The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has reached a settlement with BNSF Railway, ending years of litigation over trains that crossed the Swinomish Reservation without the Tribe’s consent.

The agreement resolves a case that led to a $394.5 million federal court ruling in the Tribe’s favor earlier this year and establishes a new business relationship between Swinomish and BNSF.

Under the new deal, one unit train per day will be allowed across the Reservation — reducing crude oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea and supporting Tribal treaty fishing rights.

“These agreements create new opportunities for future Tribal investment in housing, healthcare, and education for our Tribal members, and in natural resources stewardship,” said Swinomish Chairman Steve Edwards.

“We are a service tribe, and like many Native communities across the country, the Swinomish community faces disparities in housing for its members, health care and health outcomes, and educational opportunities,” he said. “These agreements will give us tools to help address those issues while also protecting what is central to who we are: our land and waters, our sovereignty, and our Treaty fisheries.”