Board designates 4.1 acres as significant aggregate site after approval of Ordinance 358

Crook County commissioners on May 20 adopted Ordinance 358, adding approximately 4.1 acres to the county’s inventory of significant aggregate sites and designating the parcel a 3C site subject to an adopted program to achieve Goal 5 requirements.

Planning staff summarized testing and analysis that led to the planning commission’s recommendation: samples collected by Carlson Testing met Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) standards, and conservative volume calculations estimated about 1.7 million tons of basalt in place—above the 500,000‑ton threshold used in the county’s evaluation. Staff described how the amendment brings predisturbed mined areas into compliance with state and county inventory rules.

Applicant representatives, including attorney Andy Archer and hydrogeologist Jim Newton, described the site as a modification of an existing permitted quarry and said expanded boundaries primarily formalize previously disturbed areas rather than create new mining elsewhere. Jim Newton addressed water and groundwater concerns, stating that most nearby wells tap confined aquifers and that the project team has engaged with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about a nearby golden‑eagle nesting site; the applicant said no blasting would occur during eagle breeding season.

Commissioners conducted public hearing procedures required for a quasi‑judicial land‑use decision, heard staff and applicant testimony, and then voted to accept the planning commission’s recommendation and designate the subject property as a 3C aggregate site under Ordinance 358.

What happens next: the applicant may pursue a conditional use permit for mining activity and related site approvals; additional conditions for water, dust, traffic and wildlife protections will be evaluated in subsequent permitting steps.