Raging River Conservation Group
Posted on August 20, 2017

Quarry Update - August 20, 2017

August 2017 Update

The blast that occurred on July 27, 2017 caused many residents to complain to the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) and to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regarding dust in the air as well as rock fall and tree fall that sounded very close to the Raging River. The severity of this blast and the number of complaints submitted to DPER prompted a site visit by DPER, and concluded that as a result of the blast there was rock/debris outside of the areas permitted for quarry related operations.

As a result, DPER has temporarily suspended blasting by the current quarry operator until they hire a geotechnical consultant to:

  • Identify the cause of the rock fall and make recommendations to avoid future similar events
  • Assess the stability of the area affected by the rock/debris fall with recommendations for the short and/or long-term stabilization

YOUR COMPLAINTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What you can do next:

  • Keep filing those complaints with DPER (and copy RRCG). Try to be as detailed and accurate as possible. Time stamped photos and videos of the river are great!
  • File complaints with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at the time of dust occurrence if possible (during blasting) or anytime you see quarry activities that produce dust.
  • Puget Sound Clean Air WILL investigate if they are in the area at the time of a complaint. They will also investigate if they see patterns of complaints.
  • Provide tangible evidence.
  • Rocks on the road? Call 911, non-emergency
  • Keep track of updates by visiting our website (RagingRiverCG.org).

How to file a complaint with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (by phone or internet):

  • Call 1.800.552.3565
  • Click here for the Dust Nuisance Complaint Form.
  • Click here to read more about filing a complaint with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Thank you!
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