Bart Rehmer of Marysville asks: “Simpson Sand and Gravel operates a large operation at the west end of 140th Street NW (Firetrail Road) in Marysville. Dozens of large dump trucks and pony trailers haul dirt, sand, and gravel from this facility and trash the road with dirt and mud. What responsibility does Simpson have as a company to keep 140th clean? It is worse than ever and I have only witnessed a sweeper truck once and it only moves the dirt and dust around. It should be cleaned and rinsed with a water truck and sweeper.”
Snohomish County engineer Owen Carter responds: “Snohomish County and the Tulalip Tribe have been working cooperatively in addressing the issue of mud and dirt being tracked onto the roadway from trucks entering and leaving the Simpson Pit on 140th Street NW (Firetrail Road). The Tulalip Tribe issued the permit for pit operation with a number of conditions including that dirt and mud not be tracked onto the roadway from the pit. The pit operator has a sweeper that sweeps the roadway when material is deposited on the roadway.
“It is the goal of our joint transportation divisions to ensure compliance with all permits issued. The safe maneuverability of all who travel our joint network of roads is clearly our No. 1 priority. The issuance of a permit and its conditions within the Tulalip Reservation are enforced by the Tribal Community Development Compliance Division. In addition, Snohomish County Sheriff has issued citations for trucks leaving material on the roadway.
“Recently, the Snohomish County Road Maintenance staff was requested to drive through the site area this week and they found the roadway to be free of dirt and mud with the exception of the sand that Snohomish County placed during the past few weeks to deal with the icy roads. Once the weather warms up and the roads are no longer slick, the sand will be swept up.
“Both the Tulalip Tribe and Snohomish County will continue to monitor the roadway. Should an issue arise where residents are concerned, we are always open to listening and finding an appropriate solution when possible.”
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