Residents press Clallam County to protect Doc Holliday legacy forest; commissioners flag revenue questions

A coalition of residents urged Clallam County to protect the Doc Holliday legacy parcels and to pursue a trade or the state’s “cash for counties” program as a way to preserve old-growth stands without reducing county revenue.

Tim Wheeler, who said he walked through Unit 1 of Doc Holliday, described it as “a majestic place like a cathedral” and argued that legacy forests sequester carbon, purify water and support tourism. Lisa Decker told commissioners that tourism in Clallam County generated “284,000,000 a year in 2023,” and contrasted that with logging-related revenues of about “2,700,000” in the county. Several speakers urged the board to favor long-term ecosystem and tourism benefits over short-term timber revenue.

Opponents and concerned residents raised process questions about a county work session the day before. Jake Segars criticized giving a platform to organizations he described as aligned with property-destruction protests and said law-abiding residents felt ignored. Others asked why presenters from outside groups, including a lawyer from Earth Law Center who participated in the Oct. 6 discussion, were allowed to present without equal time for other stakeholders.

Commissioners said the Oct. 6 session was intended to expand the county’s knowledge of a relatively new tool — the cash-for-counties option — and to surface missing pieces of information, particularly from the Department of Natural Resources, so that the county’s Revenue Advisory Committee can conduct a full analysis. Commissioner Mark French and Commissioner Ozias said the presentation was meant to elevate questions and ask DNR and the Revenue Advisory Committee for additional information; they said the Revenue Advisory Committee would likely deliver a recommendation after further review.

No board action was taken on Doc Holliday at the Oct. 7 meeting. Commissioners said the next steps are to request DNR input and to prepare materials for the November Revenue Advisory Committee meeting for a more thorough analysis and possible recommendation.

Provenance: Public comments urging protection of Doc Holliday began at 00:03:17 (Kenneth Reando) and were followed by several speakers including Tim Wheeler and Lisa Decker; the board discussed the cash-for-counties review and next steps in the Q&A and budget follow-up at 00:50:20.