2011-05-12_PERMIT FILE - M2011028 (3)

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During the January 20, 2011 Joint Planning Commission hearing the Commission voted 4 to 2 in favor of approving project 2010-0055. Draft copies of the minutes are attached for your review. Proposal The proposal is for a Class II land use permit for a gravel extraction operation and a concrete and asphalt batch plant. The site is located immediately to the west of the Animas Air Park, and is adjacent to Bureau of Reclamation Land. The project is located on 8 parcels consisting of approximately 233 acres and is currently vacant. The actual area to be utilized by the gravel pit and excavation is approximately 122 acres. The applicant proposes to locate all of the processing activities in the northwestern portion of the site where it will create the least disturbance to adjacent privately owned land. The office trailer will be located near the end of the access road on the east side of the project site and adjacent to the Animas Air Park. The surrounding uses in this location are primarily commercial and industrial. Excavation will occur starting in the area where the "high wall berm", as depicted on the site plan along the eastern perimeter of the site and will move in a;southerly direction. The applicant has projected that they will sell approximately 250,000 tons of gravel, 50,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 75,000 tons of asphalt per year. The applicant has an eight year lease with the landowner with the option to extend this lease indefinitely. The project is being reviewed with the intent that the applicant will operate indefinitely. The applicant stated in their narrative they will be responsible for removing solid waste and that they are planning to use the services of Waste Corporation of America (LPLUC Sec 82-181). In addition, the applicant has submitted a weed management plan that shall be followed. (LPLUC Sec 82-174). Site Description The project area has historically been used for gravel extraction dating back over 40 years, with the most recent activity being the extraction of materials for the Animas-La Plata Project. The Bureau of Reclamation condemned the property in 2006 and excavated gravel for the dam. The property has since been reclaimed and conveyed back to the Isgars. According to the applicant, the project site contains high quality gravel resources. As a result of previous gravel extraction, the topography of the site includes two high walls on the northeast and south sides of the northernmost part of the property, with a bank that slopes downward to Basin Creek on the west side of the project site. The mid and southern portion of the project site is a ridge that is the area to be mined. The northern portion of the site has a central flat area where gravel has already been excavated and has been reclaimed. The southern two thirds of the project site are sparsely treed. The proposal is adjacent to the Animas Airpark. The applicant has provided a report completed by the Boyd Group International indicating the project is in compliance with FAA rules and regulations. This report states that the gravel pit operations will not result in an obstruction to navigable airspace. Water (LPLUC Sec 102-108,102-67) The applicant is proposing to serve the project using well permit numbers 053789-F Animas River water to meet their demand for water to conduct the operation and for dust control. Colorado Division of Water Resources has provided comments regarding the applicant's ability to convert the use of the existing wells for the intended commercial purposes and has stated water is available for appropriation from the Animas River (see "Water" in the issues section). Project No. 2010-0055 Page 3 of 21 Animas Glacier Gravel Class II EA/TH lee ,inuche Construction Authorits ?. ?. Box AA - Towaoc, CO 81334 A?iMAS ?tAGl=.2.8R1?V6Cr t=?c kl lP,? ?"? M l- PAC. M- 5