Port Gamble Bay | Debris Removal | Watershed Conservation | Former Mill Site
nəxʷq̕íyt – Port Gamble Bay
The nəxʷq̕íyt nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ (Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, PGST) have lived, fished, and harvested in and around nəxʷq̕íyt (Noo-Kayet, Port Gamble Bay) since time immemorial.
PGST’s reservation sits on the eastern shore of nəxʷq̕íyt, with Point Julia a key access point for the many Tribal members who continue to practice their treaty rights for cultural, subsistence, and commercial purposes.
This 1210-acre waterway and its watershed sustains culturally-significant species, including many salmon varieties, geoducks, clams, oysters, red-cedar, huckleberry, and many, many more. It is also home to one of the largest remaining herring stocks in the Puget Sound.
However, nəxʷq̕íyt faces many environmental challenges. Pollution from historic activities and road runoff as well as disturbances from development and climate change all threaten the bay.
Restoration and protection of nəxʷq̕íyt for the long-term sustenance of places, species, and associated traditional practices that are integral to the unique identity of the nəxʷq̕íyt nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ people is a key Environmental Program priority.
The nəxʷq̕íyt nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ have lived, fished, and harvested in and around nəxʷq̕íyt (Port Gamble Bay) since time immemorial. An ancestral village existed at nəxʷq̕íyt point on the west side of the bay when settlers arrived. To make room for the growing mill and its workers, the S'Klallam village is moved across the Bay to Point Julia. (Photo: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe)
Work to restore and protect land and sea ecosystems that are essential for PGST traditional practices continues to the present day.
The Environmental Program strives to encourage responsible management of development in the watershed through careful environmental review of Tribe’s plans, and through comment on other parties’ plans. This has included extensive mitigation to offset environmental impacts of replacing PGST’s dock and calling attention to challenges associated with development at Point Julia, as well as efforts to limit new docks and other construction around nəxʷq̕íyt.
Restoration and protection of nəxʷq̕íyt’s natural ecosystems are crucial to the Program’s mission safeguarding treaty rights and advocating for the protection of natural and cultural resources from the increasing threats of pollution, loss of habitat, harmful land uses, and other environmental issues.
PGST has:
- Participated in MTCA aquatic cleanup of nəxʷq̕íyt (Port Gamble Bay)
- Cleaned up debris, including creosote-treated pilings, throughout nəxʷq̕íyt
- Contributed to conservation of lands throughout the nəxʷq̕íyt watershed
- Acquisition of a conservation easement at the Former Mill Site on nəxʷq̕íyt point to permanently protect this area
- Funded the planning process for restoration of the Former Mill Site
For further information, please see the following:
- Former Mill Site Restoration (project page)
- Debris Removal
- Department of Ecology
- Forterra
- Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
PGST is grateful to our funders for making these projects possible:
- WA Department of Ecology Toxics Cleanup Program
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program
- Washington Recreation and Conservation Office Wildlife and Recreation Program
- Washington Recreation and Conservation Office Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account
- And many more!
Contact
Roma Call, Environmental Program Manager