Sky Valley Future
For public awareness of land use issues in Washington's beautiful Skykomish River Valley
2023 CADMAN QUARRY EXPANSION
PROPOSAL IN GOLD BAR (SEE BELOW)
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Learn about Cadman's proposed new hard rock quarry in Gold Bar
Cadman Heidelberg Materials wants to expand its current sand and gravel quarry in Gold Bar by developing a new hard rock quarry to the east, adjacent to Forest Service Road 6200.
Community members have voiced concerns about noise impacts from the higher elevation site, potential contamination of aquifers and the Skykomish River, and the impacts of the estimated 100 additional daily truck trips on Highway 2
Watch the video below to get a quick overview.
(If the video quality is poor please click the "Settings" icon in the lower right corner of the video and choose "1080p".)
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED GOLD BAR HARD ROCK QUARRY
Life Span: 25+ years
The new hard rock quarry would be in operation for at least 25 years.
Highway 2: 50 to 100 more truck trips per day
Cadman estimates that it would result in 50 to 100 additional truck trips per day on Highway 2. Calculations using the volume of material that Cadman expects to extract and the 25 to 30-year life span of the operation indicate that the new quarry would probably add closer to 100 truck trips per day on Highway 2.
Employment: 7 new jobs
Cadman's current sand and gravel quarry in Gold Bar employs 10 Snohomish County residents (4 local). The proposed hard rock quarry would create 7 additional jobs.
Noise from Blasting
Cadman estimates 1 blast per month for the first 2 to 3 months, then a blast 6 to 12 times per year.
Noise from Operations
The new quarry would be several hundred feet higher in elevation and would eventually have an access road along the north side of the hill being mined, adjacent to Highway 2. Community members have voiced concerns about noise pollution due to the higher vantage point and the valley having no protection from noise on the access road.
Permit Application Process
The project will be approved or disapproved by the Snohomish County Hearing Examiner. As of April 2023, Cadman has not yet submitted a new application to replace their 2022 application that is no longer in effect. The public will have opportunity to comment.
Timing: Summer and Fall 2023
Cadman currently expects to submit their permit application in Summer of 2023, go through the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) assessment and public comment in Summer of 2023, and to have the project reviewed by the Hearing Examiner in Fall 2023. If the project is approved, mining would start Winter of 2024.
More Info
Cadman operates a website with information specific to the proposed new hard rock quarry at http://cadmangoldbar.com.
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Sky Valley Future is run by community members in Gold Bar, WA. You can reach us at [email protected].