HomeMy WebLinkAbout018 Sandy STo: Jefferson County Planning Commission and BOCC
From: Diane Johnson, 1521 Dabob Rd. Quilcene
Re: Proposed Gun Range Title 18 amendments, ref: ZON18-00036
Date: November 7, 2018
Dear Commission Members:
My name is Diane Johnson and I was born and lived in Dabob my first 20 years, and have been a
resident and home owner on the Dabob Road for the last 10 years. Tonight I thought I might try to
speak for our lowland lakes, as they represent a the "land" use that cannot speak for itself, because of their
intrinsic value to the public, including to those who do not live here, but may, on coming here, enjoy their
serenity and recreational values.
Let's say my name is Sandy S., and I welcome many people every year for trout and bass fishing, kayaking,
bird and animal watching, duck hunting, swimming, picnics and birthday parties, moon watching and making
out-you know, peaceful, meditative activities, the kind where people come to think, immerse themselves
in nature, find the calm, peaceful center, observe and learn, but also, to have fun and spend time with
friends and family. I am peaceful by nature, and surrounded by forest, which is also pretty quiet. Because I
am a lowland fishing lake with a boat ramp built by the Department of Natural Resources, only small boats
and motors are allowed on me, and no water skiing or jet skis, anything that would make excessive noise or
waves that would threaten other small boats or swimmers, or disturb the fish. Maybe not a lot of people
use me at any one time, but it is nice to have those here who appreciate the peace and quiet I have to offer.
lmagine my shock when somebody started shooting up my trees and dumping who knows what kind of
trash all over my shorel The NOISE was ovenruhelming! They just wouldn't stop--all day, almost every day.
My friends stopped coming, and I thought I was going to die! I was so happy when the nice ranger from the
DNR came and closed the gate, and made them go away!
And now-l heard that the rules have changed, and they are going to allow people to build something called
shooting ranges right next to me, and there's no limit to how many people might shoot, or how loud the
guns might be, all day, even into the night. They can even bring helicopters here, and the military, who use
machine gunsl I already have a headache, and I know I will never see my friends again. I don't know if my
fish and birds and animals will be hurt, either, if they let bad things get into my water.....
Enough. Our lowland lakes, rivers, and shorelines have an alreadv established use, a land use, for small scale
recreation by residents and tourists, that is incompatible with the noise of commercial gun ranges and group
military or law enforcement training. The Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan is VERY CLEAR that
"habitability, environmental quality, and natural beauty are to be protected from adverse impacts of
development with respect to light, glare, and noise, and that impacts are to be mitigated to the extent of
the impact to existing conditions (ENG10.0) Problems associated with noise-generating land uses are to be
reduced, mitigated and where possible eliminated (ENP10.2).
The Comp Plan also emphasizes "preserving the rural character of the county land and lifestyles and the
opportunities they provide to those who struggle to live, thrive, and age with dignity there." lt mandates
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low impact rural development and protection of open spaces, shoreline, forests, wildlife habitats, and clean
air and water. lt emphasizes low impact development related to tourism, non-motorized bike lanes and
paths, with honor and respect for the natural world. All of these are incompatible with outdoor commercial
gun ranges and military training.
As Sandy S., and as myself, I implore you to prohibit the siting of gun ranges, except indoor ranges, within
the sound-shed of our lowland fishing lakes. They are of inestimable value to our rural way of life, and the
life, liberty and happiness of our neighbors.
P.S. People have the right to own guns, but not necessarily the right to shoot them. There's nothing in the
2nd Amendment that says any level of government does not have the right to regulate the shooting part! ln
fact, there are many such regulations in both our county and our state.
I also think it is unreasonable to say (Table 3-1) that indoor shooting ranges cannot be placed in a light
industrial park or zone-what better place could there be to not annoy your neighborsl A lot better than
sticking them in a "no-shooting" residential zone! The parking alone would be a huge problem! Please add
Light lndustrial as an appropriate zone for indoor ranges, and remove them from residential and no-shooting
zones.
REFERENCES:
1. Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan I Jefferson County, WA
www.co.jefferson.wa .us/ 57 8l lefferson-County-Comprehensive-Plan
Jefferson County is updating its Comprehensive Plan to create a plan for the 21 st Century that supports
rural lifestyles, welcomes residents of all ages and incomes, embraces diversity, values quality services
and facilities, and balances growth and economic development with respect for the natural world.
The mountain, water, and valley views found in Jefferson County have significant value for County residents
and visitors. County residents depend on these scenic resources for enriching their quality of life and
maintaining economic vitality. Tourist activities and real estate property values reflect the high value placed
on this aesthetic amenity. Other views, such as corridors adequately buffered by trees and other vegetation,
as well as tree cover throughout the County enhance the overall rural character of the community. There
are currently no regulations for the protection of views and viewsheds.
ln rural Jefferson County, noise conditions have not generally been considered a problem. Resolving the
impacts of growth in a changing rural area may require a level of noise regulation that will be determined in
future public processes.
2. Growth Management Act / Washington State
(RCW 36.70A.030) "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or
safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately
[May 12,2005]." [2005 c aT Q 7.]
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(RCW 36.70A.011, Rural Lands) The legislature finds that in defining its rural element under RCW
36.70A.070(5), a county should foster land use patterns and develop a local vision of rural character that
will: Help preserve rural-based economies and traditional rural lifestyles; encourage the economic
prosperity of rural residents; foster opportunities for small-scale, rural-based employment and self-
employment; permit the operation of rural-based agricultural, commercial, recreational, and tourist
businesses that are consistent with existing and planned land use patterns; be compatible with the use of
the land by wildlife and for fish and wildlife habitat; foster the private stewardship of the land and
preservation of open space; and enhance the rural sense of community and quality of life.
RCW 36.70A.020 [Goals 8, 9, 10J (8) Natural resource industries. Maintain and enhance natural
resource-based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries.
Encourage the conservation of productive forestlands and productive agricultural lands, and
discourage incompatible uses. (9) Open space and recreation. Retain open space, enhance
recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource
lands and water, and develop parks and recreation facilities. (10) Environment. Protect the
environment and enhance the state's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the
availability of water.
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