Ordinance leaves some grumbling over gravel

MAT-SU �” An ordinance that would limit gravel pit operators’ ability to dig below the water table in the Mat-Su Borough has some in the construction industry crying foul and arguing for more time.

The ordinance is due to come before the Borough assembly tonight.

“The proposed ordinance does not end gravel mining, it simply stops gravel mining from going too far,” a Borough prepared statement says. “It requires that a minimum distance of 4 feet be maintained between the seasonal high water table and the base of excavation.”

The statement goes on to cite an instance where a local landowner lost a septic system due to flooding from a gravel pit and concerns that mining into the water table could create the opposite problem �” emptied drinking water wells, potentially drying up the taps of entire subdivisions.

“Who then replaces the homeowners’ drinking water supplies? That’s the issue,” Borough Manager John Duffy said.

But Richard Cattanach, executive director emeritus of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, which has sponsored newspaper ads against the ordinance, said he’s not so sure gravel pits are causing a problem or that banning mining below the water table will solve anything.

“If this was the only solution, if this was the best solution, then we would support it,” Cattanach said.

But he said the Borough is rushing to get its resolution passed.

“We’re just trying to get people’s attention and say, ‘Let’s go a little bit slower,’” Cattanach said.

Borough planner Emerson Kruger, who has been working on the ordinance, said he brought together in November a group of industry representatives, community members and homeowners. That group finished its work in February and submitted its own ordinance as a potential substitute for the Borough’s draft.

Duffy said it was only after the group finished its work that gravel companies changed their tune.

“Then what happened is apparently a number of the gravel firms, after they all agreed on the substitute, all called Emerson up and said, ‘We’re not so sure about it’ and pulled their support,” Duffy said.

Bill Fuger, president and general manager of AAA Valley Gravel, said he wasn’t on that working group and doesn’t support the ordinance.

“The Borough is once again trying to regulate our industry to the point where it’s going to cause a lot of financial hardship,” Fuger said. “I do think it’s unnecessary, and it’s going to add a huge burden to any operator that wants to go down below the water table.”

Cattanach’s organization has warned that 200 jobs are threatened at firms that could potentially have to shut down if they’re not allowed to go below the water table.

“There are some pits that would probably have to be closed because they are already in violation of this ordinance,” Cattanach said.

Duffy said that’s not quite true. Anyone currently mining in the Valley has to apply for a grandfathering permit, which will allow them to continue mining as they have been. As of Monday, he said 85 have submitted applications, eight of which said they were mining in the water table.

Duffy said other communities, from New Hampshire to Maine to Sweden and Scotland, are taking a hard look at mining below the water table and many have gone so far as to ban it.

Cattanach said contractors rely on gravel from the Valley, which for years has supplied the bulk of gravel for construction projects in Anchorage. He’s worried the ordinance will dry up that supply.

Duffy said that, while it may be true gravel operations have gone on in the Valley for years without problems, recent population growth in the area has changed the equation.

“Now what used to be a non-issue, because of our higher population [and] increased residential density ... we’re having to start to look at ways of doing things differently,” Duffy said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.