Item A: Delta Sand and Gravel - Laserfiche WebLink

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- make the proposed minimization more effective to reduce the identified adverse effects; - avoid significant adverse effects to the economic viability of the proposed use; or - change the probable duration of the mining operation or the proposed post-mining use of the site. As such, the City’s analysis concentrates on the ESEE consequences of allowing or denying the proposal. Allowing proposed expansion The economic consequences of allowing the proposal are associated with continued operations of an existing quarry for an estimated 12-15 years; that is, employment of up to 135 persons annually and (based on 2004 figures) payment of over $4,750,000 in wages, plus taxes and charitable contributions to local endeavors. There is a non-quantified economic benefit to having a local source of aggregate for local construction and roadway projects due to savings in transportation costs, shortened delivery time, and less truck traffic on interstate highways and rural roads. The social and environmental consequences of allowing the proposal are closely tied together. In excavating the expansion area, the applicant would be operating (at first above grade) in areas that lie only about 150’ away from existing homes. Wind data in Exhibit 33 suggests that 47 percent of the time in drier months, and at other times throughout the year, prevailing winds will exacerbate dust exposures to existing residents. Particulate matter can trigger asthma attacks, cause wheezing, coughing, and respiratory irritation in individuals with sensitive airways. Exposure to relatively low concentrations of particular matter has been linked with premature death. Those at greatest risk are the elderly, people with pre-existing respiratory or heart disease, children and infants (Exhibit 33: “Particulate Matter Air Pollution, May 2003” and “Cal/EPA Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, June 2005”). Public testimony at hearings revealed that there are people with sensitive airways and children living in the area of conflict. Evidence in the record suggests that, by allowing the expansion, there will be a positive effect on the area’s energy use, as the aggregate used in local construction projects will be close- by and will not need to be hauled from great distances. Denying proposed expansion The consequences of denying the expansion request are essentially the converse of those that result from allowing it, discussed above. The economic consequences of denying the proposal are that employment of up to 135 persons annually and (based on 2004 figures) payment of over $4,750,000 in wages, plus taxes, and charitable contributions to local endeavors will end in approximately 10 years, when the resource covered by existing permits is expected to run out . There is a non-quantified economic benefit to having a local source of aggregate for Local construction and roadway projects may suffer an increase in costs due to increased transportation costs to import aggregate materials, lengthened delivery time, and increased truck traffic on interstate highways and rural roads. Some of these impacts may be mitigated in the short term, however, by increased activity by other local quarries. That is, other local quarry Ordinance - 24