Skyline Aggregates Quarry

Lifelong resident and contractor said the county is 'dying' for jobs and that he'd otherwise haul aggregate from out of the area; praised Hat Creek's clean operation and urged unanimous approval.

Warder Farms family member urged unanimous approval as a turning point for rural Lassen County's economy.

Argued government's economic role is providing consistent rules, and that Thompson followed every step and deserves approval.

Born-and-raised resident said the project is the base of growth the county has watched slip away.

New local radio station owner said he researched the project heavily and urged approval, warning the tax base and investment leave if the county says no.

Business owner and volunteer praised Hat Creek's community giving and urged support for family-sustaining jobs.

The only female heavy-equipment operator at Hat Creek's pits described three years of mentorship and career growth at the company.

Stone Co Construction employee described decades of subcontracting with Hat Creek and the rigor of the EIR process.

Trucking-family worker said Hat Creek sustains his job and his father's and brother's independent trucking businesses.

Former supervisor said the county needs jobs now so young people like his daughter don't have to leave.

Rancher noted the company asks for no loans or grants — just the chance to invest its own money in a needed product.

Feather River College superintendent said local aggregate would keep taxpayer money local on upcoming campus construction and offered CDL and environmental partnerships.

Longtime resident living near the site said she hears more noise from Bass Hill than the quarry area and urged unanimous approval.

A local vendor of 35 years said more quarry jobs mean more store hours and staffing.

Grew up next to a comparable quarry in Gardnerville, Nevada and said there was never a dust or noise complaint.

Drove from Redding to call the project a model of rural economic development across business, community and workforce legs.

Thompson's business partner told how the two left small towns, built careers, and came home to bring aggregate jobs back to Lassen County.

Small business owner since 1982 said he'd welcome a quarry next to his own place and urged unanimous approval.

Cited the Plumas Healthcare board's unanimous opposition to a similar Hat Creek mine near Portola and asked the board to consider whether they'd accept it near their own families — he attended with his mother, a Banner Lassen cancer patient.

Former mill-town resident raised silica dust, blasting vibration, sensitive receptors and water protection concerns.

Retired respiratory therapist of 42 years said silicosis, asthma and COPD risks terrify her and asked that they be mitigated.

Said she agrees with the economics but the location near town is the problem; the loss of the valley's scenic view is significant and unavoidable under the county's own plan, and she warned that the permit runs with the land if the owner ever changes.

Asked how the class-one walking/biking path along Skyline Road will be protected when the road widens to four lanes.

Wondered how truck and equipment emissions will behave in Susanville's winter inversion layers.

Conceded the jobs and revenue but said it's 'just too bad it's in town,' quoting the EIR's need for an overriding consideration on unavoidable impacts.

Asked why the MOU with the Susanville Indian Rancheria is confidential and whether tribal members — not just leadership — had input.

Neutral speaker who wanted to know the wind patterns and how far dust would carry toward Susanville neighborhoods.

Longtime CDL driver asked which direction trucks will turn onto Skyline Road and questioned safety at the 55 mph zone with two roadside memorials already there.

Twenty-seven additional speakers in favor and further opposition speakers appeared; a letter of support from Leann Wood was read into the record by Supervisor Ingram.