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Residents at Crystal Mountain meeting press Pierce County on roads, water and sanitation in Greenwater and Gold Hills
Summary
Gold Hills residents and longtime Greenwater business owners told the county council April 28 that the area lacks basic infrastructure — water systems, commercial services and year‑round sanitation — and urged county support for road repairs, fire protection and utilities.
Several residents of the Crystal Mountain and Greenwater area urged the Pierce County Council on April 28 to address infrastructure needs that limit business and year‑round residency in the mountain corridor.
Doug Blanchard, who identified himself as representing the Gold Hills community, said Gold Hills will have 37 homes when completed and described the area’s challenging winter travel and over‑snow access. He said neighbors work together to maintain a summer road that climbs the hill and that construction traffic and washouts require ongoing repairs and culvert replacements in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service.
Blanchard also praised safety improvements on the six‑mile access road, including guardrails and rock‑fall netting that had reduced incidents of vehicles striking rock and leaving the roadway.
Johnny Sansell, a full‑time Greenwater resident, credited council and state assistance for expanding porta‑potty placements along the corridor after pandemic‑era visitation strained local sanitation. He said the state is now working to add funding following local volunteer efforts and support from Senator Fortunato and Councilmember Morrell.
Longtime Greenwater business owner Bob Grubb told the council the area needs a county‑supported water system to attract restaurants and year‑round businesses. “When you ask them to put in a $5,000,000 water system, it’s impossible,” he said, and he urged county leadership to help finance infrastructure that business owners cannot shoulder alone.
Why it matters: Residents and business owners said lack of water, commercial infrastructure and reliable winter access suppress local commerce and create additional burdens for volunteer emergency responders.
Council members thanked speakers and said the trip highlighted how remote communities inside Pierce County face different service expectations and costs than denser parts of the county. No formal county commitments or votes were made at the meeting; council members said they would continue discussions with staff and presenters about infrastructure options.
