No Shooting Meeting
Monday May 17th there was a meeting to discuss the proposed No Shooting Area in the Gardiner Beach Area. Below is a link to the video of this meeting.
No Shooting Meeting Video
No Shooting Meeting Video
Notes from Gardiner Community Meeting
Review of Gardiner Community Meeting
On Monday, May 9, the community of Gardiner came together with the following county representatives: Greg Brotherton, Jefferson County Commissioner, District 3, Joe Nole, Jefferson County Sheriff, Eron Berg, Executive Director and Eric Toews, Port of Port Townsend Port Commission. The meeting discussed four of Gardiner’s concerns.
1 - No Shoot Area
The process to establish a no shoot area in Gardiner beach has begun. A petition of twenty signatures has been submitted to the county and those signatures have been certified. What is not yet decided are the boundaries for the area. The requested boundaries for the Gardiner No Shoot Area are from the boat launch on the west to the highest water line of the lagoon on the east, and from the northern Jefferson county line in Discovery Bay to the highest water line in the wetlands and lagoon to the south.
The next step occurs Tuesday, May 17; it’s a virtual workshop at 5:00 p.m. Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will listen to all local tribes and interested persons for or against establishing the Gardiner Beach No Shooting Area. The workshop will gather input to inform on next steps.
A no shooting zone “can include state owned (WDFW) land”. Comm. Brotherton
2 - Crime
To report crime, contact sheriff’s dispatch number 360-344-9779, not 911.
It is important to contact the sheriff is you witness or experience crime in neighborhood.
A Neighborhood Watch is effective. Sheriff’s Dept. will meet with group interested in forming one.
3 - Gardiner Community Development Plan
Gardiner’s independent community plan has been incorporated into Jefferson County’s Community Development Plan. There would need to be a “fundamental issue” evidenced to warrant a new sub-area plan.
A Gardiner committee would need to update it’s sub-area plan and compare it to the county’s plan to determine if Gardiner’s plan identified a “fundamental issue” that should be considered by the BOCC.
If you would like to participate in this process, contact Ann Waldron at [email protected].
4 - Boat Launch Improvement Plan
The community’s concerns for the PoPT’s plans centered around the increase in traffic, preservation of the shoreline, the need to coordinate simultaneous launch and parking improvements, and clarification of who was responsible for the maintenance and safety of the area.
USE
Gunstone Trust gave the PoPT an easement for a “recreational use” boat launch.
MAINTENANCE
PoPT plans to remove seasonal floating wharf and store it on land during winter months.
PoPT recognized the challenges of multiple ownership: county (PUD) has eastern parking, F&G has western boat access path and toilet.
PoPT expressed interest in getting management for whole area.
SAFETY
PoPT acknowledged telephone line crossing launch ramp is a hazard. It will look into creating an alternative route for line.
There was discussion about current traffic problems and how they will increase when the launch is enhanced. Resident James Obtinario testified to traffic on Old Gardiner Road moving at speeds up to 70 MPH. The county-directed road to the launch, Rondelay, and the road west of the launch are too narrow for two-lane traffic and speeds higher than 25 MPH. Possible solutions to traffic issues were made: one-way traffic, speed bumps, increased traffic control signs.
If there are community members who wish to discuss Gardiner’s traffic issues with Comm. Greg Brotherton, let Fran Reynolds know [email protected]. Comm. Brotherton will meet with us. Perhaps there are adjustments that can be made before problems elevate.
Permits and Funding
PoPT’s time frame for construction:
Ramps are not “freebies”; boaters pay for an annual Ramp Pass.
The installation of “Iron Rangers”, pay stations, is being considered.
From Eron Berg, Ex. Director PoPT:
They are adding a project page to their website: RCO presentation, funding agreement, draft plans and the interlocal agreement on operating the launch from the 1980’s.
He looks “forward to more community meetings”.
Recommendation for the Fall 2022
Because the May 9 meeting was well attended and the county representatives expressed interest in continuing the discussions on illegal activity, traffic and launch improvements, it is our plan to host another community meeting at the Gardiner Community Center in the fall.
Your feedback is appreciated.
Fran Reynolds
On Monday, May 9, the community of Gardiner came together with the following county representatives: Greg Brotherton, Jefferson County Commissioner, District 3, Joe Nole, Jefferson County Sheriff, Eron Berg, Executive Director and Eric Toews, Port of Port Townsend Port Commission. The meeting discussed four of Gardiner’s concerns.
1 - No Shoot Area
The process to establish a no shoot area in Gardiner beach has begun. A petition of twenty signatures has been submitted to the county and those signatures have been certified. What is not yet decided are the boundaries for the area. The requested boundaries for the Gardiner No Shoot Area are from the boat launch on the west to the highest water line of the lagoon on the east, and from the northern Jefferson county line in Discovery Bay to the highest water line in the wetlands and lagoon to the south.
The next step occurs Tuesday, May 17; it’s a virtual workshop at 5:00 p.m. Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will listen to all local tribes and interested persons for or against establishing the Gardiner Beach No Shooting Area. The workshop will gather input to inform on next steps.
- To join by zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93777841705
- Submit written input to: [email protected] by May 16, 4:00 p.m.
- Questions: Adiel at 360-385-9102
A no shooting zone “can include state owned (WDFW) land”. Comm. Brotherton
2 - Crime
To report crime, contact sheriff’s dispatch number 360-344-9779, not 911.
It is important to contact the sheriff is you witness or experience crime in neighborhood.
A Neighborhood Watch is effective. Sheriff’s Dept. will meet with group interested in forming one.
- Sheriff will also provide signage for the area.
- If interested in participating, contact Linda Fitzgerald [email protected].
- Fireworks are illegal on PoPT and F&G property.
- Tribal fireworks (legally sold) are only legal on tribal land.
- Jefferson county new laws restricting fireworks will take one year to take affect (2023). These laws “allow for Clallam Fire District 3 to declare “high” fire danger. It includes fire districts that are partially in Jefferson County.” Comm. Brotherton
- Brotherton is looking into reserving a speed reader over the 4th of July weekend.
3 - Gardiner Community Development Plan
Gardiner’s independent community plan has been incorporated into Jefferson County’s Community Development Plan. There would need to be a “fundamental issue” evidenced to warrant a new sub-area plan.
A Gardiner committee would need to update it’s sub-area plan and compare it to the county’s plan to determine if Gardiner’s plan identified a “fundamental issue” that should be considered by the BOCC.
If you would like to participate in this process, contact Ann Waldron at [email protected].
4 - Boat Launch Improvement Plan
The community’s concerns for the PoPT’s plans centered around the increase in traffic, preservation of the shoreline, the need to coordinate simultaneous launch and parking improvements, and clarification of who was responsible for the maintenance and safety of the area.
USE
Gunstone Trust gave the PoPT an easement for a “recreational use” boat launch.
- Permission for commercial use is not given.
- Tribal fishing is considered different from commercial.
- PoPT does not want to loose it’s easement; they recognized the need to control commercial use.
MAINTENANCE
PoPT plans to remove seasonal floating wharf and store it on land during winter months.
PoPT recognized the challenges of multiple ownership: county (PUD) has eastern parking, F&G has western boat access path and toilet.
PoPT expressed interest in getting management for whole area.
SAFETY
PoPT acknowledged telephone line crossing launch ramp is a hazard. It will look into creating an alternative route for line.
There was discussion about current traffic problems and how they will increase when the launch is enhanced. Resident James Obtinario testified to traffic on Old Gardiner Road moving at speeds up to 70 MPH. The county-directed road to the launch, Rondelay, and the road west of the launch are too narrow for two-lane traffic and speeds higher than 25 MPH. Possible solutions to traffic issues were made: one-way traffic, speed bumps, increased traffic control signs.
If there are community members who wish to discuss Gardiner’s traffic issues with Comm. Greg Brotherton, let Fran Reynolds know [email protected]. Comm. Brotherton will meet with us. Perhaps there are adjustments that can be made before problems elevate.
Permits and Funding
PoPT’s time frame for construction:
- 2022 – Complete survey; obtain permits
- 2023 – Obtain bids for 2024 construction
Ramps are not “freebies”; boaters pay for an annual Ramp Pass.
The installation of “Iron Rangers”, pay stations, is being considered.
From Eron Berg, Ex. Director PoPT:
They are adding a project page to their website: RCO presentation, funding agreement, draft plans and the interlocal agreement on operating the launch from the 1980’s.
He looks “forward to more community meetings”.
Recommendation for the Fall 2022
Because the May 9 meeting was well attended and the county representatives expressed interest in continuing the discussions on illegal activity, traffic and launch improvements, it is our plan to host another community meeting at the Gardiner Community Center in the fall.
Your feedback is appreciated.
Fran Reynolds
Gardiner Planning Information
Gardiner has significant plans in the works for boat ramp improvements as well as a broad based community plan. Below is information on both these project.
Gardiner Community Plan
Gardiner has a Community Plan and you may want to peruse before the meeting on May 9th. It is 48 pages so you may want to read it online and/or just print specific pages. You can view below or click here to see it on the county web site.
There is an extensive Gardiner Boat Launch presentation done February 18 2021.
You can click here to download it or view below.
You can click here to download it or view below.