The Grand Island Project:
Economic benefits and environmental protections

Baker Rock Resources has submitted an application to Yamhill County to mine sand and gravel from land the company owns near Dayton, Oregon. Aggregate from the Grand Island site would supply our asphalt plant in Dayton and concrete fabrication facilities in McMinnville and Newberg. Material from the site will be available for countless farm, industrial, residential and infrastructure uses throughout Yamhill County.

As a family-owned company operating in the region since the 1950s, we know Grand Island is a special place and we are committed to keeping it that way. The company has pledged to manage the proposed aggregate site in accordance with binding good neighbor policies that were developed in response to meetings with local farmers and concerned citizens.

Baker Rock Resources’ economic contribution:

Baker Rock Resources and its affiliated companies have a stake in the community, employing 52 people, 41 of whom live in Yamhill County. Our company pays more than $70,000 in annual property taxes in Yamhill County, and in 2008 and 2009 combined, our company purchased more than $400,000 in goods and services from approximately 40 local businesses.

Economic impact:

• Low-cost local source: Baker Rock Resources' Dayton asphalt plant, the only such facility located in Yamhill County, provides local businesses and governments with the lowest-cost source of asphalt for use in Yamhill County. All Yamhill County taxpayers, businesses and consumers save money when sand and gravel that is consumed locally is produced locally.

• A new source of high value sand and gravel for concrete: Sand and round gravel for concrete are increasingly rare commodities because they can no longer be dredged from riverbeds. This has driven the cost of concrete up significantly.The Grand Island site will ensure that competitively priced sand and gravel will be available to Yamhill County governments and businesses for several decades.

• Reduced cost to taxpayers and consumers by buying locally: Aggregate is heavy. Fuel prices continue to rise. Buying locally could mean savings on the proposed Newberg-Dundee Bypass. The freight cost per ton of asphalt from the Dayton plant is nearly one third the cost of bringing in asphalt from Salem. Producing locally those products that are consumed locally results in savings to consumers and taxpayers, and also has significant environmental benefits. Shorter haul distances mean less fuel consumed per ton, and a significantly smaller carbon footprint for the construction of major projects.

• New job creation: Our Grand Island project will sustain existing local jobs while producing future jobs for the local economy.

• Agreement to pay for local roads and bridges:  Our company has also guaranteed its financial contribution, beyond what it already pays in road use taxes, to ensure the safety and longevity of local roads and bridges that will be used by our trucks.

Recognized as a responsible business:

Baker Rock Resources supports local organizations in the cities and towns where our employees live and work. Our company and our employees give generously of time and resources in order to enhance the quality of life in the communities we share. The company even has its own charitable trust to fund philanthropic activities, benefiting local athletic teams, schools foundations, service clubs, cultural organizations, youth activities and more.

Baker Rock Resources is also regularly recognized by its peers for operating by the highest standards. We have been honored three times with the Oregon Environmental Award from the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon. We also won that association’s Oregon Quality Award and the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s Diamond Commendation for continuous improvement in all aspects of operations. The company has been recognized as an Outstanding Business by the Community Action Organization, and a Good Neighbor by the Oregon Department of Geology as well.

Working to protect the environment:

Baker Rock Resources has listened closely to our neighbors as we have presented our land-use application. We have agreed to numerous binding conditions to protect the environment and our neighbors. Yamhill County staff recommended approval of our land-use application because the company has met or exceeded all legal, safety and environmental requirements.

The proposed 175-acre mining area is separated from the Willamette River by a thick buffer of trees that are not affected by the project. No wetlands on or near the site will be harmed. Farming will continue on the site throughout the operating phase. The company will excavate only one four-to-eight acre area at a time. The site will be continuously restored for fish and wildlife habitat over the life of the project. When mining ends, the 224-acre site, including forested areas, open water suitable for recreation and native riparian vegetation, will be opened for public recreational use under a binding condition of approval.

For additional information, contact:

Todd Baker, CEO
Baker Rock Resources
21880 SW Farmington Rd.
Beaverton, Oregon 97007
Office (503) 642-2531
Email: ToddBaker@baker-rock.com