Maria Cantwell states she will continue to carefully monitor the situation and take our views into consideration as this process moves forward

From: <Maria_Cantwell@cantwell.senate.gov>
To: <fabianj@olympus.net>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 9:44 AM
Subject: From the Office of Senator Cantwell

February 6, 2004

Mr. John Fabian
100 Shine Road
Port Ludlow, Washington  98365

Dear Mr. Fabian:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed gravel mining project by Fred Hill Materials.  I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you know, Fred Hill Materials operates a gravel mine in Jefferson County, approximately one mile south of the Hood Canal Bridge and four miles inland. The company has proposed to build a four-mile conveyer belt to transport sand and gravel processed at the mine to a 1100-foot-long, 15-foot-wide pier on Hood Canal, which would be used to load gravel onto barges north of Thorndyke Bay.  The "pit-to-pier" process would use barges to transport the gravel through the Hood Canal.  Approximately 75 barges per month would dock at the pier, load up with gravel, and deliver it along the West Coast and abroad.

In December 2002, in response to an application by Fred Hill Materials, Jefferson County approved a 690-acre mineral resource land overlay designation that would facilitate gravel strip mining.  The Hood Canal Coalition appealed this decision to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGMHB), which ruled that Jefferson County failed to comply with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).  The WWGMHB ordered Jefferson County to conduct additional environmental impact studies on the project, and the Board will evaluate the additional studies at a Compliance Hearing on April 14, 2004.

I am concerned that this project will damage the pristine environment of the Hood Canal by building over wetlands and other sensitive areas.  Although Fred Hill Materials has said it plans to donate gravel and sand to restore degraded beaches, I believe that any mitigation activities must directly address areas of use.  I am also concerned that with 75 barges traveling through the canal each month, the potential for disruption or accidents with other traditional users of the canal, including the nearby Navy base, creates a risky and undesirable situation.  Fred Hill Materials has recently begun the permitting process, which will require approval from various local, state, and federal agencies.  Please be assured that I will continue to carefully monitor this situation and take your views into consideration as this process moves forward.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter.Finally, you may be interested in signing up for my weekly update for Washington state residents.  Every Monday, I provide a brief outline about my work in the Senate and issues of importance to Washington state.  If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov.  Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,

Maria Cantwell
United States Senator