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Lawmaker defends proposed land swap with tribe
Wednesday, April 13, 2005

A Republican lawmaker in Washington is defending his proposal to offer land to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in exchange for the tribe's permission to restart construction work at an historic Klallam village.

Rep. Jim Buck (R) released the text of a letter to Rep. John McCoy (D), a Tulalip Tribes member. In the letter, Buck says the land he offered to the tribe is worth $2.4 million plus timber valued at $1.67 million.

Buck said the land would be given to the tribe in order to rebury hundreds of ancestors uncovered at the Tse-whit-zen village. He proposed a facility to house and display thousands of artifacts.

The tribe rejected the request and has opposed any work at the site. The state shut down construction on a $280 million bridge project as it looks for another place to host a graving yard.

Get the Story:
State lawmaker confirms broaching land swap with tribe at secret meeting last month (The Peninsula Daily News 4/12)
Rep. Buck's letter (The Peninsula Daily News 4/12)

Relevant Links:
Tse-Whit-Zen Village News - http://tse-whit-zen.elwha.nsn.us
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe - http://www.elwha.org

Related Stories:
Washington tribe rejects offer on village site (03/29)
2005 Paddle Journey to end at Tse-whit-zen village (03/15)
Washington tribe backs probe into work at village (1/31)
Washington tribe still affected by excavation of village (1/27)
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe tells panel of racism (01/20)
Healing ceremony held at Klallam village (1/17)
Talks continue over future of Klallam village (1/11)
Top official set to abandon work at Klallam village (12/17)
Washington officials won't oppose tribe on village (12/16)
Meeting scheduled on future of Klallam tribal village (12/14)
Editorial: Work at Klallam tribal village should stop (12/14)
Washington tribe wants construction stopped (12/13)
Editorial: Let tribe complete work on village (12/03)
Washington tribe to discuss future of village (11/29)
Construction at tribal burial site still in dispute (11/18)
Washington tribe wants work stopped at bridge site (10/08)
Discovery of village strains Washington tribe (07/28)
Klallam village in Washington larger than expected (7/23)
Klallam village in Washington called significant find (07/14)
Washington tribe helping with removal of remains (04/20)
State to pay for reburial of Klallam ancestors (04/13)
Wash. tribe to sign agreement for reburial of ancestors (03/16)
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Wash. negotiating with tribe on handling of remains (10/15)
State, tribe mum on discovery of remains at worksite (09/12)

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