PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Commissioners paused approving a plan that would allow the Clallam Conservation District to collect a $5 annual fee on parcels countywide. At a public hearing Tuesday, commissioners said they support the concept but want revisions before moving forward.
This week, the board heard more than an hour of testimony, with nearly every one opposed to the plan.
District officials maintain the fee is vital for stable funding to support soil and water projects, habitat restoration, and agricultural programs, especially as grants become less reliable.
Commissioners asked for a ten-year sunset clause, confirmation that the charge will stay fixed at $5 without automatic increases, and a requirement that the district submit annual public reports on how the money is used.
The proposal already exempts low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and certain federal or tribal lands. With the revisions, it will return to the board for further consideration.