To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Renewal of Leland Rock SMARA Permits
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APN): 205-121-001, 205-121-002, 205-121-003, 205-191-001, 201-261-009, 201-262-012, 201-311-018, 205-151-001, 205-151-004
Record No.: PLN-2026-19497
Alton area
A 15-year Renewal of Leland Rock Conditional Use and Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan (CUP-11-02/SMP-11-01/RP-11-01) for continued instream mining operation at the Leland Rock gravel bar (CA Mine ID #91-12-0069).
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Zoning Administrator:
1 - Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1) which does the following:
a - Finds the Zoning Administrator has considered the Addendum to the Supplement to the Program Environmental Impact Report for Gravel Removal on the Lower Eel River (SPEIR) for the Leland Rock renewal pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines and that no further environmental review is required; and
b - Makes all of the required findings for approving the renewal of the Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan PLN-2026-19497, based on the substantial evidence submitted; and
c - Approves the renewal of the Conditional Use Permit, Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location: In the Alton area, on both sides of US Highway 101, approximately 1.0 miles south from the intersection of State Highway 36 and US Highway 101, on the properties known as 56197, 56237 & 56625 State Highway 101 and the properties known to be in the SE 1/4 of Section 23 and the N 1/2 of Section 25 Township 02 North Range 01 West on the property known as 56625 St Hwy 101, Fortuna, CA 95540.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation: Residential Agriculture (RA40), Density: 40 acres per dwelling unit, Agriculture Exclusive (AE) Density: 160 to 20 acres per dwelling unit.; Industrial, Resource Related (IR), Agriculture Exclusive (ERAP), Density: 60 acres per dwelling unit; Timberland (T) Density: 40-160 acres per dwelling unit. Slope Stability: Relatively Stable (0) and Moderate Instability (2).
Present Zoning: Agriculture Exclusive 60-acre minimum parcel size (AE-B-5(60)); Timberland Production (TPZ); Unclassified (U); Agriculture Exclusive with a minimum lot size 60 acres/ Archaeological Resource Area Outside Shelter Cove, Flood Hazard Areas, Streams and Riparian Corridor Protection and Transitional Agricultural Lands (AE-60/ A,F,R,T).
State Appeal: Project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
Major Concerns: None identified by referral agencies.
Monitoring Required: Annual Compliance Monitoring
Environmental Review: The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for Gravel Removal on the Lower Eel River in 1992 (SCH #96013024). A Supplement to the PEIR (SPEIR) was adopted in 1996 with approval of the original project. An Addendum to the SPEIR was considered with approval of the project renewal in 2012. An Addendum to the SPEIR has been prepared for the current project pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines.
Executive Summary: The project is a renewal of Conditional Use and Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan for continued instream mining operation known as the Leland Rock Gravel Bar near Alton. The project proposes continued annual extraction and processing of up to 100,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel from the Van Duzen River, near the confluence with the Eel River, as approved by the County in 1996 and as renewed in 2012. The current project proposes no changes to the original approval.
Extraction may last for as little as a few days or for as long as a few weeks, and the length of extraction is generally dependent upon the area and the volume of the extraction, environmental considerations, regulatory process and the method of extraction. The applicant is proposing to load river run material directly to dump trucks and transport the aggregate to the adjacent upland stockpile and processing site. Equipment utilized at the site will include scrapers, excavators, front-end loaders, dump trucks and road haulers needed for final grading. Summer bridge crossings on site may also be required based on specific river conditions. Processing operations involve crushing and/or sorting, on-site storage of materials, and weighing and hauling by truck. The processing and sale of aggregate is conducted year-round. Existing site improvements include a mobile office building and truck scales.
The permitted annual extraction season for the Van Duzen River extends from July 23rd to October 15th. Operations can be extended beyond October 15th as authorized by regulating agencies. Hours of operation shall typically be Monday through Friday during daylight hours, generally 7:30 am to 4;30 pm. These hours do not apply to emergency road repair situations.
Any substantial changes to the hours of operation shall be pre-approved by the Planning
Department. Annual extraction volume, location and methods are based on the recommendations by CHERT and other regulatory agencies. The permit term is fifteen (15) years and will expire August 22, 2041.
Background Information on the Leland Bar Mining Operation
The site has been mined since at least the 1960s. In 1996, the Humboldt County Planning Commission (Commission) approved permits for extraction and processing of up to 100,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel (CUP-24-94/SMP-05-94/RP-05-94). In 2012, the Commission approved a fifteen (15) year renewal of the permits (CUP-11-02/SMP-11-01/RP-11-01).
In July 1992, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors certified the Final Program Environmental Impact Report on Gravel Removal from the Lower Eel River (SCH #96013024). The document addressed aggregate extraction activities on the lower stretches of the Eel and Van Duzen Rivers. This document provided the basis for the general assessment of the effects of sand and gravel mining within these watersheds, establishing basin-wide material allotments, extraction standards to prevent stream channel degradation, and mitigation measures for feasible lessening of adverse mining effects. The PEIR also established the precedent for requiring a series of supplemental documents to address the unique, differential or site-specific effects associated with any subsequent individual mining operations covered under that document. In 1996, the County of Humboldt Extraction Review Team (CHERT) was established for annual review and monitoring of surface mining operations on these waterways.
A Final Supplemental Program Environmental Impact Report (SPEIR) was adopted August 8, 1996, with County approval of Leland Rock mining operations. The County adopted and incorporated as part of the project all mitigation measures set forth in the SPEIR. The SPEIR identified CDFW code Sections, the State Wild and Scenic River Designation (impacts related to noise, recreation, view), State and Federal Water Quality Laws, and State and Federal Special Species Protection Laws.
The SPEIR addressed potential degradation of the stream channel and related on and off-site impacts. These included potential impact to Highway 101 bridges and the bridge owned by the North Coast Railroad Authority, impacts from sediment discharges into the Van Duzen and Eel Rivers. The SPEIR addressed potential effects to wildlife, aquatic resources and riparian vegetation and habitat. The SPEIR addressed potential effects of the increase in existing noise levels and the existing recreational opportunities.
There are no changes to the project renewal approved by the County in 2012 and for which the SPEIR was adopted. Mitigation measures identified in the SPIER and conditions of approval adopted by the County remain in full force and effect unless specifically reviewed herein.
Since adoption of the SPEIR, Leland Rock was issued a Letter of Permission for the current project that requires project consistency with the US Army Corps of Engineers Letter of Permission 2026 for Aggregate Extraction Operations in the Lower Eel and Van Duzen Rivers.
Post-extraction Procedures
The permitted extraction season for the Van Duzen and Lower Eel River currently extends from July 23rd to October 15th. Upon completion of extraction and site-grooming, responsible agencies are notified and final site review is performed to assess the site for additional end-of-season reclamation. On-site stockpiles will be removed two weeks prior to seasonal shut down of the operation. Reclamation includes grading to remove pits and/or depressions, to establish slopes similar to the gradient of the adjacent low-flow channel and to establish transitional slopes. Disturbed areas of the outer bank are restored to contour elevations and conditions that existed prior to the yearly excavation.
Reclamation also involves reclamation of the seasonal bridge crossing within the active channel. In years when a summer low-flow channel crossing is required, and upon completion of annual extraction activities, the bridge will be removed, transported off-site and stored at or above the 100-year floodplain. The nearside bridge abutment is removed and the constructed roadbed is graded.
The project is subject to extensive local, state and federal regulations. In any given year, project extraction volumes, locations and methods will be submitted by the applicant for approval by local, state and federal agencies, including the County of Humboldt Extraction Review Team (CHERT), North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), CalFire, Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). Staff supports approval of the Conditional Use and Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan based upon the operational and performance standards included in the Project Description and Reclamation Plan. Staff has concluded that mining operations and reclamation can be conducted in a safe and appropriate manner. Furthermore, the project is subject to the County Adaptive Management Program for in-stream gravel extraction, including annual review of extraction methods and quantities by the County of Humboldt Extraction Review Team (CHERT) and mitigation measures as determined per updates on the Lower Eel River PEIR. The site has been in operation 1996 with no known significant adverse impacts to the environment or the public health, safety and welfare.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Other agencies which may have jurisdiction over a surface mining operation include but are not limited to, California Department of Conservation, Office of Mine Reclamation; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District; California Coastal Commission; National Marine Fisheries Service; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; US Army Corps of Engineers; and CalOSHA. The operator is responsible for contacting all of the above regulating agencies to assure conformance by the surface mining operation with these agencies’ regulations.
Two of the project parcels (APNs 205-121-001 and 201-261-009) are within the State Jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone and on August 13, 2026, the California Coastal Commission issued Coastal Development Permit No. 1-25-0905 with a ten (10) year term for the operation.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
1 - The Zoning Administrator could conclude that the findings to approve the project cannot be made and deny the project. Staff does not support this option because staff believes that the project as designed and conditioned will substantially conform to requirements for this use.
2 - The Zoning Administrator could conclude that the environmental document, its findings, recommendations, mitigation measures or monitoring program do not meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act and local ordinance. The Zoning Administrator could, during the public hearing, revise these documents to address any failings, or the Zoning Administrator could continue consideration of the project and direct staff to amend the document as deemed necessary. As stated herein, staff believes the document is in conformance and supports its certification.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Conditions of Approval
B. Reclamation Plan revised January 2026
C. Site Plan
2. Addendum to the Supplement to the PEIR
3. Financial Assurance Cost Estimate
Applicant:
Leland Rock
56157 Hwy 101
Fortuna, CA 95540
Owner:
Darrell Rock
56197 Hwy 101
Fortuna, CA 95540
Leland Rock
56157 Hwy 101
Fortuna, CA 95540
Big 2 Rivers Ranch, LLC
56625 US Hwy 101
Fortuna, CA 95540
Agent:
Mad River Properties, Inc.
Michael Atkins
2660 Clay Rd
McKinleyville, CA 95519
Please contact Joshua Dorris, Senior Planner, at jdorris@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-268-3779 if you have questions about this item.