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Resident challenges county wetland designation for Bruno subdivision, cites possible conflict of interest
Summary
Doug Blackinger told the Pine County board that a 12-lot subdivision on high ground near Bruneau was wrongly designated wetlands, questioned the timeliness and makeup of the technical review, and urged an independent reassessment to avoid blocking needed housing.
A resident urged Pine County commissioners to reopen an assessment that designated part of a newly built subdivision as wetlands, saying the determination threatens a local housing project.
"My name is Doug Blackinger," the commenter told the board, then described a 12–lot subdivision built over three years near Bruneau. He said the site is on the highest elevation in the area, is not shown on wetland maps and that ditches created during road construction should not be treated as natural wetlands. Blackinger also said only two members attended the technical meeting and questioned whether that made the review valid. "How is this not conflict of interest? It's the same people that did the initial one," he said, urging an independent appeals assessment.
Blackinger tied his concern to a broader shortage of housing, saying delays in septic inspections and wetland determinations are slowing new construction and that an eight‑unit motel is already housing long‑term renters who cannot find housing elsewhere. He asked the board to consider an independent review of the assessment and to examine whether county procedures for technical meetings and appeals provide an adequate and impartial process.
The board acknowledged the comment but took no formal action at the meeting. Commissioner members suggested staff follow up; the board invited additional information and said the public hearing schedule could allow for further comment ahead of any final administrative decision.
