Shelter Bay proposes ‘elements’ to Tribe for new master lease

The agreement crafted in the late 1960s paving the way for development of the Shelter Bay residential community on Swinomish Reservation was hailed then as an innovative approach to land leasing.

Innovation again appears to be a key factor as the Shelter Bay board of directors and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community officials negotiate terms of a new master lease for 2044, when the current one expires.

On Nov. 13 the board forwarded to the Swinomish Tribal Senate “a new and different” master lease proposal than has been discussed in the past, according to Shelter Bay Manager David Franklin and D...