By Michelle Payne
PORT ANGELES — Harborfront land slated for the Hood Canal Bridge graving yard has sustained the community for centuries.
And it would be a “loss” to Port Angeles if it wasn’t allowed to sustain it further, former city Economic Development Director Tim Smith said Monday.
Smith, who retired a week ago, keynoted the chamber’s weekly meeting before an audience of about 100 at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant.
“People 1,700 and 1,800 years ago depended on that land to support the community,” Smith said of the large parcel just east of the entrance to Ediz Hook.
“And I am worried now that the land won’t be used to sustain the community again.
“That would be a huge loss to Port Angeles that’s irreplaceable.”
Construction of the graving yard — in which components of a new east end of the floating bridge would be manufactured — has been mostly halted since the discovery of a 1,700-year-old Klallam village buried underneath 15 months ago.
The Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, which has discovered more than 200 full and partial skeletons as well as artifacts at the village known as Tse-whit-zen, has been overseeing an archeological excavation on much of the property.
Smith said he understands the land’s importance to the tribe, but he also emphasizes it’s economic value to the contemporary community.
“If we don’t have the land, we’re in trouble,” he told the chamber.
Diminishing harbor lands
A similar situation might exist at Rayonier Inc.’s former pulp mill site on the east end of the harbor, where the former Klallam village of Y’ennis was located.
Rayonier wants to clean up and sell the site, but the possibility of remains on the site could affect the sale and future development.
The possible loss of waterfront lands suitable for development requires a fresh look at a 1989 harbor land use plan, Smith said.
With the cooperation of the city, Port of Port Angeles and Lower Elwha tribe, Smith said, the revamp of the 1989 Port Angeles Harbor Resource Management Plan could reach an agreement effective for everyone.
“I am confident that we’ll be able to work through issues and strengthen our relationship with the tribe,” he said.