Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEx 18_ Duwamish Tribe Comments.pdfDUWAMISH TRIBE dxʷdəwʔabš 7/19/2024 Department of Community and Economic development LUA 24-000218 Dear Alex Morganroth, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the PR24-000052 Medical Office Shell Building project,located at 4409 NE Sunset Blvd,Renton,WA .The Duwamish tribe understands that the plan is to create street modifications to construct a 5,200 sq.ft.,one story office building for a future medical office use.Proposed improvements include a 26-stall surface parking lot and modified street frontage improvements including a new sidewalk and planter strip on NE Sunset Blvd.Based on the information provided and our understanding of the project and its APE,the Duwamish Tribe would recommend an inadvertent discovery plan,especially if any groundbreaking activity occurs below fill,topsoil or other impervious surfaces into native soil.This is an area that the Duwamish Tribe considers culturally significant and has a moderate probability to have unknown archaeological deposits.We note that there are 15 historical and ancestral Duwamish place names within about 3 miles of the project location. The DAHP WISAARD predictive model indicates that an archaeological survey is contingent upon project parameters with a moderately low risk for encountering cultural resources. We request that if any archaeological work or monitoring is performed,we would like notification.Cultural and archaeological resources are non-renewable and are best discovered prior to ground disturbance.The Tribe would also like the opportunity to be present if or when an archaeologist is on site. In addition,the Tribe strongly recommends only native vegetation be used for any proposed landscaping to enhance habitat for fish and wildlife,and native avian life and native pollinators.The Tribe supports observing critical area tracts and stream buffers to preserve any remaining wetlands and stream buffers.Loss of wetland habitat is known to affect the viability of fish,water quality and increase the effects of seasonal urban flooding. We also strongly recommend that mature native trees in the APE are preserved.Mature trees can be of profound cultural significance to the Duwamish Tribe and provide innumerable benefits for people,climate,and wildlife.If a tree is suspected to be culturally modified,the Duwamish Tribe would like to be notified and would like the opportunity to come to the site to ensure its protection. Finally the Tribe would request that any outdoor lighting be dark sky compliant as outlined in DarkSky International |Protecting the night skies for present and future generations. Thank you, Aimee Antuna -Toledo Cultural Preservation Intern Duwamish Tribe preservationdept@duwamishtribe.org Mobile -206.856.2564 Duwamish Tribe |4705 W.Marginal Way SW,Seattle,WA 98106 |206-431-1582 www.duwamishtribe.org