EXHIBIT 99.1



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                       U.S. AGGREGATES SELLS IDAHO ASSETS

DRAPER, UTAH, FEB. 6, 2002 -- U.S. Aggregates, Inc., (OTC Bulletin Board: AGAT)
today announced that it has closed the sale of substantially all of the Idaho
assets of its wholly owned subsidiary Monroc Inc. The assets have been purchased
by Oldcastle Inc., a subsidiary of CRH plc (Nasdaq: CRHCY - news), one of the
largest producers of aggregates, asphalt and ready mix concrete in the U.S. U.S.
Aggregates will realize proceeds of approximately $16,500,000 after payment of
approximately $4,700,000 in debt and leases. The Company cited the non-strategic
nature of the assets and the previously disclosed efforts by the Company to
restructure its indebtedness as reasons for the sale. The majority of the
proceeds will be used to repay senior secured bank debt. The Company is
negotiating with its senior secured lenders to utilize a portion of the proceeds
for working capital purposes. The Idaho operations represent approximately 13%
of the Company's 2001 revenues.

Founded in 1994,  U.S.  Aggregates,  Inc.  ("USAI") is a producer of aggregates.
Aggregates consist of crushed stone, sand and gravel. The Company's products are
used  primarily  for   construction   and  maintenance  of  highways  and  other
infrastructure projects as well as for commercial and residential construction.
USAI serves  local  markets in nine states in two regions of the United  States,
the Mountain states and the Southeast.

CERTAIN MATTERS DISCUSSED IN THIS RELEASE CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND
INFORMATION BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S BELIEF AS WELL AS ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY AND
INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO MANAGEMENT. SUCH STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO
RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND ASSUMPTIONS INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, FUTURE
GROWTH IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; THE ABILITY OF U.S. AGGREGATES TO COMPLETE
ACQUISITIONS AND EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED COMPANIES' OPERATIONS;
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC BUSINESS ALTERNATIVES; AND GENERAL RISKS
RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN WHICH U.S. AGGREGATES OPERATES. SHOULD ONE OR MORE OF
THESE RISKS MATERIALIZE, OR SHOULD UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT,
ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING THESE RISK FACTORS AND OTHER UNCERTAINTIES MAY BE FOUND IN
THE COMPANY'S FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

                                      ###