2009-04-29_REVISION - M1980146 - Laserfiche WebLink

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stockpiled using a crawler type dozer, bull-dozers and/or front-end loaders. Blasting may rarely be used where needed to break up pockets of caliche (naturally occurring cemented rock). Raw material would be fed into a crusher by front-end wheel loaders and would be processed using primary and secondary crushing units and screening plants. Processed material is stockpiled by stacking conveyor belts at which time it is ready for customer use. Stockpiles would be located on the pit floor, adjacent to pit walls. These mining operations would typically be conducted during daylight hours on Monday through Saturday. Operations may occasionally extend into the night. Processed material would be moved off site by 10 to 20 yard trucks after being loaded by a front- end wheel loader. The daily volume of gravel mine operations would not expand or increase; rather, the land area or mine foot print for gravel operations would be expanded. Therefore, the level of truck traffic would be similar to current operations. An average of 134 trips per day would be made by gravel trucks leaving and returning to the property. Daily numbers would range from approximately 100 trips in the winter to 200 trips in the summer. Access to the pit is currently across private land and would not change from existing operations. Excavated material from projects in other areas may be brought to the pit. Imported topsoil would be stored in a stockpile for commercial sales. Other imported natural materials would be stockpiled for processing or to be used in reclamation fill areas. The operator would document volumes and subsequent history of imported materials. Two portable office facilities and one portable scale may be relocated to public lands in the southern portion of the existing pit near the main access road. These facilities are currently located on adjacent private land. Electrical lines and sanitation lines would be connected to existing utility lines. No new surface disturbance would be associated with the buildings. C and J operates a portable asphalt plant periodically in the current pit. Similar operations would continue during the life of the proposed project. C and J would continue to comply with all necessary State and local permits to operate the plant. The proposed project would allow for continued employment of approximately 15 to 17 people for the life of the permit. Interim reclamation would occur where it is determined that disturbed areas will remain inactive for at least 3 years and will not interfere with operations on the pit floor. This interim reclamation would consist of manipulating slopes to a stable condition which would not erode. The slopes would be successfully vegetated with a seed mix approved by BLM, to control erosion and meet wildlife needs. Final reclamation would occur when it is determined that disturbed areas will remain inactive for the remainder of the life of operations. Final reclamation would include removal of any buildings and associated facilities; concrete pads would be broken up and recycled or buried in place. Pit walls and waste material would be re-graded to a fmal topography that is similar to the surrounding natural contours; topsoil would be spread over final recontoured areas; and the sites would be vegetated with a BLM-approved seed mix. BLM regulations require that the Operator will submit a performance bond of an amount sufficient to meet BLM reclamation standards. All reclamation activities would meet BLM objectives, which include minimizing or eliminating public safety hazards, stabilizing disturbed areas, and providing post-mining surface conditions that would be consistent with long-term uses in the area. The primary long-term land use is expected to be wildlife habitat and recreational activities. Grandview Gravel Pit Expansion Environmental Assessment 5