NEWS

ASPHALT, CONCRETE, POLLUTION...OH MY!

By: Cindi Bright July 24, 2008

Pierce County has approved the Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (MDNS) permit (for an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant). We all need to rally together and prevent these batch plants from going forward and polluting our beautiful Orting Valley and the foothills of Mount Rainier.

Pierce County has approved an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant in the foothills of Mount Rainier which is only 4.4 miles (as the crow flies) from Orting. Asphalt is produced by mixing rock, sand and recycled asphalt with hot, gluey, petroleum-based asphalt cement. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer. Air pollution affects the environment by harming soil, water, crops, forests, wildlife, decreasing visibility, and impacting global and local climate. Increases in global temperature (referred to as global warming) has resulted from an accumulation of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides which are all produced by asphalt plants. State toxicologists have testified at hearings that “they cannot give the residents an assurance that these types of facilities will be safe for people, no matter how new the technology is”.

At the current time WA Rock Quarries has stated that 452 truck trips per day in and out of the pit. All these truck trips travel down Orville Road to Orting Highway and then reverse the trip back to the gravel pit. Meaning more truck traffic on Orting Hwy and through town. This amount will increase due to different types of trucks transporting different types of materials.

Editor's Note We have been provided with a letter written by Cindi Bright which were printing below so that you too may act if you feel compelled:

July 21, 2008

Pierce County Public Services Annex
Planning and Land Services
ATTN: CHUCK KLEEBERG, DIRECTOR
2401 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

RE: Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance
Environmental Application No. 552926
Application Family: 552923, 552927, 552929, 552930, 564372, 605853, 605854
Parcel No. 0518204017, 0518291002

Dear Mr. Kleeberg:

I am writing this letter to express my concerns and request that you address and respond in writing to the following questions and issues that warrant additional review.

The expansion of the existing sand and gravel mine, of which 68.8 acres is nonconforming. The expansion will include approximately 350 acres of the 471.8 acre site. The life span is anticipated to last between 40 and 50 years. There will be approximately 144 million tons of material removed in 21 two-year phases. With the reclamation and revegetation requirements of the mine segments the area will revert to the historic forested conditions.

With that said, being that the site is designated Forest Land (FL) zone classification; the expansion of the sand and gravel mine fit within the Forest Land criteria. We the residents feel that ONLY the mine expansion fits within the parameters of the Forest Land (FL) designated zone classification. We the residents are pressing to maintain the current zoning of the Forest Land (FL) classification. Our only avenue is to hope that our elected officials will truly represent us within the various county, state and federal agencies NOT allowing the commercial or industrial rezoning through a Conditional Use Permit; of our beautiful and quiet forested area in the foothills of Mount Rainier. These types of batch plants belong ONLY in a commercial or industrial area (Per Pierce County Table 18A.25.280 Description of Use Categories), not in a predominant forested area with priority habitat and priority species such as ours.

We the residents DO NOT feel the same way regarding the asphalt batch plant and concrete batch plant. On numerous occasions Harry Hart, President Washington Rock Quarries has “assured the residents there will be no concrete batch plant or asphalt batch plant”. These statements are directly from Harry Hart at meetings held at the initial “pit tour”, as well as meetings on June 14, 2006 and March 7, 2007 held at Orting High School, between WA.Rock Quarries, his engineering team and the residents. At the last meeting Harry Hart reiterated and assured the residents that there were no plans for an asphalt batch plant and was very evasive when we demanded an answer regarding the concrete batch plant. Harry Hart’s answer was “anywhere from tomorrow to ten years”. Then let’s wait the ten years for approval, ten years is a long time. Ten years from now we can reevaluate the area, the changing environment (pollution and global warming), and the plans for his batch plants at that time. Let’s not grandfather in two very environmentally evasive batch plants. Ten years from now Harry Hart can apply for another permit for his batch plants. We the residents feel we have been deceived and misled by Harry Hart. We hope our elected officials are not doing the same and will deny the Conditional Use Permit for both the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant.

On the Pierce County PALS online Permit Information web page it shows the following application permits and their status:

#605854 Critical Fish & Wildlife - Review Expired Application
#605853 Comp Mitigation Plan - Review Expired Application
#552964 Base Plan Set Up Expired Application
#552959 Base Plan Set Up Expired Application
#552930 Traffic Impact Analysis Review Approved
#552929 Staff Review Analysis Report Expired Application
#552927 Landslide Hazard Geo Assessment Approved
#552926 Environmental Checklist Accepted
#552923 Conditional Use Accepted

All of the above mentioned application types refer solely to the expansion of the Rock Quarry; none of them mention the asphalt batch plant or the concrete batch plant. Only your letter dated July 10, 2008 where these plants are mentioned briefly in three sentences on page one (under proposal) and one sentence on page five (referring to hours of operation). It baffles me that the asphalt batch plant and concrete batch plant are being slid in and the ramifications from these plants being placed in the designated Forest Land (FL) are not being addressed. What is the status of the above mentioned application types that state “Expired Application”? If these application types have expired than why is the permit being approved?

How can the Responsible Official of Pierce County make the following Finding and Conclusions based up a review of the environmental checklist and approve the SEPA. Asphalt is produced by mixing rock, sand and recycled asphalt with hot, gluey, petroleum-based asphalt cement. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer. Living right next door this is a major concern for my children, my family and my neighbors. Air pollution affects the environment by harming soil, water, crops, forests, wildlife, decreasing visibility, and impacting global and local climate. Increases in global temperature (referred to as global warming) has resulted from an accumulation of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides which are all produced by asphalt plants.

I ask again, how can the Responsible Official of Pierce County and other State and Federal agencies approve the SEPA on an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant which is truly incompatible in our beautiful forested area in the foothills of Mount Rainier, which is abundant with wildlife and families which is designated Forest Land (FL) zone classification. It does not make any sense how you can approve an asphalt plant that produces the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, and carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer. Pierce County places burn bans due to environmental and pollution factors, yet Pierce County is allowing an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant placed in the foothills of Mount Rainier, which has been proven to be detrimental to our health, environment, and wildlife.


In response to your Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance letter dated July 10, 2008, regarding the Conditional Use Permit (CP5-06).

FINDINGS OF FACT:
1. Proposal for the expansion of an existing sand and gravel mine.

We the residents feel the expansion of the existing sand and gravel mine fits within the parameters of the Forest Land (FL) designation.

However; the last sentence, “the request also includes construction of a concrete batch plant and an asphalt batch plant, using both on-site and imported materials”; appears to be just thrown in there. Why do you explain in depth about the expansion of the pit, but one little sentence states (does not address) the specifics or the impacts the asphalt and concrete plant would have in this area in the foothills of Mount Rainier. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, and carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer.

3. The plants will be located within a 30 acre portion of the current mining site. The batch plants and processing equipment area will be completely screened from adjacent property and right-of-ways.

The problem is not the visibility of the plants. The problem is the environmental impact and health issues these plants would have in a designated Forest Land (FL) area. Asphalt is produced by mixing rock, sand and recycled asphalt with hot, gluey, petroleum-based asphalt cement. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer. Children are very susceptible to these toxins. Living right next door this is a major concern for my children, my family and my neighbors. Air pollution affects the environment by harming soil, water, crops, forests, wildlife, decreasing visibility, and impacting global and local climate. Increases in global temperature (referred to as global warming) has resulted from an accumulation of greenhouse gases such as sulfur and lead oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides which are all produced by asphalt plants. Again, the problem is not the visibility factor. Please do not approve the permits for the asphalt batch plant or the concrete batch plant.

4. Wade Creek is located approximately 150 feet north of the project site, Fox Creek is located about 750 feet to the south and east of the site, and the Puyallup River is located between 1,200 and 2,500 feet to the west of the site.

It is hard for me to believe that “Responsible Officials” with the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, the Dept. of Ecology, and the Puyallup Indian Tribe would all approve these permits. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. Concrete plants also have a major potential to pollute the surrounding water sources. Do these agencies truly believe that these toxic emissions will not travel through the air 1,000 feet to the Puyallup River? Or travel 150 feet to Wade Creek or 750 feet to Fox Creek? Residents in this area rely solely on creeks on our properties as our only water source. If these creeks are disturbed or polluted in anyway it would leave residents with absolutely no water source. Living right next door these toxic emissions would certainly pollute our creek and leave us with toxic water as our only water source. State toxicologists have testified at hearings that “they cannot give the residents an assurance that these types of facilities will be safe for people, no matter how new the technology is”.

6. A Noise Evaluation report was prepared for the proposal by Optimum Environment Enterprises, dated February 10, 2006. This report was reviewed and found acceptable. The conclusion of the report found that noise levels from the existing mining and screening operations are in compliance with the Pierce County Noise Regulations at the property boundaries. The report also determined that the proposed expansion of mining and addition of the batch plants are also predicted to be in compliance with the Pierce County Noise Regulations at the property boundaries. However, if night operations are proposed (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) on either a temporary or long-term basis, the operation is predicted to be in compliance with the night limitation (50 cl BA) by operating only one major piece of equipment, either the screening plant, concrete batch plant or asphalt batch plant, during those hours.

The Noise Evaluation report was reviewed and found acceptable? By whom; the company the stakeholder paid for their services? What is acceptable? Live where I live and you too would agree it is not acceptable. The conclusion of the report found that noise levels are in compliance at the property boundaries? Noise does not know or stop at property boundaries, noise travels. The report also determined that the additions of the batch plants are also PREDICTED to be in compliance. Night operations are also PREDICTED to be in compliance? How can you predict compliance? According to the dictionary to predict is to foretell the future; to make a prediction. Noise cannot be accurately predicted. Living in the Forest Land (FL) classification provides us with quiet and peaceful surroundings. Noise travels and bounces off the hillsides and valley, noise is even more prevalent during the night time hours. We the residents deserve peace and quiet in our own homes that we pay taxes on, which is the initial reason we moved here in the first place. At the entrance of Kings Creek gate every time a truck enters or exits through the gate you hear the loud boom of both empty and fully loaded trucks. As the trucks drive over the washboard area as they reach the road a louder clunking noise is heard from the trucks. The trucks continue to travel down the road you hear the truck boom, boom, boom down the uneven road, truck gears shifting, truck brakes squeaking and when they reach the pit you can hear the trucks back up beepers. The same noises occur once the trucks leave the pit just in the reverse. We the residents are requesting that you deny the request for night hours of operation, for both temporary basis and long-term basis. In the pit you can hear the trucks backing up, you can hear the conveyer loading the trucks, and you can hear the truck noises as it travels. There currently is truck traffic and pit equipment working at night and living right next door during the quiet night time hours the noise is accentuated and you can hear everything. Regarding the hours of operation, initially Harry Hart told residents that he would advise his trucks to use the Electron Gate before 6:00am and after 5:00pm to reduce noise pollution. That quickly changed now the hours of operation are 5:30am to 10:30pm through the Kings Creek Gate. Trucks arrive earlier than 5:00am (I leave for work at 4:45am and the trucks are already entering through the gate); you can hear trucks and the pit equipment later than 10:30pm. Seventeen hours of operation seems more than fair; we don’t believe this type of business needs to run 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and Harry Hart should try to be cordial with his neighbors and comply with this request. If we all work together I believe it will be amicable for all parties involved. Industrial activities should not produce noise that impacts the quality of life and should not negatively impact neighboring property owners. Again, we are requesting that you DENY night time hours of operations.

7. A traffic impact analysis prepared by Greg Heath & Associates, dated August 2007, has been reviewed by the Pierce County Traffic Division and the Pierce County Maintenance Division and has been found acceptable. The Development Engineering Section has determined that the proposal will have a probable significant adverse impact on Brooks Road East from Orville Road to the new entrance to the project and that 2.5 inches of new asphalt must be overlaid on Brooks Road East from Orville Road to, and including, the new entrance to this proposal to mitigate the identified probable significant adverse impact.

The traffic impact analysis, also prepared by a company the stakeholder paid states “has been found acceptable”. The Development Engineering Section has determined that the proposal WILL have a PROBABLE SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT. Do you really think laying 2.5 inches of new asphalt overlaid on Brooks Road is going to change or take care of the “PROBABLE SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT”?

You being the Responsible Official of Pierce County, I would think you would remember the terrible flooding we had in 1994, when our road washed out in three different places and the restrictions you, Pierce County put on trucks traveling our road at that time.

As I stated in 1994, our area experienced tremendous flooding, landslides and there was extensive damage to Brooks Road. Brooks Road was closed for months and had three major areas of destruction. Please feel free to check your records. At this time Pierce County also bought out several residences on Neadham Road due to the extensive flooding. At the beginning of Brooks Road, on the hill side, so much dirt and debris slid down the hill that they stacked numerous Kelly blocks to retain the hillside which narrowed the road. Additionally, the Puyallup River eroded much of the underside of the road, creating concern about the safety of traffic traveling up and down the road. Cement barrier blocks were then placed on the river side of the road, opposite of the Kelly blocks, ensuring safety to the drivers but further narrowing the road. Due to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, Piece County was unable to take heavy hydraulic equipment into the river to permanently fix Brooks Road. In 1994 Champion owned the forested area at King’s Creek Gate and was told due to the instability of the road their trucks should no longer use Brooks Road, all trucks were re-routed through the Electron Gate entrance. When Champion sold to Rainier Timber Products, now Kapowsin Timberlands, their trucks started and have continued using Brooks Road again. There are too many places on our road where two trucks, or even a car and a truck cannot pass at the same time without going off the road. Not only is this very unsafe to local traffic, but it has also caused major erosion to the road itself. I have witnessed a gravel truck flip over on its side due to going to fast and the erosion on the side of the road. The gravel truck drivers use our road as a “call road”, meaning the truck drivers communicate to each other via CB radios, but the residents do not have CB radios so we have no idea why they are stopping. All of a sudden trucks will stop in the middle of the road (3-4 trucks deep) waiting for other trucks to pass so they can continue. I can give you plenty of examples; trucks turning left from Orville Road onto Brooks Road will stop on Orville Road (at the beginning of the bridge) holding up traffic waiting for other trucks coming down the narrow hill before proceeding up the hill. This practice has almost caused accidents on more than one occasion. Another 3/10 of a mile down the road is a skinny one way bridge which does not allow more than one car to pass at the same time. We have been told this could be rectified by putting in a box culvert. A little further down the road is a curve (again not wide enough for a car and a gravel truck). At this curve I have had 2-3 trucks stop all of a sudden waiting for trucks coming down the hill and around the curve. I have personally witnessed impatient people pass these trucks and almost get hit by a gravel truck coming down the road (again the trucks are using our road as a “call road” communicating via CB radios) and the cars behind them have no idea why they are stopping and holding up traffic. I have personally witnessed this same procedure on another curve further up the road. If the trucks are stopping to let each other pass this should be a clear indication to Pierce County officials that we have too many narrow areas on our road for all this truck traffic and that our road needs major improvements not just an overlay of 2.5 inches of asphalt. According to Harry Hart and his team, Washington Rock has 226 trucks per day traveling on Brooks Road. That is 452 trips on Brooks Road in and out of the pit every single day. That is just the current count of gravel trucks. If the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant are approved they will add even more truck traffic, needing different types of trucks to haul different types of materials i.e.: hot asphalt and concrete. Harry Hart has also stated that “the majority of his truck traffic uses Brooks Road/Kings Creek Gate entrance and will continue to use the Brooks Road/King Creek gate after the new entrance on Brooks Road is completed”. Harry Hart continues to tell the residents that “it is Pierce County’s responsibility to make the major road repairs”. Pierce County tells the residents “it is Harry Hart’s responsibility to make the major road repairs”. Nobody is taking responsibility for the desperately needed road repairs, but Harry Hart’s gravel business continues to flourish, increasing heavy truck traffic, and permits seem to be approved without regard to the residents and their safety on Brooks Road. PLEASE STOP, no more permits approved, no more business as usual, until these issues have been addressed. Let’s put our priorities in order and address the safety and welfare of others before proceeding with any more permits.

9. The proposal will have no significant adverse environmental impacts on fish and wildlife, water, noise, transportation, air quality, environmental health, public services and utilities, or land and shoreline uses.

How can you honestly state there will have “no significant adverse environmental impacts on fish and wildlife, water, noise, transportation, air quality, environmental health”, public services and utilities, or land and shoreline uses; when the proposal includes an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant? It is hard for me to believe that “Responsible Officials” with the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, the Dept. of Ecology, the Puyallup Indian Tribe, and Pierce County would all approve these permits.
Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. Concrete plants also have turbidity a major potential to pollute the surrounding water sources. Do these agencies truly believe that these toxic emissions will not travel through the air 1,000 feet to the Puyallup River? Or travel 150 feet to Wade Creek or 750 feet to Fox Creek? Residents in this area rely solely on creeks on our properties as our only water source. If these creeks are disturbed or polluted in anyway it would leave residents with absolutely no water source. Living right next door these toxic emissions would certainly pollute our creek and leave us with toxic water as our only water source. State toxicologists have testified at hearings that “they cannot give the residents an assurance that these types of facilities will be safe for people, no matter how new the technology is”. The SEPA addresses only the gravel pit expansion and the mining; it does not address asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant which are proven to emit highly toxic emissions. These toxins are the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. Concrete plants also have turbidity a major potential to pollute the surrounding water sources. Do these agencies truly believe that these toxic emissions will have no significant adverse environmental impacts on fish and wildlife, water, noise, transportation, air quality, environmental health, public services and utilities, or land and shoreline uses?

12. A habitat assessment study has been prepared for the project by Habitat Technologies. The proposal is subject to Chapter 18E.40, Regulated Fish and Wildlife Species and Habitat Conservation Areas – Development Regulations.
a. Addresses Type N2 Stream flowing into a regulated Category I wetland, indicating a 65 foot undisturbed buffer will be established on both sides of the stream.
b. Addresses Fiske Creek Type F1 stream with a 150 buffer and Fox Creek a Type N1 stream with a 115 foot buffer both of which are not located at the project site.
c. Addresses the Pileated woodpecker was observed using the on-site Category I wetland and Type N2 stream and the Fiske and Fox Creek corridors. Resource Management will condition the Wetland Approval for this project to minimize adverse impacts to Pileated woodpecker.
d. Addresses that the site contains a number of “habitats of local importance” as identified in Section 18E.40.020D. The entire site is designated as White River Elk herd winter range. The project will be preserving an area along the eastern portion of the site. This will serve as an elk migration corridor and protection of a “fish and wildlife conservation area” per Section 18E.40.020.E
e. In accordance with Section 18E.10.080C.2., Title Notification of the presence of critical areas is required for this project.

Number 12, A through D - Buffers, buffers, buffers, again is only addressing the gravel pit expansion and the mining; it DOES NOT ADDRESS the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant, environmental and wildlife concerns. Asphalt batch plants and the concrete batch plants are proven to emit highly toxic emissions. These toxins are the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. Concrete plants also have turbidity a major potential to pollute the surrounding water sources. The wetland and stream buffers will work for the gravel pit expansion, the same will not hold true with the asphalt batch plant and concrete batch plant. Resource Management conditioning the Wetland Approval to minimize adverse impacts to the Pileated Woodpecker will also work for the gravel pit expansion; but again will not hold true with the asphalt batch plant and concrete batch plant. The site contains a number of “habitats of local importance” stating “this area will be preserved”. “The entire site is designated as White River Elk heard winter range” “serving as an elk migration corridor” and protection of a “fish and wildlife conservation area”. Buffers will not protect the “habitats of local importance” nor will buffers protect the “entire site
Designated” as “White River Elk heard winter range”, “serving as an elk migration corridor” and protection of a “fish and wildlife conservation area”. In order to protect this “White River Elk heard winter range”; “serving as an elk migration corridor” and the protection of a “fish and wildlife conservation area” the permits for the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant MUST BE DENIED. These types of batch plants belong ONLY in a commercial or industrial area (Per Pierce County Table 18A.25.280 Description of Use Categories), not in a predominant forested area with priority habitat and priority species such as ours. It baffles me how all the agencies involved are allowing the asphalt batch plant and concrete batch plant being permitted without addressing all the environmental impacts and the ramifications these plants would produce by being permitted in the designated Forest Land (FL) zone classification.
None of these issues are being addressed.

14. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) has reviewed the proposal and the assessment documents provided by the applicant and their agent, and determined that the proposed activities should not have a significant impact on the groundwater resources of the area. However, the TPCHD strongly recommends that monitoring wells be put into place on the up-gradient and down-gradient boundaries of this project to monitor the groundwater for potential impacts such as abnormal lowering of the water level, change in water quality, or other impacts that may affect area wells and springs. The applicant’s consulting geotechnical firm should routinely monitor these wells. If impacts to groundwater are detected, mining at this site should be suspended until the groundwater impacts are mitigated.

Again, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) review is only including the gravel pit expansion and the mining; not the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant, environmental, health, and wildlife concerns. Asphalt batch plants and the concrete batch plants are proven to emit highly toxic emissions. These toxins are the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. Concrete plants also have turbidity a major potential to pollute the surrounding water sources. I can’t believe the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) would not express more concerns regarding the toxic emissions and the environmental, health, and wildlife concerns emitted from these types of plants.

CONCLUSIONS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: The Responsible Official concludes that a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (MDNS) may be issued. This is based upon staff review of the environmental checklist and attachments, other information on file with Pierce County and the above-noted findings. The MDNS is supported by plans, policies, and regulations adopted by Pierce County for the exercise of substantive authority under SEPA. The following are the County adopted policies which support the MDNS.

How can the Responsible Official conclude that a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (MDNS) may be issued? This is based upon staff review of the environmental checklist and attachments, other information on file with Pierce County and the above-noted findings. Your staff reviewed the environmental checklist on just the gravel pit expansion and mining or did it include the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant? Are the batch plants “hiding under the radar” and being included without addressing the environmental, health, and wildlife issues? One sentence “the request also includes construction of a concrete batch plant and an asphalt batch plans, using both on-site and imported materials”; appears to be just thrown in there. Why do you explain in depth about the expansion of the pit, but one little sentence does not address the specifics or the impacts the asphalt and concrete plants would have in this area. Asphalt plants produce the same emissions as power plants, including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen-sulfide, and carbon monoxide, sulfur and lead oxides. These toxic emissions travel through the air settling out in high concentrations over sensitive areas affecting wildlife, fish and people. These toxic fumes have been proven to cause nosebleeds, breathing problems, and heart problems, decrease lung function in children, headaches, major health issues and cancer.

As I understand the process, with these permits being issued it gives Harry Hart, WA Rock Quarries “free reign” which includes construction of a concrete batch plant and an asphalt batch plant, using both on-site and imported materials at his property located at 25002 Brooks Road without addressing the residents issues and concerns. Pierce County is NOT recognizing the mitigation of development and the impacts it will have. According to Pierce County Forest Practices Rules, RCW 76.09, and Title 18H, Section 18H.30.020.B.5 of Title 18H requires the imposition of a six-year development moratorium prohibits Pierce County from accepting applications for development of land on the parcel during the moratorium period. Why is Pierce County allowing 30 acres to become an asphalt batch plant and a concrete batch plant in the foothills of Mount Rainier?

We the residents feel that ONLY the mine expansion fits within the parameters of the Forest Land (FL) designated zone classification. We the residents are pressing to maintain the current zoning of the Forest Land (FL) classification. Our only avenue is to hope that “our elected officials” will truly represent us along with the various county, state and federal agencies NOT allowing the commercial or industrial rezoning through a Conditional Use Permit. These types of batch plants belong ONLY in a commercial or industrial area (Per Pierce County Table 18A.25.280 Description of Use Categories), not in a predominant forested area in the foothills of Mount Rainier with priority habitat and priority species such as ours. There are so many more issues that desperately need to be addressed regarding the approval for the asphalt batch plant and the concrete batch plant. Due to the short time constraint in order to meet the comment deadline I will address these issues in another letter.

Sincerely,

Cindi Bright