To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Reapproval of Fort Seward Quarry SMARA permits (CA Mine ID #91-12-0027), Conditional Use Permit, Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan
Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 216-184-001
Record No.: PLN-2025-19192
Fort Seward area
Reapproval of 15-year term of Fort Seward Quarry SMARA permits, CA Mine ID #91-12-0027, for extraction of 15,000 cubic yards of material over 15-years.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Zoning Administrator:
1. Adopt the resolution (Attachment 1), which does the following:
a) Finds a Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted for the original project, a Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted for the renewal, and no further environmental review is required; and
b) Finds the proposed project complies with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; and
c) Approves the Conditional Use Permit, Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan as recommended by staff, subject to the conditions of approval (Attachment 1A).
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location:
The project is located in Humboldt County, in the Fort Seward area, on both sides of Dyerville Loop Road, approximately 0.76 miles south from the intersection of Fort Seward Road and Dyerville Loop Road, on the property known as 324 Fort Seward Road.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation:
Agriculture Grazing (AG)
Present Zoning:
AE-B-5(160) (Agriculture Exclusive, minimum 160-acre parcel size); TPZ (Timberland Production)
State Appeal:
Project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission.
Major Concerns:
None
Monitoring Required:
Annual Compliance Monitoring.
Environmental Review:
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was adopted in 1994 for the original permit approval and a Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration (SMND) was adopted in 2010 for a 15-year permit renewal. The SMND included mitigation measures that along with the original conditions of approval were incorporated into the project and are, in effect, part of the project that is being considered for this 15-year reapproval request. These measures have been and will continue to be in force and monitored annually by County Planning staff. There are no changes in operations, law, or the environment that warrant further environmental review.
Executive Summary:
Reapproval of Fort Seward Quarry (CA Mine ID #91-12-0027) Conditional Use Permit, Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan (CUP-01-93XMX/SMR-01-93XMX) for a 15-year term for continued quarry mining operations. Mining permits were issued in 1994 for the extraction of 15,000 cubic yards (cy) of rock over a 15-year period, then renewed in 2010 and the 15-year term expired prior to submitting the renewal application. Mining may consist of extractions as large as 5,000 cy, or smaller extractions, as frequently as annually over the 15-year permit term. Operations include extraction, processing, stockpiling and transporting. Material is mined by ripping with a bulldozer, separating with a bulldozer and permanently stockpiled for use on road maintenance and other projects. The mining operation would be subject to the original conditions of approval, and those that were added during the last permit renewal in 2010 and the conditions for the current renewal. The permit term is 15 years and would expire on August 21, 2040.
Background information on the Fort Seward Quarry operation
The Fort Seward Quarry has been in existence since 1958. The Humboldt County Department of Public Works has utilized the quarry material for road maintenance and repair activities since 1994. Other adjacent lands have been and will continue to be used for livestock grazing and other agricultural uses. All residences are five miles or more away from the quarry itself. The site utilizes three (3) acres of the Satterlee Agricultural Preserve; however, the quarry will not be expanded beyond the current project boundaries. Operations occur only on the pre-existing, disturbed portion that comprises the historic area of operation. The site does not consist of prime agricultural crop land.
The quarry mainly contains massive greywacke and contains minor amounts of shale, chert, greenstone and schist. In the event localized greywacke boulders are encountered, small-scale separation with charges may be performed. No permanent or semi-permanent facilities have been constructed at the quarry and none are planned or required. The typical types of equipment to be used include: front-end loader, bulldozer, excavator and dump trucks. Activity in the quarry will continue to be intermittent. Frequency of operations is expected to be several times a year for periods ranging from a few days to a few weeks; duration and intensity of activities depend on demand. Final reclamation includes final grading, drainage improvements, restoration of surface soils and revegetation to reclaim the land consistent with agriculture and timber harvesting.
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, Department of Fish and Game and Office of Mine Reclamation.
Tribal Consultation:
The project was referred to the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, and Northwest Information Center at Sonoma State University (NWIC).
A joint site visit was conducted with the county and Bear River Band THPO on June 17, 2025. The THPO recommended have in place the inadvertent discovery protocol, which is incorporated as Condition of Approval B.2
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 1A)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Zoning Administrator could elect to add or delete conditions of approval. The Zoning Administrator could deny approval if unable to make all the required findings. Staff has concluded the required findings in support of the proposal can be made. Consequently, staff does not recommend further consideration of these alternatives.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
A. Recommended Conditions of Approval
B. Reclamation Plan
C. Site Plan
Applicant / Agent:
Humboldt County Department of Public Works
Danith Davis
1106 Second Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Owner:
Satterlee Peggy L & Satterlee Norman G & Satterlee
C/O Judith A. Satterlee & Robert G. Satterlee
6020 Fort Seward Road
Garberville, CA 95542
Please contact Joshua Dorris, Senior Planner, jdorris@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-445-7245 if you have questions about this item.