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Sequim council delays support letter for Jamestown S'Klallam land transfer after broad public opposition
Summary
Councilors unanimously voted to delay sending a letter backing the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's proposed transfer of Dungeness Spit land, asking the tribe and federal contacts for documents and to include that material in the next council packet after residents raised access, stewardship and process concerns.
Sequim Mayor Rachel Anderson said the council would not approve a letter of support for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe until members had time to review additional documentation requested from the tribe and federal offices and the materials were included in the next meeting packet. The council voted 6-0 to gather and circulate more information before any approval.
Why it matters: dozens of residents turned out or called in to oppose the council endorsing a federal land transfer without more public notice, alleging it could limit access to the Dungeness Spit, facilitate commercial uses, and sidestep public review. Councilors said they want more clarity before taking a position on a matter that largely falls under federal jurisdiction.
During the public-comment period, remote speaker Ron Richards urged the council not to support the tribe’s acquisition of the Dungeness Spit, saying the item’s placement on the consent agenda reflected insufficient public study. "The 2025 Calhoun County Charter Review Commission recommended ... policies and procedures for responding to requests such as this," he said, and argued the city should not back the transfer "without having any guidelines to justify its support." (Ron Richards)
John Worthington, who identified himself as a Sequim resident, said he would testify against the consent item and criticized the tribe’s stewardship in past projects, adding that he felt the tribe had been "insulting" toward community critics. "They seem to be just heavy on the retribution lands... they've just cost us a lot of money on this FEMA grant," he said. (John Worthington)
Other commenters echoed objections. Steve Gish told the council that transferring federal land to the tribe would change the land’s jurisdiction and urged preservation of public access. "If the land gets transferred to the tribe, it essentially becomes a different country," he said. Several speakers said they had begun petitions opposing the transfer.
Mayor Anderson stressed the city does not have the authority to transfer federal land. "This is a letter of support. It is not the city gifting land to anybody. It's not our land to give," she said, and offered to request additional documents from Jamestown S'Klallam Chair Allen to include in the next meeting packet. Several councilors asked staff to post relevant federal links and any sponsor materials with the agenda.
Next steps: Councilors voted unanimously to ask Chair Allen for any supporting documents, link applicable federal materials in the packet, and return the item at the next general-business meeting for additional consideration. The motion passed 6-0.
Community context: Speakers cited the Treaty of Point No Point and existing tribal trust lands as part of their argument; commenters asked for a "before-and-after" explanation of what the transfer would change for public access and management. The council requested that information be included in the next agenda packet so councilors and residents could review it before any letter is issued.
