Permit hearing on quarry Tuesday

SANDPOINT — A conditional use permit on a controversial rock quarry goes before Bonner County commissioners Tuesday.

The hearing begins at 5:15 p.m. at the old Federal Building.

At the heart of the debate is David L. Haman Trust’s request for a conditional use permit for the rock quarry. The Hayden business hopes to build a mineral quarry and rock crusher on 110 of its acres a few miles north of Athol.

The quarry would be located at the intersection of Anglin and Roberts Road where it crosses the border of Kootenai and Bonner counties. While located in Bonner County, residents across the county line in Kootenai County, say the proposed Athol rock quarry would hurt their property values, quality of life and, possibly, their safety.

Residents worry the quarry could harm the area’s aquifer and damage the road.

The business has proposed widening the road and dedicating it to Bonner County, according to officials. In addition, the business agreed to several conditions to minimize impact, such as applying a dust palliative throughout the life of the mine, and maintaining a vegetative buffer of at least 50 feet on three sides. Operations will be timed to accommodate locals, with mining and rock crushing lasting from March to November, weekdays only, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.