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Cottage Grove commissioners keep rifle hunting ban, approve updated hunting maps
Summary
The commission voted to adopt staff-recommended hunting maps and, on counsel advice, decided not to amend the city's hunting ordinance to allow rifle hunting inside Cottage Grove city limits despite a recent state law change. The only map change removes a subdivided parcel at 80th and Keats from the gun-hunting map.
The Cottage Grove Public Works & Public Service Commission voted July 20 to adopt staff-recommended hunting maps and to keep the city's ordinance more restrictive than a recent state change that would otherwise allow rifle hunting in some formerly shotgun-only zones.
Brad (staff presenter) told the commission the state this year opened rifle hunting in areas that had been shotgun-only and gave counties authority to impose restrictions; Washington County declined to make changes, leaving regulation options to cities. "Our recommendation at this point is leave it as is," Brad said, recommending the city not amend its ordinance to permit rifle hunting within Cottage Grove city limits.
Commissioners asked whether a city restriction would conflict with state law and whether safety safeguards tied to rifle use (minimum distances from structures and roads, and elevated-platform requirements) mitigate risk. Brad said city counsel believes Cottage Grove has a "pretty strong legal position" to remain more restrictive, but acknowledged the approach could be challenged in court.
The commission also approved a single technical map change: the "tank" property in the northeast, near 80th and Keats, was removed from the gun-hunting map because it no longer meets parcel-size requirements and is slated for near-term development. Ron Kath moved to adopt the maps and a commissioner seconded; the voice vote passed.
The action leaves the city's archery map unchanged for the coming season. City staff directed residents with questions about hunting rules to the city website and noted any legal challenge would likely arise outside the commission process.
The commission moved on after the vote; the next regularly scheduled meeting will provide additional opportunities for public comment and follow-up if the issue is litigated or appealed.
