Raging River Conservation Group
Posted on September 6, 2016

Thank you and we need you to write again . . .

Firstly, a huge thank you for your past letters to Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) about your quarry concerns. We believe that the community response has played a big part in the recent decision by Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) to assess existing quarry operations against the most current environmental standards. DPER has requested community input for their Periodic Review explained below so we need you to write again and let them know your concerns.

Here are the details to assist you in writing you email to DPER:

To:     Fred White, DPER Project Manager, at fred.white@kingcounty.gov
        Kathy Lambert, – our King County Council Person, at Kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
        (or mail to 35030 SE Doulas St, Suite 210, Snoqualmie, WA 98065-9266)
CC:      to help us track your issues as we work with DPER
E-Mail Subject: Raging River Quarry PRRD
When:  by September 22, 2016
What:  Describe your concerns about the present quarry operation; in particular that they should be required to meet the terms of their permit, and operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

It is likely you may have your own issue to bring up and this is your formal opportunity to make your voice heard! Every letter helps! The Raging River Conservancy Group are particularly concerned with:

  • Dust generated moving and crushing rock causing air quality issues
  • Noise from operations above current permitted levels
  • Operating Hours (7AM-7PM with truck loading limited from 7:30 to 4:00 PM) impacting the community and quality of life
  • Blasting: Blasting is still very noisy and not confined. The audile warning system is inadequate to alert nearby neighbors that a blast is about to happen
  • Traffic: Especially truck-trainer combinations, entering and exiting the quarry present a public safety hazard and excessive wear and tear on the delicate Preston Fall City Rd roadway
  • Ground water: Continued mining increases the chance of aquifer damage
  • Landslides: Blasting may cause slides, particularly given that the quarry is in a landslide area documented by King County
  • Well damage: In the past nearby wells have been contaminated and continue to have noticeable silt after blasting

Thank you for your support
Raging River Conservation Group

Additional information:

Please note the ANSWER from DPER regarding property issues:
24._The quarry operator shall be responsible for any damage to nearby properties, including domestic water supply wells, attributable to blasting on the subject property. Claims for any such damage shall be the responsibility of the affected property owner and the quarry operator to handle directly between themselves, but a failure of the quarry operator to respond in good faith to any such claim may be cause for denial of future grading permits, or prohibition or restriction upon future blasting.

The quarry mailing address is:
Raging River Quarry, LLC
3132 NE Harrison St.
Issaquah, WA 98029