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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGovernor InsleeJAY INSLEE Governor October 20, 2016 Director Jonathan Jarvis National Park Service 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Director Jarvis: NATE OF WASHINGTON Office of the Governor 17 [' I OCT 2 4 2016 (� CITY OF PORT ANGELES I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed transfer of the Elwha Water Facilities (EWF) from the National Park Service (NPS) to the city of Port Angeles (City). The City has expressed its concern to both the NPS and my office that the EWF has significant operational and infrastructure problems not accounted for in either the facilities designed and constructed by NPS or the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding between the NPS, City and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT). I agree with the City and the LEKT that transferring the EWF in its current state is neither fair nor consistent with the mandate imposed by Congress on the Secretary of Interior with respect to the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act. This act expressly stated congressional intent to protect "the existing quality and availability of water from the Elwha River for municipal and industrial uses from possible adverse impacts of dam removal." I urge the NPS to find an equitable solution with the City and the 1 -,I. -"KT prior to any transfer of the EWF. It is apparent that unforeseen circumstances and costs created by dam removal have impacted the EWF beyond what was envisioned by the NPS. These additional costs should not be passed on to the City in its effort to provide clean and reliable water to its customers. I also understand that the NPS will need support in securing necessary federal funding to correct these problems so that the EWF can be transferred as planned. P.O. Box 40002 ® Olympia, Washington 9£3504-0002 ® (360) 902-4111 • www,governor.wa.gov Director Jonathan Jarvis National Park Services October 20, 2016 Page 2 The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams under the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries .Restoration Act represents a monumental achievement in environmental restoration. The cooperative spirit that formed to make this happen can surely weather this disagreement. Sine y, Ja slee wernor cc: Honorable Sally Jewell, Secretary, Department of Interior Honorable Derek Kilmer, U.S. House of Representatives Honorable Patty Murray, U.S. Senate Honorable Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senate Frances Charles, Tribal Chairwoman, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Honorable Patrick Downie, Mayor, City of Port Angeles