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Commission to discuss proposed amendment on tribal trust land transfers at May 27 meeting after community debate
Summary
Commissioners debated a proposed amendment that would require the commission to comment on Bureau of Indian Affairs fee-to-trust requests affecting county tax and regulatory interests; the item was set for Step 2 consideration on May 27 after public comment urged the need for study.
A proposed Charter Review Commission amendment that would require the commission to respond to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requests concerning transfers of land into tribal trust drew lengthy public comment and a commitment to discuss the item further on May 27.
Several public commenters raised questions and concerns. John Worthington of Sequim urged stricter review of tribal trust transfers and criticized federal and tribal processes that bypass the BIA or environmental review channels. Bonnie Bliss Banesh said she does not support the amendment "which would require the board of county commissioners to respond to all requests from the BIA on the potential impact of transfers of land to tribal trust lands" and listed specific questions she wants answered before supporting any charter change: the percentage of county land in trust, the frequency and fiscal impact of trust requests, who in the county would do the work and the cost and time required.
Commissioner Richards defended bringing the topic forward. He said the county needs data and study because transfers into trust can alter jurisdiction and the county's regulatory authority on land use and taxation. "The county loses jurisdiction over trust land, regulatory jurisdiction, in planning matters and other things," Richards said in the discussion, and he argued that comprehensive-plan issues and fiscal impacts should be analyzed.
Commissioners agreed to place Richards's proposed amendment on the Step 2 agenda for May 27 to allow formal discussion and public comment. No draft charter language was adopted tonight and no action was taken to change county policy; the commission's scheduling will allow the public and commissioners to review the proposal in more detail.
Speakers on both sides urged clarity: opponents asked for data and legal review before any requirement that county staff respond to BIA trust requests; proponents asked for study of how trust transfers affect planning, taxes and service delivery. The commission did not direct staff to prepare a fiscal estimate during the May 6 meeting but agreed the May 27 discussion would include the committee's materials and public comment.
