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The Public Trust Has Been Undermined
The PDF document in the article below documents some of the ways that public trust has been undermined in the ways that the Big Bear Mine application has been handled. The State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”) requires government agencies and the applicant to follow specific laws and regulations, which we believe were not followed in this latest episode. The attached PDF is a letter to Hillary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, outlining areas that were not in compliance with SEPA, written by Loring Advising, SRA's legal counsel. It is specific and fact-based.
It's not enough to breathe a sigh of relief that we have again thwarted an operation that would endanger the lives of people living in the area and pose significant ecological risks. The intent of SEPA has also been undermined, and we need to keep pressure on those responsible to respect these laws and regulations. The stakeholders who would be hurt by such projects should not have to repeatedly submit official public records requests to get public documents. The specific request regarding the asbestos report was delayed five weeks. We need our public agencies to put in place a transparent process that follows the specifics and intent of SEPA. We must demand that DNR local government agencies do better in the future.
New Comments and Articles
Marblemount Quarry Permit Review Assumed by DNR, not Skagit County, Sparks Outcry
Feb. 26, 2021
Opposition from Mount Baker Group of the Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club
Nov. 13, 2020
Swinomish Tribal Community says "no permit should issue without a complete and thorough EIS."
Nov. 13, 2020
Archived Articles
On September 16, 2019, citizens were informed by the county that Kiewit is pulling out of both the permit application process and the comprehensive plan amendment process, "Marblemount Quarry", PL19-0033. The information in this archive, along with over 800 citizen comments to our county, was part of the process that helped defeat this massive project. The new proposal, “Cascade Big Bear Mine”, DNR permit number 70-013279, is for 20 years and different is scale, but most of the environmental, health, economic and other concerns remain the same. This archive is presented as a reference and background relevant to the new proposal. The full application for last year’s threat and all comments sent to the county are still available here
Skagit Land Trust Requests “Threshold Determination of Significance” and a Full Environmental Impact Statement
May 25, 2019
Skagit Audubon Society: An Environmental Impact Statement Should be Required
Aug. 10, 2019
Anything Short of a Full Study of These Impacts Would Undermine SEPA’s Purpose
July 22, 2019
The Swinomish Tribe’s Response to a Dismissive Letter to Skagit County From Kiewit’s Attorneys
July 22, 2019
Skagit River Alliance Letter to U. S. Senators Cantrell and Murray, U. S. Reps Larson, Kilmer, Jayapal, Schrier, Smith and Heck
June 12, 2019
Mount Baker Group of the WA State Chapter of the Sierra Club Opposes Permitting Quarry Mine
May 13, 2019
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities Sees Many Damaging Impacts of Quarry Mine
May 5, 2019
Join Mark and Joan in Urging Your Outdoor Recreation Organization to Oppose Quarry Mine
May 6, 2019
Kiewit’s proposed mining activities are expressly prohibited by Skagit County zoning
July 15, 2019
Proposed Marblemount Mine Site Cannot Be Permitted Without Comprehensive Plan Revision
April 27, 2019
Seattle City Light Sees Significant Adverse Environmental Effects of Proposed Quarry Mine
April 26, 2019
Marblemount Permit Application: Kiewit’s Use of the Term “Expansion” is Misleading
April 16, 2019
Skagit River System Cooperative’s Letter Requesting Extension of Public Comment Period and Environmental Impact Statement
April 1, 2019
Kiewit’s proposed mining activities are expressly prohibited by Skagit County zoning
April 14, 2019
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Letter Requesting Extended Comment Period and Environmental Impact Statement
March 31, 2019
American Rivers’ Letter Asking for an Environmental Impact Statement for Quarry Mine
March 16, 2019
Vancouver, WA, Company Trying to Leverage Old Gravel Pit Permit to Blow Up Mountain
March 16, 2019
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Please email us with questions or comments: [email protected]