Clagstone Meadows leaves too much to imagination

On June 1 and 2, the Bonner County Planning Commission will consider approval of the proposed Clagstone Meadows Planned Unit Development, a resort-style city planned for 12,000 acres of forest and marshland just north of Kelso Lake.

Stimson Lumber Co. owns the property and has determined that it’s more profitable to develop this land as a recreational destination resort, with waterfront lodges and two golf courses, than to keep it as a working forest.

Unfortunately, the impacts on water quality, wildlife and the county’s rural character are much, much greater under development than if Stimson continued to manage this property for timber. The development would include more than 1,100 dwelling units, including lakefront lodges, condominiums, RV site, cottages and custom homes. In addition to the two golf courses, the developer envisions two beach parks, a beach club, a recreation center, equestrian facility, and a commercial building complex.

And where would these beaches and beach club be located? Alongside the artificial lakes that the developer plans to either create or enlarge on the property.

The landscape of Clagstone Meadow is covered with wetlands, ponds and two small lakes. The plan calls for the lakes to be enlarged, and many acres of wetlands to be inundated with water, presumably after dredging, to create more waterfront property in the headwaters of Hoodoo Creek.

Yet, while this proposal is under the county’s “Planned Unit Development” land use codes, the plan is lacking many important details and doesn’t seem very well planned at all. Agencies commenting on the proposal have expressed frustration with “vague and incomplete” information regarding the enlarged lakes, proposed wildlife corridors, and proposed water and sewer utilities.

Idaho Fish and Game, for instance, wrote to the county, “. . . we do not believe this proposal is ready for consideration for approval.”

We agree. In fact, we believe the impacts from the destruction of critical wetlands alone are significant enough to justify sending the developer back to the drawing board.

The loss of wetlands in this area, combined with intense development and golf courses, will inevitably result in declining water quality and loss of fishery habitat downstream, from Beaver Lake to Kelso Lake and the entire Hoodoo Creek system, which already fails to meet state water quality standards.

If the agencies that Bonner County relies on for expertise in reviewing development applications are unable to conduct a thorough review of a project due to lack of information, it would be irresponsible for the county to allow such a project to move forward – particularly one of the magnitude of Clagstone Meadows.

Public hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m., June 1 and 2 in the Bonner County Administration Building. Written comments from the public are being accepted through June 1, and oral testimony is being taken June 2. For information on the project, go to www.co.bonner.id.us/planning/projects.html.

Susan Drumheller is the North Idaho associate for the Idaho Conservation League, www.idahoconservation.org.