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Resident warns council of mosquito-breeding pond at golf course, urges immediate action
Summary
A lifelong West Richland resident told the council the city permitted construction at a driving range and a concrete wall that created stagnant water and a mosquito breeding ground; he urged remediation to prevent West Nile virus risk but staff gave no immediate commitment at the meeting.
During the Feb. 4, 2025, second public comment period, resident Chuck Shealy told the West Richland City Council he is concerned the city has allowed construction that created a long, shallow pond near a golf course that is breeding mosquitoes.
"We have made a mile long 20 foot wide mosquito breeding pond and we have West Nile here in Benton County," Shealy said, adding the site was created after a driving range and a concrete wall were installed "without permits" and without engineering or oversight, in his view. He said the conditions could risk human life and urged the city to address the problem, saying the remedy would be a few hours' work with the appropriate equipment.
Shealy said he had previously raised the issue with staff, and that one staff member had called to discuss the matter. He said he has deep family roots in the community and urged the council to act to prevent disease risk; the meeting timed out his public comment at three minutes and no immediate council action was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Council did not take action on the matter during the meeting; staff and council did not announce a follow-up plan on the record. The comment was entered into the public record for possible staff follow-up.
