Bound by its promise to wait for input from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, the county's planning commission continued discussion March 2 on the $300 million resort proposed just south of Brinnon with no intention of taking action.

“We are charged with forming the regulations for this development in perpetuity,” said Mark Jochems, one of the appointed planning commissioners. “We've got one chance to get it right and I'm sorry but I don't see this as being a slam-dunk fast process.”

The commission must recommend to the board of county commissioners whether to approve, deny or approve with modifications a set of development regulations, or rules, that would govern future development activity on the 256-acre master planned resort property at Black Point, along Hood Canal.

Though the commission had received a draft letter outlining the tribe's wishes and concerns, it chose to defer action, knowing the tribal council plans to finalize that letter at a March 14 meeting.

Associate planner David Wayne Johnson said he plans to meet with tribal representatives March 18. The planning commission's next meeting on the proposed resort is set for April 6 at the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum.

Following a 20-minute argument about Robert's Rules of Order, the commission turned its attention to concerns about water quality monitoring and potential contamination of Hood Canal and an underground aquifer by way of runoff.

“There is no monitoring for the nitrogen and phosphates that are applied to the golf course,” Jochems said, concerned that the applicant would focus mainly on saltwater intrusion. “The question I have is what's being washed through. I'm not necessarily buying into that it just gets applied and goes away. I think some will get into the groundwater.”

Craig Peck, civil engineer for applicant Statesman Group, said water quality testing from existing wells must meet drinking water standards. He also said the treated wastewater to be used for irrigation would be continuously tested to ensure chemicals used to treat the water do not end up in groundwater or Hood Canal.

Johnson said the tribe is asking for more monitoring, a higher standard than the State Environmental Policy Act requires.

“If the tribe comes up with more sampling stations they'd like to see, fine; it's not an issue,” Peck said.

Commissioner Matt Sircely said he wants to ensure monitoring of nutrients and contaminants, as well as require certification by northwest nonprofit Salmon-Safe.

“Shellfish and salmonids both are very sensitive to pollutants,” said Commissioner Lorna Smith. “If we're not affecting young salmonids, we're doing pretty good.”

Sircely said he's glad to see that the project is already designed with fish in mind. Still, Commissioner Tom Brotherton warned of excessive regulation.

“It really bothers me that we have a lot of existing houses out there right now and we're not controlling any of those,” he said. “We have all these people out there who are liberally sprinkling chemicals on their lawns and it's running into the water directly. Let's be careful that we don't hold these guys to such a high standard that we kill the project and ignore everybody else. I want to be sure we're reasonable in what we ask for and don't make them this island of purity in a sea of contamination.”