Mine should focus on gravel-yard permits, not threats to school

As a school principal, Bente Klatt is responsible for more than 500 students and dozens of teachers and staffers at Fairmount Elementary School in Snohomish County. She takes the responsibility seriously.

So when Mountain Loop Mine established a gravel yard a few feet from her school in the Mukilteo School District and began trucking gravel in and out, she, staff members and parents were right to be concerned and to complain.

The first complaint to Snohomish County came on April 7, 2023, with dozens more to follow. After an inspection the county gave the company three months to get the required permits needed to operate the business.

Though the company’s operations are allowed under county zoning, the county informed the company that it needs a land-disturbing-activity permit, a business park final site plan approval permit and a state Environmental Protection Act review. 

But instead of sitting down with school officials and parents to work out a solution, and obtaining the permits, the company had its attorney send a cease and desist letter to Klatt that basically said stop complaining or else.

The attorney representing the company stated in her letter that if the principal continues to complain about the activity at the gravel yard, “Mountain Loop Mine will have no choice but to consider all available legal recourse against you and Fairmount Elementary School.”

Bad move.

Maybe the lawyers defending Mountain Loop Mine and its gravel operation just don’t get it. But the teachers, administrators and parents of students from Fairmount Elementary School obviously do. 

Residents are allowed to complain to their elected officials when they encounter public problems that need public remedies. Petitioning the government for a redress of grievances is a right guaranteed under the First Amendment.

When the education of students is jeopardized because of noise or dust, as the complaints allege, that’s a problem that needs a fast solution, not threats. County officials said the company has another deadline of Feb. 15 to show at least progress toward obtaining the permits.

The company should spend the next few days trying to get the permits they’ve promised the county, even granted extension after extension to do so — and less time threatening Fairmount and its dedicated principal.

Solve the problem, Mountain Loop Mine. Snohomish County officials should make sure they do as soon as possible.