Appendix A
Report To Suzy Lutey from Dan Meatte


December 19, 2006

Suzy Lutey, Environmental Specialist
FEMA, Region 10
130   228 St SW
Bothell, WA. 98021

Project: FEMA-DR-1641-WA, Campsite Repairs/Relocation on Clark (PW73) and Sucia (PW77) Islands, San Juan County, Washington

Dear Suzy:
      This letter report summarizes my site visit on November 9th, 2006 to Sucia and Clark Island., San Juan County, Washington.  The purpose of this trip was to examine the newly proposed campsites and make recommendations about their feasibility.  New campsites were necessary after winter storms damaged existing campsites at both parks (Clark and Sucia).  A team of representatives from FEMA, State Parks, the Lummi and Samish Tribes were assembled in the fall of 2006 to select alternate locations for these campsites.  These alternate sites were selected to address concerns about existing archaeology and/or the potential for future storm damage. 

      Due to time constraints and deteriorating weather conditions, I did not inspect the abandoned campsite at 45SJ101/103 at the head of Ewing Cove and Echo Bay, respectively.  I will return to inspect these sites in the spring of 2007 to collect additional information for updating a site form.  

Clark Island
      The new campsite is situated at the extreme southeastern corner of Clark Island on a high bluff overlooking Lone Tree Island.  Located adjacent to a cross-island foot trail, the campsites will be tucked into a dense growth of salal.  Eight campsites, with connecting trails, will be constructed occupying approximately 400 square feet each. Soils in this footprint are extremely thin (0 to 15cm) and rest directly on weathered glacial tills.  No cultural resources were noted in the exposed deposits along the trail nor in soil exposures within the prism of the campsites/connecting trails.

      State Parks concurs with the selected location. It favorably relocates camping to a more upland setting away from direct exposure to tidal surges and winter storms.  The absence of cultural resource is noteworthy insofar that it reduces the number of potential management issues associated with the maintenance of the campsite.

Sucia Island
      The new campsite is situated on the east side of Sucia Island at the head of Echo Bay.  There is an existing camp ground here with both pedestrian trails and shoreline access available.  Three new campsites will be located east of the north-south pedestrian trail bisecting the campground. These sites will be set back from the edge of the bluff approximately 35 feet.  Five more campsites will be arranged together to form a group camp on the west side of the trail, tucked into dense stands of salal. Like Clark Island, the soil here is extremely thin (0-20 cm) and rests directly on weathered glacial till.  No cultural resources were noted within the prism of the campsites and their connecting trails.

      Also, at this location, an existing pit toilet will be decommissioned (backfilled) and a new composting toilet relocated 100 meters west of the pit toilet. As with the campsites, the soils are quite thin in this location.  No cultural resources exist with the prism of the composting toilet, the abandoned pit toilet and connecting trails.

      State Parks concurs with the selected locations. It favorably relocates camping to an upland setting away from direct exposure to tidal surges and winter storms.  The absence of cultural resources is noteworthy insofar that it reduces the number of potential management issues associated with the maintenance of the campsite.  Especially noteworthy is the removal of camping activity from recorded site 45SJ103.  This greatly reduces the potential for unanticipated disturbances due to camping related activities. 

Conclusions
      State Parks concurs with both of the newly selected campsites and connecting trails on Clark and Sucia Island.  It also concurs with the relocation of the composting toilet.  State Parks will return to Sucia Island in the spring of 2007 to reexamine and update site information for 45SJ101/103.
      
      If you have questions or need additional information please contact me directly at (360) 902-8637.

Sincerely,

Daniel Meatte, State Parks Archaeologist