SU0004094 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 1810 E.HAZELTON AVE.,STOCKTON.CA 85206.8232 PHONE:209/488.3121 FAX:208/488-3183 MAY 2 3 2006 NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR RMC VERNALIS QUARRY MINING AND RECLAMATION PROJECT (QX-01-02/PA-0200065) Project Description The Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project site encompasses approximately 688 acres of land, of which approximately 590 acres are located within San Joaquin County and approximately 98 acres are located in Stanislaus County. The total acreage to be disturbed is 659 acres. The proposed operation consists of sand and gravel extraction and the processing of construction aggregate on property either owned or leased by the applicant. The project site is the eventual replacement of the Applicant's Tracy Facility that will be depleted of reserves within 10 years. The application proposes active mining for 26 to 60 years and the reclamation of all disturbed land in phases, resulting in an ultimate end use of agricultural land and open space. All reclaimed areas except for the slopes will be returned to land that can be used for agriculture, the slopes will be open space. The proposed mining operation would consist of the extraction of 1.7 to 4.0 million tons per year, with excavation of the site expected to generate over 100 million tons of sand and gravel product over 26 to 60 years. The operation will be open pit, sand and gravel harvesting and processing. A mining plan was developed based on reviewing over 35 soil borings completed on the project site. Maximum mining depths will vary from 88 to 116 feet below ground surface, depending on the groundwater level. No mining will occur in the groundwater aquifer. In addition to the mining operation, the project would include a processing plant and office facilities. A paved entrance to the plant site would be constructed off of Koster Road, approximately 2,100 feet south of Blewett Road. The driveway will be paved at least 100 feet into the plant site. At its highest point, the aggregate plant will be 65 feet tall. Ancillary uses include a ready mix concrete plant, asphalt plant and a portable concrete/asphalt pavement recycling plant. The applicant is proposing to build final slopes to a fully engineered 2:1 (horizontal to vertical)without terraces. Topsoil will be stockpiled and reused in final reclamation. Two options are proposed for mining near Hospital Creek,which traverses the site. The first option is to leave the creek in place and establish a 100-foot excavation setback. The second option is to create a spillway and mine the creek. Proposed hours of operation are 24 hours per day, six days a week (Monday through Saturday with maintenance on Sundays). Overnight operations would only occur as needed for special contract jobs requiring nighttime delivery. Project Location The Proposed Project site is situated regionally east of Koster Road, the Delta-Mendota Canal and South Costa Ranch Road, south of Blewett Road, west of Welty Road, approximately two miles east-northeast of the Highway 580/Highway 5 interchange, in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. The nearest developed community is Vernalis, California, located approximately two miles to the northeast of the site. Review Period The 45-day review period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is from May 22, 2006 to July 6, 2006. If you have any recommendations or comments on the DEIR, please submit them to Community Development Department, Attn: Chandler Martin, Deputy Director, Planning Division, no later than 5:00 PM on*dy 6, 2006. Comments or recommendations received after that date will not be used in staffs analysis and recommendation. 1 Notice of DIER Availability