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Snohomish County had given Mountain Loop Mine numerous chances to acquire the proper permits to operate a gravel yard next to an elementary school, but finally issued an emergency order that shut down operations there, at least temporarily.
The county’s action is good news for students and staff at Fairmount Elementary School in the Mukilteo School District. They complained of excessive noise and dust emanating from the site.
Though the company’s operations were allowed under the site’s zoning, the county informed the company that it needed a land-disturbing activity permit, a business park final site plan approval permit and a state Environmental Protection Act review.
County officials gave the company an overly generous amount of time — nine months — to get the required permits. The company submitted its applications for a land-disturbing activity permit and its site plans Feb. 15. The county issued the emergency order Feb. 21, which was not in response to the application materials the company submitted.
According to the county, the order was issued because of “ongoing impacts to the neighborhood exacerbated by the likely extended time horizon before the business would be able to come into compliance with code and obtain a permit.”
The order requires the company to cease all operations and use of the property until all required environmental review has been completed, and all required permits or approvals have been issued.
The county’s action was overdue, but officials heard and understood the complaints.
Meanwhile, the teachers and administrators should be commended for standing up for the students at Fairmount and not caving in to threats. The company’s attorneys actually threatened legal action in a cease-and-desist letter in response to principal Bente Klatt’s complaints. Unbelievable.
The county should be vigilant about what happens at this site, ensuring that the school and its students are able to thrive without such disruptions.
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