Point San Pedro Residents Pack Hearing on Mining Operation

The house was full at the evening meeting of the Marin County Board of Supervisors Tuesday as factions gathered to support or protest proposed plans by the San Rafael Rock Quarry for continuing its operations on Point San Pedro Road.

Proponents and opponents of the mining operation made their positions clear with badges, some in support of the quarry and others who said the it affects the quality of their lives. Their lapels read "Limit Weekends," "Fewer Hours," and "No Night Operations." Some carried signs.

All were present to hear the proposal by the Dutra Group, the owners of the more than 100-year-old mine, to amend its surface mining and quarrying permit and make changes to its reclamation plan.

A second public hearing is at 1:30 p.m.  Sept. 28.

Based on a recommendation to approve the plan, county staff asked the board to require such things as limiting reclamation grading activities to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10 weeks per year between April 15 and Oct. 15. In addition, there are rock production restrictions and limits on days and hours of operation. Staff also want the board to require a vacuum sweeper for Point San Pedro Road. 

The number of trucks would be limited and the vehicles would be required to be covered with tarp within one year from approval. The recommendation also calls for a noise reduction program over the next three years, including enclosing crusher and barge loading operations.

The plan would be in effect until Dec. 31, 2024.

Members of the Point San Pedro Coalition, led by President Denise Lucy said the organization is hoping to find ways for both the mine and the residents to be good neighbors. 

"We are very concerned about the air, not just near the quarry but along the road as well," Lucy said, adding that the coalition appreciated the work that has been done to clean up the operation.

John Edgcomb, attorney for the coalition, said there are health and other concerns on the part of the neighborhood. He objected to the staff's recommendation to grant the permit and  accused the quarry of illegally disposing of materials through 2004, and using the excuse that it was going out of business to get approvals in the past.

"You should reject the amended reclamation plan, send it back to the drawing board and start over," Edgcomb said. 

The coalition criticized the board for its lack of oversight over the quarry in the past.

Aimi Dutra, the quarry's community relations representative, said the quarry has reduced its operating hours by 64 percent under the proposal. Barge loading hours are 54 percent fewer than in 2000 and the number of trucks per day on Point San Pedro Road have been reduced from 350 to 125.

Since 2004, the quarry has spent $11 million to improve operations," Dutra said. She said the Marin Bay Park neighborhood, the area most affected will be protected with a berm in a short-term project that will create long-term benefits.

During the public comment portion of the hearing, dozens lined up to speak.

Neighborhood resident Amanda Metcalf told the board that people in her neighborhood can't sleep because of noisy mining operations.

"People get jarred out of beds because of the quarry," Metcalf said. "It has operated for so long without controls."

Castlewood Drive resident Deke Welch said he has lived in the Glenwood area for 50 years and thinks the quarry is a good neighbor.

"It is time to get on with the business of living together," Welch said.