Having reread the letter by NOAA to WDFW about “going alone,” there are plenty of incentives for the tribes and WDFW to come back to the bargaining table because an agreement would be beneficial to both sides. We will see if both sides do sit down, as has been proposed, before the short window of opportunity closes.

As it stands, it appears that both sides could be sitting on the shore this year without an agreement and NOAA is probably reminding both sides of that very possibility if they don't come to terms.

Quote from the letter,
“In addition, a separate tribal plan could require a new NEPA assessment by the BIA. While NOAA Fisheries believes proposals for tribal only fisheries could receive ESA approval so long as conservation objectives were being met, it is likely that the analysis and review of the newly-structured proposals would be time consuming, and might not be completed before the proposed fisheries would be over.”