DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC WORKS and PLANNING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
DIVISION Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8
May 2011, the Applicant proposed and endorsed a reduced version of
the Draft EIR Alternative 4, which incorporates additional
reductions in the size of the mining surface disturbance area, as
well as substantially shortening the life of the project, and
reducing both annual and total production levels. Specific data was
still needed at this time to initiate a full analysis. May 2011 to
October 2011 Applicant submitted additional specific data to the
County fully describing the Reduced Alternative County EIR
consultant and County staff analyze the reduces alternative for
compliance with CEQA and potential impacts completed November 2011.
Upon analysis - Reduced Alternative 4 was included in the FEIR and
formally announced in the Notice of Availability December 2011.
Reduced Alternative 4 would not preclude mining on the face of
Jesse Morrow Mountain, this Alternative would avoid excavation on
the ridgeline (excavation on the face would be limited to a point
approximately 500 feet below the ridgeline). Under the proposed
project, excavation from the Jesse Morrow Mountain ridgeline allows
the project to achieve 2:1 slopes at final contour. Under this
Alternative, overall slopes would be 1:1. Reduced Alternative 4 -
History Slide 9 Project ElementProposed ProjectReduced Alternative
4 Acreage Total Surface Disturbance440 acres195 acres Mined
Acreage400 acres100 acres Processing Acreage40 acres Other Acreage0
acres55 acres (fill, material storage, and berms) Production Total
Aggregate Reserves Mined200 million tons75 million tons Maximum
Annual Production2 million tons1.5 million tons Operations Period
Mining100 years50 years Final Reclamation3 years End Use Reclaimed
Slope Angle2:11:1 Lowest Elevation500 feet amsl (75 feet bgs)375
feet amsl (200 feet bgs) Reclaimed End UseOpen Space/ Grazing T
ABLE 1 ( SEE STAFF REPORT P AGE 9) P ROPOSED P ROJECT AND R EDUCED
A LTERNATIVE 4 S UMMARY C OMPARISON Slide 10 Slide 11 Slide 12
Slide 13 Planning Commission Hearing Summary February 9, 2012 The
Commission considered this item on February 9, 2012 The Commission
received/considered staff presentation, County Consultant,
Applicant, public in favor of the proposal and public in
opposition. Upon consideration, the Commission Chair closed the
public testimony portion of the hearing. The Commission voted seven
to one to continue the hearing to a date uncertain and to allow for
applicant rebuttal and project opponent sur-rebuttal. Slide 14
Biological Survey: Specifically related to general procedures and
Mountain Lion habitat. Hydrology: Analysis of any potential loss of
groundwater recharge and impact on groundwater levels, groundwater
use during dry years and impact on groundwater levels, and the
potential of blasting impact on wells and the canal. Air Quality:
NOx/Ozone Relationship, Project Impact, and Explanation of ATC/PTO
Permit Process, Explanation of NOx Emissions Sources and Comparison
between Proposed Project and Reduced Alternative 4, PM Emissions
Control Measures (Regulation VIII), and PM Emissions Threshold
Response to SJVAPCD. Traffic: Clarification of proposed Mitigation
Measure related to CalTrans facilities - Opening Day Improvements/
Fair Share Contribution. Geology and Soils/Zoning Exception
Provision: Concern regarding Core Samples, Slope Stability of
Reduced Alternative 4 Reclaimed Slopes and clarification pertaining
to the Zoning Ordinance Exception. Clarification regarding the
State Department of Conservation (DOC) review process (and their
response) Blasting Procedures and Process: Operational Statement
Clarification : Clarification based on specific questions regarding
the maximum daily tonnage produced at the facility. Supply and
Demand of Aggregate Material. Whether the Department of
Conservations reports regarding supply and demand of aggregate
material considered the recent recession. Selma Rail Facility:
Whether the Selma Rail Facility should be considered a feasible
alternative to the Project. Issues raised at previous Planning
Commission Hearing February 9, 2012 Slide 15 State Department of
Conservation (DOC) & County staff Review Department of
Conservation Office of Mine Reclamation Conditions of Approval for
the Jesse Morrow Mountain Reclamation Plan Site Plan 1. Prior to
the commencement of mining activities, the operator shall submit
the following information to the Department of Public Works and
Planning for incorporation into the approved surface mining and
reclamation plan in accordance with the provisions of the Surface
Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) of 1975: (a)A Site Plan
identifying in further detail the locations of structures and
facilities to be utilized by the mining operations. Such structures
and facilities may include but not be limited to office buildings,
parking areas, rock crushers, rock separators, etc... The Site Plan
may be submitted independent of or as part of the mandatory Site
Plan Review Application that must be filed and approved prior to
the commencement of mining activities. The reclamation plan shall
be supplemented with only those elements of the Site Plan subject
to the provisions of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. Site
Plan details supplementing the Reclamation Plan shall not be
considered a substantial deviation of the approved reclamation plan
under SMARA section 3502(d). (b) An Engineered Grading and Drainage
plan shall be submitted to the Department of Public Works and
Planning demonstrating how surface runoff and drainage will be
controlled in accordance with Fresno County Standards. The plan
must include calculation of runoff quantities generated by this
development and capacity of proposed facilities. The plan must also
include detailed erosion control measures designed for not less
than the 20 year/1 hour intensity storm event. The reclamation plan
shall be supplemented with those elements of the Engineered Grading
and Drainage plan subject to the provisions of the Surface Mining
and Reclamation Act. Engineered Grading and Drainage plan details
supplementing the Reclamation Plan shall not be considered a
substantial deviation of the approved reclamation plan under SMARA
section 3502(d). Note: Upon receipt and deeming the materials
complete, the information shall be processed as a plan amendment to
allow the incorporation of these documents into the reclamation
plan. As part of the review process, the County shall provide the
Department of Conservation/Office of Mine Reclamation the
opportunity to review the amended reclamation plan in accordance
with the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 2774. Slide 16
State Department of Conservation (DOC) & County staff Review
1(c). An engineering analysis that demonstrates The initial
stability of the proposed 1.5:1 (H/V) pit slopes. The proposed
treatment of slopes shall take into account the physical properties
of the slope material (i.e., rock fracture orientations) and its
probable maximum water content, be limited to a maximum of 1.5:1
(H/V) until such time as the operator causes to be conducted, but
no No later than completion of the first bench, the operator shall
cause to be conducted a supplemental geotechnical analysis by a
professional with expertise in this field to support a steeper
design. The analysis shall include factors of safety of 1.3 or
greater for both bench-scale and large-scale slope failures as
outlined in the Preliminary Slope Stability Analysis (GEOCON
September 2011) provided in the Reclamation Plan and shall
demonstrate stability under static and seismic conditions. If
analysis is performed in support of a steeper slope, the project
proponent shall submit to the Department of Public Works and
Planning a report for review and approval. Approval of a steeper
slope up to a 1:1 (H/V) shall not be considered a substantial
deviation of the approved reclamation plan under SMARA section
3502(d). The County shall have 90 days to review and approve/deny
the request based upon the information provided. Note: Upon receipt
and deeming the materials complete, the information shall be
processed as a plan amendment to allow the incorporation of these
documents into the reclamation plan. As part of the review process,
the County shall provide the Department of Conservation/Office of
Mine Reclamation the opportunity to review the amended reclamation
plan in accordance with the provisions of Public Resources Code
Section 2774. 2(d). Monitoring and mitigation of areas of observed
instability of the active mine and reclaimed slopes shall be
conducted annually by a registered engineer or geologist. The
annual reports shall be submitted to the Department of Public Works
and Planning by the end of the calendar year. If, after three
consecutive years, the geotechnical analysis can demonstrate mine
and reclaimed slopes are stable and meet the design factor of
safety annual monitoring shall cease and be modified to occur every
three years until expiration of the CUP term or completion of
mining. Slide 17 State Department of Conservation (DOC) &
County staff review Slope Stability Analysis for Overburden Pile
1(e). The rationale and assumptions used to determine that the
overburden pile slopes, to be constructed at a slope angle of 2:1
(H/V) (maximum), will have a factor of safety that is suitable for
the proposed end use. shall be limited to a maximum of 2:1 (H/V).
Once the excavation activity has been in operation for one year the
The slope stability and factor of safety of the overburden pile
shall be verified, with site-specific data obtained from
representative samples, by a professional with expertise in this
field, and a report submitted to Department of Public Works and
Planning, within a period not to exceed one year from the
commencement of earth moving activities at the site.. The County
shall have 90 days to review and approve/deny the request based
upon the information provided. If any revisions are necessary to
the overburden pile design slope per the supplemental analysis the
County shall require that they be instituted at that time. Minor
changes to slope angle or factor of safety as a result of this
initial geotechnical analysis shall not be considered a substantial
deviation of the approved reclamation under SMARA section 3502(d).
Note: Upon receipt and deeming the materials complete, the
information shall be processed as a plan amendment to allow the
incorporation of these documents into the reclamation plan. As part
of the review process, the County shall provide the Department of
Conservation/Office of Mine Reclamation the opportunity to review
the amended reclamation plan in accordance with the provisions of
Public Resources Code Section 2774.2. 2(f). Annual monitoring and
mitigation of areas of observed instability of overburden pile
slopes shall be conducted by a professional with expertise in this
field. The annual reports shall be submitted to the Department of
Public Works and Planning by the end of the calendar year. If,
after three consecutive years, the geotechnical analysis can
demonstrate overburden pile slopes are stable and meet the design
factor of safety annual monitoring shall cease and be modified to
occur every five years until expiration of the CUP term or
completion of mining. Slide 18 State Department of Conservation
(DOC) & County staff review Department of Conservation Office
of Mine Reclamation Conditions of Approval for the Jesse Morrow
Mountain Reclamation Plan Background information: The reclamation
plan incorporates the EIR findings that assert groundwater inflow
and precipitation are insufficient in quantity, relative to
evaporation, to cause accumulation and persistence of surface and
groundwater in the pit under average annual conditions. Because
accumulation of water can result in adverse water quality under
certain conditions, the accuracy of conclusions is important. The
following conditions is are designed to ensure that surface and
groundwater will be protected from siltation and pollutants which
may diminish water quality as required by the Federal Clean Water
Act, the Porter-Cologne Act, County anti-siltation ordinances, the
Regional Water Quality Control Board or the State Water Resources
Control Board. Additionally, the conditions are designed to verify
the conclusions and validity of the reclamation plan prior to
creating the potential for such conditions by mining at depth and
creating a basin with no surface water exit. Groundwater Analysis
1. 1. Before mining, the proponent shall submit all data used to
form the conclusions of the May 16, 2012 EMKO Environmental, Inc.
Technical Memorandum, which may include, but not be limited to,
copies of original geologic boring logs prepared by a qualified and
licensed professional, well construction details (screened
intervals of wells, annular seal thickness and material), and all
pumping test data and any hydrogeological evaluations prepared in
association with well pumping test to the Department of Public
Works and Planning. Note: The County shall provide the Department
of Conservation/Office of Mine Reclamation the opportunity to
review the above technical information. 2. Before mining below the
elevation of 480 amsl, at least three exploratory wells shall be
completed within the pit floor area to a depth below the ultimate
pit floor elevation to gather data regarding groundwater
conditions. The well locations shall be based on a fracture-trace
analysis and theThe drilling program shall be prepared and
directed, under a scope of work approved by the Department of
Public Works and Planning, by a qualified and licensed
professional, with experience in evaluating groundwater conditions
within fractured bedrock. The wells shall be constructed in
compliance with state of California Water Well Standards and Fresno
County well permit requirements. Slide 19 State Department of
Conservation (DOC) & County staff review 23. After the wells
are installed and properly developed, if groundwater is
encountered, the wells shall be sampled and the samples analyzed at
a California-certified laboratory for the same parameters shown in
Table 3.8-2 Water Quality Analytical Results in the Final EIR.
Should those conditions differ substantially from the conclusions
in the Final EIR, supplemental analysis shall be completed to
determine if annual retention of surface water within the pit could
adversely affect groundwater quality. 34. After the wells are
installed and properly developed, if groundwater is encountered,
pumping tests shall be conducted and evaluated, under a scope of
work approved by the Department of Public Works and Planning, by a
qualified and licensed professional, to determine if the quantity
would change the pit water balance calculations (see May 16, 2012
EMKO Environmental, Inc. Technical Memorandum). Should the analysis
conclude that pit water would remain year-around under average
annual conditions, the reclamation plan shall be amended, including
consideration of the potential for degradation of the quality of
surface and groundwater water. 45. In addition to the exploratory
wells, at least three monitoring wells shall be completed down
gradient from the pit floor area to a depth below the ultimate pit
floor elevation to gather water samples for water quality impacts.
The monitoring program shall be prepared and directed, under a
scope of work approved by the Department of Public Works and
Planning, by a qualified and licensed professional with experience
in groundwater monitoring and shall include a monitoring schedule
for sampling. Should those conditions differ substantially from the
conclusions in the Final EIR, supplemental analysis shall be
completed to determine if groundwater quality is being adversely
affected by mining operations. i Scope of Work is defined as a work
program that defines the parameters of subsequent studies to
confirm findings identified in the EIR. The Scope of Work shall
include, but is not limited to, description of the work program,
onsite monitoring activities, reporting obligations, and timeframes
for which work program, monitoring, and reporting shall be
completed. Note: Upon receipt and deeming information materials
complete, the information shall be processed as a plan amendment to
allow the incorporation of these documents into the reclamation
plan. As part of the review process, the County shall provide the
Department of Conservation/Office of Mine Reclamation the
opportunity to review the amended reclamation plan in accordance
with the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 2774. Slide 20
DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC WORKS and PLANNING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
DIVISION
