Jet-sprint-boat racing halted in Cowlitz County

By The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Hearing Examiner Irv Berteig last week denied an application for a special-use permit by Kelso resident Keith Richards.

Berteig ruled that Richards' Wild Side Track — a water track on 44 acres of land zoned for farming — violates the county's Comprehensive Plan.

The plan says the county should "protect prime agricultural soils for crop and livestock production and discourage land-use activities which conflict with agricultural production."

"His decision isn't a political decision, it's a conclusion of law. The landowners still have the right to have their land protected," County Commissioner George Raiter said.

Cowlitz County senior planner Mike Wojtowicz said Richards could appeal the decision to Cowlitz County Superior Court.

Richards did not comment on the decision, and his attorney, Allan Engstrom, was unavailable Friday afternoon.

Richards applied for the permit last fall, but the application did not include traffic and noise studies required by the county. The studies were submitted in May, less than a month before racing was scheduled.

Richards held his first race June 19 and another July 10.

Cowlitz County Superior Judge Jim Stonier fined him $15,000 on July 14 for holding races without a permit; Richards canceled a July 24 event.

When county planning-department officials held public hearings, several people testified in support of Richards and his enterprise. Woodland business owners said the operation had been good for the town.
 
According to the Wild Side Enterprises Web site, Richards' track had scheduled races Sept. 4 and was to be the site of the national finals on Sept. 18.

Jet-sprint boats are manned by a driver and navigator and powered by engines that allow the boats to reach speeds up to 80 mph in a matter of seconds.