County Council surpluses gravel on Waldron Island; Public bid begins August 27

The County will also negotiate a Gravel Extraction Lease with the successful bidder for purchase of the gravel.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

During the August 5 meeting, Council passed a resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus gravel by public bid. In addition, the resolution authorized the negotiation of a multi-year gravel extraction lease with the winning bidder. 

Following procedures set out in SJCC Chapter 2.104, the Public Works Department will conduct a sealed bid opening on August 27, 2025 for the public sale of up to one-thousand cubic yards of bank run gravel to be extracted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations at the Waldron Gravel Pit Lease Area. 

The County Manager will then negotiate a Gravel Extraction Lease with the successful bidder for purchase of the gravel. This lease will be presented for Council consideration and a future public hearing date. 

Background

Residents of Waldron Island have been seeking a local solution to their need for gravel for many years. Most recently, Council has been considering a plan to make gravel available for public sale from the County’s gravel pit on Waldron Island. 

• During the March 31, 2025 Council meeting, staff presented a conceptual plan to County Council to make gravel from the County’s gravel pit available for public sale on Waldron Island. 
• On April 12, 2025, staff attended a community meeting on Waldron Island to discuss the conceptual plan with residents.
• Councilmembers discussed the potential plan during the April 15, 2025 meeting along with the feedback received from Waldron residents, the possible impacts to Public Works operations, and the state of the Road Fund.
• During the July 1 Council meeting on Waldron, the Council set a public hearing for August 5 to further discuss the plan.   
• During the August 5 meeting, Council passed a resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus gravel by public bid and the negotiation of a multi-year gravel extraction lease. 

About San Juan County’s Public Works Department    

San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/277/Public-Works .