600-home development planned for Sequim Bay
Tribe, Commissioner asked about environmental impacts
The creators of Seabrook on the Washington coast have indicated they want to develop land within Sequim city limits near John Wayne Marina. The proposed development is in the Sequim Bay Watershed and would be on both sides of Johnson Creek. Commissioner Mark Ozias and the Jamestown Tribe upheld the environmental importance of Johnson Creek when a local family wanted to reopen the Happy Valley Gravel Pit, but are their concerns consistent? In a letter earlier this month, the Commissioner and the Tribe’s Director of Natural Resources, Hansi Hals, were asked if they worried about the creek’s proximity to the housing development.
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
Dear Director Hals and Commissioner Ozias,
Seabrook is planning a housing development near John Wayne Marina. The 160-acre site is bisected by Johnson Creek, an important wildlife corridor. You are aware of this vital riparian area because both the Jamestown Tribe and Commissioner Ozias emphasized its significance during your successful attempts to prevent the Happy Valley Gravel Pit from reopening.
Commissioner Ozias and Director Hals, you both sent letters to county officials raising concerns about the Happy Valley Gravel Pit [letters attached].
Director Hals, your letter touched on stormwater retention, treatment, and infiltration concerns. You mentioned that dust, sediment, and other airborne pollutants could leave the area, especially with vehicle movement in and out of the project site. You noted that the disruption of Johnson Creek could fragment the landscape and alter routes used by wildlife for overland travel. You proposed that Johnson Creek could become a migratory route for elk, and you also said the lighting would interfere with nighttime insect and mammal activities.
Perhaps most importantly, you connected the reopening of the gravel pit to an infringement of the 1855 treaty of Point No Point, which reserved "the right of taking fish at usual and accustomed grounds and stations...; together with the privilege of hunting and gathering roots and berries on open and unclaimed lands" for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe.
Commissioner Ozias, your four-page letter highlighted even more concerns about the gravel pit reopening near your primary residence: Baseline water supply of surrounding wells, noxious weed management, the fear that an increase in noise would cause residents' high blood pressure and sleep disruption, the increased decibels generated by accelerating trucks, housing density, the number of vehicles visiting the site, culvert integrity, and the impact of traffic on school bus routes and pedestrians. You even determined that, even though gravel is imported from Jefferson County, our county has a surplus of gravel. Perhaps a study determining that Clallam County has a surplus of housing is needed.
Director Hals and Commissioner Ozias, you share a strong advocacy and concern for Johnson Creek and the greater Sequim Bay Watershed. In 2013, the Jamestown Tribe identified goals to establish Johnson Creek for salmonid spawning, rearing, and migration. Suppose a 7-acre gravel pit, beside a mere tributary of Johnson Creek, more than a mile from Sequim Bay, threatened salmon and treaty rights. In that case, it seems that a housing development 22 times larger on the shores of Sequim Bay, straddling Johnson Creek, would jeopardize the progress your partnership has forged to protect and restore treaty resources.
This housing development sits within the City of Sequim. Have either of you contacted city leaders with the same concerns that required you to intervene with the stoppage of the Happy Valley Gravel Pit? If not, do you plan to?
Sincerely,
Jeff Tozzer
Clallam County Watchdog
From: Hansi Hals <hhals@jamestowntribe.org>
Date: Wed, May 8, 2024, 12:18 PM
Subject: RE: Seabrook development
To: Jeff Tozzer <jeff.tozzer@gmail.com>
Hello Jeff,
Jamestown’s comment letter related to the Happy Valley mineral extraction proposal (CUP 2023-00007) was intended to share comment and make recommendations related to permitting conditions for the proposed use. It was not a letter of objection, nor did it recommend permit denial.
Jamestown Natural Resources Department has not contacted City of Sequim related to the proposed Seabrook Planned Resort/Development.
Best,
Hansi Hals
Natural Resources Director
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
No response was received from Commissioner Ozias
Follow the money.
As usual you present the FACTS in short order....WELL DONE Jeff...I think a recall on Ozais is the answer for the citizens of Clallam County.....