HomeMy WebLinkAbout013N. 80 Tribal Center Road
June 28, 2006
Skokomish Indian Tribe
Tribal Center (360) 426-4232
FAX (360) 877-5943 Skokomish Nation, WA 98584
Dr. Camille Mather, Archaeologist
Western Shore Heritage Services, Inc.
8001 Day Road West, Suite B
Bainbridge island, WA 98110
Re: Cultural Resource Reconnaissance for the Pleasant harbor Marina and Golf
Resort, Jefferson County
Dear Dr. Mather,
My name is Delbert Miller and I am the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the
Skokomish Tribe. My former assistant, Tom Strong, received a letter from you dated
June 23, 2006, regarding the proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort. I
sincerely appreciate the efforts of Western Shore Heritage Services, and the Statesman
Corporation, towards identifying cultural resources within and nearby the proposed
project area.
As you are aware, Elmendorf (1992) noted two major village sites within the vicinity of
the project area. In addition to these sites, which were extensive villages comprised of
single large houses combined with numerous smaller houses extending along the
shoreline, there are a number of sites of tremendous spiritual, cultural, and historical
significance to the tuwaduq people (known today as the Skokomish Tribe) within the
propsed project area. These locations include an additional major village site and
associated burial grounds within Pleasant Harbor itself; a guardian spirit locality, a
locality which continues to be used use by practitioners of traditional tuwaduq lifeways
and is extremely integral within tuwaduq (Skokomish) creation and sacred history;
significant fishing and shellfish gathering locations; and numerous seasonal camp sites.
There may well be additional significant sites within the proposed project area. The fact
that the vicinity has been inhabited by tuwaduq people for countless generations, and that
there were two major villages nearby, greatly increases the likelihood that ground
disturbance will lead to the inadvertent discovery of human remains, and sensitive
cultural resources, within the project area. Development and construction within the
vicinity also has the potential to negatively impact the ability of the tuwaduq people to
freely continue spiritual practices associated with sites and landscapes within the project
area.
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Because of the highly significant nature of the cultural resources within the proposed
project area, the Skokomish Tribe is extremely interested in being fully involved in all
phases of this proposed project. I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of this letter to
Dr. Allyson Brooks of the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and it is
my intention to ask Dr. Brooks for her advice as to how to best ensure that the sensitive
cultural resources within the proposed project area be protected, and that any potential
impacts to these resources be mitigated in consultation and cooperation with the
Skokomish Tribe. I will be in contact again as soon as I have discussed the matter with
Dr. Brooks, and the Skokomish Legal Department.
Again, I offer my sincerest appreciation for your communications regarding this proposed
project.
Sincerely,
elbert Miller
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Skokomish Tribe
(360) 426-4232, ext. 234
dmiller, .skokomish org
cc: Dr. Allyson Brooks, WA Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Brian Collins, Skokomish Tribal Attorney