About The Ranch Quarry
The Ranch Quarry is a proposed hard rock surface mine located within the South Pass Mineral Resource Lands (MRL) overlay district, north of South Pass Road and west of Frost Road near Sumas, Washington.
Through its Mineral Resource Lands program, Whatcom County identifies and protects areas with important mineral resources needed to support essential infrastructure. These long-term planning efforts help ensure that locally available materials remain accessible for projects such as roads, bridges, schools, utilities, housing, and other community improvements.
The Ranch Quarry site includes approximately 108 acres, with approximately 63 acres proposed for mineral extraction and an approximately 45-acre perimeter buffer designed to provide separation from neighboring properties, protect surrounding uses, and help maintain the character of the surrounding area.
As one of the remaining undeveloped hard rock aggregate resources within Whatcom County’s designated Mineral Resource Lands, the Ranch Quarry represents an opportunity to provide a reliable local source of construction materials for future generations. The project is being designed with responsible operations, environmental protection, and community compatibility as key priorities.
Our Community
Providing essential materials for the places we live, work, and play.
Our Environment
Reducing longer hauls, emissions, and reginal environmental impacts.
Our Economy
Supporting local jobs and cutting down on import costs of materials.
Our Future
Reclaiming land for permanent open space & forestry use for better tomorrow, as promised.
Closer Materials. Cleaner Delivery. Lower Costs. Stronger Communities.
Every community depends on a reliable supply of construction materials to build and maintain the infrastructure we use every day. Roads, bridges, schools, homes, utilities, flood protection systems, and public facilities all require high-quality aggregate.
The proposed Ranch Quarry would provide a local source of high-quality hard rock aggregate to help meet these ongoing needs. Producing materials closer to where they are needed can reduce transportation distances, lower fuel consumption, decrease reliance on imported materials, and support a more reliable regional construction supply chain.
A dependable local aggregate source helps Whatcom County prepare for future infrastructure needs while supporting public safety, economic vitality, and responsible community growth.