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.”