BRINNON — The deadline to make comments on the potential ecological impact of a proposed 252-acre master-planned resort and golf course south of Brinnon is Nov. 30, but county officials said there will be multiple chances in the coming years to submit input on the site.
“We’re coming up on four years of this project being in the works,” said Jefferson County Planner David Wayne Johnson during a scoping meeting Wednesday night in Brinnon.
“Needless to say that’s a long project, and it will continue to be so.”
About 50 people attended the meeting, where they could submit written or oral testimony to the county on the proposed project.
“Phase one is complete,” Johnson said.
“An [environmental impact study], a [State Environmental Policy Act] analysis and comprehensive plan amendment have all been completed.
“[But] one of the conditions is that every project level during development requires an environmental impact statement and this process to take place.”
Johnson said that, once this comment period comes to a close, people would have a chance to comment on the draft environmental impact study, as well as during a public hearing with the county Planning Commission, at the time that the Planning Commission approves a recommendation to the Jefferson County commissioners, and during a final public hearing before the three county commissioners.
After that, the process would continue as the applicants apply for development permits, build infrastructure in the area and eventually apply for building permits, he said.
Garth Mann, president of the Statesman Group firm which is proposing the Pleasant Harbor Marina and Golf Resort, thanked people for attending the open meeting.
“There have been a number of meetings we’ve been involved in,” Mann said.
“Today we want to tell you exactly what this is about and how green we are in terms of environmental issues.
“What Statesmen likes about this community is the environment. Also, the fact that the community can grow and develop.
“This is a chance to retain young people with jobs [at the resort].
“Retirees can’t sustain a community for long. We’re looking at building a community here.”
A video from Statesman told those in attendance of the group’s plans to keep the resort’s environmental impact to a minimum.
Environmental impact
The group is claiming 100 acres of irrigated property will be included, features that will recharge the local aquifer, natural landscaping techniques, geothermal heating and air conditioning, a local wastewater treatment plant, solar panel technology, bioswales and a plan to conform to LEEDS platinum standard in all their buildings.
Mann — who has proposed the $300 million resort — recently announced he has filed an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to have Pleasant Harbor classified as a regional center under the federal EB-5 visa program because he hopes to attract foreign investors.
The program offers green cards within two years in exchange for $500,000 invested in a government-approved “Designated Regional Center,” a business in an area of higher-than-average unemployment, or a rural area. The investment must directly or indirectly create at least 10 jobs.
Company representatives have said the proposed resort project would add 280 jobs and inject about $2.5 million into Jefferson County’s tax coffers.
The county commissioners have supported the proposed resort, most recently sending a letter the state Department of Ecology urging the agency to help Statesman with acquiring water rights.
To make comment on any ecological issues at the location, write to David Wayne Johnson, Jefferson County Department of Community Development, 621 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com
