PORT LUDLOW — Port Ludlow residents are banding together to do whatever it takes to keep a rock quarry from being developed just outside the city limit.
The Port Ludlow Village Council, South Bay Community Association and Port Ludlow Associates filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging a decision by the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner that gave Iron Mountain Quarry permission to mine 142 acres of land about two miles southeast of Port Ludlow.
The hearing examiner’s ruling approved the request under the doctrine of diminishing assets.
However, it doesn’t mean Iron Mountain can begin digging.
On Thursday morning, Al Scalf, director of the Jefferson County Community Development Department, told nearly 100 people gathered at the Bay Club in Port Ludlow that before the rock quarry can be developed, Iron Mountain must jump through a few more hoops.
“There are still a number of agencies and regulations they must go through,” Scalf said.
Stormwater permits must still be issued, a state environmental policy act review must take place, conditional use permits must be issued for the noise and dust, sand and gravel surveys must be completed by the state Department of Ecology and the state Department of Natural Resources must clear the land’s use.
“The county is just first in line,” Scalf said.
The Thursday meeting was the South Bay Community Association’s monthly board meeting.
Non-members were invited to listen as Scalf, County Commissioner John Austin, and Dave Armitage, chairman of the Port Ludlow Village Council’s Development Committee explained the situation.
