Despite the prolonged Dugualla Bay community outcry against the ill advised gravel pit at Taylor and Sawmill Roads proposed by Krieg Construction, now Island County, of all people, wants to get one up and running near the same site.
Haven’t the residents been clear enough on this very issue? This is just NOT the place for such an operation, much less two. Maybe it was at one time, just like it was fine to hunt ducks in the wetlands where the lagoon now sits or to have a firing range someplace before the area around them becomes residential in nature.
This operation will bring the same detriment that the Krieg operation will: First and foremost, possible irreparable damage to the community aquifer serving about 200 homes, not to mention heavy truck traffic, road damage, congestion, danger to children and pedestrians, noise, dust, flying gravel from trucks, reduced home values ad infinitum.
Notwithstanding these factors, we understand that the Island County site is about 19.1 acres, well short of the 20 acres required by the Island County Code for a “Surface Mine Extraction and Processing” site. AND the proposed site is too close to a rural residential area i.e.; about 100 feet vice 500 ft., again required by its own code.
So, where are they going with all this? Are they going to give themselves a waiver? As a matter of fact, we received a very nice, well written letter from Commissioner Bill Thorn citing all the county rules and regulations when we complained about Krieg’s proposal and most of it was based on the very code the county now seems ready to violate. Oddly enough, it failed to cover just what happens to the poor homeowners when our water supply is damaged. Is the county ready to step in if they give a flawed approval? I doubt it. Let’s just not approve either one.
In closing, let me suggest that the recent letter writer from Titusville, Fl. concentrate on some areas of local interest there in Florida and put a lid on her mindless yammering about the Navy. The Navy is a big, welcome part of this community and the nation’s defense and IS NOT the issue at hand. Maybe she could devote some time to the hanging chad problem there or maybe try to stamp out the pesky mosquito. That should keep her busy for a while and let the rest of us focus on the gravel pit(s).
Fred & Cheri Stilwell
Oak Harbo
