Item 1: PH on Ordinance Amending Metro Plan (Delta Sand and Gravel)

Home Browse Search

mining and processing activities could generate dust and potentially create a nuisance condition for the nearby residences due to unusual or annoying amounts of dust present in the ambient air. Other “discharges” under the administrative rule could be defined to include air emissions from diesel engines. However, the Bridgewater evaluation concludes that, due to the small quantity of onsite excavation equipment and haul trucks, and the distant location of the equipment to one another and the proposed expansion area boundary, no conflict due to diesel exhaust will result from mining and processing activities associated with the proposed expansion area. Flooding The applicant retained EGR to prepare an evaluation of flood impacts associated with the proposed expansion area. That evaluation, titled “Evaluation of Potential Flood Impacts: Delta Sand and Gravel Expansion Area”, dated June 6, 2005, is attached to the application. The evaluation concluded that the method of mining the proposed expansion area will not result in a potential to impede flood flow, to reduce flood storage volume within the flood plain or to increase the velocity of water flowing across the site. The report concludes that the method of mining completely avoids any potential adverse flood impacts associated with mining activities on the proposed expansion area and, therefore, that no conflicts associated with flooding will result from mining and processing activities on the proposed expansion area. Groundwater The applicant retained EGR to prepare an evaluation of groundwater impacts associated with the proposed expansion area. That evaluation, titled “Digital Model of Existing Excavation Site and New Expansion Area”, dated June 2005, is attached to the application. The evaluation concluded that the proposed expansion of excavation (of the expansion area) could have an effect on groundwater resources in the immediate vicinity of the excavation. As accumulated water (rainwater and groundwater flowing into the excavations) is pumped from the excavations, the groundwater table could be lowered radially outward from the excavation edge. EGR noted that expansion of excavation in the area will not significantly affect municipal water supply system users in the area and that only one known significant groundwater user still exists in the vicinity of excavation site. The report concludes that that user is the plant nursery immediately to the north of the site that has already experienced most of the impact it will experience from present or expanded excavation. The evaluation concluded that mitigation may be required if other significant groundwater users exist in the vicinity of the excavation. (B) Potential conflicts to local roads used for access and egress to the mining site within one mile of the entrance to the mining site unless a greater distance is necessary in order to include the intersection with the nearest arterial identified in the local transportation plan. Conflicts shall be determined based on clear and objective standards regarding sight distances, road capacity, cross section elements, horizontal and vertical alignment, and similar items in the transportation plan and implementing ordinances. Such standards for trucks associated with the mining operation shall be equivalent to standards for other trucks of equivalent size, weight, and capacity that haul other materials; We find that approval of the application will not result in any conflicts to local roads used for access and egress to the mining site. Approval of the application will not result in any change in the applicant’s current use of local roads used for access to and egress from its facility. The proposed expansion area will merely be an additional area of land, adjacent to the Page 12 – FINDINGS OF FACT