Gravel was extracted from the southern pit for decades before the northern portion. Over the century, small scale steadily changed to large scale. It is amazing to realize that gravel mining has been continuous on the Properties for part of three centuries. The last century was noted for the extraction of valuable sand and gravel products and all the dramatic physical and environmental changes associated with open pit mining. This century will be noted for a different transformation, with the potential to be equally dramatic.
Production continues to decline and give way to restoration and reclamation.
Implementation of the Master Site Plan in the years ahead, will result in a steady increase in vegetation replacing exposed gravel and dust, public use areas replacing restricted access signs, and reuse, reclamation and public utility services providing the core for all types of activities. It leaves one to wonder what the look in the rear view will reveal to our successors in 100 years. The Executive initiated negotiations on the JPA, the key implementation element of the Master Site Plan , immediately after the August 1997 adoption of the Master Site Plan by the County Council. On January 3 rd , the Lakewood City Council unanimously approved the Joint Procedural Agreement needed to implement the Master Site Plan . The JPA was approved by the University Place City Council on February 7 th and has now been forwarded to the County Council for consideration and final action.