PUD manager says more remains found at Beckett Point

DISCOVERY BAY – More remains have been discovered at Beckett Point, said the manager of the public utility district developing a septic system there, but the extent of an archaeological team’s findings so far is unknown.

“There’s more than one body down there, for sure, I’ll just say that,” said Jim Parker, Jefferson County Public Utility District manager on Friday.

Allyson Brooks, state Historic Preservation officer and managing director of the state’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, did not confirm the find.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In a Friday e-mail to the Peninsula Daily News, she said, “We have no information at this time” about additional discoveries at the Discovery Bay site.

Attempts Friday to contact Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam tribal chairman, were unsuccessful.

Found in late May were 58 bone and bone fragments, which were turned into the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant State Archaeologist Stephenie Kramer, with the state archaeology and historic preservation department, has stated that initial findings showed the remains to be those of a Native American, 100 years or older.

The agency informed Parker and the PUD that disturbing Native American graves without a permit from the state archaeology and historic preservation department is a Class C felony.

The discovery stopped work on the $2.8 million Beckett Point community septic and drainfield system.

The system is intended to replace septic systems for some 100 homes, 80 of which are failing and threatening to pollute shellfish-rich Discovery Bay.

Parker said he believes that a team of workers will complete archeological work at the site near the Beckett Point boat ramp on Tuesday.

PUD- and state-contracted archaeological consultant Gary Wessen, of Seattle, and tribal members including those with the Jamestown and Port Gamble S’Klallam, have been sifting through backfill piles.

The piles are directly across from Beckett Point Road where workers with the PUD contractor, Pape and Sons, were digging a trench when remains were uncovered.

Kathy Duncan, Jamestown S’Klallam’s cultural resource manager, recently told Jefferson County officials that the Beckett Point site is believed to be a former Native American village.

The site is not on existing maps that show the sites of more than 30 former tribal villages from Neah Bay to Port Angeles, Sequim-Dungeness Valley and Port Gamble, and north to the shores of Vancouver Island, Canada.

More in News

Interfund loan to pay for Port Townsend meter replacement

City will repay over four years; work likely this winter

Artists to create murals for festival

Five pieces of art to be commissioned for downtown Port Angeles

Clallam assessor’s office to extend reduced hours

The Clallam County assessor’s office is continuing its reduction… Continue reading

Girders to be placed Thursday night

Contractor crews will place four 100-foot bridge girders over a… Continue reading

Cameras to check recycling contents in new program

Olympic Disposal will deploy a system of computerized cameras to… Continue reading

Port Angeles Fire Department responds to a residential structure fire on West 8th Street in Port Angeles. (Jay Cline)
Police: Woman arrested in arson investigation

Niece of displaced family allegedly said house was ‘possessed’

Rikki Rodger, left, holds a foam float, and Mark Stevenson and Sara Ybarra Lopez drop off 9.2 pounds of trash and debris they collected at Kai Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend during the Port Townsend Marine Science Center Earth Day Beach Cleanup event Saturday at Fort Worden State Park. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Beach cleanup

Rikki Rodger, left, holds a foam float, and Mark Stevenson and Sara… Continue reading

Emily Randall.
Randall reflects on first 100 days

Public engagement cited as top priority

Sequim company manufactures slings for its worldwide market

Heavy-duty rigging includes windmills, construction sites

Legislature hearing wide range of bills

Property tax, housing could impact Peninsula

Jefferson County adjusts budget appropriations

Money for parks, coroner and substance abuse treatment in jail

Motorcycle rider airlifted to Seattle hospital

A Sequim man was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after… Continue reading