"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

Above are maps showing what was the Thurston County designated mineral lands open to mining approximately 6,000 acres and the new land that has been designated of nearly 141,000 acres (more maybe added). The inventory increase was determined by a single consultant. This means a substantial amount of rural lands are now open to mining operations by permit.  The impact of a mining operations for sand, gravel or bed rock can have a significant environmental impact.  Air, water, light, and noise pollution and harm to wildlife are all at risk.  Agricultural lands may also be adversely impacted. Park and preserve land buffers are threatened as well.  Unfortunately, the permit process (if you receive the notification) allows only a few days for a citizen to provide a response.  Typically the response requires substantial effort and financial resource to provide a proportional counter to the permit.  The recommendations to change the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan (Natural Resources Chapter 3) and the applicable County Development Codes, will be made this spring by the County Planning Commission(CPC) and then the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  Citizen comments are important now and throughout this process to the CPC and BOCC,  attending Public Hearings and Mineral Lands Meetings.  Links are below. 

County Mineral Lands Information Page:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/mineral-home.aspx

Planning Department Mineral Lands Meetings Notification List:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/mineral-meetings.aspx

County Planning Commission Members:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/email/pages/default.aspx?List-ID=328

County Commissioners:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/email/pages/default.aspx?List-ID=45

Current Activities- DNR "Hippo Cut" Capitol Forest

 Please visit us again for further updates on this DNR Cut.