Neighbors appeal county OK for all-year gravel crushing

Several neighbors are appealing a county decision that would allow Columbia Ready Mix to crush gravel year-round from its pit northwest of Wapato.

The appeals by two companies and a citizen contend the county ignored evidence about dust, traffic, noise and other issues in reaching its decision.

The Columbia pit is on Lateral 1 Road among orchards and residences northwest of Wapato.

Pride Packing Co. of Wapato, one of the appellants and a producer of fruit, wants the decision to be found out of compliance with state environmental law. The company, represented by Yakima attorney Jamie Carmody, wants a full environmental impact statement prepared.

A hearing on the appeals is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 25 in the basement of the county courthouse, 128 N. Second St.

County hearing examiner
pro tem Pat Spurgin will conduct the hearing.

Columbia Ready Mix wants to crush gravel and haul the raw material year-round from the 78-acre site, a level of activity county commissioners denied two years ago. Commissioners forbid summer excavation and all crushing at the pit to reduce neighbor impacts.

Columbia later filed a request to add those functions, saying the mining operation wasn't economically feasible with the county-imposed limits.

In response to the request, county planners have concluded the increased activity would not affect the environment as long as mitigation measures are followed.

The neighbors, however, contend planners used the original application as the basis for approval and did not take into account evidence submitted at hearings on the proposal and the limits commissioners imposed.

Carmody said dust from rock-crushing poses a risk to summer fruits like peaches and nectarines his client grows nearby.

Pat Andreotti, one of the attorneys representing neighbor Jordan Arreola and the former Superior Asphalt of Yakima, said his clients want a new environmental review conducted that includes all the evidence and testimony.

He said the county needs to explain how mitigation measures deemed inadequate by county commissioners are now sufficient to resolve the concerns of neighbors.