April 2002, Volume 2, Issue 4

REPORT ON NATIONAL BICENTENNIAL CONFERENCE

The National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial was held in Lewiston, Idaho from April 12-14, 2002, and many people from throughout Washington participated. Washington's Agency Assistance Team (AAT) hosted a booth at the conference and coordinated an information sharing session on April 12th. Several groups from around the state also got together to provide goodies for "knapsacks" that were given to conference attendees at the Corps II workshop held at Chief Timothy State Park.

Participants in the information sharing session were asked: "What can the AAT do to help you as you move forward with projects and events for the Bicentennial Commemoration?" Here is a summary of what participants said they needed:

• Leadership and support in implementing stewardship and environmental projects, such as culvert replacement and stream restoration work planned on the Lower Columbia.
• Help in finding suitable funding programs for specific types of projects.
• Provide ability on the state's website for local communities to provide information about events and coordinate with each other to ensure maximum cross-state promotion during the bicentennial.
• Greater involvement of representatives from local communities in state tourism plans and projects, including letting local tourism representatives provide review and input on promotional brochures, advertisements, web postings, and other tourism activities.
• Organize regular meetings for the bicentennial stakeholders from across Washington to get together and share information. It was suggested that a quarterly meeting (or at a minimum, semi- annual) from now through the Bicentennial would be helpful.

The AAT has already started to respond to these requests. Specifically, the following efforts are underway:

• Washington State Historical Society, with support from the Washington Department of Transportation, is applying for funds to provide trail and interpretive improvements and culvert replacement and stream restoration at Megler Creek at the Megler Safety Rest Area site.
• A Funding Opportunities Matrix, listing various funding sources and the types of projects that might be eligible is currently being created and will be published in next month's version of the e-newsletter.
• The Tourism Office is developing a specific website for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and it will include an events section that will enable local stakeholders to enter event information on-line, as well as to review what other communities are planning.
• A commitment has been made from the Tourism Office to provide more opportunities for community involvement in Bicentennial-related promotional efforts.
• The AAT is considering options for more regular stakeholder meetings and coordination efforts. Look in future e-newsletters for more information on this.

CHALLENGE COST SHARE GRANT AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The National Park Service recently announced the list of Lewis and Clark Bicentennial-related projects throughout the nation that were awarded Challenge Cost Share funds.

The competition for funds this year was immense, and not all applicants received funding. Most applicants received only partial funding, but overall, Washington applicants did fairly well! Approximately $320,000 will go to projects in Washington, including the following:

• Student Cultural and Interaction Ceramic Tile Education Project in Asotin County
• Lewis and Clark Trail Markers in North Bonneville
• Lewis and Clark Trail Wayfinding and Interpretation in Clarkston
• Nine Days in Clark County Activity Book
• Wahkiakum County Lewis and Clark Signage
• Interpretive Signs for Existing Lewis and Clark Plants at Granite Lake Park in Clarkston
• Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach
• Wanapum Village Tule Mat House
• Columbia Plateau Trailhead Improvements
• Ilwaco Heritage Museum Bicentennial Exhibition
• Chinook Tribe Longhouse Project
• Enhancement of Lewis and Clark Overlook at Maryhill Museum
• Sacajawea State Park ADA Upgrades
• "Indian Nations Respond to Lewis and Clark" Traveling Exhibit by the Washington State Historical Society
• "The Shuyapuma Came from the East" Exhibit at the Yakama Nation Museum
• Lewis and Clark Exhibits and Campsite Replication at McKenzie Head in Pacific County
• Phase I Destination 2005 Signature Events

LEWIS AND CLARK BILL CLEARS KEY HOUSE PANEL

The US Coast Guard has announced that all water events Related to the commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial be permitted through the "Captain of the Port" In Portland, Oregon. Please contact your local Coast Guard Station and/or auxillary for additional information.

Washington, D.C. - In an unanimous vote, the House Resources Committee today passed legislation authored by U.S. Reps. Brian Baird and David Wu D-OR) to prepare for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The bill commissions a study to determine if and how land in Washington can be included in the national Lewis and Clark journey. It also authorizes an expansion of Ft. Clatsop, Oregon.

"I'm pleased that the Lewis and Clark legislation is moving forward. There have been several technical changes to the bill in the House Committees, but what's important for Southwest Washington is the bill includes a key measure to look at including sites in Washington state in the final Lewis and Clark memorial. This way, we can be sure that Southwest Washington will benefit from the economic development that comes with tourist dollars. The bill will also ensure that visitors see the Pacific Ocean from the Washington side of the river -- just the way the Corps of Discovery did," said Rep. Brian Baird.

Baird coauthored the bill with Congressman David Wu, who represents The site of Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter.

This legislation is the first step toward ensuring that Lewis and Clark historical sites will be prepared for the bicentennial Commemoration of the Expedition. The bill authorizes the Department of Interior to study how sites in Washington state can be officially included in a broader Lewis and Clark designation.

"We want to be sure the tens of thousands of visitors who will join in the commemoration of this event experience it's full historical richness. To fully appreciate that history and the present day communities, we are working together on both sides of the river and in both bodies of Congress." said Baird.

Baird emphasized that the study of options for including Washington State locations may identify a number of possibilities. These could include operation of certain areas by the National Park Service, joint operating agreements with State Parks, or maintaining the status quo and seeking other means of enhancing coordination and collaboration. At that point, funds would need to be appropriated from Congress to implement the study's recommendations. The bill also authorizes Congress to expand Ft. Clatsop up to 1500 acres.

Baird is a co-chair of the House and Senate bipartisan Lewis and Clark Caucus. The Caucus co-ordinates Congressional activities relating to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial.

For more information, contact:

Anne M. Linskey
Press Secretary
U.S. Rep. Brian Baird
202.225.3536 - phone
202.225.225.3478 - fax

U. S. COAST GUARD PERMITTING WATER-RELATED BICENTENNIAL EVENTS

The US Coast Guard has announced that all water events related to the commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial be permitted through the "Captain of the Port" in Portland, Oregon. Please contact your local Coast Guard Station and/or auxiliary for additional information.

LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP FOCUSES ON WATER TRAIL SAFETY

With rapid growth in the sport of kayaking, the upcoming Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and further development and public awareness of the Lower Columbia River Water Trail and paddling opportunities associated with it, the potential exists for the number of paddlers on the Lower Columbia to increase sharply in the next few years. Ensuring that paddlers have the information they need to paddle safely is critical to the efforts of the Lower Columbia River Water Trail Committee and many other agencies and organizations. Those with an interest in this important topic are encouraged to attend the monthly Water Trail Safety meetings (see Calendar of Events announcement below).

For more information, contact Chris Hathaway, Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, at 503.226.1565 or hathaway.chris@lcrep.org

SUMMER COURSE: LEWIS AND CLARK AMONG THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST

Lewis and Clark among the Indians of the Pacific Northwest

History 324
3 credits
July 8-19, 2002
WSU Pullman
Schedule Line #26450

• Learn about the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the peoples they encountered during their 2-year journey, and the landscapes they traversed
• Examine how historical interpretations of the Expedition have changed over time
• Hear from Native American speakers their own perspectives on the significance of Lewis and Clark and Northwest Indian history
• Assess the cultural and national significance attached to the expedition
• Probe the meanings embedded in Lewis & Clark books, films, pamphlets, Trail markers, advertisements, and bicentennial commemorations
• Earn 3 credits in two weeks: 5 days in the classroom and 5 days camping near the Lewis & Clark Trail in the beautiful Clearwater National Forest

Special course fee of $250 covers transportation, food and related field expenses. Transportation, meals, eating utensils and a camp cook are provided. All you need to bring is a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, and personal gear. Anyone is welcome to enroll, but education majors and public school teachers will find this course especially valuable. People from out of town may stay in a block of rooms reserved for this course in WSU student housing, at a very inexpensive rate. Course is limited to 24 students.

Contact Pat Thorsten at the WSU History Department for more information on housing: 509-335-4626. Sign up early to ensure a spot.

For more information, contact:
Paul Hirt, Department of History (Wilson 348)
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4030
forrest@mail.wsu.edu
509-335-4883

JOIN US FOR THE BICENTENNIAL KICK-OFF AT MONTICELLO A group of community and state agency representatives is joining together to travel to the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial kick-off at Monticello in January. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott in Charlottesville for January 13-19. If you are interested in being involved in this coordinated travel effort, please contact Arlene Johnson at 360-906-7119 or director@lewisandclark-clark.org.

VANCOUVER AREA NEWS AND INFORMATION

A regular newsletter is being published that provides updates on Lewis and Clark Bicentennial projects in the Vancouver region. To obtain a copy of this newsletter, contact Arlene Johnson at 360-906-7119 or director@lewisandclark-clark.org.

RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Its not too late to find funding for your project. Here are some places to look:

HUD FY 2002 Super NOFA Grants
Information is available at http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm#2002.

NEH Challenge Grants Special Initiative for Local History
For more information visit www.neh.gov or call the NEH Office of Challenge Grants at 202.606.8309

Bicentennial Funding Sourcebook
Now online at the National Bicentennial Council website: http://lewisandclark200.org.

Funding Resources Table
Compiled by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This can be obtained by contacting Kristin Hoffman at Otak, Inc.
kristin.hoffman@otak.com

National Endowment for the Arts
Visit their website at http://www.arts.endow.gov.

Challenge America: Community Cultural Assistance Initiative
Online at http://www.arts.endow.gov/guide/ChallengeIndex.html.

NEA - Forest Service Arts and Rural Community Assistance Initiative
Check it out at http://www.arts.endow.gov/partner/Rural.html.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH Check out the American Philosophical Library's web section on illustrations from the Lewis and Clark Expedition Journals. You can obtain these images for use in your projects. This website provides information about how to do that: http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/guides/lcills.htm

ANNOUNCING LEWIS AND CLARK DAYS IN WALLA WALLA

June 1-2, 2002
Lewis and Clark Days
Fort Walla Walla Museum

In this 5th annual event, historic interpreters represent the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 19th century US Military encampments, fur trade, and Native Americans. For more information contact: Paul Franzmann at Fort Walla Walla Museum, paul@fortwallawallamuseum.org Admission required.

A CONFLUENCE OF CULTURES: NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE EXPEDITION OF LEWIS AND CLARK

May 28-31, 2003

A national symposium at the University of Montana jointly sponsored by The Montana Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission. Researchers from Tribal colleges, Native American studies programs and other disciplines will present their research on the significant changes that affected virtually every aspect of Native American life and culture as a result of interaction with the Euro-American tide that followed the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Contact David Purviance, 406-243-6093 or cultures@mso.umt.edu.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

April 30, 2002
Lewis and Clark Water Trail Meeting
1:00 to 4:00 pm
10th Floor Training Room
Robert Duncan Plaza
333 SW First Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204.
For more information contact Chris Hathaway at 503.226.1565 or hathaway.chris@lcrep.org.

April 30, 2002
Washington Lewis and Clark
Advisory Committee (statutory committee)
Meeting in Dayton, Washington at 1:30 pm
Delaney Building, S. 3rd Street (just off Main)

May 13, 2002
Agency Assistance Team (for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial)
Monthly Meeting 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (approx.)
Coach House at the State Capital Museum
128 10th Avenue SW, Olympia

June 1-2, 2002
Lewis and Clark Days
Fort Walla Walla Museum, Walla Walla, WA
See announcement above.

November 8-11, 2002
"Ocian in View" Program
Pacific County Friends of Lewis and Clark
Most events held at the Ilwaco Heritage Museum Ilwaco, WA
Contact: www.lewisandclarkwa.org or email Oceanic@centurytel.net

November 14-16, 2002
"Lewis and Clark, the Unheard Voices"
Conference coordinated by Penn State University. For more information, Contact Chris Dufour, 814-863-5100 or Cpd1@outreach.psu.edu.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2005
Destination Pacific 2005
Bicentennial Signature Event
Pacific County, Washington and Clatsop County, Oregon
Look for more information in the future.

JOURNAL REFLECTIONS

Monthly reflections on the time the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent in this region 196 years ago:

"the principal Cheif of the Wallahwallahs joined us with six men... envited us to remain at this village three or four days and assured us that we should be furnished with plenty of such food as they had themselves, and some horses...This Cheif is a man of much influence not only in his own nation but also among the neighbouring tribes and nations..."
- Meriwether Lewis, April 27, 1806

PLEASE LOOK for additional information and updates on Bicentennial planning activities and projects in next month's e-newsletter.

ALSO - if you have articles or news-worthy information that you would like to contribute to this e-newsletter or to Washington's quarterly bicentennial newsletter, please Contact Mandi Roberts at Otak 206-442-1369 or mandi.roberts@otak.com.

The Washington State Historical Society, lead agency of the state's Agency Assistance Team (AAT) for bicentennial planning, will send this newsletter via e-mail on a monthly basis to provide updates on events, projects, and activities going on around the state in preparation for the commemoration.

Your name is in the state's Lewis and Clark Trail database as someone who has expressed interest in the bicentennial and/or who has attended public meetings during the past three years. If you do not want to continue to receive this newsletter and/or other bicentennial communications, reply to this e-mail or contact Jean Peterson at the Heritage Resource Center 360-586-0219.

The AAT will continue to publish and mail out the quarterly "hard copy" newsletters in addition to this electronic communication.