Burnt Hill is Washington State Trust/DNR timber land, just south of Sequim, consisting of approximately 3000 (+/-) acres, including a fish-bearing creek. Many recreational activities have historically taken place there, including some illegal activities. It has also been the historic range grounds for the Roosevelt Elk. Many new houses have been built around and above the base of the hill as well.

Because there are so many divergent interest groups vying for use of the area, DNR began to address the multi-use issue and brought together representatives of each activity as well as the neighbors. This “Focus Group” has met off and on since 1999, attempting to create designated areas where each interest can participate without interfering with the others. DNR is also attempting to clean up the garbage dumping, parking, and illegal shooting issues.

Sue Chickman

A relatively new organization was formed, called the Alliance for Recreation and Conservation (ARC) that works to enrich recreational activities on the North Olympic Peninsula while conserving the natural environment. An OPAS board member is a member of ARC and represents the habitat conservation aspects of the issue. In 2005, the organization had soil tests conducted (near tributaries of Johnson Creek headwaters) and found concentrations of over 10,000 ppm of lead contamination. Other contaminants and toxic garbage are also littered there.  

DNR issued a draft recreation plan on January 9, 2006, but on January 30^th, a group, calling themselves Burnt Hill Home Owners Association and two other homeowners, filed a suit in Clallam County Superior Court. The suit argues that homeowners weren’t given proper notice, and that DNR’s mandate to harvest timber for profit conflicts with off-road vehicle use. It seeks an injunction to stop grading, excavating, clearing or otherwise furthering its plan and calls for an environmental impact study. DNR’s plan is on hold while the lawsuit is pending.

OPAS will continue to monitor the progress.