PORT ANGELES — After nearly two years of discussion, the Clallam County commissioners have settled on possible fireworks restrictions that would limit the use of fireworks east of the Elwha River to just the Fourth of July.
The three commissioners agreed during their Monday work session that areas west of the Elwha River should not have any additional restrictions, but that fireworks in east and central Clallam County should be limited.
Once the ordinance is drafted — which officials said would happen in about two weeks — commissioners will provide notice for a second public hearing, before making a formal decision.
The date of that public hearing has not been set.
The law would not be in effect for the Fourth of July next year. State law says fireworks regulations take effect one year after they are passed.
“I’ve had more than one email on this subject,” said Commissioner Randy Johnson.
Johnson said he didn’t believe that allowing citizens to create no-fireworks discharge zones would be feasible and said he liked the idea of using the Elwha River as a boundary. He believed fireworks should be limited to one day east of the Elwha River.
“I’m still at the point where I believe that one day, total, at least on what I call the middle eastern section of the county, would be appropriate,” he said. “One day only.”
Fireworks east of the Elwha River would be limited to 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 while areas west of the Elwha River would continue to follow state law.
According to state law, fireworks can be discharged June 28 through July 5 and for New Year’s Eve.
Commissioner Bill Peach, who has fought to limit fireworks restrictions on the West End, said he has heard from tribal leaders who are concerned about the impacts of fireworks restrictions.
“I’ve stated to a tribal chair that I would consult with that person prior to embracing [a fireworks ordinance] in a vote,” Peach said. “There’s genuine concern about the financial impact.”
Peach said he was supportive of language commissioners agreed to in May that would set when fireworks would be prohibited countywide — including the West End.
The ordinance will include language that states that when the Department of Natural Resources’ Industrial Fire Precaution Levels reaches a Level 4 shutdown, residents will not be allowed to discharge fireworks.
Activated when needed during the summer fire season, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are an activity closure system to reduce wildfire risk. By law, it applies to forestry workers and other industrial forest users on 13 million acres of unimproved private and state forestland protected by the agency, according to the DNR website.
“I’m in absolute agreement with regard to the procedure for fire shutdown,” he said. “I was glad to hear that much support for that.”
At the end of the discussion, Commissioner Mark Ozias asked Department of Community Development Director Mary Ellen Winborn for input.
Winborn told commissioners her department was not sure what the proposal would be and that the fire marshal has not had the chance to evaluate the plan.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
