HomeMy WebLinkAboutCONSENT Letter of Support re Naming the bridge JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Heidi Eisenhour, Commissioner, District 2
DATE: March 10, 2025
SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT re: Naming the bridge connecting Indian and
Marrowstone Islands as Passage Through Bridge
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Marrowstone Island Community Association (MICA) is petitioning the Washington State
Transportation Commission to name the bridge connecting Indian and Marrowstone Island
Passage Through Bridge. They have asked for the County's support for that effort.
ANALYSIS:
The MICA undertook a rigorous community effort to decide on a name for the bridge
constructed in 2019 that reconnected Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay to its south. The passage
between the two islands had been blocked for approximately 100 years prior to the bridge's
construction. That passage was named"Passage Through" in 2023 by the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources.
Given that the passage under the bridge is called the Passage Through the community thought it
made good sense to name the bridge over that passage the "Passage Through Bridge."And,
given the extensive effort to involve the relevant tribes and community residents in the naming
exercise the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners might consider supporting their request.
Attached is a letter of support for the Board's consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the attached letter and approve it as is or revise it as desired.
3i;/ems
Mark McC ley, County Admin' ator Date
oi soNss1 Board of County Commissioners
��w4._, CO) of 1820 Jefferson Street
l�� ti PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
til
9 Heather Dudley-Nollette,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
S t!LING
March 10,2025
Washington State Transportation Commission
P.O. Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504-7308
SUBJECT:Naming the Bridge Between Indian and Marrowstone Islands
We are writing in support of the Marrowstone Island Community Association(MICA)Bridge Naming
Committee.The MICA undertook a rigorous community effort to decide on a name for the bridge constructed
in 2019 that reconnected Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay to its south. The passage between the two islands had
been blocked for approximately 100 years prior to the bridge's construction. That passage was named"Passage
Through"in 2023 by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The MICA bridge naming effort included the Jamestown, Port Gamble and Lower Elwa S'Klallam Tribes
through their combined Cultural Committee,which was instrumental in the naming of the passage underneath
the new bridge. The MICA conducted extensive community outreach to involve as many community residents
in the naming effort as possible.
The committee went through an iterative process soliciting naming suggestions from the tribes and community
members. That process started with 49 different proposed names and gradually whittled the list down to one
name: Passage Through Bridge.
Given that the passage under the bridge is called the Passage Through it makes good sense to name the bridge
over that passage the"Passage Through Bridge."And,given the extensive effort to involve the relevant tribes
and community residents in the naming exercise the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners strongly
recommends that the Washington State Transportation Commission approve the MICA's recommendation.
Sincerely,
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Heidi Eisenhour, Greg Brotherton,
District 1 District 2 District 3
Phone(360)385-9100 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us