New Environmental Review Underway For Tri-Valley Mining Operation

TRI-VALLEY, CA — A subsequent environmental review process related to proposed changes in mining and reclamation activities in the Tri-Valley's Chain of Lakes area is underway by Alameda County and the public is invited to weigh in. The proposed changes at Eliot Quarry could potentially impact water quality, or have other significant environmental repercussions. July 18 is the deadline for public comments.

"The county encourages broad participation in the SEIR process during scoping and review of the resulting environmental documents," according to a county document drafted earlier this month, Notice of Availability of a Revised Notice of Preparation for the Eliot Quarry Surface Mining Permit-23. "Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested agencies, organizations, Native American Tribes, and the public at large so that the full range of issues related to the proposed project and all reasonable alternatives are addressed and that all significant issues are identified. In particular, the county is interested in learning whether there are areas of environmental concern where there might be a potential for significant impact."

According to Zone 7 Water Agency, some of proposed changes include mining to a much greater depth than is currently permitted. "The Zone 7 Water Agency understands that mining activities will be continuing for many years and will continue to monitor current activities and review proposed changes as they relate to water management for the Tri Valley area," the water agency said in response to the county notice. "For the proposed changes, Alameda County is the lead agency that will conduct the public EIR process. Zone 7 will monitor this process and will encourage the county to analyze and evaluate the impacts that mining to greater depths may have on water quality and water management."

As the local land use authority, Alameda County authorizes mining activities on unincorporated lands through the issuance of surface mining permits and approval of reclamation plans. However, no surface mining permit is required for vested mining operations, such as Eliot Quarry, according to the county. However, project applicant RMC Pacific Materials, LLC, a wholly owned entity of CEMEX, wants to amend the current reclamation plan at the site. One of the changes includes rerouting the Arroyo del Valle to the south of its current location instead of diverting the waterway into Lakes A and B.

Anyone wishing to comment on EIR process can send written responses to:

Bruce Jensen, Senior Planner

Alameda County Community Development Agency

Planning Department

224 W. Winton Avenue, Suite 111

Hayward, CA 94544

Or via e-mail: bruce.jensen@acgov.org (include the subject line “SMP-23 Reclamation Plan Amendment SEIR”)