One of the many comments about the PROS Plan delivered to the Planning Commission Hearing on the PROS Plan: 5.20.25

Kitsap parks are precious to the residents who live here.

 This was clear in the County’s public survey that Kitsap citizens strongly value Kitsap’s natural environment and want our parks to protect valuable environmental resources where they still remain. Our Heritage Parks- North Kitsap, Port Gamble Forest, and Newberry Heritage Parks are rich environments that give us an opportunity to protect areas that are unique in their vibrant ecosystems. I am speaking specifically to these special parks.

Our parks are not only for human activity – but as the County develops, Heritage parks are the largest areas of habitat for wildlife, becoming rare reserves for biodiversity.  We want the county to support natural recreation, such as simple walking trails through natural terrain that allow habitat for creatures and natural ecosystems to thrive. Our large Heritage Parks are especially valuable for providing habitat while allowing natural recreation.

The updated plan appears to push for more active recreation that is not in balance with preserving habitat, and a focus on development and standardization rather than respecting  areas that are prime habitat and rich ecosystems. A different approach is needed in Heritage parks.

To plan wisely for upholding the protection of environmental resources, there needs to be a process of assessment of natural resources and landscape classification. It is crucial to determine what sensitive resources are in the park landscapes before planning any development.   The current plan that is being considered does not meet this goal and could potentially cause harm to important and unique natural resources, because of the lack of knowledge from initial assessments.

The Current Pros plan appears to take a turn away from public input, away from valuing of habitat and natural recreation, and proceeds blindly with poor planning without environmental assessment. Changes in this plan from the 2018 plan are not of benefit to the unique richness of the parks that we hold – together-  as a County and for the future.  The Parks Department in this document are not upholding what the citizens wholeheartedly support.  This is especially damaging to the valuable Heritage parks that give us a chance to protect natural resources while citizens can enjoy their natural beauty.

—Why the change in naming them Heritage Parks? Leave them and protect them as Heritage Parks.

 —Why leave Stewards groups out? They are a cost effective and valuable community resource, give them respect and support.

– Why ignore public comments ? Let’s have true public involvement instead of lip service.

More work needs to be done on the PROS plan to bring it into better balance of environmental protection of valuable natural resources – especially in the Heritage parks, and more honoring of citizen input and true participation in planning. Let this current PROS plan be a draft — send it back to the drawing board to create a better plan.

Thank you,

Beth

North Kitsap County Resident

Send your own comment by email to the Planning Commission by May 27, 5 pm.

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