Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing Festival of the Steh Chass
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim August 17, 2024, as the Second Festival of the st̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass).
Report
Issue:
Weather to Proclaim August 17, 2024, as the Second Festival of the st̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass)
Staff Contacts:
Rachael Meares, Cultural Event Program Specialist, Parks, Arts and Recreation Department, 360.753.8470
Olivia Salazar de Breaux, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist, Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department, 360.753.8343
Presenter(s):
Caroline Slagle, Program Director, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) and representatives from DERT and the Squaxin Island Tribe
Background and Analysis:
On October 31, 2022, the Washington Department of Enterprise Services released its Final Environmental Impact Statement on Capitol Lake/Deschutes Estuary, identifying the removal of the Fifth Avenue Dam and restoration of the Deschutes River and Estuary as the state’s “preferred alternative” to address numerous environmental problems with the existing lake and estuarine systems. The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT), the Squaxin Island Tribe, and other local elected officials, organizations, and community members have been advocating for this result for more than 20 years.
On Saturday, August 17th, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) are joining forces for the 2nd Festival of the st̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass) to celebrate the cultural and ecological importance of the decision to remove the 5th Avenue dam and restoring the estuary in Downtown Olympia.
Climate Analysis:
The purpose of the Festival is to celebrate the decision to remove the dam which will improve climate resiliency in our area by preventing extreme weather-related events like sea level rising and flooding in downtown Olympia.
Equity Analysis:
This festival raises awareness about the cultural and ecological importance of the decision to remove the 5th Avenue dam and restoring the estuary in Downtown Olympia. The removal will improve the health of the Deschutes Watershed for native species. The Deschutes Estuary has long-standing cultural and spiritual significance to the Squaxin Island Tribe.
Attachments:
Proclamation