The public is invited to weigh in on a plan to develop a large swath of agricultural land in West Richland.

The Lewis and Clark Ranch, which consists of 7,600 acres within the city of West Richland, is on a peninsula between the Yakima River and Ruppert Road. 

The land is south of the Yakima River, south of East McWhorter Lane, north of Ruppert Road, west of North Harrington Road and west of the intersection of Ruppert Road and Highway 224. 

Owned by Frank Tiegs LLC, the land will be developed over time, with the first phase happening in a 750-acre area in the southeast corner. Infrastructure improvements, such as new roads, sewer systems, and water lines, and facilities like parks and schools will be needed as the area develops.

To help guide the development of this area, West Richland has proposed the land be designated as a planned action, which would provide “more comprehensive environmental analysis during an areawide planning state, before individual projects are proposed, rather than at the project permit review stage,” according to West Richland’s website. 

Designating a planned action would help streamline environmental review for proposed developments and facilitate growth that fits the vision of the area.

A draft environmental impact statement has been published, and the public is invited to submit comments before 5 p.m. Aug. 4. 

Comments should have “Lewis and Clark Ranch Subarea Plan Draft EIS Comments” in the subject line and should be emailed to Eric Mendenhall, community development director, at [email protected]. 

The city’s planning commission also will host a hybrid meeting on the plan at 6 p.m. July 10 at city council chambers, 3100 Belmont Blvd., West Richland. Community members are invited to comment in person or virtually at the meeting.