Gravel Ordinance Fails

Mayor Edna DeVries (duh-VREES) vetoed the passage of the gravel ordinance at the June 6th Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting. 

Many members of the public spoke and sent written comments against the proposed ordinance and its multiple amendments. There was continued concern that the public would be left out of the process. 

The Assembly members discussed amendments about the distance between gravel sites, the amount of gravel allowed to be taken from each site, and annual registration for smaller operations. Four amendments were introduced prior to the meeting. Since its introduction in late 2022, the legislation was significantly altered from its original wording.  This was the fourth time the ordinance was brought forward for discussion and vote. 

The discussion began just before 11 p.m. and members did not want to extend the meeting beyond midnight. With six minutes left, the members voted to approve the ordinance and Mayor DeVries vetoed it to public applause. The Assembly members failed to override the veto. The existing legislation that requires a conditional use permit for extracting more than 2,000 cubic yards of gravel remains in place.