Whatever the feelings of citizens-at-large in Island County about the permitting of Dugualla gravel pits, they should know that already in the San Juan islands the lack of gravel is costing big-time when gravel has to be imported by barge.

And a road contractor told a Whidbey landowner he would not bid a Whidbey job because of the expense of hauling road materials onto the island.

So whether it’s for Whidbey’s public roads or for its private roads, if on-island gravel sources are shut down or not permitted in the first place, road taxes and private costs will go up.

Maxine Keesling

Woodinville