HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION re Letter of Support Geographic Name Application JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Josh D. Peters, County Administrator
DATE: August 24,2026
RE: LETTER of SUPPORT re: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's Geographic Name
Application
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe(PGST) Legislative Manager Amber Hunt reached out to the
County Administrator's Office to request that the Commissioners approve a letter of support for
their Department of Natural Resources Geographic Name Application to rename"Rat Island"in
Jefferson County to a name that is more aligned with how the S'Klallams historically referred to
the location. PGST is proposing to rename the island"Duck Net Island."
More information on the application can be found here:
https://dnr.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/bogn duck net island 04212026.pdf
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the draft letter of support with PGST members, discuss, and potentially take-action.
REVIEWED BY:
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Jos Peters, County Administrator Date
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cei, 1820 Jefferson Street
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Port Townsend, WA 98368
9 , JO- Heather Dudley-Nollette,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
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August 24, 2026
Department of Natural Resources
Washington State Committee on Geographic Names
950 Farman Avenue N
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Re: Jefferson County Support of Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's Geographic Name Application
Dear Honorable Committee Members on Geographic Names,
On behalf of Jefferson County, I am submitting this letter of support for the Port Gamble S'Klallam
Tribe's Geographic Name Application proposing a culturally and historically appropriate name for
the island connected to Indian Island. I am writing to express strong support for official use of the
name, "Duck Net Island."
The island currently colloquially known as"Rat Island" is a small, low-lying, uninhabited island
located at the mouth of Scow Bay. Since time immemorial, the S'Klallam peoples have historically
called this island"sxwta?yagamaya"or"Duck Net Island." It is a well-documented cultural resource
site and wildlife sanctuary. Historical evidence affirms that the S'Klallam Tribes regularly visited
for purposes of hunting waterfowl. The current informal name for the island has no documented
historical basis nor relationship to the island as it exists today and instead conveys a degrading
sentiment to our indigenous communities. A formal recognition of"Duck Net Island"/
"sxwta?yagamaya"would serve as an opportunity to raise awareness of the island's history and role
in local indigenous culture.
Jefferson County has maintained a long-standing relationship and connection with our tribal
partners. We are supportive of this application and ask that you consider the proposed name.
Sincerely,
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Dist. 1 Heidi Eisenhour, Dist. 2 Greg Brotherton, Dist. 3- Chair
Phone (360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us