Another blow has been dealt to Cadman’s plans for a gravel operation

on Grouse Ridge, but, as in past blows, a common theme is emerging and

the company needs to consider the message.

The Washington State Department of Transportation recently

submitted its comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the

proposed project. Their concerns were very specific, citing first the mixing of

gravel trucks with existing commercial, residential and school traffic. The

concerns are very much geared toward safety. The submitted comments go on to

say that Exit 38 is a much more logical choice and that it is currently underutilized.

Yet, Robin Hansen, Cadman project manager, states that Exit 38 is not

the best option and goes on to point out safety and environmental issues and,

oh yes, an owl problem again.

It used to be that logging was stopped because of concerns for the

Spotted Owl. Now a project is being pushed forward because of these same concerns.

What safety issues could outweigh the school district’s in justifying

an exit change for the project? And stating environmental reasons to not look

at Exit 38 — coming from a gravel company that has been able to work

around major environmental issues in all other projects — seems like a ploy at

naivete rather than a logical argument.

So, let’s widen the road to the Fire Training Academy, overcoming the

owl problem. I am sure the state can see its way clear to work with Cadman to

use Exit 38, especially if one of its own agencies is citing it as the best alternative.

A great compromise to an invasive project, albeit with proper zoning and

a generous land contribution, is to use Exit 38.

Jim McKiernan