Juneau quarry seeks bigger blasts and longer hours through 2036

The city of Juneau is asking its Planning Commission to renew the Stabler Point Quarry permit in Auke Bay, with requests to allow larger blasts, expanded daily operating hours, and continued operations through 2036.

The CBJ Lands and Resources Division and Engineering and Public Works Department filed the conditional use permit renewal, which would increase the maximum blast size to 40,000 cubic yards, including test blasts. The agenda does not state the current blast limit, so the full scale of the increase is not reflected in the public record. Operating hours would expand by one hour on each end of the day. The Community Development Department director would also gain authority to extend operational hours and days further during declared emergencies, a power that has already been used four times under the current permit.

The quarry was first permitted in 1996 and began operations in 2001. The Planning Commission has approved successive expansions since then, including a 10-year renewal in 2016. This renewal would extend operations to 2036 if approved.

Staff recommend the commission approve the permit with the requested modifications. The agenda does not document any public opposition filed before the hearing.

The Juneau Planning Commission is scheduled to take up the renewal July 28 at 6 p.m. in Assembly Chambers. Residents who want to weigh in can testify at that hearing.