To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Hagen Quarry
Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN) 214-116-006 and 214-116-008-000
Record No.: PLN-2025-19182
Phillipsville area
A 15-year renewal of Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan and review of financial assurance cost estimates for an existing surface mining operation known as the Hagan Quarry. The site has historically been mined since at least the 1960s. The original permit allowed for extraction of 100,000 cubic yards annually of greywacke, which will be used locally for highway construction projects, rip rap, erosion control, rock slope protection and landscaping purposes. Operations include drilling, blasting, sorting, crushing, stockpiling, transportation of material via dump trucks, on-site road and staging area improvements, revegetation, and final reclamation. No washing and no asphalt/cement batch processing will be conducted on site. No new access roads to the quarry will be constructed. Materials will be transported to Highway 254 utilizing one (1) mile of a graveled, private road (16' - 24' wide). Heavy equipment to be used on site includes front-end loaders, caterpillar tractors, dump trucks, excavators, rock crusher, portable screen plant and weigh scales. The permit term is 15 years and will expire February 20, 2040.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Zoning Administrator:
1. Adopt the resolution (Resolution 26-__), (Attachment 1) which does the following:
a. Finds the Zoning Administrator has considered the Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration (SMND) previously adopted for the Hagen Quarry 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 Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan PLN-2025-19182, based on the substantial evidence submitted; and
c. Approves the Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan renewal.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location: The project is located in the Phillipsville area, on the east side of Crooked Lane, approximately 0.45 miles east from the intersection of State Highway 254 and Crooked Lane, on the properties known to be in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 18 Township 03 South Range 04 East.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation: Timber Production (T) Framework Plan (FRWK).
Density: 160 to 20 acres per dwelling unit. Slope Stability: Moderate Instability (2)
Present Zoning: Timberland Production (TPZ); Agriculture Exclusive (AE)
Environmental Review: A Negative Declaration was adopted with the original permit approval, and a Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration is proposed for adoption with the current project. Environmental review has been completed. A Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted on February 19, 2013, by the Humboldt County Planning Commission for the surface mining permit. No changes to the mining operation are proposed as part of this renewal.
State Appeal: Project is NOT appealable to the California Coastal Commission
Major Concerns: None.
Monitoring Required:
Annual Compliance Monitoring.
Executive Summary: The applicant is requesting a 15-year renewal of Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan and review of financial assurance cost estimates for an existing surface mining operation known as the Hagan Quarry. The site has historically been mined since at least the 1960s. The original permit allowed for extraction of 100,000 cubic yards annually of greywacke, which will be used locally for highway construction projects, rip rap, erosion control, rockslope protection and landscaping purposes. Operations include drilling, blasting, sorting, crushing, stockpiling, transportation of material via dump trucks, on-site road and staging area improvements, revegetation, and final reclamation. No washing and no asphalt/cement batch processing will be conducted on site. No new access roads to the quarry will be constructed. Materials will be transported to Highway 254 utilizing one (1) mile of a graveled, private road (16' - 24' wide). Heavy equipment to be used on site includes front-end loaders, caterpillar tractors, dump trucks, excavators, rock crusher, portable screen plant and weigh scales. The permit term is 15 years and will expire February 20, 2040.
The project area is approximately 22.5 acres in size, with approximately 12.3 acres in Phase 1 and approximately 10.2 acres in Phase 2. The Phase 1 area currently contains a 7-acre quarry area and approximately 5.3-acres of staging and storage areas, sediment and erosion control improvements, and access roads. As a result of the proposed mining activities the Phase 1 quarry area will be expanded to approximately 9 acres, leaving approximately 3.3 acres of staging and storage areas, sediment and erosion control improvements, and access roads.
Distribution of material will occur locally in Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County. Material will generally be transported year-round, primarily for contract needs. Anderson Creek is located approximately 50 feet south and east of the project area boundary. Anderson Creek is a tributary to the South Fork Eel River (approximately 0.8 miles to the west). This watercourse will not be affected by the proposed project. Project operations are subject to the requirements of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB).
The proposed quarry extraction area contains approximately 500,000 cubic yards of metagraywacke sandstone. The Phase 1 area contains approximately 150,000 cubic yards and the Phase 2 area contains approximately 350,000 cubic yards. Quarry production rates are proposed to be limited to an annual average of 75,000± cubic yards with a maximum production rate of 100,000 cubic yards in any given year while maintaining the annual average. Extraction has/will occur in a manner that minimizes future reclamation requirements, such as grading cut slopes close to final elevations as quarrying proceeds. Quarry material will be used for highway construction projects, rip rap, erosion control, rockslope protection, landscaping, and decorative rock. Processed rock will also be utilized for other aggregate needs.
The project will be subject to extensive local, state, and federal regulation. 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, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CalFire, Office of Mine Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The actual and potential environmental effects reviewed by County staff and referral agencies in relation to the project include noise and hazards, traffic, dust, safety concerns, water quality degradation, impacts to sensitive habitat areas, and depreciation in open space aesthetics. Staff supports approval of the application because, as mitigated and conditioned, it is anticipated to have less than significant impact on the environment; and potential impacts to resources have been addressed through mitigation and operations restrictions. Based upon the operational standards included in the operations plan, staff and the referral agencies have concluded that the operation can be conducted in a safe and appropriate manner provided these standards are made conditions of project approval.
Water Resources: Water utilized at the Hagan Quarry site has been obtained from Anderson Creek which runs approximately 50 feet south and east of the project area. To comply with the California Department of Fish & Game (CA DFW) requests, a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (Notification No. 1600-2010-0367-R1) was obtained by the past operator which was signed by the Department on May 5th, 2011. The project description in the LSAA states, "The project is limited to water drafting for dust suppression and fire protection only from Anderson Creek, and the placement of rip rap along an eroding streambank below a rock armored ford crossing adjacent to an Unnamed Tributary to Anderson Creek. A Condition of Approval (1A) will require the applicant to apply and receive a new LSAA from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife prior to mining operations continuing.
Settling basins and other stormwater control improvements have been constructed on site. As discussed in above, water utilized at the Hagan Quarry site will be obtained from Anderson Creek which occurs adjacent to the project site. All water drafting activities at the project site will occur consistent with the work plan submitted with Notification No. 1600- 2010-0367-R1 and the requirements of the LSAA.
Biological Resources: The quarry site lies in an area comprised of a mixed conifer forest, the most dominant of which is Douglas Fir. The site contains no wetlands or riparian vegetation listed as threatened or endangered. Quarry mining and reclamation activities shall be conducted to protect on-site and downstream beneficial uses of water, and to protect waters from siltation and pollutants in accordance with State laws. Surface water runoff and drainage from activity areas shall be controlled by berms, revegetation, rock slope protection or other erosion control measures as identified in the Plan of Operations. All equipment, supplies, and other materials shall be stored within project limits, and all wastes disposed of in accordance with State and local health and safety ordinances.
Energy: Policies and standards recognize the importance of mining and energy production to local and regional economy, and set criteria and restrictions to ensure health, safety and general welfare of persons, property, and public resources. Many of these policies and standards have been incorporated into the implementing Surface Mining Ordinance as performance standards required of all mining activities.
Access: Materials will generally be transported off-site via a private access road named Rock Pit Lane (approx. 16'-20' wide) for approximately 0.8 miles to the intersection with State Route 254. State Route 254 at this location is located approximately 3 miles south and 2 miles north of access ramps onto U.S. Highway 101. Material has and will continue to be transported along this route. Rock Pit Lane is in good condition with a graded and compacted rock surface and has been used intermittently for quarrying operations and timber harvesting activities over the last 50 years. A locked gate approximately .44 miles up Rock Pit Lane restricts access to the project site. The narrower sections have nearby turnouts, the vegetation along the roadway has been trimmed up to provide views of oncoming traffic, and the road is posted to utilize CB channel 10.
Geologic Suitability: The project site is in an area rated “moderate and “high instability”. The mining operation is required to comply with guidelines and requirements established by the California Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR).
Timber Conversion: Surface mining is not specifically identified as a primary and compatible use. However, in previous project reviews, the County has found surface mining to be a compatible temporary use. The site has been used as a quarry since prior to the 1960s. The acreage to be utilized will eventually be reclaimed and reverted to land use consistent with the plan designation.
Security and Safety: Based on information submitted by the applicant, contained in the environmental documents, and referrals from jurisdictional agencies and interested parties at present, staff believes that the project as conditioned will not cause significant environmental effects nor to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare.
Public safety concerns include both on-site and off-site impacts. This project will not pose a significant increase in risk to people on-site due to the following factors: the quarry is in an isolated location, access is controlled by a locked gate, substantial amounts of fuel will not be stored on-site, the quarrying method does not leave large pits or holes, and the material to be mined is structurally stable.
Potential impacts off-site include increased truck traffic, wildfire hazard, noise, and dust. Traffic generated by this project, as discussed within this report, will occur intermittently, and will not significantly change the current level of traffic. This project is located in a high wildfire hazard area. Though operations require fuel for equipment and explosives, standards of operation will minimize any potential impacts from this project. Most activities will be occurring more than 50 feet from retained mature vegetation. Minimal fuel will be stored on-site; fuel will generally be transported and dispensed from pick-up trucks equipped for such a purpose. Material will be adequately wetted during active periods.
Drilling and blasting will occur. Blasting that may occur on-site will be detonated within the rock, minimizing both spark and thrust of material from the localized area. The operator is required to hire licensed professionals with experience in blasting this type of material and meeting strict state and federal standards. See Mine Safety and Health Administration (30 CFR § 56.6). As a standard practice, prior to blasting, those on a "concerned citizens" list will be notified of the activity so they are aware and can plan accordingly. During periods of blasting, a flagger will be posted on the access road to control traffic. The potential for rock materials to become dislodged and pose a traffic hazard will be minimized through site grading, retained downslope stockpiles, vegetative cover, or traffic control.
Hazards from the project are limited. Once final reclamation efforts are completed, no unstable rock piles or excavation "holes" will exist. No attractive nuisance to encourage trespass will remain. No residual equipment, structures, refuse, etc. will remain on the reclamation site or elsewhere on the parcel.
Based on information in the application, and a review of relevant references in the Department, staff has determined that, provided the conditions of project approval and mitigation measures identified in the Conditional Negative Declaration are required as operating conditions, no adverse effects on fish and wildlife resources or the habitat upon which wildlife depends will result.
Tribal Consultation: The project site was reviewed by the Northwest Information Center in 1997 with the review of the renewal of Conditional Use and Surface Mining Permits. Although no further investigation was recommended, an informational note has been added to the Conditions of Approval stating that work must be halted if cultural resources are discovered during the construction process. An informational note has been included with the Conditions of Approval indicating the steps to be taken should cultural resources and/or human remains be discovered during ground disturbing activities.
Environmental Review: A Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted April 4, 2013, with the permit approval. No other reviews have been requested.
Reclamation Plan: A slightly revised Reclamation Plan (RP) has been submitted but is not required per Title III, Div. 9, Chapter 1, §391-4(b)(6), Term, of the County’s Mining Ordinance. The reclamation plan that was previously approved for the end use would remain in effect and would be required to be implemented now if the Zoning Administrator does not approve the permit renewal request. There are no changes to the mining operation, permit boundary, extraction volumes, nor to the adopted end use.
The quarry would be subject to the original conditions of approval, and those that were added during the last permit renewal in 2013 and any conditions added for the current renewal.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The project was referred to responsible agencies and all responding agencies have either responded with no comment or recommended approval or conditional approval. (Attachment 3).
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The Zoning Administrator could elect not to approve the renewal. This alternative is not recommended as the mining operation has been operated and maintained in good standing and no changes from the original approval are proposed.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Conditions of Approval
B. Reclamation Plan
C. Location Map and Site Plan
2. Attachment 2 - Hagan Quarry Mitigated Negative Declaration 2013
3. Referrals
APPLICANT, OWNER, AGENT, AND PLANNER INFORMATION:
Applicant:
David Beebe
PO Box 3
Phillipsville, CA 95559
Owner:
John Hagan
PO Box 38,
Phillipsville, CA 95559
Agent:
Annje Dodd,
NorthPoint Consulting Group, Inc.,
1117 Samoa Blvd
Arcata, CA 95521
Please contact Michael Kein Name, Planner, at MKein2@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-268-3739 if you have questions about this item.