Neighbor Objects To Quarry Plan

Thu., Feb. 5, 1998

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

A proposed gravel quarry near Airway Heights would be less than a quarter-mile from wells that supply a cluster of homes along Balmer Road.

At least one resident living in the area is objecting to the new pit for Spokane County.

R.L. Duncan said he fears that opening the pit could cause water to drain from the small aquifer serving the Balmer Gardens Water District of about a dozen homes.

Last month, the Spokane County hearing examiner gave verbal approval for a county pit at the 49-acre site at Hayford Road near Balmer Road. A written decision is expected on Friday. Opponents then have 10 days to file an appeal.

If they don’t, then a zone change from agricultural use to mining use will take effect and the county will be able to develop the site.

Duncan said residents are considering an appeal.

Nearly 5 million tons of rock could be excavated over the next 50 years. During the hearing, the county agreed to a 500-foot buffer zone between the pit and surrounding properties.

Duncan said blasting for excavation could cause basalt bedrock to fracture and drain water from the neighboring aquifer.

One well is only about 600 feet from the pit, he said.

Don Shultz, a county engineer in charge of the project, said blasting has been done elsewhere within 250 feet of water wells and not caused any problems. He said the water table is found at a 100-foot depth, and the pit will be dug to 60 feet, or 40 feet above the ground water in the vicinity.

Duncan said he is also concerned about noise, dust and traffic.

He sent a letter to Spokane County commissioners objecting to the pit.

But Duncan would have to file an appeal to force the issue before the commissioners. He said he had not planned one.

, DataTimes

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