PORT TOWNSEND — Opposition to the idea of an off-highway vehicle park near Quilcene prompted a Jefferson County commissioner to say, after a hearing on Monday, that he doubted the park would be built.
About 25 Quilcene-area residents attended the commission meeting to speak against an off-highway vehicle site proposed for one of two locations in the Quilcene area.
Among the speakers were members of a group called Quilcene Citizen Coalition that formed to fight the proposal.
The group claims at least 80 members, said Connie Gallant, a member.
Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George, said the community outcry against the site could stop the project in its tracks.
“I’m a little skeptical that we’ll actually have one of these in Jefferson County,” Sullivan said following Monday’s meeting.
Commissioners heard an update of a feasibility study of creating an off-highway vehicle area in East Jefferson County.
From 11 sites initially looked at, two are now under consideration.
Both are on state Department of Natural Resources land.
One is on Skidder Hill, located on Snow Creek Road west of U.S. Highway 101 and Crocker Lake.
The other is near Penny Creek, on Penny Creek Road west of Quilcene.
The primary objection is noise, said Tom Beckwith, the LaConner-based consultant who is conducting the study.
