Audubon chapter to appeal asphalt plant ruling

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, April 12, 2002

THURSTON COUNTY -- The Black Hills chapter of the Audubon Society will appeal the approval of a proposed asphalt plant and expanded gravel mine near the Black River National Wildlife Refuge.

Board members met Wednesday night and unanimously voted to appeal the project at the recommendation of the chapter's conservation committee, board member Heath Packard said.

Chapter members think the asphalt, gravel and cement operation could seriously harm the refuge, Packard said.

The group and any involved parties have until April 19 to appeal the decision.

Thurston County Hearing Examiner James Driscoll approved the proposed operation with a number of conditions, including buffer zones, monitoring requirements, and requirements to meet air, water and noise standards.

The proposal by Quality Rock Products Inc. involves expanding an existing 26-acre gravel mine to 151 acres, adding a hot asphalt plant and a cement batch plant.

The operation is expected to eventually produce about 325,000 tons of gravel, 275,000 tons of asphalt and 150,000 tons of cement a year.

The site is on the Black River south of Tumwater, and bordered on three sides by the wildlife refuge.

After examining the decision, Black Hills Audubon board members "felt there were some areas not adequately dealt with by the hearing examiner," Packard said.

Those include the impacts of air and water pollution on the nearby refuge and its wildlife, particularly fish.

The chapter also wants to hear from individuals and groups interested in joining the appeal, particularly any who have sent letters or testified about the project in prior hearings.

"We'd be happy to have the support," Packard said.

An appeal of the hearing examiner decision goes first to Thurston County commissioners, who review the records, taped testimonies and the appeal documents.

They must make a decision within 60 days of the filing of the appeal.

The appeal is not a new hearing and new testimony is not accepted, County Planning Manager Fred Knostman said.

Commissioners can ask clarifying questions of parties involved, however.

The commissioners' decision can be appealed to Thurston County Superior Court.

Lorrine Thompson covers Thurston County and health for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5431 or lcthomps@olympia.gannett.com.

Plant appeal

For information on the appeal being filed by the Black Hills chapter of the Audubon Society, call Heath Packard at 360-786-8020.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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