PORT ANGELES — The battle over the proposed 139-unit Reserve at Valley Creek planned residential development may not be over despite the City Council’s preliminary approval of the project late Tuesday night.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife and at least one neighbor are vowing to keep a close eye on the proposed subdivision at the southwest corner of Ahlvers Road and Laurel Street.
Tim Rymer, a habitat biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the agency hasn’t responded to the project’s proposed wetlands mitigation plan, but will along with other issues.
The agency’s objection is to the project’s location at the headwaters to a tributary to Mill Creek, which flows into Valley Creek, he said.
“We will evaluate the wetlands mitigation plan to see if it mitigates for what they are doing. I don’t know if we will concur,” Rymer said.
“They are destroying a tributary and that will have an impact downstream.
“As part of our review and involvement, we’re going to take a real hard look.
“They’ve dug three holes but that doesn’t tell them enough.”