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HomeMy WebLinkAbout185TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE naxwq'iyt nax-skay'am September 29, 2017 Dr. Allyson Brooks State of Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation PO Box 48343 Olympia, WA 98504-8343 Allyson.Brooks@dahp.wa.gov Re: Reevaluation of Statesman Group Master Planned Resort in Brinnon's Black Point and Pleasant Harbor Marina Dear Dr. Brooks, I am the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe ("Tribe") and am contacting you on their behalf. The Tribe is requesting a reevaluation of the Statesman Group Master Planned Resort in Brinnon's Black Point and Pleasant Harbor Marina, in Jefferson County ("Proposed Resort") for the reasons explained, in summary, here in this letter. On January 14, 2013, the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation ("DAHP") issued a concurrence with the Cultural Resource Management Plan for Archeological Monitoring and Inadvertent Discovery for the Proposed Resort. Since that concurrence was issued, new information has emerged about the impact of the Proposed Resort on cultural resources of the Tribe. The Proposed Resort is located within the Tribe's Usual and Accustomed Area and Traditional and Historic Use Area. This is in an area of high cultural and historic significance for the Tribe. It is also an area of high probability for encountering cultural resources according to the DAHP WISAARD database. Based on preliminary review of location of the Proposed Resort, the Tribe is concerned that the Proposed Resort's use of Kettle Ponds B and C for storing storm water and treated wastewater could result in significant damages to Traditional Cultural Properties ("TCPs") - Kettle Ponds B and C. The Tribe is currently attempting to conduct interviews with tribal elders to gain further insight into the cultural significance of the area. Due to the sensitive nature of the knowledge of this cultural resource, this is taking some time. The Tribe's 31912 Little Boston Rd. NE - Kingston, WA 98346 Phone: (360) 297-6292 TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE naxwq'iyt naxwsiay'am recent research indicated that Kettle Ponds B and C meet multiple federal criteria that may render them eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. This includes the following: Criterion B - Association with the Lives of Persons Significant in Our Past: This area has a sensitive, spiritual association known to the Tribe and is an irreplaceable cultural resource. Criterion C - Representative of a Significant and Distinguishable Entity Whose Components May Lack Individual Distinction: Areas within the proposed project area have unique ecological conditions that result in supporting specific biota that supported historic gathering that has continued into the twentieth century within living memory of members of the Tribe. Criterion D - History of Yielding or Potential to Yield Information Important in Prehistory or History: Based on the high density of Native American Place names that include traditional camp sites and the proximity of the proposed project to two traditional historic and contemporary fisheries and shellfish harvest areas at the Duckabush and Dosewallips River, the area has a high probability to yield valuable information to the Tribe, and broader patterns of Native American history and use of the Hood Canal watershed. The uniqueness of the geologic features and oral historical accounts relating spiritual entities linked to the land, the traditional plants harvested generationally by the Tribe's people, both from the past and within living memory, as well as multiple campsites and Native American place names known in the area, all directly contribute to the unique cultural significance of this area that would be impacted by significant modification of the physical environment. The Tribe requests consultation with your office to coordinate a traditional cultural property evaluation of the kettle ponds and wetland area to determine their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places ("National Register") and to assess the impacts that the proposed undertakings would have on the cultural integrity of the area and on its eligibility to be listed on the National Register. The Tribe previously shared this new information, earlier this year. However, the Tribe never received an official written response from DAHP. The only response the Tribe received was a verbal indication noting DAHP's reluctance to revisit the project. However, the Tribe would like to emphasize the significance of the discovery of these cultural 31912 Little Boston Rd. NE - Kingston, WA 98346 Phone: (360) 297-6292 TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE nax'"q'iyt nax-skay'am resources and, once again, request a reevaluation of DAHP's stance on the Proposed Resort and request DAHP's assistance in pursuing listing of this site on the National Register. Regards, �1/Ld.2/L Stormy Purser Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Cc: Jeromy Sullivan Tribal Chairman 31912 Little Boston Rd. NE - Kingston, WA 98346 Phone: (360) 297-6292