Plantation Rifle Range public comment period
Plantation Rifle Range documents available for public comment
May 6, 2024 - June 21, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
We invite you to review and comment on cleanup documents for contamination cleanup at Plantation Rifle Range located at 5102 Samish Way, Bellingham, Washington.
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Please review and comment on:
- Draft Permit — This Permit Lite is a dangerous waste corrective action permit that allows environmental cleanup at the site to continue.
- Draft Public Participation Plan (PPP) — The draft PPP encourages community involvement in cleanup decisions.
How to submit comments
This public comment period opens May 6, 2024, and closes June 21, 2024.
Submit your comments:
- By online public comment form.
- By email to christa.colouzis@ecy.wa.gov.
- By mail (see address information below).
When the public comment period ends, we will consider all comments and may change the documents based on them. After considering all comments, the documents will become final.
Will there be a public meeting?
At this time, there are no public meetings scheduled for this comment period. We will hold a public meeting if 10 or more people request one. To request a meeting, please contact Janelle Anderson at 425-301-6454 or janelle.anderson@ecy.wa.gov.
Site background
Plantation Rifle Range opened in 1971. It is one of two public shooting ranges in Washington. Whatcom County Parks and Recreation operates the Plantation Rifle Range facility. It is located on property owned by Bertch Timberlands, LLC.
Lead contamination and cleanup
Ruby Creek and wetlands are located within and adjacent to the east side of the site’s rifle range. Ruby Creek is a major tributary to Finney Creek, which flows into Lake Samish. Lake Samish is a drinking water supply to area residents around the lake.
In 2020 and 2021, we inspected the range and collected surface water samples. These samples indicate the presence of lead above Clean Water Act standards for aquatic life in freshwater systems. While the amount of lead is above Clean Water Act standards for aquatic life, the tests are below the standard for drinking water.
The work should be finished sometime in 2023. This will be the first time the lead wastes have been removed since the range opened in 1971.
For more information about the site and the history of contamination:
- Read the Plantation Rifle Range public notice (publication 24-04-018).
- Go to our Plantation Rifle Range website.
Comment online
- Use our online comment form
- Submit your comment by email: christa.colouzis@ecy.wa.gov
Comment by mail
Department of Ecology
PO Box 330316
Shoreline, WA 98133
Questions
To request ADA accommodation, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY). More about our accessibility services.