Cultural Resources
Preserving the region's historic culture
Grant PUD and The Wanapum have worked side-by-side for more than 60 years to preserve, protect and perpetuate the regions historic culture.
Artifact Protection
The stretch of the Columbia River that makes up Grant PUD’s project territory is rich with artifacts from the Wanapum and other Native American groups that traveled along the river and made it their home. The shoreline’s prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, isolated artifacts, archaeological districts, structures, engineering features, landscapes and traditional cultural properties are all protected by state and federal laws. Grant PUD and the Wanapum take the protection of these sites and artifacts very seriously.
The Law
In Washington, archaeological sites and Native American graves are protected from known disturbance by a variety of state and federal laws. Federal law applies to all federal and Native American lands and Washington State law applies to all other lands. The following is a list of existing laws regulating archaeological sites:
SELECTED FEDERAL LAWS ON ARCHAEOLOGY
- Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 1979
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
- American Antiquities Act of 1906
- National Historic Preservation Act
- Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974
WASHINGTON STATE LAWS ON ARCHAEOLOGY
- Executive Order 05-05
- Guidance to EO 05-05
- FAQ EO 05-05
- Indian Graves and Records (RCW 27.44)
- Archaeological Sites and Resources (RCW27.53)
- Archaeological Excavation and Removal Permit (WAC 25-48)
- Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries and Historic Graves (RCW 68.60)
- Registration or Historic Archeological Resources on State-Owned Aquatic Lands (WAC 25-46)
- Aquatic Lands - In General (RCW 79.90.565)
- Archaeological Site Public Disclosure Exemption (RCW 42.56.300)
- Discovery of Human Remains (RCW 27.44)
- Guidance to RCW 27.44
Agreements
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SALMON AND STEELHEAD AGREEMENT
A comprehensive and long-term adaptive management program for the protection, and enhancement of protected species that pass or may be affected by the Priest Rapids Project.
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PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT—ADVISORY COUNCIL OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
This agreement provides principles and commitments for our compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
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YAKIMA NATION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The Yakama Nation’s public utility, Yakama Power, is a Priest Rapids Project power purchaser. Under this agreement, we will market power on behalf of the Yakama Nation from 2007 to 2015. Like our other power purchasers, the Yakama Nation pays project cost for power received.
In recognition of the value of this power allocation, Grant PUD receives rights to 75 percent of the renewable energy credits for the first 75 average megawatts of any renewable generation project developed by the tribe. We also receive the first opportunity to jointly develop new generation projects.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
This document contains Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) analysis regarding our Final License Application for relicensing the Priest Rapids Project.
