SNOQUALMIE _ It’s hard for the Snoqualmie Tribe to find the
perfect words to express their connection with Snoqualmie Falls. At times they
are speechless, caught up in the beauty, power and aura that the
ever-flowing water represents.
“It’s so much deeper than I can capture because you can’t
capture spirit,” said Tribe member Lois Sweet Dorman.
To generations of Snoqualmies the Falls has come to represent
many things: life, healing and, most of all, the spiritual center of their lives.
And some members of the Tribe are worried that the proposed Falls
Crossing development will not only harm Snoqualmie Falls, but it would
change the character of the area they are trying to preserve.
“The Tribe has always been stewards of the Falls,” Sweet Dorman
said. “We say the Falls is for all people,
for all time because that’s what it’s been historically.”
Last month the Tribe petitioned the Snoqualmie Planning Commission
to give them more time to conduct an archaeological survey on the
property. The commission granted their and other interested parties’ wish to
extend the public comment period through this Friday, Dec. 10.
Since then, representatives from Puget Western Inc. (PWI), the
developers of the planned mixed-use development, have hired
archaeologist Lynn Larson – at the request of the Tribe – to conduct a cultural
resource assessment.
“They’re wanting a survey to be done prior to any construction
activity,” said PWI President Bob Boyd. “We’re in full agreement to do
that, and we’re cooperating with the Tribe.”
He added he expects the assessment will probably be finished by
the end of January.
According to the development’s Final Environmental Impact
Statement, if crews uncover any artifacts during the construction period,
the company would be required to stop work and call in experts to survey
the area. Boyd said, however, it would be to his company’s advantage to have
the assessment done now.
“In this case, we would identify any potential risk, and if something
is encountered, we’d have the opportunity to work around it,” he said.
“At this point, nothing is anticipated to be found.”
Although Sweet Dorman declined to comment on what artifacts, if
any, they expect to find on the property, she did commend PWI for working
with her group.
“Anytime we come together, it’s always a positive step in
understanding concerns,” she said. “When
it’s done in a respectful manner, there are so many possibilities.
“We’ve got to keep finding a way,” Sweet Dorman added.
One of the ways the Tribe is working to protect the Falls is through
the formation of the Snoqualmie Falls Preservation Project, which helps
educate the community about the significance of the site. The effort grew
out of the commitment from the Church Council of Greater Seattle who
wanted to help the Snoqualmies protect the sacred area.
“It’s a healing place … both spiritual and physical,” Sweet
Dorman said. “People come from all over the world and they’re drawn here
for whatever reason.”
That is why, she says, the development would spoil the beauty
and nature of the Falls. The added homes and retail space would also bring
the adverse impacts of growth _ traffic, pollution and diminished views.
A better usage of the area tagged for retail would be to create a
welcome center to teach people about the history of the Snoqualmies and the
Valley, Sweet Dorman commented. But even if the center doesn’t come
into fruition there, the Tribe will not give up on revealing the history that
has been silent for so many years.
“Our work with the Falls keeps going,” Sweet Dorman said.
“We’re not going anywhere; we’re here to stay.”