BHAS ALERT FOR SCOPING COMMENTS – CODE AMENDMENT FOR WAREHOUSING IN SW THURSTON COUNTY

by Charlotte Persons

Did you know that a new code amendment proposal will permit Rural Resource Industrial (RRI) intensive uses—warehousing and manufacturing—in 353 acres along Old Highway 99 SW between Grand Mound and Centralia? The area outlined in red on the map is what would be affected by the new code language that UP Castle proposed on October 23. Currently the area is zoned RRR, Rural Resource/Residential.

Black Hills Audubon Society is reaching out to members because there has been little media coverage and Thurston County is not required to notify anyone, not even the farmers, business, and homeowners within the 353 acres.

The county has issued a call for scoping comments due Wednesday, December 1, by 4:00 pm for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). We hope you will use email or Facebook to tell your friends and neighbors about this second proposed code change from UP Castle.  We encourage you to write scoping comments because people with local knowledge often can point out issues that are unknown to the developer or county

You might have seen the article on November 21 in the The Olympian’s about UP Castle’s possible appeal of the Determination of Significance that triggers an EIS. Unfortunately that appeal is due December 8, one week after the scoping comments’ deadline.  The Olympian article did not describe the areas of land beyond UP Castle’s 33 acres that would be affected by both the first and second proposed code changes

Writing Scoping Comments

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is for both the changes proposed by this code amendment and those proposed by a previous code amendment submitted by UP Castle. The first step of the process is to scope all potential impacts that the code changes could create. 

People “on the ground” often have knowledge that merits consideration in an EIS. If you have environmental or other concerns and would like to make a scoping comment, here are topics you might want to consider: 1) location of natural springs, seasonal wetlands or seasonally flooded areas; 2) sightings or habitat of endangered species; (3) historical or tribal sites; (4) landslide, sinkhole and abandoned well locations, (5) neighboring properties that could be affected by warehouse construction or operation; and (6) road and traffic problems.

Also important are possible sources of pollution, such as gas or water line problems, septic or oil tank leaks, fires in sheds or buildings with toxic chemicals, and rail or vehicle accident sites with toxins.

After scoping, UP Castle will assemble an analysis of all the issues raised by the scoping comments. This draft EIS will be produced in about one year. Then, the public will have a chance to comment on the draft and/or attend a public hearing.

For more information on the UP Castle proposal, or to submit scoping comments, google Thurston County UP Castle, or go to https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/planning/Pages/comp-plan-upcastle-rezone.aspx

Background and Map for UP Castle Rezone and Code Amendment:

In August 2019, UP Castle applied for a rezone and code amendment to build a warehouse because their two parcels did not meet requirements under current code for RRI zoning (Rural Resource Industrial). County staff wrote code amendment language that would allow RRI intensive use (warehousing and manufacturing) for about 400 acres on parcels throughout the county. Written public comments to the Planning Commission were overwhelmingly against this code amendment (252 total, with 240 against), and several people spoke against it at the October 6 public hearing.

In response, on October 23 UP Castle submitted a public comment (#251) with the new code amendment language.

Thurston County notified property owners within 300 feet of the UP Castle parcels last summer and has no requirement to notify them again, nor to notify the property owners of commercial properties, farms and residences within the 353 acres that will be affected by the new code amendment. 

If you want more information or help navigating the county’s website, contact Charlotte Persons at cpersons@yahoo.com.