From: DNR RE CPL [mailto:CPL@dnr.wa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 11:03 AM
To: E.R. Taylor
Cc: MCNAIR, FRAN (DNR); CHRISTIANSEN, VICKI (DNR); BUNNING, BONNIE (DNR); PARTRIDGE, CRAIG (DNR); DOENGES, RICHARD (DNR); ROBERTS, DAVID (DNR)
Subject: Response from Commissioner Sutherland

Dear Mr. Taylor:

Thank you for your letter of April 18, 2008 regarding the Fred Hill Pit to Pier project. I am familiar with this proposal and my staff has been engaged in the review of environmental documents for some time. I am concerned with the development of the facility and wish to prevent impacts to Hood Canal. We are making sure that our issues are adequately addressed in the environmental review process.

The pier would require a lease from the DNR before it can be built. We have not received an application for the project and will not issue the lease until all required permits area secured and all of our environmental issues are addressed to our satisfaction. While I see that this is a key materials resource for the region, I expect my staff to require the best available environmental protection measures for a project of this nature, should approval be given for construction and operation of the pier through a lease.

In addition to the pier development, my staff is also considering the impacts and restoration needs of the mining areas, as well as the geologic setting of the site. We require strict adherence to mine reclamation laws to ensure that the site is managed and restored to an appropriate future condition.

If you have further questions regarding the authorization of this project or the concerns of the Department, please feel free to call David Roberts, Assistant Region Manager at 360/854-2805. Thank you again for your interest in this site.

Sincerely,

Doug Sutherland

Commissioner of Public Lands