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Thurston County, Washington

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 19

County facilities will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.

Community Planning and Economic Development

The Board of County Commissioners took final action on Thurston 2045 and other 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments and adopted Resolution 16574 and Ordinance 16575 on December 16, 2025. The changes are effective immediately. A legal notice of adoption was published in the Nisqually Valley News on December 18, 2025.

The Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone is an applicant-initiated land use amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to rezone approximately 247 acres at 4741 88th Ave SW from one home per 20 acres (Rural 1/20 in code) to industrial (Rural Resource Industrial in code) in unincorporated Thurston County. The rezone and land use amendments were adopted by Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on December 16th, 2025. 

Read the Fact Sheet 

The map below displays an approximation of the final rezoned and amended 247 acres. Please see Thurston County Geodata for the official zoning map records. 

Zoning map titled “Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone Proposal.” A dark purple area outlined with a red dashed line marks the study area proposed for rezoning from Rural 1/20 to Rural Resource Industrial in unincorporated Thurston County. The site is shown adjacent to the Black River Refuge, with surrounding parcels color-coded by zoning designations. Major roads, nearby streets, and parks are labeled, and a legend explains zoning colors, the study area, and project details.

Public Participation Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in the Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone Amendment. If you would like to participate in the public process or review comments submitted on the project, please visit the links below. You can also provide comments at any time during the process using the comment form below. Opportunities to participate in-person will also be available throughout the review process. Please see the timeline below for key dates and details. 

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Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone Amendment Comment Form 

The Thurston County Planning Commission will held a public hearing to hear public testimony on this proposal on August 6th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., or soon after, in Suite 110, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing for this proposal on November 12th, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. or soon after, in Suite 110, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. 

Anticipated Timeline

1

Public Open House

April 28th, 2025

Open house for public education, outreach, and comments. 5:00-7:00 PM at the McLane Fire Black Lake Station at 5911 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA. 




2025 04-28 RRI FINAL.pdf




2025 04-28 R 1-20 FINAL.pdf




2025 04-22 Amendment Review Process Poster FINAL.pdf




2025 04-07 BLQ Littlrock Rezone Map FINAL.pdf




Fact Sheet BLQ.pdf

2

Planning Commission Review

June 2025- September 2025

Planning Commission reviewed the Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone amendment. See the Planning Commission webpage for presentation materials, staff reports, and meeting minutes. 

3

Planning Commission Public Hearing

August 6th, 2025, 7:00 PM

Planning Commission public hearing to accept public testimony on the Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone Amendment. The hearing was held at 7:00 p.m., or soon after, in Suite 110, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. 




BLQ PC Recommendation Letter (2).docx




BLQ Rezone PC Hearing Staff Report 7-30.pdf

4

Anticipated Environmental Review

September 18, 2025

SEPA environmental review of the Black Lake Quarry (Littlerock) Rezone Amendment. A Mitigated determination of Nonsignificance was issued on September 18th, 2025. The SEPA comment period extends to October 2nd, 2025, and the appeal deadline is October 9th, 2025. This was an opportunity for the public to provide comments.




Black Lake Quarry SEPA MDNS.pdf

5

Board of County Commissioners Review

November-December 2025

The BoCC reviewed the proposal in November and December 2025. This was an opportunity to provide public comment. Please visit the BoCC webpage to view agenda packets, video recordings and presentation materials.

6

Anticipated Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing and Final Action

November 12th, 2025, December 16th, 2025

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing for this proposal on November 12th, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. or soon after, in Suite 110, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Final action to adopt the proposal was taken on December 16th, with a 4-1 vote to approve. Visit the BoCC webpage for more information. 

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