Annual Reviews

CPZ2021-00006

Chelatchie Bluff Mineral Lands

Project Update - Spring 2023

The Growth Management Hearings Board issued a Final Decision and Order on March 22, 2023 (Case No. 22-2-0002). The Growth Board ruled that the County had improperly made a determination of non-significance with respect to the Surface Mining Overlay( SMO) application.  The Growth Board concluded that the ordinance approving the SMO did not comply with Growth Management Act (GMA) and is invalid as interfering with the GMA goals because of the SEPA violation. 

Clark County is updating the SEPA determination on CPZ2021-00006 - Chelatchie Bluff.  Clark County will be withdrawing the Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) issued on December 1, 2021 regarding CPZ 2021-00006 Chelatchie Bluff. Clark County has determined that the project is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. A Determination of Significance (DS) will be issued on April 5, 2023.


Project Summary

A proposal to amend the Comprehensive plan and Zoning maps to add a surface mining overlay with a current zoning designation of FR-80 and comprehensive plan designation of Forest Tier - 1 on four parcels (283420000, 283422000, 274346000, 283421000) totaling 330 acres. The parcels are located southeast of the intersection of NE Healy Rd and NE 424th St.

Background

The four parcels are contiguous to parcel number 281134000, that is zoned Forest-80 (FR-80) with a Surface Mining Overlay with a Forest Tier I comprehensive plan designation and Mining Overlay. The proposed amendment would extend the mining overlay to the four parcels identified above. All five of the parcels are under the same ownership.

The parcels have several mineral interests. In 1985, International Paper Company, as owner of both the surface and the minerals, conveyed the subject property to IP Timberlands Operating Company, reserving all minerals and minerals rights, including sand, gravel, aggregate, and other mined or quarried stone or rock materials, together with full rights of access and use of the surface for mining, including open pit, surface or strip mining. The applicant, Granite Construction, is leasing the rights to mine the site from BRP, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Natural Resource Partners (NRP).

Counties planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to identify, designate, and protect mineral resource lands that are not already characterized by urban growth and that have long-term significance for the extraction of minerals [RCW 36.70A.170]. Clark County adopted a SMO map, code standards and mineral lands policies in 1994.

In October 2005, the Washington Department of Natural Resources Division of Geology and Earth Resources produced an aggregate resource inventory map of Clark County. The updated inventory identified parcel numbers 274346000; 283420000; 283421000; 283422000 as a hypothetical bedrock resource.

In 2009, the Washington Legislature amended RCW 36.70A.170 and provided additional guidelines for classifying and designating mineral resource lands.

In 2011, the Board of County Commissioners appointed a Mineral Lands Task Force to make recommendations to the SMO map, comprehensive plan policies and development standards based on the new inventory map and GMA regulations. The task force did not make a recommendation to include the parcels that are part of this request. They did make a recommendation to add a parcel of about 30 acres that abuts the Chelatchie Rock quarry, however that quarry’s permit was terminated by the Department of Natural Resources.

Interactive map

Interactive map


Staff Contact

Jose Alvarez
Planner III
Community Planning
564.397.4898

Public Meetings

Meeting information and project materials will be posted here.

County Council Meetings

June 27, 2023 at 10 a.m., County Council hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming - Please visit the County Council meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.

 


July 19, 2022 at 6 p.m., County Council hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming - Please visit the County Council meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.

This hearing is on the comprehensive plan land use amendment request.


March 15, 2022 at 10 a.m., County Council SEPA appeal hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming - Please visit the County Council meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.

This hearing is on an appeal filed on the project's SEPA Determination of Non-Significance.


March 15, 2022 at 10 a.m., County Council hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming - Please visit the County Council meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.

This hearing is on the comprehensive plan land use amendment request.


Jan. 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., County Council Work Session via Webex - Please visit the County Council meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.

Planning Commission Meetings

May 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission Hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming. Please visit the Planning Commission meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.


May 4, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., Planning Commission Work Session via Webex. Please visit the Planning Commission meeting page for info on how to participate in the work session.


Dec. 16, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., Planning Commission Hearing via Webex with CVTV live streaming. Please visit the Planning Commission meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.


Dec. 2, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., Planning Commission Work Session via Webex. Please visit the Planning Commission meeting page for info on how to participate in the hearing.