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Development continues: Tribal growth maintains its steady pace
rl The Tribe has accomplished so many things this year and it looks as if its growth won 7 slow down in 1997, either.
What will the Tribe do next? Here's a look at some of the projects currently in the works.
August 15, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
By Tracy Dugan
MANUFACTURED HOUSING PARK
As you may be aware, last year the Tribe purchased 1 1 acres of land in Grand Ronde,
directly across from the tribal cemetery. It was determined by Tribal Council and mem
bers of the Public Works division that this land would be used to establish housing for
tribal members wishing to move to Grand Ronde. The Tribe is currently in the process of
developing the land for the purpose of building a manufactured housing park. The park
will contain 37 housing lots. The Tribe plans to lease the lots to tribal members, who will
purchase their own manufactured homes and place them in the park.
Developing housing and other projects create complex issues which need attention be
fore the Tribe can begin construction. For example, to comply with the Tribe's Environ
mental Ordinance, the Tribe is required to investigate how its developments will affect the
environmental surroundings. During the environmental investigation, wetlands were dis
covered on the site. In order to build on a wetland area, the Tribe must apply to the Army
Corps of Engineers for a permit. The permit would allow the Tribe to build on only a
portion of the wetlands. The wetland area covers about 1 .3 acres within the 1 1 acre devel
opment site. Other investigations were also conducted. It was determined that there would
be no significant effects to any of the threatened or endangered species populations in the
area, and there were no archeological findings in that area.
After the wetlands mitigation is. complete, it is estimated that it will take 90 days to
complete the park. Construction on Grand Ronde and McPherson roads are scheduled to
begin soon after the Pow-wow, as well as improvements to the tribal cemetery. Cemetery
improvements include road work and additional parking.
SPIRIT MOUNTAIN CASINO RV PARK
Since the completion of the Casino's new restaurant and recreation area for kids last
June, many would probably assume that the Casino is through with any new additions for
a while. But already there is another project in the works.
The Casino is in the process of developing plans to construct a 150-unit RV park, which
will be located on the west side of the Casino's parking area.
Like the tribal manufactured home park construction, the proposed location of the RV
park is directly in the middle of a protected wetland area. Therefore, the Casino must also
negotiate with the Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to build on the site.
David Harjo, Vice President of Development, said that the Casino has hired a hydrolo
gist to study the area, and work with the RV park architect to determine what areas are
suitable for construction, and what areas would be damaged by construction.
"We're also working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department to determine if there
will be any impacts to the Checkermallow habitat in that particular area," said David. The
Nelson's Checkermallow plant is an endangered species of plant the Tribe discovered grow
ing in the area. Before casino construction was to begin in 1994, the Tribe transplanted
many of the plants to isolated areas on the reservation, where they continue to thrive. I low
ever, the Casino would like to keep those plants growing next to the Casino undisturbed.
Once the environmental precautions are taken, construction of the RV park can begin.
Although it will only take a couple of months to build, it is necessary to avoid the rainy
season, so it has yet to be determined whether the Casino will begin building this year or in
the spring.
Plans for the RV park include two buildings for showers and washrooms, a small regis
tration office, and laundry facilities. It is estimated that users will be able to stay for six or
seven days at a time.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
As reported in Smoke
Signals, a full-service
health and wellness
center is scheduled to be
built in Grand Ronde.
Targeted for comple
tion in Fall of 1997, it is
estimated that construc
tion will begin in Sep
tember. A groundbreaking
ceremony will be held
on August 16, at 10 a.m.
Gene Kompkoff, Pro
ject Manager for the
center, said it should
take about 13 months to complete the 29,000 square-foot facility.
The center's facilities and services will be available to anyone in the community.
Gene has spent a good portion of this year working with the Human Services staff and
the architect on the design of the center, and finalizing the construction plans. A graduate
of the University of Washington, he holds a degree in civil engineering and this is the third
tribal clinic he has been a part of developing.
J. Natural Resources
Office (14 mile North) J
Hebo Road
Statt Hiah.oy 22
Chemical Dependent
Program Offices
Head Start
Building
APow Wow
Grounds
1 Public Works
Offices
Win ft, i-,, , inuui neaaquuncts t-
rJ liJfcr-te (see Inset, right)
Haalth and f
Wellnaia Cantar vr
Cemetery
tt ft mmm Manufactured
1 I HomaPark
O0 OQOOOOOOOOQC
Ljmmrm) (minimum) ' ' I
jjTj nfUMIMIIIIIIIIII l,
Ihl 1 Tc ifil A I
A. Administration, Human Resource
B. Tribal Government
C. Accounting and Finance
D. Policy and Planning, Enrollment, Newsletter
E. Health Clinic
F. Wellness and Pravantlon
0. Mall Room and Purchasing
H. Health Support Services
1. Community Cantor, Main Reception Area, Dantal Clink,
Hantal Health
N
Polk County
Sheriffs Substation-
r
n
1
Tribal Family trrts
Action Program V1"'
- ft MnetH Ctfy
Grand Ronde
Gaming Commission
Future Site of
500.000 Gallon
Water Tank
I o , Hii Strawberry
I . Spirit Mountain
IQjQil Resort Area
Grand
Ronds
Rood
1u
1 Small Business Division,
T Education Division, and
n SMDC Training Center