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Council authorizes application to consider landmark designation for culturally significant tree after tribal consultation
Summary
After tribal consultation and public testimony from Jamestown S'Klallam partners and descendants, the council voted to authorize the city's application process to consider a landmark designation for a culturally sensitive Douglas fir at Fort Townsend Gulf Park.
The Port Townsend City Council voted to authorize staff to proceed with an application process considering landmark status for a culturally sensitive Douglas fir at the entrance to Fort Townsend Gulf Park.
Public works director Steve King told the council the tree carries a state cultural-resource designation and that staff conducted tribal consultation, contacting four federally recognized tribes and local tribal descendants. King said representatives from Jamestown and local descendant communities participated in consultation meetings; staff did not receive responses from all invited tribes but felt consultations provided useful input to proceed with an application.
Multiple public commenters urged the council to advance the nomination and to frame the site as an educational and memorial resource. Naomi Krenke, who identified herself as a tribal descendant, asked for a plaque recognizing ancestors. Rosalie Walls recounted family history and the trauma of boarding schools, saying recognition “means a lot.” Joe Blair, representing Native Connections, urged forwarding the nomination to the Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board so the designation could be thoughtfully conserved.
A council member moved to authorize the city’s application for clearance and designation of the landmark tree on city-owned land at Fort Townsend Gulf Park; the motion was seconded, members voted in favor and the chair announced the motion carried.
The staff recommendation is procedural: authorizing the application begins a process. If the application proceeds, the Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board will review and the public works director will make an administrative decision within the statutory time frame identified in city code.
Next steps: staff will forward the application materials to the advisory board for review and return with any board recommendations and required administrative actions.
