LAFARGE GRAVEL PIT PROJECT

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List of stories about Gravel pit and barge landings in San Juan County

Island Rec agrees to proceed with transfer

posted 12/30/03
With its due diligence completed regarding environmental issues at Lafarge Gravel Pit. Island Rec Board is ready to proceed with the transfer of the property. San Juan County Board of Commissioners had given Island Rec until Dec. 15, 2003 to accept or decline the transfer of the upland acres of the 65-acre parcel. "We notified the county that Island Rec has removed the contingencies," Island Rec Board Chair Alan Marriner said at the Dec. 18, 2003 board meeting.

G-Logics of Issaquah studied the the environmental concerns and issued a report this fall. A portable asphalt plant, a drain in a shop building, a leaking electrical transformer and an area where material from other construction sites was dumped were looked at by the Issaquah-based environmental consulting firm. Marriner said, "Lou Haff (the county's project manager for the Lafarge project) felt all issues could be addressed by the county."

The report said the soil at the site of the former mobile asphalt plant would be removed to a depth of 10-50 feet. Rather than do a Phase II soil investigation, the excavation could be monitored.

The electrical transformer showed oil leakage. There was a label which read "No PCBs." According to the report, OPALCO would deal with the transformer.

The floor drain in a building showed stains indicating it had served as a possible conduit for waste petroleum products, according to the report. A Phase II soil investigation could be done, or the excavation of soil in the area could be monitored.

G-Logics recommended stopping the practice of allowing the dumping of fill from off-site construction projects. Dumping of solid waste had taken place in the past. According to the report, the material was excavated and removed.

Possible asbestos materials and flourescent light fixtures in the buildings would be removed by Lafarge when all of the buildings are removed.

The reclamation plan for Lafarge has not been approved by the state Dept. of Natural Resources according to Marriner. Chris Aldredge who has worked as a consultant for Island Rec offered to monitor the process.

The board didn't feel it made sense to spend money right now on monitoring since Lafarge was still mining. Island Rec Board Member Ralph Hahn said, "We have no real clue what it is going to look like and they have no real certainty when it (reclamation) will begin."

Hahn and WSU Extension Coop coordinator Tom Schultz toured the property with a soil specialist and a compost specialist. "The bottom line answer: it can be reclaimed to any level vegetation you choose. If you want it to return to forest it will take longer." Hahn said.

The experts suggested potential partnerships. Using the end product from the Town of Friday Harbor's waste water treatment plant was one idea. Another idea would use horse manure. "Some of the horse people are payting exorbitant tipping charges," said Hahn.

Marriner pointed out that Lafarge is responsible for revegetation of the property. Island Rec might want to use the experts' ideas for enhancing vegetation in spot areas, he said.

BOCC approves Public Works Yard

posted 09/10/03
San Juan County Commissioners approved the purchase of 13 acres at the corner of Cattle Point Road and Golf Course Road. The property will be used for a public works yard to replace the Guard Street facility. The purchase price is still being negotiated according to Public Works Director Jon Shannon. The purchase will be paid for through funds from a $2 million bond the county is obtaining. $1.5 million of the bond is for the Lafarge Gravel Pit purchase.

BOCC to sign
transfer agreement Tuesday

posted 07/28/03
An agreement between San Juan County Board of Commissioners and Island Rec regarding the transfer of 60 acres of the Lafarge gravel pit is scheduled to be signed July 29, 2003. Under the agreement ownership of the upland portion of the gravel pit will be transferred to Island Rec when the county's $1.5 million purchase of the entire 75-acre property is completed. The purchase deadline is Dec. 31, 2003.

Project Manager Lou Haff listed the major points of the agreement during the BOCC's July 22, 2003 meeting. He said

• the county is the sole purchaser
  
  
• the site has been a gravel pit for years and the gravel company will follow a reclamation plan approved by the state Department of Natural Resources
  
  
• the uplands are being donated to Island Rec
  
  
• the purchase will be made prior to an environmental review.

County Civil Deputy Prosecutor Karen Vedder noted the agreement had been modified regarding the county's ability to have water on its portion of the site. The agreement gives the county an easement to drill a well in a section of the uplands portion.

Commissioner John Evans said, "I just want to be sure the county has access to a place where a well will be successful. If we drill there and aren't successful, I hope we will be able to drill somewhere else."

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said he would talk to Island Rec and see what could be worked out.

The county will be surveying the property. Vedder said Island Rec and the county would be agreeing in general on road right of ways.

Gaylord mentioned an extension of Dougherty Lane and that there has been "talk about connecting Turn Point and Pear Point Road - some type of connector shortcut instead of going all the way around." He noted this didn't mean the roads would be the access points or the only access points.

Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said, "There are a number of different options. Dougherty Lane is not the best option. It may just be a trail connection."

Evans and Nielsen raised questions about the amount of pier that was being removed in Lafarge's reclamation work. Nielsen said, "The pier is coming down more than I thought it would be."

Haff said Lafarge was moving anything with an element of human risk. "We haven't seen their final reclamation plan. It is still being reviewed by DNR. Lafarge is not prepared to give it to us yet until it is final." He noted the grading plan is consistent with Island Rec's plan according to Lafarge.

Evans stressed the importance of saving as much of the pier as possible. "In my conversations with the Rec Dept., the shoreline component for the park is very important. I would like to see recreational use of the waterfront. Let's not waste things that could be used. Under the permitting process, we can repair things better than apply anew."

Nielsen said, "That is my future maritime museum there."

Work continues on transfer of LaFarge property

posted 07/14/03
San Juan County Commissioner John Evans raised questions about road easement width and water rights during a July 8, 2003 discussion of the plan to transfer the upland portion of the gravel pit to Island Rec. While the county's $1.5 million purchase of the property isn't scheduled to be completed until Dec. 31, 2003 at the earliest, the agreement outlining the transfer between the county and Island Rec is expected to be completed by the end of this month (July).

County Civil Deputy Prosecutor Karen Vedder explained the purpose of the transfer agreement is two-fold. "It will allow them to do due diligence and will provide timelines for the manner in which the property will be transferered to Island Rec," she told the commissioners.

The county has signed a purchase agreement with LaFarge for the site of the Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Pit. The county would keep the nine acres of waterfront and donate the upland acres to Island Rec. Donations are allowed between government agencies. Island Rec plans to develop the property into a community park.

Evans asked why the details of the transfer had to be nailed down now. "What is the urgency of this part of it?"

Vedder said Island Rec wanted to continue with its planning for the park and a possible levy.

The agreement says the county won't pursue action regarding water rights to the wells on the property. The state Department of Ecology wanted to decommission the existing wells by June 30, 2003 according to Vedder. At the county's request, LaFarge wrote a letter to the DOE asking for a postponement to allow Island Rec to pursue the water rights.

Vedder said, "Island Rec will take full responsibility for water rights available from the state for this property. It is unlikely there will be any water from wells out there for anybody." The wells on the property have salt water instrusion, according to Vedder. The numbers are in the 500s, the cut off for salt water intrusion is in the 200s.

Evans was concerned about the county abandoning any rights to water on the uplands property. He also wanted the county to take 80-foot wide easements for roads on the property rather than the proposed 60-foot easements. "What the county is keeping is a sliver of land along the shore. The ability to do things with that little sliver along the shore is extremely limited. We need to preserve our ability when it comes our turn to try to do things we want."

Commissioners Darcie Nielsen and Rhea Miller did not agree with the need for 80-foot wide road easements. Evans wanted the wider easements so the county would have the ability to include bike lanes or curves in the roads.

County Public Works Director Jon Shannon said, "This particular water right has to be converted. That doesn't preclude us from developing other water sources."

Evans felt preserving the ability to have a well field on 55 acres was important to the county. He requested the BOCC review the agreement again before it is presented for final approval.

BOCC signs purchase agreement for gravel pit property

posted 06/10/03
San Juan County Commissioners signed a purchase and sales agreement with Lafarge for the gravel pit on San Juan Island Tuesday, June 10, 2003. Lafarge agreed to sell the county the gravel pit under threat of condemnation. The agreement contains a contingency period ending Dec. 31, 2003. "San Juan County has embedded numerous protections," said Project Manager Lou Haff. "The county is under no obligation if in the 2004 budget, it can't find the ($1.5 million) money for the purchase."

Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said, "I have no worries about funding. I know we'll make it possible."

Commissioner John Evans said, "The largest share of credit rests with Commissioner Nielsen for continuing to move this project forward. I hope the record shows her effort and foresight."

Signed offer for gravel pit purchase ready for BOCC approval

posted 06/05/03
A signed offer from Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel for the county's purchase of the gravel pit will be considered by the San Juan County Board of Commissioners at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2003 according to County Civil Deputy Prosecutor Karen Vedder. The document includes a contingency period ending December 31, 2003 and a closing date of January 31, 2004. During a June 4, 2003 Lafarge Park Steering Committee meeting, Chair John Goddard told Vedder,"Terrific job. We're a year ahead of schedule."

Vedder said next week would be a benchmark in the project. "The BOCC will take up the discussion of the document. If they accept as a board, they will sign it at that time."

Vedder explained the contingencies in the latest offer differ from previous versions. Originally the property was to be divided up prior to purchase and the road relocated. The offer now calls for the county to purchase the entire property without a relocation of the road. The purchase includes the upland portion, shoreline portion, tidelands and the assignment of a lease for other tidelands from the state Dept. of Natural Resources.

Vedder said, "The county is the only entity signing the agreement. The county is paying $1.5 million. We anticipate creating inter-local agreements with the Port of Friday Harbor and Island Rec."

Goddard said, "Island Rec takes legal title to the uplands." Vedder said everyone has been working on that premise.

San Juan Island Parks and Recreation also known as Island Rec is a junior taxing district. Island Rec board member BIll Cumming said the board is considering asking for an increased levy for programs and a separate levy for the park costs. The requests would be placed on the November 2003 ballot.

The purchase and sales agreement contingencies include completion of the reclamation plan, resolution of the issue of water availability and identification of revenue sources for the $1.5 million purchase price, according to Vedder.

DNR is in charge of permitting the reclamation plan. The plan has two parts the earthworks and the revegetation. FHS&G has given DNR a bond, half of which will be returned after the earthworks portion is completed. The other half will be held until survival of the vegetation is assured. Vedder said the county will require a bond for the same amount from FHS&G. Vedder thought the DNR bond was about $80,000.

Island Rec has a master plan for the park. A landscape architect hired by Island Rec is communicating with Lafarge about the resculpting of the park based on the master plan.

The earthworks portion must be completed by December 31, 2003 under the agreement or 30 days prior to closing. The replanting will be done after the closing, according to Vedder. FHS&G plans to keep its industrial water hookup from the Town of Friday Harbor throughout the reclamation project.

Town Councilmember Carrie Brooks, who serves on the steering committee, said that wouldn't be possible. "I'm concerned about the water," she said. "If FHS&G is closed and the property sold, the water connection ceases."

The town does not allow properties outside the town's limits to hookup to the town water system. Committee members were hopeful a way around the problem could be found. Last month the town turned down the county's request for a water hookup at its new transfer station site which is next to the town-owned Sutton Road site.

Alan Marriner, Island Rec board member, said, "The BOCC needs to consider if water is a deal breaker. I contend we'd still want a park." He noted the availability of water will determine the development of the park rather than the purchase.

Committee member Bill Cumming remained hopeful that a way could be found for the town to provide water to the site at least for drinking fountains. Committee member John Linde thought it was important to bring the town on board as soon as possible. Committee member Cathy Cavanagh stressed the positive economic impact such a park would have on the county and the town.

DRAFT TIMELINE

JUNE 2003

County and FHS&G sign purchase and sale agreement.

Island Rec and county develop interlocal agreement on upland transfer.

Island Rec considers new levy in 2004 to cover costs associated with acquisition.

Finance committee begins development of financial plan.

AUGUST 2003

Site environmental assessment completed

Site assessment report by Lafarge completed.

SEPTEMBER 2003

Island Rec holds public meetings for further input on final design.

OCTOBER 2003

Lafarge begins earthwork.

Revise master plan

Board accepts revised master plan

NOVEMBER 2003

Levy vote

Finance committee provides dollar amount of private funding committed to park.

Develops scope of Requests for Proposals

DECEMBER 2003

Remove all contingencies

County makes boundary adjustments to upland portion and changes legal description.

JANUARY 2004

Completion of reclamation earthwork

County closes and makes payment

County transfers title to Island Rec

Announce RFP

FEBRUARY 2004

County and Lafarge close on property

County transfers upland portion to Island Rec

Island Rec selects firm for project development and management

IAC grant funding process begins

MARCH 2004

Begin permit process and SEPA review

DECEMBER 2004

Completion of revegetation portion of reclamation

IAC funding determined

JANUARY 2005

Construction begins

The steering committee discussed its publicity campaign which began in May. Island Rec board has allocated $2,500 for advertising. The "Let's Build a Park" campaign consists of a series of ads in the weekly newspaper featuring different committee member's reasons for getting involved in the park development. Education of the public about the project was important to the committee.

Island Rec Director Sally Kerr suggested another public meeting be held for final tweaking of the master plan. The first estimate for the plan was between $2 and $3 million according to Marriner. New estimates will be given to the financial committee.

Linde is working on finding contributions from private citizens. He believes some donors might be interested in naming ballfields. The committee will discuss policy regarding naming at a future meeting. Marriner noted, the name, Lafarge, must be included in some fashion in the park's name.

Port: barge landing must be part of agreement

posted 10/29/02
The Friday Harbor Port Commissioners appeared surprised to learn the county is moving ahead with preparation of a purchase agreement for the Lafarge gravel pit property before the issue of the barge landing is settled. At the October 23, 2002 port meeting, Port Commissioner Brian Calvert said, "Without the barge landing, the purchase is outside the port’s purpose in life."

The port has said it was willing to pay $200,000 as part of the $1.5 million package for the property. Port Auditor Marilyn O'Connor said the commissioners could include wording in a resolution about the barge landing.

BOCC moves ahead on gravel pit purchase

posted 10/23/02
The Board of County Commissioners directed the county prosecutor Tuesday, October 22, 2002 to draw up a sales agreement with Lafarge for the purchase of the gravel pit property on San Juan Island. The decision was made after an executive (closed) session.

In the past the BOCC has indicated the cost would be $1.5 million. $200,000 from the Port of Friday Harbor, $300,000 from the Land Bank and $1 million from the county Public Works Dept. The county plans to use the waterfront area for a barge facility on the waterfront and use the upland acreage for a park.

Neighbors have questioned the legality of the barge ramp. The county has hired a special prosecutor to handle legal issues concerning the purchase.

Letters about the Gravel Pit donation

Letter from Craig Magnusson
to Land Bank Director Dennis Schaffer

November 16, 2001

Dear Mr. Schaffer,

Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. and Lafarge North America are very pleased to respond to your letter of September 24, 2001, concerning the proposed transfer of the Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. property on San Juan Island to San Juan County. As discussed at our meeting on November 8, 2001, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. is desirous of completing its operations on San Juan Island and transferring the property to San Juan County and is prepared to immediately move forward with the drafting and executing of the necessary documents and final agreements.

Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co.'s commitment to proceed with a final reclamation of the property to configurations desired by the County and transfer of the property to the County is contingent upon the following general terms and conditions:

1. Waterfront property access and Wharf. In exchange for payment in the amount of 1.5 million dollars, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel offers to create by dedication under threat of condemnation a street end across both owned upland and tidelan properties to access and connect with the existing DNR lease area; transfer ownership of the wharf; assign the wharf ownership of the waterfront parcel with tidelands. Transfer of the waterfront parcel will be finalized as condemnation or under threat of condemnation. Size and location of the street end and the connection to or intersection with the east/west county road will be as required by San Juan County, and the underlying land will be transferred in fee simple without restriction.

2. Relocation and lowering of existing county road. The overall site is currently bisected by a gravel road elevated on a berm separating the upland pit area from the lower elevation of the waterfront parcel. As a component of the final site work and reclamation, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel is considering the relocation of the road southward. The berm and other gravel deposits currently located under the old office and storage yard would be removed as part of the reclamation work. The final elevations and grading of the site including the extent to which the new road will be elevated are subject to final designs and agreement.

3. Upland parcel. Following relocation of the road and completion of reclamation, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel proposes to donate its upland parcel to San Juan County for use and development as a regional park with San Juan County assuming all future responsibility for maintenance, landscaping, development, etc. and based upon the good-faith commitment that the park/recreation area would be designated and promoted as "Lafarge Shoerline Park" or under some similar title by which Lafarge receives recognition in name for its donation to the community.

The deed transfer will be without conditions and not dependent upon San Juan County having available funds for subsequent development of the recreational area.

It is Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel's expectation that the site's reclamation plan will be designed and finalized consistent with the County's intended use of the parcel as a regional park and/or recreational area. The site has a limited supply of topsoil and other materials necessary for revegetation, and Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel does not propose to import or manufacture any materials that may be required for playfield development.

4. Timing. Initial site reclamation is currently underway, and Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel desires to proceed with all completion work as soon as reasonably possible. Restoration of the waterfront parcel is largely complete, and a dedication of the street end, transfer of wharf ownership, and assignment of the DNR lease could occur at any time subject to Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel's need to use the facilities to complete all the site work.

With agreement, relocation of the county road and removal of the road berm could commence in the spring of 2002, with a goal that all grading and reclamation work be completed before the fall of 2003.

There are many unforeseen circumstances that could delay the schedule. Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel desires that all work be completed, consideration received, and properties transferred before the end of the calendar year of 2003.

Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel is pleased to offer this response to your proposal of September 24, 2001. We look forward to your response.

Craig Magnusson
Attorney for Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel and Lafarge North America

Letter from Land Bank Director Dennis Schaffer
to Craig Magnusson

December 5, 2001

Dear Mr. Magnusson,

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for your letter of November 16, 2001. I am very pleased that Lafarge North America is interested and willing to work with the San Juan Island community on the proposed transfer of the Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. property.

On behalf of San Juan County, I offer the following in response to the general terms and conditions that you have outlined in your letter.

1. Waterfront Property Access and Wharf. These conditions are acceptable as presented, except that we will want to work with Lafarge North America to link the waterfront property purchase with the transfer of the Upland parcel (Paragraph 3). Such an arrangment could include establishing an escrow account for the purchase funds until the completion of the reclamation work. You will be receiving a letter from the San Juan County Public Works Department expressing their intent to purchase the waterfront property.

2. Relocation and lowering of existing county road. These conditions are acceptable pending the Public Works Department's review and approval of the detailed relocation plans. We also request that the landscape architect designing the recreational fields be given the opportunity to review and comment on the final design of the road relocation.

3. Upland Parcel. These conditions are acceptable as presented assuming that Lafarge North America will work to design and implement its reclamation efforts to be consistent, to the extent possible, with the intended future uses of the property. We will work with Lafarge North America on the final name selection of the park and remain committed to our community. We request that our landscape architect designing the recreational fields be given the opportunity to review and comment on the final reclamation plans for the property.

4. Timing. These conditions are acceptable as presented, provided that Lafarge North America can present a letter of intent to San Juan County by December 13, 2001 to be followed immediately by drafting and executing of the necessary documents and final agreements. We would like to present this proposal to the Board of County Commissioners on December, 18, 2001 here in Friday Harbor. After the Board's approval we anticipate making an immediate public announcement. We would like to invite Lafarge North America representative to participate.

Again, I am pleased and excited about the expression of interest presented in your letter. I look forward to our continued efforts to finalize our negotiations and the future development of this new community facility.

Dennis Schaffer
San Juan County Land Bank

Letter from Craig Magnusson
to Land Bank Director Dennis Schaffer

December 13, 2001

LETTER OF INTENT

Dear Mr. Schaffer,

Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. and Lafarge North America are in receipt of your letter of December 5, 2001, responding to my letter of November 16, 2001, concerning the Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. property in San Juan County, Washington.

The proposed terms and conditions set forth in your December 5, 2001 letter are acceptable to Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Co. and Lafarge North America.

Accordingly, by way of this letter, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Company and Lafarge North America express their intention to proceed with this transaction as described in the letter of November 16, 2001 (copy attached; incorporated herein as if fully set forth), subject to and incorporating those terms and conditions proposed in your letter of December 5, 2001 (copy attached; incorporated herein as if fully set forth).

You are hereby authorized to present this proposal to the San Juan County Board of County Commissioners. Upon Board approval, Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel Company and Lafarge North America are prepared to immediately begin drafting and execution of the necessary documents and final agreements.

Craig Magnusson
Attorney for Friday Harbor Sand & Gravel and Lafarge North America

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