To: Zoning Administrator
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Renewal of Hauck Bar SMARA Permits
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APN) 106-221-001, 201-221-009, 201-261-001 and 201-261-006
Record No.: PLN-2026-19495
Alton area
A 15-year renewal of Hauck Bar Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits, and Reclamation Plan (CUP-10-02/SMP-10-01/RP-10-01) for continued instream mining operations at the Hauck Bar (CA Mine ID #91-12-0029).
end
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 for the Hauck Bar renewal pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines and that no further environmental review is required;
b - Makes all of the required findings for approving the Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan PLN-2026-19495, based on the substantial evidence submitted; and
c - Approves the Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan.
Body
DISCUSSION:
Project Location: In the Alton area, on both sides of Fowler Lane, approximately 1,350 feet west from the intersection of Sandy Prairie Road and Fowler Lane, on the property known to be in the Southwest 1/4 of Section 14 and in the Northwest 1/4 of Section 23 Township 02 North Range 01 West.
Present General Plan Land Use Designation: Agriculture Exclusive (AE); Eel River Area Plan (ERAP)
Present Zoning: Agriculture Exclusive-Minimum lot size 60 acres/Archaeological Resource Area Outside Shelter Cove, Flood Hazard Areas, Streams and Riparian Corridor Protection, 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 approved 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 1997 by the Planning Commission for the expansion of the site. An Addendum to the SPEIR was adopted for the renewal of the project in 2012. Accordingly, an Addendum to the SEIR is proposed for adoption with the current project pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines.
Executive Summary: The project is a renewal of Conditional Use/Surface Mining Permits and Reclamation Plan for continued, intermittent, instream mining operation known as the Hauck Bar located on the Main Stem of the Lower Eel River near Alton. The project proposes continued annual extraction and processing of up to 150,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel from the Eel River, as approved by the County in 1992, as expanded in 1997, and as renewed in 2012. The current project proposes no changes to the original approval.
Activities include the removal of aggregate from the exposed bar surface, with sorting, crushing and sales on an upland area. Extraction activities typically occur in areas adjacent to the wetted channel. Extraction may occur as frequently as annually. The permit term is 15 years and will expire July 22, 2041.
Background Information on the Hauck Bar Mining Operation
The Hauck Bar site has been mined since the 1940s for riverbank flood repair bridge, abutment protection and major highway construction projects. Eureka Ready Mix (ERM) has extracted aggregate from the Eel River and operated at the Hauck Ranch since 1981, when they assumed operations from the previous site operator. ERM applied to the County of Humboldt for a Vested Rights Determination for the extraction and processing of up to 60,000 cubic yards of river-run gravel annually from the Hauck Bar, which was approved by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on June 24, 1992 (SP-30-91). On July 30, 1992, The Humboldt County Planning Commission approved the Reclamation Plan for the Hauck Bar (SMR-07-91). Five years later, in July 1997, a permit for the increased extraction of the Hauck Bar from 60,000 cubic yards to 150,000 cubic yards of river-run gravel annually was approved by the Humboldt County Planning Commission (CUP-29-92/CDP-59-92/SMP-08-92). These permits also allowed expansion of the processing area within an adjacent area not covered by the Vested Rights Determination. The 1997 permit and this renewal refer to the expanded extraction (additional 90,000 cubic yards) and processing activities at this site.
The properties are approximately 204 acres in size and located in the lower reaches of the Eel River watershed system. The river bar area is approximately 183 acres; however, rarely more than 15 acres are disturbed in one season. The stockpiles and upland processing area is approximately 21 acres. It is located west of the Highway 36 Interchange near the community of Alton. Surrounding land uses include agricultural and rural residential. The gravel bar is an open active bar without topsoil or significant amounts of vegetation. Operations include construction of temporary haul routes, removal of aggregate material from the exposed gravel bar with heavy equipment such as loaders, excavators, bulldozers, scrapers, off-road haul trucks and/or dump trucks. All aggregate processing operations will be confined to the existing upland processing area located east of the Sandy Prairie Levee. The Sandy Prairie Levee forms a physical barrier separating the extraction lands from the aggregate processing and concrete production activities. Processing and sale of aggregate is conducted year-round. Ancillary areas include the aggregate processing facilities, truck repair shop, equipment storage, maintenance, fueling, scales, concrete batch plant and various accesses and haul roads.
Vested Rights Determination
In June 1992, Eureka Ready Mix obtained a Vested Rights Determination and Approval of a Reclamation Plan from the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for the annual extraction of up to 60,000 cubic yards of river-run aggregate and continued processing operations at the Hauck Ranch (SP-30-91/SMP-08-92). Several years after obtaining the vested right, Eureka Ready Mix submitted application for a conditional use and coastal development permit for expanded operations. In July 1997, the Humboldt County Planning Commission approved the increase in annual extraction volume from 60,000 to 150,000 cubic yards and an additional processing area which was not covered by the original vested rights determination. Although a majority of the Hauck Ranch is in an agricultural preserve, the acreage for the mining operation was specifically excluded from the contract to allow this use to continue.
Biological Resources & Monitoring
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) monitors extraction operations through its Streambed Alteration Agreement program and has annual input to the extraction development and site reclamation process. The operator has obtained a multi-year SAA for extraction operations that addresses species and habitat concerns. CDFW performs site visits and provides review and comments on extraction and reclamation plans. Habitat mapping shall be conducted based upon the protocol developed for the Eel River. The Corps of Engineers prepared an updated Letter of Permission (LOP) in 2026 for gravel mining. The LOP contains terms and conditions that the operation shall follow. A biological survey report shall be submitted to Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, CDFW and CHERT by January 15th of each year.
Noise
Adjacent lands have been and will continue to be used for agriculture, livestock grazing and rural residential uses. The nearest residence to the extraction area is located west of the Eel River channel at a distance of approximately 1500 feet. The rock levee and west channel bank provide a vertical sound barrier from the extraction activities. Along the east bank of the Eel and the Van Duzen Rivers, the upland agricultural parcels are separated from the channel vertically and by the presence of a dense, mature riparian forest. The noise level will decrease by 6 dBA for each doubling of the distance from the source and will be further reduced by the difference in elevation and the dense, mature forest between the in-stream extraction areas and the noise source.
According to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) prepared for the 1997 expansion of this project, noise generated by the processing plant was considered to be the most important operational noise factor, as noise from processing activities continue throughout the year. The Hauck residence is the closest to the processing facility, located approximately 300 feet northeast of the processing plant. Operations are intermittent, and noise is generated only during periods of operation. Therefore, there is sufficient distance to residential receptors and County noise standards will be met.
Post-extraction Procedures
The permitted extraction season for the Lower Eel River currently extends from June 30th to September 15th (Army Corps Letter of Permission (LOP) 2026). 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 Coastal Development/Conditional Use/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.
General Plan/Zoning: The property is designated as Agriculture Exclusive (AE) in the Eel River Area Plan (ERAP). This designation is both a resource production zone and an open space implementation zone. The extraction of minerals from the property is consistent with the intended use of the property for resource production and the end use, after reclamation will be open space consistent with the surrounding agricultural land. The zoning of the property, Agriculture Exclusive-Minimum lot size 60 acres/Archaeological Resource Area Outside Shelter Cove, Flood Hazard Areas, Streams and Riparian Corridor Protection, Transitional Agricultural Lands (AE-60/A,F,R,T), allows surface mining subject to a CUP. The surface mine has been in operation for decades with no documented adverse impacts to public health, safety, or 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.
The site is within the State Jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone and on August 13, 2026, the California Coastal Commission issued Coastal Development Permit No. 1-25-0904 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 ordinances. The Zoning Administrator could, during public hearing, revise these documents to address any failings, or the 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 XX
C. Site Plan
2. Addendum to the Supplement to the PEIR
3. Financial Assurance Cost Estimate
Applicant:
Eureka Ready Mix
Michael McLaughlin
4945 Boyd Rd
Arcata, CA, 95521
Owner:
Roger Hauck
3627 W Bohl St
Laveen, AZ 85339
Agent:
Mad River Properties, Inc.
Michael Atkins
2660 Clay Rd
McKinleyville, CA 95519
Please contact Elliott Bowen, Planner, at ebowen@co.humboldt.ca.us or 707-268-3718 if you have questions about this item.