The Dungeness Spit: From Co-Management to Ownership
Sequim leaders back a federal land transfer that could move a national wildlife refuge into tribal ownership
Less than two years after entering a “co-management” agreement, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is now pursuing full ownership of the Dungeness and Protection Island National Wildlife Refuges—and days from now, Sequim’s City Council is preparing to support it. It’s time to examine what that shift means for public land, political influence, and who our elected officials are really representing.
From Partnership to Transfer
On March 23, the Sequim City Council is poised to send a letter to Representative Emily Randall and Senator Maria Cantwell supporting the “Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Land Transfer Act of 2026.”
The proposal would transfer federal wildlife refuge land—currently held for the benefit of all Americans—to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to be held in trust for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.
Less than two years ago, the Tribe entered into a co-management agreement for these refuges. Now, the goal is no longer shared stewardship—it is full ownership.
That is not a small step. It is a fundamental shift.
Who Do Our Representatives Represent?
The officials advancing this—Sequim City Council, members of this congressional district, and statewide elected leaders—were chosen to represent the public.
Yet here they are, supporting the transfer of a national public asset to a sovereign nation.
That raises a basic but unavoidable question:
Who is being represented in this decision—the public, or a separate sovereign government?
A Major Step for “Land Back”
This proposal reflects a broader and increasingly visible movement: Land Back—the transfer of public lands into tribal ownership.
Sequim’s own “Statement of Co-Existence and Government-to-Government Relationship” makes clear how this moment developed. The City explicitly recognizes itself and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe as “two sovereigns” committed to shared stewardship.
Now, that relationship is evolving into something more permanent—and more consequential.
The City’s letter states it supports “restoring Tribal homelands.”
But that raises another question:
How much land qualifies as “homeland”?
And where does that process stop?
Competing Interests on Public Land
At the same time this transfer is being pursued, the Jamestown Corporation is preparing a 50-acre commercial, non-native oyster operation within the refuge—a proposal already facing legal and permitting challenges.
If the land is transferred into tribal trust, those challenges become far easier to navigate.
Ownership changes the rules.
Contradictions in the Record
The City’s letter praises the Tribe for “reinvigorating the volunteer program.”
But less than a year ago, the Friends of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge reported that under new management, their services were largely no longer needed—and the long-standing volunteer board dissolved.
That contradiction deserves scrutiny.
Following the Money and Influence
Campaign finance records show:
Jamestown CEO Ron Allen contributed $2,000 to Representative Emily Randall
The Jamestown Tribe contributed an additional $3,500
More notably, Allen himself has openly described how tribal political influence operates. Reflecting on past elections, he explained how tribes mobilized funding and voter turnout to defeat Senator Slade Gorton and elect Maria Cantwell:
“We started generating money for her… we got our people registered… we chalked it up as an Indian victory, no question about it.”
This isn’t speculation. It’s a stated strategy—leveraging economic success into political power.
A Refuge for Wildlife—or Commerce?
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson as a protected space:
“A refuge, preserve and breeding ground for native birds.”
Today, it is home to:
Over 250 species of birds
41 species of land mammals
8 species of marine mammals
For more than a century, it has belonged to the public—preserved, funded, and protected by generations of Americans.
Now, that same land is being considered for transfer to a sovereign entity, with active commercial aquaculture interests already in motion.
The Bigger Picture
This is not just about one refuge.
It is about precedent.
It is about whether public lands—held in trust for all Americans—can be transferred away through political alignment and quiet agreements.
And it is about whether the public has any real say before that happens.
What Happens Next
The Sequim City Council will review this letter:
City Council Meeting
📍 Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar Street
🕕 Monday, March 23, 2026 – 6:00 PM
Attend in person, join online, or call in. Click here for instructions.
Submit written comments: clerk@sequimwa.gov
Take Action
If you believe public lands should remain public, now is the time to speak.
Email Representative Emily Randall here.
Email Senator Maria Cantwell here.
Contact the Clallam County Commissioners and ask them to oppose this transfer with a letter of support from the citizens of Clallam County, and make it clear: The refuge is not for sale. It is part of our shared national heritage. All three commissioners can be reached by contacting the Clerk of the Board at loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov.
Talk to your neighbors. Share this information. Show up to the meeting. Send the emails.
Because once land like this is transferred, it doesn’t come back.
And decisions like this are not reversed by silence—they are shaped by the people who step forward and make themselves heard.
Editor’s Note: Our weekly profile series investigating the League of Women Voters of Clallam County will continue next Friday.
The gist of Boldt was to allow tribes to co-manage traditional tribal habitat for salmon and aqua culture. Then the tribe went out and got federal grants that made them the "lead' on all things salmon recovery aqua culture. This not only violated the gist of "Boldt" but it allowed the tribe, who was also given priority by the County ,Port Angeles and Sequim, to circumvent "Bolt" altogether.
With that authority, the tribe has helped waste millions in federal and state funding on salmon recovery that never had a chance to restore traditional native salmon stocks. All they have accomplished is to barely maintain a dog fish (chum) population. The reason is simple. They invested in steep grade projects which were nothing more than bob sled runs with a six flags log ride look, with logs scattered all over. This created the property taking they have longed for.
JKT is not a steward of the land. They are a bitter tribe that has spent the last 14 years violating the terms of the Point No Point Treaty of 1855, by looking through its retribution lens on all policy development. All they had to do is kick down to the Democratic party, which is from top to bottom a socialist/communist government bent on destroying America. Its a scandal as big if not bigger as the Minnesota day care fraud.
Straight up BS. Who in their right mind considers this fair and equitable treatment ?
Oh right Jamestown llc. Their only concern is how much money they can make, and how much tax free land they can grab. “Their” tax free land is a scam and needs to be reversed. Greed and materialism don’t sit well with the perception of native peoples.
Did someone else steal not only their land, but their very identity ? If you’re going to steal a people’s identity, you could at least have to courage to walk the walk.
You pretend to, but don’t ! You’re nothing but grifters, every last one of you.
Thanks for keeping the public engaged. I don’t always agree with the lefty loosy, right tighty attitudes, but to each their own xoxo.