The state Department of Ecology has responded to a complaint filed by the Tarboo Ridge Coalition that Fort Discovery Inc. had cleared, graded and filled wetlands at their property on Tarboo Lake without a proper permit. “Based on the information that we have received, we believe that you may have conducted clearing, grading and filling in wetlands, causing a polluting discharge into waters of the state,” the Department of Ecology stated in a letter addressed to Fort Discovery on Nov. 30. The letter said Ecology wished to “conduct a site visit to your property to evaluate this situation.” Fort Discovery president Joe D’Amico said they are working on a response to Ecology. “We have received informal inquiries, without any legal requirements, from several state agencies and are working on a coordinated response,” D’Amico said. “We intend to welcome representatives of the state agencies to our property, if they so choose, because we have nothing to hide.” The Tarboo Ridge Coalition, a group of Jefferson County residents opposed to D’Amico’s proposed shooting facility at Tarboo Lake initially made the complaint. After monitoring D’Amico’s property with drones, the TRC submitted photos as evidence to the Department of Ecology, the Jefferson County Department of Community Development and the state Department of Natural Resources. D’Amico issued a petition for a protection order against TRC member Teri Hein for “continuing to fly aerial drones at tree-top level over his property.” TRC President Peter Newland said Hein did not conduct the drone flights. “Teri had nothing to do with the drones,” Newland said. “I don’t think she even knows the pilot’s name, what the flights cost or even the flight dates.” Meanwhile, Fort Discovery is in the midst of a second-amendment lawsuit with Jefferson County over the Commercial Shooting Facilities ordinance, which was passed Nov. 2. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the ordinance because it limits nighttime shooting from dark until 10 p.m. for law enforcement and military training only. “Civilians’ federal second amendment rights and the state constitution’s version of the second amendment rights are infringed by prohibiting them from shooting in the evening,” the lawsuit stated. The provision stating no shooting is to take place after dark, with the exception of training for law enforcement officers or members of the armed forces, was added to the ordinance after a public hearing Oct. 24. The lawsuit does not seek monetary damages or attorney’s fees but asks the court to overturn the ordinance.