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<br />respiratory irritation in individuals with sensitive airways. Exposure to relatively low
<br />concentrations of particular matter has been linked with premature death. Those at
<br />greatest risk are the elderly, people with pre-existing respiratory or heart disease, children
<br />and infants (Exhibit 33: "Particulate Matter Air Pollution, May 2003" and "Cal/EPA
<br />Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, June 2005"). Public testimony at
<br />hearings revealed that there are people with sensitive airways and children living in the
<br />area of conflict. As the applicant's representatives testified, the economy and demand
<br />control production, which had been increasing by approximately one percent per year,
<br />and that will increase traffic on Hunsaker Lane. Avon Lee Babbs and George Staples,
<br />Planning Commission minutes January 17, 2006, pages 6, 7. This potential increase in
<br />traffic was not analyzed by the applicant. Noise levels in residential areas will increase.
<br />The total amount of noise impact is not well quantified, but the evidence suggests that
<br />there will be a significant effect due to decreased distances between the excavation
<br />activities and residences, impulse noises, and inadequate mitigation for excavation not
<br />blocked by the quarry wall. Testimony of Arthur Noxon, PE, acoustic engineer, Exhibits
<br />33e,37, 64, 65, 264, and 278.
<br />
<br />Evidence in the record suggests that, by allowing the expansion, there will be a positive
<br />effect on the area's energy use, as the aggregate used in local construction projects will be close-
<br />by and will not need to be hauled from great distances.
<br />
<br />Denying proposed expansion
<br />
<br />The consequences of denying the expansion request are essentially the converse of those
<br />that result from allowing it, discussed above. The economic consequences of denying the
<br />proposal are that employment of up to 135 persons annually and (based on 2004 figures)
<br />payment of over $4,750,000 in wages, plus taxes, and charitable contributions to local endeavors
<br />will end in approximately 10 years, when the resource covered by existing permits is expected to
<br />run out. There is a non-quantified economic benefit to having a local source of aggregate for
<br />local construction and roadway projects may suffer an increase in costs due to increased
<br />transportation costs to import aggregate materials, lengthened delivery time, and increased truck
<br />traffic on interstate highways and rural roads. Some of these impacts may be mitigated in the
<br />short term, however, by increased activity by other local quarries. That is, other local quarry
<br />operations may be able to increase production in the short term to help offset the loss from Delta
<br />Sand and Gravel.
<br />As noted above, the social and environmental consequences of allowing the proposal are
<br />closely tied together. Surrounding properties will not experience the increased adverse effects of
<br />dust caused by the shorter distances between the mining operation and residences located in the
<br />area of conflict. There would be less likelihood that people with sensitive airways and children
<br />living in the area of conflict would experience asthma attacks, wheezing, coughing, respiratory
<br />irritation, or premature death. (Exhibit 33: ""Particulate Matter Air Pollution, May 2003" and
<br />""Cal/EP A Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, June 2005"). There may not be
<br />a sustained increase in truck traffic, although there could be a new traffic generator allowed on
<br />the site if the quarry were not allowed. Avon Lee Babbs and George Staples, Planning
<br />Commission minutes January 17, 2006, pages 6, 7. Surrounding residents would not be subject
<br />to a sustained increase in noise emanating from the quarry, which would probably result in an
<br />increase in property values to nearby properties in the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
<br />Testimony of Arthur Noxon, PE, acoustic engineer, Exhibits 33e,37, 64, 65, 264, and 278.
<br />
<br />Exhibit A to Ordinance 20413 - 25
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