Plans To Mine Deeper Near Livermore, Pleasanton Under Review

LIVERMORE, CA — A plan to increase mining depths at a 920-acre sand and gravel mining facility between Livermore and Pleasanton will be reviewed next week during a public meeting where citizens can learn more about the possible impacts to water quality, water management and flood channels.

The Zone 7 Water Agency Board will hear a presentation from Cemex on the proposed mining plans during its regularly scheduled board of directors meeting that begins at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Zone 7 Water Agency, 100 North Canyons Parkway in Livermore.

Cemex owns and operates the Eliot Quarry, the 920-acre site in unincorporated Alameda County. The company wants to modify the approved reclamation plan for its Chain of Lakes mining operations so that it can increase mining depths at Lake B, realign the Arroyo Del Valle and abandon a plan to resume mining in Lake A.

Zone 7 will review the proposed changes and analyze possible impacts to water quality, water management and flood channels during and after mining. Zone 7 is the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Livermore Valley Groundwater Basin and is responsible for maintaining the long-term health of the basin.

Once mining has wrapped up at both Lakes A and B by the year 2056, the lakes will be dedicated to Zone 7 for water storage, according to the water agency.

Alameda County is responsible for authorizing mining activities on unincorporated lands and approving reclamation plans. The county’s Community Development Agency is preparing the environmental impact report for the Eliot Quarry SMP-23 Reclamation Plan Amendment Project.

“Zone 7 looks forward to working with the county and with Cemex on the proposed project and protecting the groundwater basin from any undesirable results,” Zone 7 general manager Valerie Pryor said. “The basin is a valuable resource for our customers and provides a reliable source of water during drought, when imported supplies are less available.”