Judge dismisses lawsuit against easement that blocks ‘pit-to-pier’ project on Hood Canal – PDN

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Al Bergstein

And so it goes. The Pit to Pier people never seem to give up, and seem to have an inexhaustible amount of money to spend fighting anything that stands in their way. I wonder if this is the end of the line for them though?

A federal court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Navy challenging a conservation easement that would block development of a 998-foot pier and gravel-loading project sought by Hood Canal Sand and Gravel. U. S. District Judge Benjamin Settle on Tuesday granted a motion to dismiss, ruling that the Navy did not exceed its authority in granting the 55-year easement on state-owned tidelands along Hood Canal…. The easement is an agreement between the Navy and the state Department of Natural Resources announced in July 2014 that would block development on more than 4,800 acres of state land along Hood Canal, stretching from the Hood Canal Bridge south to just below the border between Jefferson and Mason counties. (Peninsula Daily News)

lhttp://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150903/NEWS/150909989/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-easement-that-blocks-pit-to-pier

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‘Pit-to-pier’ project loses court decision in Department of Natural Resources lawsuit  – PDN

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Al Bergstein

At some point these folks will run out of money or desire to try and push this through. The reality is it’s dead and likely will stay that way.

The project nicknamed “pit-to-pier” was dealt a setback earlier this month when a Kitsap County Superior Court judge granted a summary judgement motion that dismissed the project owner’s lawsuit against the state Department of Natural Resources.

Charlie Bermant reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Read the whole story at the Peninsula Daily News.

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150527/NEWS/305279965/pit-to-pier-project-loses-court-decision-in-department-of-natural

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Is Pit To Pier trying to sneak through the legislature again?

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Senate Bill 5111 appears to be a new attempt to sneak through a bill to allow the Pit to Pier Project to be constructed as a “project of statewide significance”. The bill appears to be primarily about producing aviation biofuel, but also includes “conveyance of construction materials ” which is the language used in past years to describe Pit to Pier.

More as we find out about this, but if you are concerned, call the office of Senator Hargrove, (360) 786 – 7646 and let him know that you are not in favor of anything that supports allowing Pit to Pier to be built.

The fact that the Navy has essentially quashed all possible commercial shoreline development in the area that Pit to Pier wants to build in, and that the State Department of Natural Resources will not issue a shoreline permit does not seem to stop these folks from trying to do an end run around these two governmental bureaucracies. To quote a famous politicians’ wife, whom they likely paid campaign contributions to, “just say no’.

New to the area? Do some research on what Pit to Pier is. Has to do with the area just south and west of the Hood Canal floating bridge.

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Company seeking ‘pit-pier’ project sues state, Navy over new Hood Canal conservation easement

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Here it comes, the lawsuit. This is likely to take a long time to move through the courts, maybe a decade.

Hood Canal Sand and Gravel, the company seeking the long-planned “pit to pier” gravel operation, has filed suit in Jefferson County Superior Court in an effort to block a state and federal plan to block development along the Hood Canal coastline.  Joe Smillie reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

 See also: Deadline looms for comments on the pit-to-pier impact statement http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/deadline-looms-for-comments-on-the-pittopier-impact-statement_72560226 Christopher Dunagan reports. (Kitsap Sun)

 http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140806/news/308069970/company-seeking-8216-pit-pier-8217-project-sues-state-navy-over

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EVENT: Public Open House for Pit To Pier – August 4 – 5:30 to 8PM

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Al Bergstein

Ok folks. Time to make sure your position is heard on Pit to Pier.

HCC PTP Ad Final

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Project manager: New state, Navy conservation easement for areas of Hood Canal won’t halt pit-to-pier – PDN

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Al Bergstein

If nothing else, this is likely to stall the Pit To Pier project for the next decade while it goes through the courts. Thanks to Charlie and the PDN for covering the story.

A conservation easement between the state Department of Natural Resources and the Navy that prohibits industrial development along areas of Hood Canal won’t stop a gravel-moving facility nicknamed the “pit-to-pier,” the project manager said. …Charlie Bermant reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140710/NEWS/307109987/project-manager-new-state-navy-conservation-easement-for-areas-of

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‘Pit-to-pier’ firm appeals Jefferson County’s Shoreline Master Plan- PDN

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Al Bergstein

The Peninsula Daily News reports today that the Thorndyke Resources Project will take a legal challenge on the Shoreline Master Plan to the Growth Management Board. Given what the PDN reports, it seems unlikely to be successful, but hope springs eternal with these folks, and they apparently have the money to hire the lawyers to challenge it. 

Read the whole story here:

http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140418/news/304189970/-8216-pit-to-pier-8217-firm-appeals-jefferson-county-8217-s

 

 

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Pit to Pier Bill (SB5805) Fast Track bill now appears dead

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Al Bergstein

Just in: Washington Environmental Council reports that a bill that would have fast-tracked mega-projects from gravel mines to coal export facilities (SB 5805) in Washington appears derailed for now in the State Legislature after it failed to advance before a key cutoff today. SB 5805 would have changed a little-used provision of state law to expedite the review and permitting for projects of statewide significance. Currently, for a project to be designated as a project of statewide significance, it has to at least provide a net environmental benefit and be supported by the local city or county government. SB 5805 would have removed both of these requirements and allowed fast-track permitting for mega-projects like coal export facilities in Bellingham and Longview and the Pit-to-Pier gravel mine on Hood Canal.

Not a total defeat, and WEC and us will continue to monitor whether it’s negotiated back to life in some way or another. But this work was done with a lot of support from local people, and those in the wider Puget Sound community. Neither of our Representatives supported this bill moving to the House, and Senator Hargrove did not support it either.

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