The goal is to determine whether CalPortland (formerly Glacier Northwest) can expand its DuPont gravel mine in a way that improves the stream flows in the creek and stays true to a 1994 agreement designed to permanently protect the creek and canyon.
The four parties to the proposed memorandum of understanding are CalPortland, the city of DuPont, the Nisqually Delta Association and the state Department of Ecology.
The mining company wants to add about 177 acres to its 335-acre sand- and gravel-mining operation in DuPont.
The company seeks to build a 4,000-foot channel that would flow into the water-starved creek, allowing it to once again support salmon.
However, that dewatering project also would pull water from the upper reaches of the creek and require a cut in the creek canyon to connect the man-made tributary to the stream.
Conservation groups claim those features of the project fly in the face of a 1994 settlement between the parties that allowed Lonestar Northwest – a predecessor of Glacier and CalPortland – to build a gravel-export dock north of Sequalitchew Creek in return for permanent protection of the creek and canyon.
“We’re at the table to ensure that the promises of the 1994 settlement agreement are kept,” said Tom Skjervold, president of the Nisqually Delta Association.
Gravel-mining officials have described their project as a net environmental gain for the creek and contend it won’t harm the canyon,
The 1.25-mile Sequalitchew Creek Canyon is a greenbelt that connects several historic sites that mark the birth of Western Washington settlement, including the 1832 Hudson’s Bay Co. Nisqually House at the mouth of the creek on the shores of South Sound.
“Our goal is to achieve a sustainable balance between environment and industry,” said Pete Stoltz, a CalPortland permit manager and biologist.
The long-dormant land-use battle over Sequalitchew Creek Canyon flared up last year as the mining company sought permits from the city.
Project supporters and opponents entered into mediations late last spring, leading to the proposed memorandum of understanding.
John Dodge: 360-754-5444
jdodge@theolympian.com
www.theolympian.com/soundings
