The Washington Department of Transportation released a 200-plus page report on Tuesday detailing the events of a construction project that led to the discovery of a major tribal village.

As part of a $280 million bridge project, the state began building a dry dock in Port Angeles. Workers soon uncovered a 2,000-year-old Elwha village that had been occupied as recently as the early 1900s.

The find was heralded as highly significant by archaeologists. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe began participating in excavation of the site but found it difficult to proceed as more than 300 ancestors and thousands of artifacts were uncovered.

After months of negotiations, the state agreed to halt work at the village. The future of the site, however, is in question. Both sides are continuing talks.

Get the Story:
Dry-dock attempt cost $87M (The Seattle Times 5/17)
State graving yard report looks back at what went wrong (The Peninsula Daily News 5/17)
'Everyone Bears A Measure Of Responsibility' (KOMO 5/16)
Press Release: Graving Dock Report Offers Detailed Project Review (WSDOT 5/16)

Report:
Hood Canal Bridge Graving Dock (May 2006)

Relevant Links:
Tse-Whit-Zen Village News - http://tse-whit-zen.elwha.nsn.us
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe - http://www.elwha.org
Washington State Department of Transportation - http://www.wsdot.wa.gov

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