Clallam County Rifle Range

Clallam County Commissioners discussed the ongoing shooting range debate yesterday. The main question was whether the county should spend $14,721 for an environmental study on the land where the range would be located.

The proposed location is Sadie Creek, near Joyce, on land managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The environmental study would deal with possible lead contamination and loss of wetland habitat.

Commissioners Mike Doherty and Steve Tharinger support having the study. Mike Chapman opposes it, saying he’d rather work with stakeholders to come up with a better study.

During the public comment period, about a dozen people spoke. About half of them supported having a gun range at the Sadie Creek location.

Growth in Clallam County

As you’ve probably read in the PDN (the articles aren't available online), there's been a showdown over growth between Clallam County and the City of Port Angeles.

Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman is in favor of rural growth zones known as Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRDs). Some of these rural growth zones include Deer Park Road at Rt. 101; Bell Hill near Sequim; and the Hungry Bear Café in Beaver.

Port Angeles City Planner Nathan West and City Manager Mark Madsen are opposed to any new urban development outside of incorporated cities. Mayor Karen Rogers is in favor of preserving the current LAMIRDs but is against enlarging them (according to what Mike Chapman said.)

To make everything even more complicated, a Seattle-based environmental group called Futurewise is suing Clallam County for failing to comply with Washington’s Growth Management Act.

Where is all this going? What do YOU think?