SUQUAMISH — Concerns and support for a proposed tidelands swap between the Suquamish Tribe and Washington’s Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) were voiced at a public hearing held Tuesday.

The Suquamish Tribe is trying to acquire the tidelands in front of its Tribal Center, measuring 1,000 linear feet and 9.4 acres extending to the extreme low tide.

In the exchange, the DNR would acquire the tidelands directly across from the Tribal Center, across the Agate Passage, measuring 2,500 linear feet and 19.5 acres at extreme low tide. The Bainbridge Island Land Trust currently owns these tidelands and would transfer the lands to the DNR from the Tribe.

The land that the DNR would receive is 60 percent more valuable than the land the Suquamish Tribe will receive, said Jay Udelhoven, the project leader for the exchange and assistant division manager with the Aquatic Resources Division with the DNR.

The Suquamish land is also biologically richer, based on data from the DNR.

The appraisal numbers are being kept confidential until they are presented to the Board of Natural Resources next month and will then be available to the public.

While there was strong support for the exchange to take place, the main concern raised was about whether the Suquamish intended to use the newly acquired land for commercial development or shellfish harvesting.

Melodie Miller, and her husband, Jay Rowland, neighbors of the Tribal Center, supported the exchange but were concerned about the possibility of development. Rowland said he is concerned that the quality of life that has declined around him. He is also worried about the fireworks, noise and the visual impact of the casino.

“My main concern, to state for the record, is that there is no commercial development,” Miller said. “No problems of clams being seeded, but I just don’t want to allow machines going at all hours of the night for harvesting.”

The tribal representatives said that the beach will have traditional uses.

“We are trying to acquire a piece of land so we can enhance the area,” said Wayne George, executive director of the Suquamish Tribe. “We have no plans to make any permanent structures.”

In addition, DNR said neither parties would be able to develop on the properties they acquire, preventing any permanent structures or commercial developments on the tidelands. The only exception is activities that are necessary for customary commercial shellfish production. But, based on surveys completed on both lands in question, no commercial harvesting of shellfish can be done at this time on either land.

Sarah Ruth van Gelder, co-chair of the Suquamish Olalla Neighbors group, presented a statement from the group, supporting the exchange. The statement said the tidelands in front of the Tribal Center are an important part of the Suquamish Tribe’s heritage and help the future practice of the tribe’s traditions.

The hearing for public testimony is required by the DNR as part of the process for the exchange of tidelands. Tuesday’s hearing addressed the concerns brought up in the previous public hearing that took place last August, as well as gathering more public opinion for the record.

The proposed exchange and public testimony will be heard and reviewed by the Board of Natural Resources in July.