Ranch Quarry project environmental impact review begins

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Whatcom County has initiated the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for a proposed open-pit rock quarry. Cowden, Inc. submitted applications in 2023 to establish the Ranch Quarry in the 5300 block of S Pass Road.

The project includes a 64-acre mining area within 5 parcels totaling about 108 acres. The site is designated as Mineral Resource Lands by Whatcom County. The project requires clearing about 65 acres of timber. Mined material would be used for civil infrastructure including roads, railroads, and ports.

Cowden, Inc. updated the 2023 proposal to reduce the mining area to avoid potential naturally occurring asbestos within serpentine rock. Operations would include on-site rock sorting and crushing. Access is planned via an existing paved private driveway off S Pass Road. Traffic is estimated at about 25 trucks entering and exiting the site daily, with numbers reaching about 50 trucks during seasonal peak operations.

Whatcom County issued a Determination of Significance, stating the project may have significant adverse environmental impacts. The EIS will analyze 2 alternatives: the proposed action and a no-action alternative.

Elements identified for analysis in the EIS include:

• earth
• air quality and greenhouse gases
• surface water and groundwater
• plants, animals, and wetlands
• historic and cultural resources
• noise
• environmental health
• land use and relationship to plans and policies
• transportation

The public scoping comment period is scheduled from April 29, 2026, through May 29, 2026.

The scoping phase comment period is primarily intended to provide the public and interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the subject of review and alternatives to be considered within the EIS.

– Whatcom County (April 29, 2026)

Public comments are being accepted via the following methods.

• written comments postmarked by May 29, 2026, and mailed to Amy Keenan at 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226
• online via the public comment portal at RanchQuarryEIS.infocommunity.org by 4:30pm
• email to RanchQuarryEIS@co.whatcom.wa.us by 4:30pm

Whatcom County expects to release a draft EIS in the summer or fall of 2026. A final EIS is projected for winter 2026 or early 2027. The recommendation by Whatcom County will be submitted to the County Hearing Examiner for a decision on the permit application.