February 22, 2002

Cadman, Inc.

P.O. Box 97038

Redmond, WA 98073-9738

Subject: Comments Cadman-Gold Bar File Number: 02-100530-LU

This letter is to communicate to your company our concern and a recommendation regarding the proposed expansion of the gravel operation at the Cadman-Longview site 3 miles east of Gold Bar.

Mining is and has been an important part of the economy and culture of Snohomish County since its inception. It will also be a significant component of our future and the whole of the Puget Sound area as we attempt to resolve our ever-increasing transportation and growth issues. The experience of the last few years has lead our County Council to conclude that inadequate levels of safeguard of the public safety and well being currently exist under the "Conditional Use" model being employed today. As a result of these concerns about the future and the need for a fair and even-handed approach to designating and permitting mining projects, work is well underway on a County Mining Comprehensive Document that will address the issues (hopefully) to the satisfaction of the majority of stakeholders. The State Department of Natural Resources has wisely pulled its recent Powerhouse Gravel Pit proposal from going to auction as it awaits these new guidelines.

As you may be aware, the city councils of 5 Snohomish County cities (Granite Falls, Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, and Index) have recently passed identical resolutions by unanimous votes, asking that the proposed DSEIS regarding mining operations in the county be withdrawn pending inclusion of the critical transportation component and a restructuring of some of the administrative procedures. We are awaiting the decision on this request. While our cities have differing views on many issues, unique needs and political compositions, our voice is united on this issue of paramount importance - our highways are already unsafe and the transporting of these volumes of resources on currently overburdened roads is a recipe for disaster.

Your proposed project already acknowledges adverse transportation impacts in the notification document; Volume of project-generated vehicular traffic, description of vehicular traffic impacts related to roadway operation, site access, sight distance and roadway safety with emphasis on State Route 2. While it is true that the EIS required of this specific project would address these impacts on the single project level, it is our position given the current state of transportation along US 2, that a more global solution needs to be found. There are multitudes of recent local examples that demonstrate that this type of mitigation is inadequate in its attempts to remedy the single project traffic impacts. This is the component of the proposed new guidelines that we are endeavoring to improve and for just those reasons. While we understand that this project is intended to fall under the old conditional use path, it seems that may not be in the best interest of the residents and travelers who use US 2 nor ultimately for the companies that do the work. Mitigation required under those guidelines is inadequate to compensate the communities, residents, and travelers of US 2 for the impact that your plan would have on all of us.

Without a long-term remedy we will continue to see each project add to a situation that is unsafe and a roadway already at failure levels by DOT standards along many parts of this east county corridor. We believe that given the current state of affairs in Olympia and the economic outlook, any solution to the transportation issues that we are facing will require innovation and coalition between private interests along with local, state and federal government. While this certainly seems daunting given the scope as well as the inertia that government seems to embody, with powerful and motivated private partners at the table, an effective solution could be within reach. This global solution would then allow the region to provide the valuable and plentiful resources that abound near to the areas where they are needed while at the same time safeguarding the families and businesses whose existence depends upon traveling these very same roadways.

We would graciously request that your company take the unprecedented step of withdrawing the proposal at this time and joining us at the table along with other powerful private interests as well as representatives of our cities, state and federal government to help solve the larger issue of safe travel for our citizens and efficient access to market for our mineral resources. We believe that this action would portray your company in the best possible light and foster an image that your "Good Neighbor" activities are an ongoing commitment to the families and communities of this county that rely on you for jobs and materials.

Cc: Ms. Susan Scanlan, Principal Planner

Planning & Development Services

County Administration Building

M/S 604 5^th Floor

3000 Rockefeller Avenue

Everett, WA 98201