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08/06/24 03 PM: Update: Tribal Agreement, Support Letter for DNR Project

Update: Tribal Agreement, Support Letter for DNR Project

The special meeting provided an update on negotiations leading to an agreement in principle with the Point No Point Treaty Council, Jamestown Tribe, and Port Gamble Tribe for a DNR project involving easements and treaty rights. Phil Hunker reported revisions including narrowed dispute resolution and updated treaty rights definition, with signatures in process. The Council will send a letter withdrawing opposition and expressing support to meet project ranking deadlines.

Update on Tribal Agreement and Letter of Support for DNR Project

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:00.791–00:12:41.768 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, land use, planning, other (tribal consultation)

Summary

The special meeting provided an update on negotiations leading to an agreement in principle with the Point No Point Treaty Council, Jamestown Tribe, and Port Gamble Tribe for a DNR project involving easements and treaty rights. Phil Hunker reported that revisions were made to the agreement, including narrowing dispute resolution to government-to-government meetings and updating the definition of treaty rights, with signatures in process from county staff including Kate and Carolyn. The Point No Point Treaty Council will send a letter tomorrow withdrawing prior opposition and expressing support, despite pending final tribal council approval, to meet deadlines for project ranking.

Key Discussion Points

  • Phil Hunker: Agreement reached after four days of work; workaround uses Point No Point Treaty Council letter as instrument for both tribes; changes include simplified dispute resolution due to DNR closing timelines.
  • Phil Hunker: Revisions to letter for clarity on withdrawal of prior comments and addition of support; tweaks to easement documents to match tribe requests, such as treaty rights definition.
  • Chair: Thanks to Phil Hunker, Lauren Rasmussen (Point No Point Treaty Council lawyer), and Kate; notes this as most robust tribal consultation in the program.
  • Heidi: Prepared to highlight changed tribal position (from opposition to support) at Friday's project ranking meeting; will forward documents to Kenny and Robin.
  • Phil Hunker: Letter of support expected to improve project ranking; enthusiasm from Dylan of Point No Point Treaty Council.

Public Comments

  • [Unnamed online attendee]: Praised maintenance of goodwill and success of consultation; noted positive tribal feedback on the agreement potentially setting statewide precedent.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Supporting materials (e.g., agreement document, letter of support, easement documents, PowerPoint, attachment PDF) were referenced extensively but not provided for analysis. Revisions to these documents were discussed, including changes requested by tribes.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Dispute resolution process narrowed from broader options to government-to-government meetings due to time constraints for DNR closing. No other alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No action needed; meeting was an informational update.
  • Vote: None.
  • Next Steps:
  • Point No Point Treaty Council to send revised letter of support tomorrow.
  • Phil Hunker to finalize and send signed PDF to Lauren Rasmussen for tribal review.
  • Heidi to advocate for project at Friday ranking meeting, providing letter and documents to Kenny and Robin.
  • Kate or Heidi to obtain copy of letter for packet. No next steps specified beyond these.

Background Materials

Contents

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