Ocean Shores pursues 100-foot fire break; city seeks county help on permitting and wetland mitigation
Summary
City officials said they plan to create a 100-foot fire break through dune wetlands to reduce wildfire risk and have begun coordinating with the county. Staff warned permits and wetland-mitigation credits will be required and said current mitigation credits are limited.
Ocean Shores staff told the committee that the mayor and fire department met with county staff to discuss creating a roughly 100-foot-wide fire break running from the High Dunes Trail southward through Sand Dune areas. The proposed work is intended to reduce wildfire spread through flammable dune vegetation.
Staff cautioned the project will require significant permitting because the corridor crosses wetlands. The city said it currently holds about 1.6 wetland-mitigation credits and expects to receive three more in the future, but that credits may not be sufficient to complete the full scope without additional mitigation strategies or approvals. Staff said the county will be involved to help secure permits and that the mayor has made this a top priority.
Staff framed the proposal as a life-safety measure prompted by observations of recent destructive wildfires elsewhere and said the effort will likely involve a sustained permitting fight with regulatory agencies. No final plan, budget, or schedule was announced.
