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Coastal tribes like the Makah, who have lived on the shores for uncounted generations, have begun moving their communities to higher ground.

Also on the coast, roughly $8 million will help the Hoh and Shoalwater Bay tribes move residents and tribal facilities to higher ground and allow the Makah Tribe to construct new wastewater infrastructure intended to withstand climate-induced effects, like extreme weather, flooding, sea level rise and storm surges.

The pilot program was authorized, developed and implemented through the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, in a partnership between federal and international agencies, the Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, and Lummi tribal nations, local and state entities and scientists.

“What’s important in all of this is beginning to recognize how diverse the Pacific Northwest is and how we depend on each other,” said G. Chad Bowechop, vice chairman for the Makah Tribe.

Planning for the poles’ repair, she enlisted Makah carver Greg Colfax, who examined them and says that despite significant decay, they could be restored.