Timber group charges that Critical Areas Code violates county charter

Jan. 7, 2001 - Port Angeles, WA -- A property rights and timber activist group says Clallam County has violated its charter and now wants a written reason. 

Members of the North Olympic Timber Action Committee (NOTAC) say the county's Critical Areas Ordinance violates the Home Rule Charter. The charter says ordinances can only address one issue at a time. But NOTAC's executive director, Ryan Kent Smith, says this ordinance covers a number of issues. 

He also told commissioners this week, the ordinance unfairly limits what property owners can do on their land, while still requiring them to pay taxes. 

NOTAC wants the county to provide a written, legal interpretation of the ordinance and how it does not violate the charter. Commissioners say they'll pass that request on to the prosecutor's office. 

The county passed the critical areas ordinance last year. It prohibits development on places near wetlands, water, slopes and other critical areas.

from KONP Radio

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