Public dings county’s mining proposal

By Warren Cornwall

Herald Writer

MONROE — Grace Wilkins’ windshield carries the scars from encounters with gravel trucks. It has been dinged from rocks kicked up from the road, rocks she traces back to the trucks that run up and down U.S. 2 near her Sultan home.

Which is one reason why she came to Snohomish County officials with a straightforward message about their plan to manage mining: Don’t allow any more around Sultan.

"With the amount of traffic, we don’t need trucks on the road," said Wilkins, who has lobbied against a proposed Sultan Basin gravel mine within two miles of her home.

Wilkins and more than 50 others came to a Monroe meeting room Tuesday night to deliver their opinions, scrutinize maps and quiz officials on a proposal that would set the course for future mining in the county.

The county is trying to create a map of 160,000 acres where mining would be allowed. The plan also lays out what kind of regulatory hurdles miners will have to clear before they can start digging.

Now, mining applications are considered one at a time, and virtually all land outside cities is fair game, according to county officials.

The draft proposal, two years in the making, is being aired for public comment before the county and its consultants write the final plan. That plan must eventually be approved by the county council.

Judging from the comments of some, the county may need to do some more work to satisfy their concerns. The response from cities near prime mining areas has been swift and critical. And the mantra of traffic problems echoes Wilkins.

City councils in Index, Sultan and Granite Falls have passed resolutions urging the county to rewrite its study, citing an absence of detailed analysis of mining’s impact on roads and traffic. Monroe and Gold Bar are considering joining the protest this week, said Mark Raney, a Sultan physician and city councilman.

The failure to gauge the cumulative traffic problems from multiple mines in one area leaves communities along U.S. 2 vulnerable to more pressure on a highway that’s already overloaded, Raney said in an interview before the meeting.

"We’re talking about additional traffic to a roadway that’s already failing," he said.

But Robin Hansen, a mining industry representative with the mining company Cadman Inc., said it’s asking too much of this study to want a comprehensive look at traffic impacts.

Richard Weinman, the lead consultant writing the study, acknowledged that transportation concerns weren’t adequately addressed. Early efforts were stymied by difficulty in finding an easy gauge of traffic conditions and impacts.

But officials will try to craft a more complete look.

"It certainly seems to be premature to be rising up in arms and saying the county has not recognized transportation as an issue," he said.

Others came to the meeting with questions, but found few simple answers in the multicolored maps and bureaucratic language.

Tim Bailey first got interested in mining when someone sought to open a gravel pit near his Monroe neighborhood, the Fryelands. That plan was eventually dropped. Now, Bailey worried the new proposal would create a "streamlined" process making it easier for mines to open without public input.

"I’m mostly just kind of confused at this point," he said.

Tom Niemann, a principal planner with the county’s Department of Planning and Development Services, said it’s not realistic for people to expect a total prohibition on mining, given the demand for gravel and rock to feed construction projects in the region.

You can call Herald Writer Warren Cornwall at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to cornwall@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.