Navy’s final land-use study workshop scheduled for Tuesday in Chimacum

Navy's final land-use study workshop scheduled for Tuesday in Chimacum

CHIMACUM — The U.S. Navy is presenting its final workshop in preparation for a joint land-use study designed to better connect local governments and the military.

“The goal is to strengthen existing lines or develop new lines of communication between the Navy installations and local governments and work toward local land-use plans that are compatible with the operational needs of the Navy, as well as meet the needs of the local governments,” said Liane Nakahara, a Navy spokeswoman.

The workshop takes place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Joel Peterson, an associate planner with the Jefferson County Department of Community Development, said the workshops help his department achieve proactive land-use planning to be incorporated in its upcoming comprehensive plan.

“These workshops allow us to be proactive and get out front of these issues,” Peterson said.

“It allows us to get together with other agencies in a regional planning context and see how our military installations interact with those goals.”

The $674,875 joint land-use study is partially financed by $607,385 from the Department of Defense, Office of Economic Adjustment, with the remainder coming from Kitsap County.

The grant process requires a Navy installation to nominate an area in which to conduct the study. In this case, Naval Base Kitsap nominated its surrounding areas along with Naval Magazine Indian Island, designating Kitsap County as the project sponsor and including the city of Bremerton and Jefferson and Mason counties in the study.

According to its website, the program aims to ensure lasting compatibility of military installations and neighboring communities, encouraging cooperative land-use planning between military installations and the surrounding communities so future civilian growth and development are compatible with military training and operations.

To this end, the Navy aims to create a portfolio of existing land use, economic, transportation and environmental conditions, along with plans from local jurisdictions and Navy information to identify potential conflicts in land and shoreline use and water and land mobility, the website says.

The 18-month process is expected to end in September, according to project manager Kathlene Barnhart.

“We want to identify the tools that both the Navy and the communities can use to complete these partnerships,” said Barnhart, an employee of the Kitsap County Department of Community Development.

The affected areas are designated as those adjacent to Naval facilities, which in Jefferson County includes the area around Indian Island and on Hood Canal, opposite Naval Base Kitsap.

Specific to Dabob Bay and Hood Canal, this includes new and expanded marinas and boat ramps, aviation fuel-distribution facilities, new commercial industrial piers or docks, large master-planned communities and resorts, and working forest or resource land conservation.

While these categories include two controversial proposed projects, the so-called “pit to pier” installation that will move gravel to Hood Canal for water transport and the Pleasant Harbor Resort in Brinnon, the workshop will not focus on specific proposals.

Attendees are welcome to comment about specifics, “but it probably won’t be productive,” as the opportunity to provide specific comments will occur at a later time, Barnhart said.

For more information, visit the project website, www.kiijlus.com.

________

Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Mason Combs is 4 feet, 3 inches tall and has red hair, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Child located after agencies partner on search

A 10-year-old boy who had been missing since Tuesday has… Continue reading

Sequim research lab testing ways to use seaweed, resources

PNNL is only Department of Energy lab with marine facilities

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow visor, Sarah Maloy, left rear, Paulette De Llario, right rear, and Mary Claire Hunt, rear, helped clean up the Salish Coast Production Garden at the Salish Elementary School in Port Townsend on Saturday. The garden produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce used for the school lunches last year and farmers are aiming for 7,000 pounds in 2025. Hunt will be honored as a community health hero by the Jefferson County Public Health department for her efforts in bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate their crops to the Jefferson County food bank with a presentation on Thursday at the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garden cleanup

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow… Continue reading

Foundation purchases hospital equipment

Linear accelerator to be installed in May

Port Townsend updated on city’s workplan

Forty-five of 61 projects on track, city manager says

Welfare for Animals Guild receives $1,500 to provide spay and neuter services at the guild’s free veterinary clinics. Pictured, from left, are Laura Nieborsky, Barb Brabant, Emily Murphy and Mel Marshall.
Garden club makes donations through local grant program

The Port Angeles Garden Club has announced donations to… Continue reading

Facilities district for pool paused

Jefferson County does not receive grant

From left, Port Angeles school board members Sarah Methner, Mary Hebert, Stan Willams, Superintendent Marty Brewer, Kirsten Williams, Sandy Long and Nolan Duce, the district’s director of maintenance, turn the first shovel of dirt on Saturday at the location of the new construction just north of the present Stevens Middle School. An estimated crowd of 150 attended the ceremonial ground breaking. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles School District breaks ground at new middle school

Building is expected to open to students in 2027

Family displaced following house fire

A Clallam County family has been displaced due a… Continue reading

Two investigated for burglarizing home

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals… Continue reading

Beach cleanups set for Earth Day weekend

Beach cleanups, a seed exchange, seed planting and music will mark Earth… Continue reading

Easter egg hunts scheduled for Saturday

Easter activities, including egg hunts and pictures with the Easter bunny, are… Continue reading