Tribe's letter to the state


Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Chairwoman Frances Charles' letter to State Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald:

Dear Doug:

Following our recent discussions, I confirm that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe strongly urges WSDOT to find a new site for the Graving Dock project. We continue to support the Hood Canal Bridge reconstruction project, but we are now convinced that a new site or approach must be found to construct the bridge pontoons and anchors. I want to convey my thanks to you for earnestly seeking the Tribe's position on this and for being open to a reconsideration of the direction of this project.

As you know, from the beginning this has been a difficult, and even painful, subject for our Tribe. We have already suffered damage to ancestral remains and losses of historic properties, and it has become clear that - no matter how hard we all worked at it — the current construction cannot be sustained without additional destruction of burials and remains of our ancestors.

We know that you and your colleagues at WSDOT have made every effort, and are willing to continue to make efforts, to save our burials. However, recent events have made it clear that this will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to accomplish — not because of anyone's lack of willingness to try but because of the physical problems involved. We have been united with WSDOT in trying to make this project work, because we have shared WSDOT's vision that our state, and especially our region, urgently needs a restored Hood Canal Bridge. We now hope to remain united with WSDOT in finding a different approach to accomplish that worthy goal.

Going forward, I hope that you and others from WSDOT will join the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe — and other dedicated state officials, federal officials and other stakeholders - in helping to find an appropriate use for the 22.5-acre graving dock site.

The year 2004 is historic because it marks the opening in Washington, D.C., of the National Museum of the American Indian. It would be tragic if a few months after that museum is opened we in Washington state did not do all we could to protect a site like Tze-whit-sen, with all its cultural significance for Native Americans in this region.

For our part, we will continue to support your efforts, and those of WSDOT, to move forward with the bridge rehabilitation project. This project remains a high priority for our Tribe and it should be pursued without delay.

Sincerely yours,
Frances Charles