BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The public comment period on a clean-up of a Whatcom County rifle range is now open.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is accepting public input until mid-March on the plan to clean-up lead from the Plantation outdoor high power rifle range.

The range on Samish Way has been open since 1971, and soil samples show lead levels high enough to classify it as a hazardous waste site.

The lead also pollutes nearby wetlands and a salmon stream that flows into Lake Samish.

Levels in the stream do not exceed safe limits for drinking water but do pose a hazard to aquatic life.

The county has responded by pausing use of the range and working to prevent run-off from the site.

The next step will involve removing contaminated soil and monitoring pollution levels.