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Department of Ecology News Release - July 28, 2010
10-181
The slope failures happened in December 2009 at Allen Shearer Sand and Gravel’s mine reclamation site along Old Belfair Highway. The company is reclaiming the old mine, which means stabilizing the landscape.
The collapse sent mud and sediment-laden water onto neighboring property and eventually into a drainage ditch that empties to the Union River. The mine is prohibited from allowing sediment to get into surface waters.
Muddy water is full of suspended sediments which can get into the gills of fish causing irritation and making it difficult for them to breath. Sediments also settle to the bottoms of streams and rivers plugging gravel that fish use for spawning.
“Slope failures like this can deliver tons of sediment to sensitive fish spawning streams,” said Kelly Susewind, Ecology’s Water Quality Program manager. “An important part of operating a gravel mine is leaving it in a stable condition when you’re done mining. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened at this site.”
In January 2010, Ecology provided the company with a report and requested copies of the erosion and sediment control and monitoring plans. Both were found inadequate. Ecology inspectors were also concerned during a February 2010 inspection that while slope failures were backfilled and reseeded, the lower portion of the slope was failing again.
Ecology again sent an inspection report and required Allen Shearer Sand and Gravel to submit updated plans to show how it would effectively stabilize the slopes and monitor all ground and surface water discharges. The company has yet to turn in the documents.
In addition to the penalty, Ecology is issuing an administrative order for Allen Shearer Sand and Gravel to submit the missing documents.
The money collected from water quality penalties funds grants to local environmental enhancement and restoration projects sponsored by local governments, tribes and other state agencies.
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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239 (desk)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
