Clark County Council debates temporary FBI training agreement at Camp Bonneville amid cleanup and transparency concerns

The Clark County Council on Dec. 3 weighed whether to allow the FBI to continue training at Camp Bonneville under a temporary, tightly limited agreement while staff drafts updated contract language for later council review.

Public commenters pressed the council to refuse renewed FBI use, arguing the Camp Bonneville conveyance requires the land be used for conservation and warning of contamination and inadequate cleanup. "The FBI's use of Camp Bonneville is far more than a training facility," Mary Panovich, assistant special agent in charge with the FBI's Portland office, told the council during public comment. She said more than 90 FBI employees live in Clark County and that the agency contributes "over $9,000,000 in annual salaries" to the local economy. Panovich described roughly 60 training sessions a year at the camp, limited live fire windows, self-imposed restrictions on explosives and tracers, and the use of suppressors and reduced-lead ammunition when possible.

Several residents and advocates disputed the FBI's account and urged returning the property to public conservation use. "They have run roughshod over the property for 2 or 3 decades, and that's gotta stop," public commenter Gregory Shaw said, repeating allegations raised by others about missing ammunition and long-standing cleanup shortcomings.

Councilors described a split position: some members said the county should protect the conservation conveyance and push to end law-enforcement use, while others argued public safety benefits and existing law-enforcement needs justify a temporary arrangement. One councilor recommended a two-year term "with the clear intent that that would be the last contract" to give the FBI time to relocate training. Council discussion emphasized several contract conditions staff should address: explicit cost-recovery and cleanup responsibilities, an end date, and a prohibition on storing firearms or ammunition at Camp Bonneville.

Staff recommended marking up the prior contract with tracked changes to reflect updated cleanup and cost-recovery language and bringing the draft back for council input at a council time session and, if the council so directs, a subsequent Tuesday meeting for final consideration. No formal vote to approve a new contract occurred on Dec. 3.

What happens next: staff will prepare a redlined contract for council review that clarifies cleanup responsibilities, cost recovery, and operational limits including no on-site storage of weapons and ammunition. Councilors said further deliberation and public input will follow before any final vote.