MSB Assembly ordinance proposes gravel legislation increasing extraction limits

On Tuesday, the Matanuska Susitna Borough (MSB) Assembly is set to discuss gravel legislation that, if passed, would allow up to 10,000 cubic yards of earth materials to be extracted without a permit.

The legislation, proposed by Assemblyman Mokie Tew, would increase the current amount by 5 times - from 2,000 to 10,000 cubic yards annually - the size of gravel pit operations that could go in next to homes without needing any MSB permit.

For context, a typical dump truck holds about 12-13 cubic yards. A 10,000 cubic yard gravel pit would equal nearly 1,000 loaded dump trucks a year, or about 2,000 round trips. This level of industrial traffic could significantly impact surrounding residential neighborhoods, not to mention potential environmental impacts to water and quality of life.

“This is a really bad idea,” said Stephen Edwards, the Chair of the Local Road Area Advisory Board (LRAAB) and the Chair of the Meadow Lakes Road Board.

“The LRAAB passed a resolution against this. We had a 16-member RSA quorum with vastly diverse backgrounds, but we had a unanimous vote against this resolution,” he said. Edwards points to the disruption in traffic and the poor conditions of some roads where these gravel extraction yards could be located.

“Some of these roads are just not built for this kind of traffic. In many residential neighborhoods, the heavy trucks needed would cut ruts into the roads, and with the mud holes that develop after the frost eases, it’s a mess.”

The ordnance must first go through the MSB Planning Commission, which is set to meet on Monday. In its original, approved resolution, the current limit was too low and “raising the exemption limit will allow citizens and owners of gravel resources to use and develop the resource without unnecessary regulation and expense.”

On the agenda for the upcoming meeting, however, there is a resolution to rescind their prior approval to the ordinance. It is unclear how the commission will vote.

Edwards also took issue with the lack of public notice from the Planning Commission, saying that they did not reach out to the Road Board or LRAAB.

“Residents care about this. They care about their neighborhoods. They care about the trucks going up and down their roads. This has a big impact.”

Reaction has been swift, with many vocalizing opposition, stating it would devalue their property and contribute to land abuses.

If the legislation passes, it would be Borough-wide and would make it possible to put large pits up to 10,000 cubic yards next to homes (anywhere outside the cities)

Currently, MSB Regulation 17.30, which regulates the Conditional Use Permits for Earth Materials Extraction Activities, states that extraction activities that do not exceed an annual volume of 7,000 square yards (or 2 years) may utilize an administrative permit. An administrative permit is a use permit that is approved by the director with only public notification if the proposed development meets the minimum threshold for administrative decisions.

Anything beyond the 7,000 square yards requires a conditional use permit, which is granted by the Planning Commission. This would require a public hearing. The permit process includes a public hearing where adjoining residents can speak to impacts on their property, and rules may be established to help alleviate the impacts of increased traffic, noise and dust from the gravel pit. There is also a review included to ensure that operators have a proper reclamation plan, that they are not leaving overly steep slopes, an operational safety plan for the roads, and that there are protections for groundwater and drinking water supplies.

The new proposal would not require a permit, which would also negate the need for public hearings, something that does not rest well with residents.

“Nobody has an opportunity to weigh-in, which has huge implications. It could mean that people can just start digging without letting anyone know,” said Edwards.

The Mat-Su Frontiersman did reach out to Assemblymember Tew, but did not receive a response prior to publication of this story.