HomeMy WebLinkAbout080624MS /;
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MINUTES
Special Meeting — August 6, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
Trust Land Transfer — Tribal Agreement
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Commissioners' Chambers/Hybrid
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kate Dean called the meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner
Greg Brotherton,and Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour.
DISCUSSION re: Trust Land Transfer Tribal Agreement: During the August 5, 2024
Board of County Commissioners' meeting, Chair Dean brought forward discussion regarding a letter
received from the Point No Point Treaty Council (PNPTC),which indicated they are opposed to the four
projects the County applied to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources(DNR) for a
Trust Land Transfer,as it was not apparent how their Treaty Rights would be protected. Commissioner
Eisenhour noted that this is the first time that DNR is consulting with Tribes on TLTs,and Tribal
comments weigh heavily in project ranking.
During the same meeting,Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (DPA) Philip Hunsucker reviewed
the principals of the agreement which included:
• Creates an opportunity for the Tribes to object to the final language
o Must not violate"Treaty Rights,"as defined.
o Mechanism to resolve disputes, if any,about whether final language violates"Treaty
Rights."
▪ Adds a Treaty Rights Easement that protects""Treaty. Rights"that will be added at closing after
the transfer.
• Tribes agree to support the applications.
Due to the nature of the document and the pressing timeframe, the Commissioners authorized Chair
Dean to work with Chief Civil DPA Hunsucker on the final agreement, and sign on behalf of the
County.
Chief Civil DPA Hunsucker explained that the final document has been modified since the
Commissioners' meeting on August 5, 2024, but the points he addressed during that meeting are still
valid and are included in the final agreement. He stated that Chair Dean was able to sign onto the
agreement, prior to the start of today's meeting and he thanked the Commissioners for granting the
authorization,as it has aided in getting this agreement signed in a timely manner. The PNPTC will be
reviewing the revised agreement and sign onto it next.
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Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners - Special Meeting
Chief Civil DPA Hunsucker added that the agreement respects the rights of the Tribes. The PNPTC will
withdraw previous statements they made to DNR, and send a letter of support for the proposed Jefferson
County projects.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. Chair Dean opened the floor to allow for public comments,and no
comments were received.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Dean adjourned the meeting at 3:14 p.m. until the next regular
meeting or special meeting as properly noticed.
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