PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County commissioners on Monday took no action on a Fred Hill Materials’ request to designate the company’s proposed pit-to-pier project as an “industrial project of statewide significance.
County Administrator Philip Morley’s recommended against the designation.
Seeing it as a “risk potentially,” Morley said the county could legally be viewed as a “co-applicant” and an advocate for the project.
“There’s little evidence of this project being delayed that would require it being expedited,” he said.
He also said supporting the designation “carries with it a presumption” that the pit-to-per project, which Fred Hill Materials now calls the “Thorndyke resource project,” would happen.
Morley also raised the issue that Fred Hill Materials payment on the county Department of Community Development’s staff work for the project’s environmental impact statement “has not always been prompt.”
The Poulsbo-based company’s request would have given the county the benefit of state resources and expertise for more expeditious environmental review of the project.
Senate Bill 5473, passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor in May, applies to counties between 20,000 and 50,000 population and lowered the capital investment requirement from $50 million to $10 million and required the creation of 50 or more jobs.
Expedite the project
The county would be required to work with the state Office of Permit Assistance to facilitate and coordinate services to expedite the project.
Fred Hill Materials land-use attorney Jim Tracy, who attended the Monday commissioners’ meeting and who frequently comments on issues before the county, said he would have been surprised if the company received approval.
“Now we’ll proceed with other issues,” Tracy said.
Dan Baskins, Fred Hill Materials project manager, expressed his disappointment, saying he was “hardly surprised.”
“It’s taken the county four months to respond,” Baskins said. “Good thing the administrator doesn’t run the fire department.”
“The Thorndyke resource project would add 4,500 jobs to the region, generate $600 million to state and local economies and supply the sand and gravel integral in restoring damaged beaches throughout Hood Canal and Puget Sound.
“With its regional, state and interstate nature, the Thorndyke resource project is a veritable poster child for a designated project of statewide significance.”
4-mile conveyor
The company proposes building a 4-mile-long conveyor belt to Hood Canal to move gravel to a 1,000-foot pier and load it on barges for transport.
Morley, who said his decision did not come with any county Department of Community development recommendation, told the commissioners that the project of statewide significance designation would be more suitable for the proposed Port Hadlock sewage treatment system or the Brinnon master-planned resort.
The pit-to-pier proposal has met with opposition from Shine-area neighbors and regional environmental groups who fear the project would “industrialize” Hood Canal.
Seven-year process
Fred Hill has been going through county approval processes and environmental reviews since filing its application more than seven years ago.
Baskins said the pit-to-pier project’s marine transportation capability would provide a domestic regional source of sand and gravel that would benefit private, public and environmental projects, including not only high-quality construction materials but affordable, vital sand and gravel to restore denigrated shorelines throughout Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
The company recently announced it was taking on a new partner, Athabasca Minerals Inc. of Alberta.
Athabasca Minerals is engaged in the international management, exploration and development of aggregate and mineral resources.
Fred Hill retains majority ownership and local control of the proposed pit-to-pier project.
A company statement said Athabasca brings additional experience and financial backing as the project enters its seventh year of environmental review and permitting process.
Earlier this year, Fred Hill Materials sold part of its Shine Pit operation to Auburn-based Miles Sand and Gravel, a move that helps the company maintain its rights and leases for future mining and marine delivery of gravel though the proposed Thorndyke project.
The sale resulted in 18 layoffs at the Shine Pit, including truck drivers and other employees. The company still employs more than 100, with about 40 percent of the staff living on the North Olympic Peninsula.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com