PORT TOWNSEND — A proposed licensing and operating agreement between Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Association drew fire from several residents during a county commissioners meeting.
County Central Services Director Mark McCauley on Monday outlined potential changes, including new operating hours, which would result in a 27.5 percent reduction and include a quiet Monday each week and one quiet Sunday per month.
Operating hours have been reduced by two hours each day, and law enforcement training days are available Tuesday through Friday.
A change in the agreement term would be made to qualify for a state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Firearms and Archery and Recreation Program grant. If successful, the grant would be used to construct noise-mitigating rifle firing points.
The new agreement would be in effect for 20 years through Dec. 31, 2040.
Commissioners will vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
The proposal would make the language compatible with Article III of Chapter 8.50 in the newly adopted Jefferson County Code that refers to commercial shooting facilities.
A perimeter noise study would be done to measure decibel levels at the property line.
It was noted that crew members on U.S. Coast Guard ships stationed at Port Angeles and Naval Base Kitsap now qualify in Port Angeles and that is a marked reduction of high-intensity shooting at the Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Association (JCSA) range at 112 Gun Club Road in Port Townsend.
Local customs agents and Border Protection/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Osprey will continue to train at the sportsmen’s association range.
Several community members weighed in during the public comment period before the presentation.
Tom Thiersch of Jefferson County said he has concerns about the proposed conditions of the permit renewal. He said the agreement that spans “more than 20 years is too long” and said it should be revisited every 10 years.
Thiersch also said it authorizes the facility to be used by the armed forces, and he felt that was “unacceptable.”
“Commissioner [Kate] Dean went to Washington, D.C., and told us you were shocked repeatedly by the Navy’s expansion plans proposed by the Navy,” Thiersch said. “It seems to me the Navy will need way more facilities than they have. I urge you to include a clause that military training not be permitted at this facility.
“We should implement something that’s a little less militaristic in our neighborhoods,” he said. “Please think about doing this.”
Former county commissioner John Austin, a Jefferson County resident, said ordinances affecting shooting within the county can make a difference.
“When you create a no-shooting zone, there is pushback from those who drive from as far away as Canada to express their discomfort with any infringement of shooting rights,” Austin said.
“I’m particularly concerned with some of the elements of the agreement with the JCSA,” he said. “Being stuck to a 10-year agreement, they could make it look like you have to really help them out, because they aren’t going to get some money because of your 10-year agreement. But that’s holding something over your head that should not ought to be.
“There have been plenty of scofflaws out at this shooting range,” Austin continued. “We all know there has been an increase of the amount of shooting that has taken place, especially with the introduction of automatic and semi-automatic weapons.”
He said good patriots are going to offer shooting areas for the nation’s military and semi-military forces, but “we have a wonderful Joint Base Lewis-McChord where you can shoot all sorts of weapons.”
Tom Parks, who lives a few miles from the JCSA range, was frustrated with the proposed agreement, saying not enough noise relief was offered the public.
Parks and his neighbors have been meeting with the commissioners for months and hoped for more quiet time, especially on the weekends.
He said 150 families “are sick and tired” of the noise.
“This is my 108th visit on the subject of gun noise, and in this point of your negotiations with the gun people, you are offering us one Sunday a month off? And Mondays, which are basically off because it is just law enforcement shooting.
“You have fallen short of what we need, and you’ve fallen short of what we’re due. This is not equitable.”
For many of his visits to commissioners’ meetings, Parks brings a recording of gunfire heard from his yard, typically recorded on a weekend. On Monday, he said last Saturday’s gunfire lasted 3½ hours.
“I couldn’t do anything outside during this time,” Parks said as the blasts of gunfire played in the background. “What’s to keep this from happening every single day?
“We don’t need this disturbance. Please, keep trying. Do better.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
