It began with fourteen members of the Yakama who sued the U.S. state of Oregon over its fishing regulations.

The federal court combined the case with another case, United States v. Oregon, in which the U.S. federal government sued the state along with the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce tribes.

"[3] It is an interpretation of the decision in Puyallup Tribe v. Department of Game of Washington (1968).

[4] Belloni's ruling acknowledged the right of several tribes of Native Americans to fish in the Columbia River with minimal regulation by the government of the United States or by local governments.

[5][6] The rights were further clarified in United States v. Washington in 1974.