The proposed Pacific Gales golf course near Port Orford faces an expected obstacle: an appeal from an environmental group.

Oregon Coast Alliance has appealed the Curry County Planning Commission’s approval of a conditional use application that allows the golf course on a portion of Knapp Ranch, located between Port Orford and Cape Blanco.

The group appealed the project on several grounds, and now the conditional use application will be heard by the Curry County Commissioners in a hearing April 17.

The course developer, Elk River Property Development LLC, remains committed to the project, project manager Troy Russell said.

“We’re certainly not surprised by the Oregon Coast Alliance’s appeal, because that’s what they do — fight perceived issues based on principle rather than fact, even when it may be in the best interest of Oregonians,” Russell said in a prepared statement, pointing out that ORCA’s website lists several other projects it opposes on the South Coast.

“Here you have an organization nowhere near Curry County trying to shoot down a project that will have both short-term and long-term economic benefits for Port Orford and the Southern Oregon coast, where tourism is the key economic driver after the devastation suffered by losses in the fishing and timber industries.”

Because the golf course would be built on land zoned exclusive farm use, a conditional use permit is required.

The planning commission approved the permit with a long list of conditions.

In its appeal, Oregon Coast Alliance claims the land is not just zoned for exclusive farm use, but also is high value farmland, which requires an exception to the land use laws.

The group also claims the golf course uses too much land, since it’s bigger than 150 acres; that the buildings are too large since the project is within 3 miles of the Port Orford Urban Growth Boundary; that wording for archaeological mitigation and a monitoring plan is subjective and unclear; and that the project doesn’t take measures to protect coho and Chinook salmon populations on the Elk River.

Russell was critical of the environmental group.

“It’s unfortunate that the Oregon Coast Alliance not only posts inaccurate information about Pacific Gales on its website, but also does not have the success of Port Orford and Curry County at heart despite overwhelming support for the golf course,” he said.

The project met widespread community support in the form of letters to the planning commission and comments during the public hearing in Gold Beach.

Russell also objects to a statement on the Oregon Coast Alliance website that the project provides “no sustainable, long-term economic benefit for the community.”

“The Oregon Coast Alliance says Curry County deserves better, but does not offer solutions or alternatives,” Russell said.