From article March 4, 1992 in a newspaper, page 2
(I got a xerox copy, the header is missing, only name is Falcon News)
*--> "Prof. aids in asking Falls become a cultural site" <--*
*--> By Geoffery S. DeWeese, Senior Reporter <--*
The efforts of SPU antropology Ken Tollefson were rewarded Friday
when a state committee unanimously recommended that Snoqualmie Falls
be put on the National Register of Historical Places.
If the recommendation is accepted by the National Park Service,
it will make the Falls the first "traditional cultural property" in
the state. The decision, on the state level, should be made with in
the next four months.
Tollefson, who wrote the recommendation, presented the case for
the falls at a meeting of the State Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation on Friday in Tacoma.
According to Leonard Garfield, preservation programs coordinator
for the State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the
recommendation sets a new precedent.
Garfield said that most sites on the register are man-made
structures, such as buildings, structures, such as buildings, bridges or
archaeological sites. This is the first time a natural formation had been
recommended in Washington for its cultural value.
He said he was unsure if there were others like it in the nation,
adding, "We're in new territory."
Garfield said that if the Falls are put on the register, it will help
increase awareness and promote education about the Falls and the Snoqualmie
Indians.
In his speech to the council, Tollefson said that the Falls were
featured in the Snoqualmies' creation myth.
He said that for centuries, the Snoqualmie and other tribes have
used the the Falls as a religious site and as a gathering place.
"This is the most powerful site for the Snoqualmie people," Tollefson
said. "It was a gathering place for all tribes."
Before the vote, council member Florence Lentz said, "We all feel
that this kind of nomination has been long overdue."
After voting, Council Chair Kent Richards said, "I think this is a
significant step."
Richards said he felt it has a good chance of being accepted and
added to the register.
Tollefson said he hopes that increasing public awareness of the
falls will help stop further development of Puget Power's hydroelectric
plant on the Falls.
According to Teri Van Duine, sopkesperson for Puget Power, the
company is currently preparing to renew its license through the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission in 1993. It is asking to increase power
outputs from 42 megawatts to 73 megawatts. This would mean lowering the
amount of water flowing over the falls. According to Tollefson, Puget Power
is currently taking 2,500 cubic feet of water away from the Falls. To
increase the power output the planned amount, it would have to take out
4,000 cubic feet of water.
Tollefson said that Snoqualmie Indians he works with feel this is
too much.
Seventy-three-year-old Snoqualmie Cheif Earnest Barr said that
said that he has seen the Falls change since his childhood.
"I wish it was like it was before," Barr said. "it was real pretty."
He said that the vote was one more step in protecting the Falls.
Van Duine said that Puget Power has cooperated with the Snoqualmie
Tribe and supports putting the Falls on the National Register.
"We don't feel that it's going to have an impact on our proposal,"
she said. Tollefson said that with the recommondation, he hopes more
people will come out in support if the Falls and the Tribe.
----------- ^ ---------- End of Article ---------- ^ -----------
[Notes, Puget Power's plan for Snoqualmie Falls includes drawing
up to 80+% more water away from the Falls for the additional generators,
severe changes to the Falls to accomidate the projects, a "flow control
project" (Dams), clearcut of a forest at the base of the Falls for a golf
corse, nearby- 2000+ residences and a commerical area, and more.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
+-(c)--------------------------+ Information is the root of knowledge.
| delisle@eskimo.celestial.com | Action is the root of experience.
+------------------------------+ Illusion is the root of reality.
Help save a sacred sight: Snoqualmie Falls is in peril due to power
company disctuction. Phone +1 206-885-7464 For informaion or to give
support, (they don't have E-mail). I also may have a couple of articles
I can forward to You.