The commissioners did not answer yesterday's question about buying $95 gala tickets with taxpayer money. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Upthegrove,
I am writing to ask several specific questions about the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) application that proposes transferring 435 acres of Washington State public trust land in Clallam County to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Based on available public information, several aspects of the application and outreach seem unclear to many residents.
Public Awareness and Outreach:
The application states there is “no known opposition” to this transfer. How was this determination made, given that many residents were unaware of the application until recently? What formal public notice or consultation processes have been undertaken beyond tribal newsletters and internal meetings?
Role of the Board of Natural Resources:
Commissioner Johnson serves on the Board of Natural Resources, which oversees DNR trust lands. Can you clarify what discussions, briefings, or disclosures have occurred at the Board level regarding this parcel and how constituent interests have been represented?
Characterization of the Land:
The application notes that transferring this land would mean it “cannot be developed” but simultaneously places it outside state land-use control and many transparency requirements. What implications does this have for future use, access, and county planning? How will public interests be safeguarded?
Economic and Management Claims:
The narrative in the application emphasizes historical and cultural importance and resource stewardship, yet it also references significant commercial activity tied to the tribe’s operations. Could you provide detail on how economic, cultural, and ecological objectives are being weighed and what metrics are being used to evaluate this transfer?
Community Engagement Strategy:
What additional steps will be taken to inform the broader Clallam County community — including landowners, local businesses, and conservation groups — about this transfer and opportunities for input before any final decision is made?
Thank you for your attention to these questions. Clarity and transparency on matters involving public trust lands are essential for maintaining public confidence in land-use governance and ensuring that community perspectives are meaningfully included.
When authority changes hands, transparency must expand; public trust is not measured in acres but in accountability, and silence without meaningful notice is not consent — it is a failure of stewardship.
How very clever of the JTribe to slip another transfer of land into sovereign status. Since the majority of Washington residents know, or probably care about this proposed transfer it is the duty of local residents to share their views on the topic.
Well, that’s how they work behind closed doors and sneak around. What about peoples homes if this proposed deal goes through does that mean that they’re gonna take away peoples homes? Because it will now be tribal lands! This is extremely scary!
The Land Back movement is just getting started. Unfortunately, the supporters of this movement were given a path forward with 110 years of international law, economic justice, and ethnic equity behind it. This will sound crazy but, the Balfour declaration in 1917 said that the Jewish people had a right to take back lands that they "deemed" historical homelands from anyone who had settled there in the last 2000 years all because they had been horribly wronged. We are now seeing the results of 110 years of the greater Israel project as they extend their "homelands" as far as they can, all with the blessings of the international community and through use of ethnic guilt. I hate to say it but the coming land back movement for the Native North American inhabitants who claim to have been here since "time immemorial" may be unstoppable. Clallam County is ground zero as tribes all around the country watch and try to replicate what the Jamestown Corporation is accomplishing.
Public will no longer be able to set foot on this property if it goes to tribal land. If the tribe so chooses the tribe may allow limited access but with a permit and fee.
When is it time to just say NO! No more transfers. No more encroachment on public lands. No more secret deals. Period! As to the idea of Land Back. How about "Possession is nine tenths of the law?" There has never been stable ownership throughout our, note our, United States. Leave things as they are, or consider Land Back for our United States.
I might hazard a guess here, and that is, why the Sequim City Council (at whose behest?) put a moratorium on land development under its purview which just happens to include the John Wayne family owned land. Guessing that this land will be the next target to move to the tribe (see TJ's comment). And with the moratorium continually being extended by 6 months, gives the tribe more time to get its shellfish in a row.
The present day S'Klallam Tribe is distinctly divided into three separate bands - The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Their Consolidation areas include both Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
The Plans to acquire land is strategic and done through silent whispered negotiations benefiting the the players involved in a slow moving Coup de grâce. The final death blow will be acquiring the water rights (coming soon). The map in the Jamestown Comprehensive Plan is to own the water rights include the Dungeness River and Morse Creek. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes have their own Comprehensive Plans.
Click on the site below, go to page 14. The land colored in purple is the land the Jamestown Tribe fully intends to own. It is by design, not by opportunity. WE WILL THEN TRULY BE GUEST ON A SOVEREIGN NATION’S LAND, without a voice or recourse. This is a fight for our decedents, are we ready for it?
IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG!
This area was approved by the United States Department of the Interior as the place in which the Tribe will CONCENTRATE LAND ACQUISITION and economic development efforts, and within which lands may be designated as Tribal trust land. The land area was based on Tribal population proximity, environmental and conservation concerns, historical sites and the Tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing, hunting and gathering areas. THE TRIBE’S LAND CONSOLIDATION AREA SPANS APPROXIMATELY 32 MILE EAST-TO-WEST, 36 MILES NORTH-TO-SOUTH, AND COVERS 363 MILES OF LAND.
LAND Page 18
The Tribe owns more than 400 acres in Blyn in a mix of reservation, trust and fee status, making it the single largest landowner in Blyn. AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE, ALL OF THIS PROPERTY WILL LIKELY BE IN RESERVATION/TRUST STATUS, AND THEREFORE NO LONGER UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF CLALLAM COUNTY OR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Page 29
Economic development officials in the Tribe’s local jurisdictions have identified certain areas of economic development that seem to have the best chance for success in the region The primary growth industries which we believe will create new employment and career opportunities are tourism, high-tech businesses, healthcare and medical supplies, marine services and commercial/residential construction
SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-GOVERNANCE Page 30
The Tribe continues to expand our programs and services at a time when OUR FEDERAL SELF-GOVERNANCE FUNDING LEVELS have remained fairly constant. This requires that we become more creative in how to best meet the community goals, while also working with the Administration and Congress TO REQUEST INCREASED FUNDING to meet basic needs and enact legislation TO EXPAND OUR TRIBAL GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.
GOVERANCE GOALS Page 42
Reacquire additional homelands and when appropriate, submit for conversion to trust/reservation status.
The commissioners did not answer yesterday's question about buying $95 gala tickets with taxpayer money. Here is today's email:
Dear Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Upthegrove,
I am writing to ask several specific questions about the Trust Land Transfer (TLT) application that proposes transferring 435 acres of Washington State public trust land in Clallam County to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Based on available public information, several aspects of the application and outreach seem unclear to many residents.
Public Awareness and Outreach:
The application states there is “no known opposition” to this transfer. How was this determination made, given that many residents were unaware of the application until recently? What formal public notice or consultation processes have been undertaken beyond tribal newsletters and internal meetings?
Role of the Board of Natural Resources:
Commissioner Johnson serves on the Board of Natural Resources, which oversees DNR trust lands. Can you clarify what discussions, briefings, or disclosures have occurred at the Board level regarding this parcel and how constituent interests have been represented?
Characterization of the Land:
The application notes that transferring this land would mean it “cannot be developed” but simultaneously places it outside state land-use control and many transparency requirements. What implications does this have for future use, access, and county planning? How will public interests be safeguarded?
Economic and Management Claims:
The narrative in the application emphasizes historical and cultural importance and resource stewardship, yet it also references significant commercial activity tied to the tribe’s operations. Could you provide detail on how economic, cultural, and ecological objectives are being weighed and what metrics are being used to evaluate this transfer?
Community Engagement Strategy:
What additional steps will be taken to inform the broader Clallam County community — including landowners, local businesses, and conservation groups — about this transfer and opportunities for input before any final decision is made?
Thank you for your attention to these questions. Clarity and transparency on matters involving public trust lands are essential for maintaining public confidence in land-use governance and ensuring that community perspectives are meaningfully included.
Good Governance Daily Proverb:
When authority changes hands, transparency must expand; public trust is not measured in acres but in accountability, and silence without meaningful notice is not consent — it is a failure of stewardship.
Core Governance Elements:
1. Authority shifts → transparency increases
2. Trust land → fiduciary accountability
3. Obscurity ≠ consent
4. Process defines stewardship
5. Scale of change → duty to inform
How very clever of the JTribe to slip another transfer of land into sovereign status. Since the majority of Washington residents know, or probably care about this proposed transfer it is the duty of local residents to share their views on the topic.
Well, that’s how they work behind closed doors and sneak around. What about peoples homes if this proposed deal goes through does that mean that they’re gonna take away peoples homes? Because it will now be tribal lands! This is extremely scary!
Evrita, we won't really know how it will play out in courts, but if there is "no opposition" it can only go one way.
The Land Back movement is just getting started. Unfortunately, the supporters of this movement were given a path forward with 110 years of international law, economic justice, and ethnic equity behind it. This will sound crazy but, the Balfour declaration in 1917 said that the Jewish people had a right to take back lands that they "deemed" historical homelands from anyone who had settled there in the last 2000 years all because they had been horribly wronged. We are now seeing the results of 110 years of the greater Israel project as they extend their "homelands" as far as they can, all with the blessings of the international community and through use of ethnic guilt. I hate to say it but the coming land back movement for the Native North American inhabitants who claim to have been here since "time immemorial" may be unstoppable. Clallam County is ground zero as tribes all around the country watch and try to replicate what the Jamestown Corporation is accomplishing.
TJ, all true!
Public will no longer be able to set foot on this property if it goes to tribal land. If the tribe so chooses the tribe may allow limited access but with a permit and fee.
When is it time to just say NO! No more transfers. No more encroachment on public lands. No more secret deals. Period! As to the idea of Land Back. How about "Possession is nine tenths of the law?" There has never been stable ownership throughout our, note our, United States. Leave things as they are, or consider Land Back for our United States.
I might hazard a guess here, and that is, why the Sequim City Council (at whose behest?) put a moratorium on land development under its purview which just happens to include the John Wayne family owned land. Guessing that this land will be the next target to move to the tribe (see TJ's comment). And with the moratorium continually being extended by 6 months, gives the tribe more time to get its shellfish in a row.
The present day S'Klallam Tribe is distinctly divided into three separate bands - The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Their Consolidation areas include both Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
The Plans to acquire land is strategic and done through silent whispered negotiations benefiting the the players involved in a slow moving Coup de grâce. The final death blow will be acquiring the water rights (coming soon). The map in the Jamestown Comprehensive Plan is to own the water rights include the Dungeness River and Morse Creek. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes have their own Comprehensive Plans.
Click on the site below, go to page 14. The land colored in purple is the land the Jamestown Tribe fully intends to own. It is by design, not by opportunity. WE WILL THEN TRULY BE GUEST ON A SOVEREIGN NATION’S LAND, without a voice or recourse. This is a fight for our decedents, are we ready for it?
IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG!
https://jamestowntribe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Comprehensive_Plan_Revised_in_2016_Final.pdf
Tribal Land Consolidation Area (map on page 14)
This area was approved by the United States Department of the Interior as the place in which the Tribe will CONCENTRATE LAND ACQUISITION and economic development efforts, and within which lands may be designated as Tribal trust land. The land area was based on Tribal population proximity, environmental and conservation concerns, historical sites and the Tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing, hunting and gathering areas. THE TRIBE’S LAND CONSOLIDATION AREA SPANS APPROXIMATELY 32 MILE EAST-TO-WEST, 36 MILES NORTH-TO-SOUTH, AND COVERS 363 MILES OF LAND.
LAND Page 18
The Tribe owns more than 400 acres in Blyn in a mix of reservation, trust and fee status, making it the single largest landowner in Blyn. AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE, ALL OF THIS PROPERTY WILL LIKELY BE IN RESERVATION/TRUST STATUS, AND THEREFORE NO LONGER UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF CLALLAM COUNTY OR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Page 29
Economic development officials in the Tribe’s local jurisdictions have identified certain areas of economic development that seem to have the best chance for success in the region The primary growth industries which we believe will create new employment and career opportunities are tourism, high-tech businesses, healthcare and medical supplies, marine services and commercial/residential construction
SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF-GOVERNANCE Page 30
The Tribe continues to expand our programs and services at a time when OUR FEDERAL SELF-GOVERNANCE FUNDING LEVELS have remained fairly constant. This requires that we become more creative in how to best meet the community goals, while also working with the Administration and Congress TO REQUEST INCREASED FUNDING to meet basic needs and enact legislation TO EXPAND OUR TRIBAL GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.
GOVERANCE GOALS Page 42
Reacquire additional homelands and when appropriate, submit for conversion to trust/reservation status.
Remember, this Comprehensive Plan was in 2016, it has become more aggressive in its scope since then.