PORT ANGELES — It’s been a good year for the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, especially concerning projects for the Elwha River, said Sonya Tetnowski, chief executive officer, on Thursday.
Tetnowski gave an informal State of the Elwha speech to a gathering of about 200 employees during a tribal Employee Appreciation Day at the tribal center west of Port Angeles.
Many of the tribal buildings have received a face lift in preparation for dam removal celebrations, Tetnowski said.
The events Sept. 13-18 will mark the beginning of the three-year project to remove the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on the Elwha River.
The dam removals are part of a National Park Service $325 million effort to restore the Elwha River’s ecosystem.
The dams, built in the early 1900s to provide hydroelectric power, were built without fish ladders — and so blocked salmon runs on the Elwha River, a resource the Elwha tribe traditionally depended on for food.
The removal of the two dams represents the biggest dam removal in U.S. history.
Tribal projects
The dam removals go hand in hand with other river restoration projects the tribe has completed or that have been put in motion over the past year. Those include the new fish hatchery and a sewer system, she said.
“The river restoration department has done an excellent job of getting us ready,” she said. “They’ve gotten us to the point where the dams are really coming down.”
Tribal council members also praised the work done for the dam removals.
“We were told the dams would never come down,” said Frances Charles, tribal chairwoman. “We never gave up hope.”
Tetnowski said the tribe’s achievements in the past year have included:
■ The housing department built 20 new homes for tribal members and plan an additional 25 in the coming year.
■ At least 70 tribe members and employees have completed Community Emergency Response Team — or CERT — training.
■ The planning department received more than $3 million in grants for projects.
■ The Elwha Tribal Center has been updated with new technology.
■ Three members of the Elwha Recreation Department became certified trainers and are planning fitness programs for employees and elders.
■ The tribal health clinic has expanded to include more dentists and dental hygienists and a chronic pain management program that cares for 140 patients.
■ The summer lunch program served more than 1,100 meals to children in need.
■ The Elwha language program has grown to five certified teachers, with instructors in every educational level from early head start to high school.
Employee appreciation
During Employee Appreciation Day, staff members were served lunch by their department directors and were awarded door prizes.
“The staff really pulls it together for the tribe,” Charles said.
Prizes included a paid day off, a paid birthday off, paid half-days, extended lunch periods, gift cards and T-shirts.
Employees cheered for each winner, teasing and laughing.
Longtime employees were recognized, including 15 that had worked for the tribe for more than 20 years, and an additional 31 with 10 or more years of service.
Verna Henderson, director of social services, was recognized as the most senior employee, having worked for the tribe for 30 years.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
