HomeMy WebLinkAbout082PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE
31912 Little Boston Rd. NE - Kingston, WA 98346
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May 9. 20L6
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners:
Commissioner Phil Johnson,
Commissioner David Sullivan,
Commissioner Kathleen Kler
1820 Jefferson 5t.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
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Dear Commissioners,
On behalf of the Port 6amble S'Klallam Tribe, l'd like to thank you for hosting the government-to-
government meeting on April L8,2076. We appreciate the opportunity to share information about our
Tribe's history and culture, and the concerns we have with regard to the proposed Pleasant Harbor
Master Planned Resort project. The meeting was a very worthwhile step in reinforcing our government-
to-government partnersh ip.
At the meeting, we presented specific actions that would help to mitigate potential impacts of the
proposed Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort project on our treaty rights. We understand that the
BOCC supports having technical discussions between our staff, Jefferson County staff and the project
developer, as identified in our proposed actions, to discuss the technical details ofthe project and the
best options for protecting treaty rights and cultural resources. To assist with setting a path forward, we
have enclosed a draft consultation plan for your consideration.
We appreciate the opportunity to continue working with you to protect and restore our important
cultural and natural resources for future generations.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Thank you
ru
Chairman, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
DRAFT - May 10,2016
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe and Jefferson County
Government-to -Government Consultation Process
For Proposed Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort Proiect
Background
The proposed Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort LLC Master Planned Resort is
located within the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's Adjudicated Usual and Accustomed
Area and Traditional and Historic Use Area. The proposed project is located in an area of
high cultural and historic significance for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. The Tribe is
concerned that the proposed project would have a significant adverse effect on
Traditional Cultural Properties that meet multiple federal criteria that render them
eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Tribe is concerned that the project would impact treaty rights due to the proposed
loss of wetlands and unique kettle ponds; increase in vehicular traffic; increase in the
intensity of land use for commercial and residential development; alteration of
hydrology; clearing and grading; increase in impermeable surface areas; and use of
persistent pollutants. We are greatly concerned about project effects on water quality,
shellfish resources, wildlife and cultural resources that would directly impact tribal
fisheries.
Consultation Process
On April L8,2016, the f efferson County Board of Commissioners and the Port Gamble
S'Klallam Tribal Chair and staff met in a government-to-government meeting to discuss
the proposed Pleasant Harbor Master Planned Resort project. The Tribe presented
specific actions that would help to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed Pleasant
Harbor Master Planned Resort project on our treaty rights. To set a path forward,
consistent with our set of mitigation actions, the Tribe proposes the following
consultation process in coordination with f efferson County and the project developer:
1. Parties will identifu technical team members and a neutral facilitator for
discussions between the Tribe, fefferson County and the project developer.
Technical team members may include scientists, cultural resource specialists,
natural resource mangers,legal counsel and project managers.
2. Neutral facilitator will schedule technical meetings regarding project effects on
cultural resources, water qualiry shellfish resources, and wildlife.
3. In technical meetings, teams will discuss alternatives for protecting resources and
will reach agreement on best possible approach to project design and mitigation of
impacts to cultural resources and treaty rights.
4. Technical staff will present final recommendations for project design and
mitigation to leadership, including PGST Tribal Council, for approval.
5. fefferson County and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe will develop an interagency
agreement on final recommendations and implementation.
DRAFT - May L0,20L6
Goal of Consultation Process
The goal of the consultation process is to agree on mitigation strategies for protecting
cultural resources and treaty rights from the adverse effects ofthe proposed Pleasant
Harbor Master Planned Resort project.
Agreement
The parties agree to implement the consultation process as outlined above. The parties
agree that the intended outcome of the consultation process is an interagency
agreement to be negotiated in good faith and executed once the mitigation plan is agreed
upon and approved. Any changes to the process may be made by mutual written
agreement of the parties.
By entering into this consultation process, no party waives its rights or responsibilities
as may otherwise be available or required by applicable law.
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
By:
feromy Sullivan, Chair, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
Date:
fefferson County Board of Commissioners
By'
Commissioner Kathleen KIer, Chair, f efferson Co. Board of Commissioners
Date:
By'
Commissioner David Sullivan, f efferson Co. Board of Commissioners
Date:
By'
2
Date:
Commissioner Phil f ohnson, f efferson Co. Board of Commissioners