Whatcom County begins environmental review scoping phase for proposed rock quarry
Whatcom County announced Wednesday that it has begun the scoping phase of its evaluation of a proposed rock quarry near Sumas and is soliciting public comments.
The 64-acre open-pit rock quarry, dubbed the Ranch Quarry, would be located on forested land within the Mineral Resource Lands overlay district along the north side of South Pass Road and west of Frost Road. About 65 acres of trees would be cleared for the project, according to the county.
An estimated 25 trucks would be entering and leaving the site daily to transport mined materials during county-approved hours, the county said. Traffic would potentially double during seasonal peaks.
The quarry would be mined in four phases over an estimated 50 years, dependent on supply and economic market conditions, according to the county.
Cowden, Inc., which operates multiple rock pits and quarries in Whatcom County, submitted the proposal for the project in 2023. It faced immediate backlash from people living in neighborhoods next to where the quarry would be located.
The neighbors formed the group Homeowners Opposed to Mine Expansion, or HOMEWhatcom, in response to the proposed quarry. Members are particularly concerned about potential threats to the area’s water and air quality, as well as harms to wildlife and the potential presence of asbestos in the rocks that are mined.
HOMEWhatcom posted a guide for public comments on the issue on Tuesday, providing advice and sample letters to submit to Whatcom County Planning and Development Services about concerns regarding water, traffic and the rural lifestyle.
Whatcom County is asking community members, agencies and tribal governments for their opinions on what environmental elements should be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement, probable environmental impacts and information or studies that should be considered.
There will be a second comment period following the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Whatcom County will hold an online public scoping meeting on May 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that will feature a briefing presentation, a Q&A and a formal public comment session. Attendees must register in advance at bit.ly/zoom-ranchquarryeis and join the meeting through Zoom to provide comments.
Comments will also be accepted through May 29 at 4:30 p.m. online at infocommunity.org, by email to RanchQuarryEIS@co.whatcom.wa.us or by mail to Whatcom County Planning and Development Services.