HomeMy WebLinkAbout047 FreemanZON18-00036
Thank you for considering this statement and for all your work.
My husband and I have been working on a restoration project on the Tarboo Creek for 14 years. We have worked on the creek
almost every weekend for those 14 years. Our heart and our life is there. We believe so strongly in working on the land and
making it better, not for us, but for everyone and for generations to come. My grandfather, Aldo Leopold, was the first person to
do what we now call Habitat Restoration. He wrote a book he wrote called A Sand County Almanac, that talks about how we
need to view the land as something that we care for and nurture, and not use just for our own benefit. This is called the Land
Ethic. This concept resonates with people and hits a very deep emotional need that we, as humans, have. Our boys are the 4th
generation in my family to put our lives into caring for the land.
We have continued my grandfather's work here on Tarboo Creek. We have re-meandered the creek and have planted over 15,000
trees over the last 14 years. We have spent hours working on the creek, putting our love and life into this property. Our boys are
the fourth generation in my family to do this work. Over the years the County, State and Federal government have put thousands
and thousands of dollars into restoring the Tarboo/Dabob Bay watershed. We are just one part of this bigger picture. But each of
us carries the pride and satisfaction of doing something positive for the world by making something in our own land better.
This is in keeping with the Jefferson County's Approved Vision statement approved in February 2018. This plan puts "emphasis on
community spaces ... encouraging an interactive community of healthy individuals." It says the county should "enjoy diverse local
economy" but there is no mention of military training or anything close to that. It talks about marine trade, food systems,
education, resource management, tourism, arts and culture. But the summary is most important. "we honor and respect the
natural world as integral to our health and lifestyles. We protect open spaces, shorelines, forests, clean air and clean water,
wildlife and wildlife habitat so future generations may also practice stewardship of the land."
Then the paramilitary gun range application for a permit came up. All of a sudden our whole way of viewing our work came under
threat. We didn't want something like this to ruin our land, our life and our work. As time has gone on, I realize that not only is
this an issue for us, but this is an issue for all of Jefferson County and all of Washington State and really all of our country. I don't
want this at Tarboo Lake, but I don't want this anywhere. Our whole country is becoming more populated and the remote places
that could house this kind of thing becomes harder and harder to find. Jefferson County should be so proud of what has been
going on. Young people are moving here and starting businesses and starting families. The rural nature with a combination of
small farms, wild areas and small start ups is amazing. Is a paramilitary range really what is compatible with what the county has
worked so hard to build?
A small scale tourist and recreation permit is one thing and allowing para military and military training is another thing. Is this
what we want in our county? How can our county allow military training when there are thousands of acres of military property.
How can this kind of commercial range be put on the shores of a public lake? How will the county deal with lead contamination of
the Tarboo Watershed? Will the hours and hours of work that we've done on our property be threatened by lead leakage? How
can we have our friends out to work on this project if there are automatic weapons going off all day? Because of the way the
valley is situated, sound travels very well and we will definitely hear it loud and clear. Family members of ours that have PTSD will
not be able to come and work or be at our place. I'll never be able to explain to the thousands of volunteers, or to myself, how
this could be allowed. Is this what we want our land to be used for?
Susan Freeman <susanleopoldfreeman@gmail.com>
Wed 11/14/2018 9:08 PM
To:Planning Commission Desk <PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us>;
Page 1 of 2ZON18-00036 -Planning Commission Desk
11/16/2018https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/
We need land use protection to continue the county's vision. I suggest that the county keep our timber forest lands for forest
products and small scale tourist and recreation use, not military training. To protect our lakes we should have a 500 yard set back
from public lakes. To protect our sanity - no night time shooting, no helicopters. But the most sensible plan is to only allow new
gun ranges to be indoors. This solves every issue. These are changes that make logical sense. Is this really what we want for
Jefferson County? Please let us continue to have faith in the county and not do something just to avoid a lawsuit.
As my grandfather said, "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a
community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." I'm asking you to respect our land and
community.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Susan Freeman
680 Old Tarboo Road
Page 2 of 2ZON18-00036 -Planning Commission Desk
11/16/2018https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/