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

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Mr. Belcher noted that Mr. Christianson had testified that there would be no more than a 1-3 cubic foot capacity for ground water in a 10 foot deep range and that this was a very small figure.when compared with the foot per second measurement for surface flood water. He questioned how Ms. Kupillas would respond to that. Ms. Kupillas said she envisioned a bath tub and how much water it would hold with or ~ithout being filled with marbles. She said the issue was not flood waters coming from surface water but the water table coming up high enough to reach the surface. In response t6 a question from Ms. Nichols regarding the water from people's wells that seeped into the excavation would then be pumped into the Willamette River and could not be given back to those who lost water, Ms. Kupillas said the current plan was to pump water into settling ponds and then let it filter into the Willamette River. She said she had worked with other situations where mining operations had affected wells and water had been given back to farmers but remarked that this only worked for irrigation and not for drinking water. In response to a question from Eugene Planning Commission Member Rick Duncan regarding whether there was a significant change in ground water levels because of.the new excavation that had not already occurred with the . current pit, Ms. Kupillas said there had already been a change in ground water with the existing pit. She said the plan is for expansion to a new area that would be closer to that impacted land. In response to a question from Mr. Duncan regarding whether there would be a reduction in problems as the pit was reclaimed, Ms. Kupillas acknowledged that there could be but surmised that if the materials used to fill the pit were · lower permeability then there would be lower water storage capacity for ground water. In response to a question from Mr. Duncan regarding whether in the long run (20-30 years), when the pit was eventually filled in and whether the ground water would then stabilize itself, Ms. Kupillas said the ground water would be stabilized at a new equilibrium. She speculated that the pit would be reclaimed with lower permeability soils and create a draw down cone of depression. She said the closer a well came to the lower permeable soils there would be well interference issues. In response to a question from Mr. Belcher regarding if the application were approved and whether at the end of the mining process the low permeability barrier should be left or removed as part of the mitigation process, Ms. Kupillas said it would make sense in the interests of ecology to leave it. Mr. Sullivan commented that much of the testimony provided by Ms. Kupillas was based on the applicant's 'lack of good science.' He questioned whether it was her opinion that, the matter could be addressed if the correct procedures were taken. Ms. Kupillas said she was not able to complete the evaluation of impacts that could happen because of lack of information in the application. She said she could say whether everything would be fine if proper procedures were followed, but not enough information was supplied by the applicant. Lane County Planning. Commissioner Juanita Kirkham noted that the commission needed a vote to proceed in a meeting past 10 pm. Ms. Arkin, seconded by Lane County PlanningCommissio~er Ed Becker, moved to extend the meeting until no. later than i 1 pm. The motion passed unanimously. MINUTES-Lane County Planning Commission. Eugene Planning Commission . .January 17,2006 .13