| Commissioners will take time to consider watershed plan 10/19/04 Port Angeles, WA - It’s going to be a few weeks before Clallam County commissioners decide what to do with a controversial watershed management plan. The board says it wants staff to analyze the hours of public testimony and written comments, and ask other participating agencies for advice before taking the next step. In the last three weeks, commissioners were bombarded with input on the WRIA 18 plan, a massive document that aims to set management guidelines for the Elwha-Dungeness Water Resource Inventory Area. While commissioners heard some support during lengthy hearings in Port Angeles and Sequim, most of the comment was critical, with realtors, developers, well drillers and property owners telling the board the plan needs major revisions. Monday, commissioners heard some additional informal input from realtors about how a similar plan has impacted Skagit County, as the board considered the next step. Commissioner Steve Tharinger wasn’t at the work session, but Commissioners Mike Chapman and Mike Doherty discussed how to proceed, and decided it would take some time for any decision is made. Chapman said the commissioners want to give staff “at least a couple of weeks” to review and summarize all the testimony and also want to check back with the cities and other participating agencies for advice. However, Doherty did make it clear the commissioners don’t want to just let WRIA languish in committee, that the board wants to take action to deal with water issues. Commissioners will hear the next update from staff in a couple of weeks.
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