PORT ANGELES — Area leaders say they are thrilled that construction of the graving yard will resume in August.
“I think this is probably the biggest economic development Clallam County has seen since I have been in office,” said Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, on Wednesday.
“I am really pleased that an agreement that all sides could agree to was reached,” added Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman, R-Port Angeles.
Lower Elwha Klallam tribal leaders signed an agreement Tuesday afternoon with state and federal officials to continue work at the 22-acre site with key provisions to protect remains and Klallam artifacts.
The archeological work to protect the Native items starts April 1 and will take about four months.
Work at $17 million graving yard was halted Aug. 26 following the discovery of human remains and Klallam artifacts which spurred six months of difficult negotiations to decide the protection of the artifacts amid excavation of the huge concrete dry dock to build components for a new Hood Canal Bridge eastern half.
Port Angeles-area leaders contacted Wednesday said they are pleased that the $271.5 million bridge project is moving forward.
Civic leaders backed the tribe’s effort to protect its ancestors and heritage throughout the negotiation process, even releasing a community-wide statement of support in November.