PORT TOWNSEND — The three Jefferson County commissioners could take action on all or part of a controversial proposed ordinance to regulate buffer zones for wetlands on Monday.
“I think we might come to a lot of decisions on Monday,” said Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George.
“Whether we come to all the decisions, I don’t know.”
The commissioners face a March 18 deadline to approve a critical areas ordinance.
They will take their first public shot at consideration of the proposed law at 5 p.m. in the Superior Court room on the third floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Commissioner Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, said he does not expect a final decision until March 18.
Commissioner John Austin, D-Port Ludlow, believes that “It would be good to make a decision.”
Public comment on the proposal ended March 5.
The critical area ordinance would regulate construction near Jefferson County’s streams and wetlands through the creation of development buffer zones intended to protect water quality and the environment.
Debate over the proposal generated a split between property rights supporters and environmental interests.
While some have said that the ordinance is critical to the county’s quality of life, others question whether an environmental threat really exists in the rural county.
Many want the responsibility of land stewardship to be left to individual property owners, with county government monitoring their progress.
