. It's effects were huge. Basically, it ruled that Native American people (from their treaties), were entitled to half of the total catch of fish in a fishery. In Wisconsin, I remember the anger and racism directed at Natives, as they exercised their rights to spear walleyes, even during spawning seasons. Law enforcement was called to defuse explosive situations occurring at boat landings. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest. Where the Boldt decision was decided. And I still hear fishermen lamenting the decision, even 50 years later.
The author was one of the men who was tasked with implementing the decision. He teamed with "white" fishermen, Native fishermen, fisheries biologists, and politicians to ensure the court's wishes were carried out.
In the book, he describes all of the factors and behind the scenes maneuvering that took place.
In my opinion, however, the book loses it's effectiveness by the amount of exhaustive detail the author goes into. It seems like he has documented every meeting, lunch, and phone call over the course of 4o years. It really is exhausting. I wish he had just edited the book down, it would have been much more interesting to read. This book will do well in college libraries, where future students can see all the documentation. It will be valuable in that sense. But as far as a casual read, it's just too much.

[David Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was 20 again this is the book I hope my university professors would be compelling me to read. It came from cherished friends who knew I shared a background and interest in the messy intersection of politics, environmental issues, fish, Tribes, scientists, trees, law, lawyers, business, unions, lobbyists, bureaucrats that constitutes the public policy process.

First of all, the book is amazingly well-written. A complicated story worth telling. After the historic Boldt decision in order for change to take place there was a need to keep the lawyers at bay. (Repeat as necessary, and it would be). The legal decision was just the beginning of change.

It is exceedingly difficult to write this kind of account without making yourself the hero. Wilkerson is that rare author. Which suggests how real leaders behave. Billy Frank, Jr and Jim Waldo and others shared leadership roles. A couple of politically courageous governors were also critical players (Spellman and Gardiner, Republican and Democrat). Historic change was achieved by a small group of people with Wilkerson always at the table advancing a vision that the Tribes were essential partners -- not just to manage the salmon fishery, but also to ensure there was a sustainable fishery to manage. Marathon meetings and messy public policy making (rather than endless litigation) was and remains the path. Not in any way easy or simple, with success not guaranteed, and very much at odds with our world right now.

Decades after the Boldt decision, Wilkerson reminds us of lessons learned. The power of cooperation, collaboration, walking that tortuous road to fragile consensus. And all the while striving to be a good human being, with unassailable standing at the table. It does work. Those engaged in public policy today would do well to become more “Wilkerson-ian.” A book can’t do much more than that.