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Heated debate in Thurston County over Black Lake Quarry rezone; board closes hearing with follow‑up
Summary
A proposed rezone of a 270‑acre gravel mine southeast of Tumwater drew hours of testimony for and against converting most parcels to Rural Resource Industrial (RRI). Supporters cited jobs and revenue; opponents warned of irreversible harm to groundwater, wetlands and habitat adjacent to the Nisqually Refuge. The board closed the hearing and will re
Thurston County commissioners closed a lengthy public hearing on a proposed land‑use amendment and rezone for the Black Lake Quarry/Little Rock site, a 270‑acre gravel‑mining property southeast of Tumwater.
Staff described the owner’s revised request to rezone most of the parcels to Rural Resource Industrial (RRI), while excluding approximately 24 acres of critical areas near the Black River from the rezone. Supporters—including a district planning commissioner, the Economic Development Council and the applicant’s consultants—argued the rezone would protect existing mineral‑resource operations, allow future resource‑connected uses, create local…
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