July 11, 2008

 

To: Port Ludlow Property Owners and Zip 98365 Friends

 

From: PLVC

 

Subject: Update on Iron Mountain/Pope Resources activities related to Port Ludlow

 

On June 17, 2008 you received a letter from the Port Ludlow Village Council describing the proposed Iron Mountain Quarry’s intent to open a rock mine operation adjacent to the Shine Quarry just off of Rt. 104.  We asked for contributions to assist us in protecting our property values and quality of life.  This letter contains an update in our goal to insure that our voice is heard and considered in the development of the mine.

 

Our appeal to become a recognized participant in the permitting process for the Iron Mountain Quarry proposal was successful.  On June 16 the Jefferson County Superior Court judge ruled that the PLVC, PLA and SBCA were parties with standing in the process.  Iron Mountain initially asked that Port Ludlow’s PLVC, PLA and SBCA not be considered as we would not be impacted.  A Superior Court trial which should determine the process to be used in developing the permit will probably be held in October. The PLVC wants to insure that the permitting process includes conditions that will help maintain the qualities of life we experience today.

 

Iron Mountain has also asked the county for a code interpretation on Conditional Use Permits.  This code governs the process that Iron Mountain must follow in seeking permits to open the mine.  This process, depending on how it is interpreted, could involve Environmental Protection studies and the content of the conditional permitting.  We strongly urge residents to attend these meetings and express their concerns about the mining proposal. Your voice either at the hearings or in email to David Wayne Johnson, Jefferson County Associate Planner, will absolutely make a difference in the outcome.   This first hearing is scheduled for July 25th at 2PM.  We were able to get this hearing moved to the Bay Club here in Port Ludlow so that many more of you could come and raise your voices. 

 

Other important dates/meetings will be made public by the PLVC through email, articles in the VOICE and other news media.  We may also suggest ways that you can have the most impact on the outcome.  Sometimes we may not have much notice so keep you eyes open for new information on meeting dates and locations for the Iron Mountain permitting process and/or environmental hearings.

 

In support of our efforts to stop or contain Iron Mountain, three PLVC board members, two SBCA board members, PLA representatives, and a Jefferson County Planner met with Pope Resources representatives to discuss the nature of the proposed development of a rock mine adjacent to the Shine mine.  In preparation for the meeting we developed a list of 14 questions to provide focus for the discussions.  Attached you will find a list of the questions and our interpretation of their responses.  The document has been forwarded to Jon Rose, Pope Resources Vice President for Development, who indicated that the interpretation of the responses was satisfactory.

 

There has been a healthy response to PLVC’s letter regarding contributions to the council's legal fund.  We would like to thank those making contributions. If you have not done so please consider sending a contribution of $100 as the council's earlier letter suggested.  If you can't afford that amount, please send whatever you can afford to give.  As stated in PLVC's letter, any money not used will be returned on a pro rata basis.  If you did not receive a letter from the council or read the front page request in the June VOICE or you have questions and want further clarification, contact PLVC Council members: Lynn Gauché at 437-1030 or lgauche@msn.com or Bill Browne at 437-8099 or BrowneW@bus.oregonstate.edu.

 

Please share this email with neighbors and friends who do not have access to email or list an email address and forward it to others around Port Ludlow who may not be on the North Bay or South Bay clubs mailing lists.  Thank you.

 

We will attempt to keep you posted as these hearings move along and inform you where your assistance could be helpful.

 

L. M. Gauché

Lynn M. Gauché, President, Port Ludlow Village Council

 

 

Attachment: Pope Resouces (PR)/Iron Mountain Quarry (IM) Questions and Responses