OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WA (AP) – The Makah Tribe is a step closer to resuming whale hunts off the Olympic Peninsula.

The federal government has granted the Tribe a long-sought waiver that helps clear the way for its first sanctioned whale hunts since members killed a whale in 1999. It also sets the stage for renewed clashes with animal rights activists.

The Makah are the only Native American tribe with a treaty that specifically mentions a right to hunt whales, but they have faced decades of legal hurdles to resume the hunts.

This waiver granted by NOAA allows the tribe to hunt up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over 10 years, with a limit of two to three per year. There are roughly 20,000 whales in that population.

Animal rights advocates can challenge NOAA’s decision in court.

One of those activists says they respect the tribe’s traditions, but don’t think members need to hunt whales to honor them.