San Juan County approves public bid and multi-year gravel-extraction lease on Waldron Island

The San Juan County Council on Aug. 5 adopted a resolution declaring a portion of gravel on Waldron Island surplus, authorizing sale by public bid and delegating authority to the county manager to negotiate a multi-year gravel-extraction lease.

Colin Hunterburg, director of Public Works, told the council the parcel will be offered through public bid with a minimum price of $20 per cubic yard (compacted, in-place measurement) and a $100 per-year administrative lease fee over a 10-year term. Hunterburg said the 1,000 cubic yard quantity was chosen based on historical extraction over the prior decade and noted ground material "swells" when excavated, so a thousand in-place yards will equate to a greater amount when hauled.

Public comment and written input from the Waldron Island Community Services Group raised concerns about quantity (the group asked for 2,000 cubic yards), access for local residents and whether pricing reflected fair market value. Hunterburg and council members discussed those points: Hunterburg said records show prior extractions over a 10-year period were 600–800 yards and that the site contains material beyond the earmarked thousand yards if further extraction is warranted.

The draft lease includes standard mining practices, safety and compliance requirements, insurance and indemnification language; County staff said the provisions were informed by risk-management and prosecuting attorney guidance. Hunterburg told the council the county must follow mining and safety regulations even for small pits and that references to mining standards, insurance and safety are standard and required.

Council member Fuller noted clerical numbering errors in the draft lease (section numbering) that staff agreed to correct prior to finalization. After public testimony and brief council deliberation, council member moved and the council approved the resolution; the council also authorized the county manager to finalize the lease and call for public bids.

Outcome: Motion to approve the resolution passed unanimously. The manager will proceed with the bid schedule and negotiate lease form (with numeric corrections) and final "form approved" signing after attorney review. Staff emphasized the county's role is to surplus county property and administer the bid/lease; subsequent enforcement and operations will be managed under the lease and applicable mining permits.

Ending note: Staff recommended periodic site surveys to measure quantities removed and flagged that any further extraction beyond the earmarked amount could prompt a council revisit of lease terms.