san rafael rock quarry amended reclamation plan and amended surface mining and quarrying permit

595 Pages·2009·26.53 MB·English

SAN RAFAEL ROCK QUARRY
AMENDED RECLAMATION PLAN
AND AMENDED SURFACE MINING AND
QUARRYING PERMIT
Combined Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
SCH#s 2005102122 (Amended Reclamation Plan)
2007082097 (Amended Quarry Permit)

FEIR Volume I: Revisions to the Draft EIR Text

Prepared for: January 2009
Marin County
Community Development Agency
SAN RAFAEL ROCK QUARRY
AMENDED RECLAMATION PLAN
AND AMENDED SURFACE MINING AND
QUARRYING PERMIT
Combined Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
SCH#s 2005102122 (Amended Reclamation Plan)
2007082097 (Amended Quarry Permit)

FEIR Volume I: Revisions to the Draft EIR Text

Prepared for: January 2009
Marin County
Community Development Agency
225 Bush Street
Suite 1700
San Francisco, CA 94104
415.896.5900
www.esassoc.com
Los Angeles
Oakland
Olympia
Petaluma
Portland
Sacramento
San Diego
Seattle
Tampa
Woodland Hills
205145
TABLE OF CONTENTS
San Rafael Rock Quarry
Amended Reclamation Plan and
Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit
Combined Final Environmental Impact Report
Page
Volume I
1. Introduction............................................................................................................1-1
1.1 Marin County Planning and Project Review Process....................................1-1
1.2 Scope of the EIR...........................................................................................1-2
1.3 Approach to Analysis....................................................................................1-5
1.4 Documents Incorporated by Reference in the EIR........................................1-6
1.5 Organization of the Final EIR........................................................................1-8
1.6 Glossary and List of Acronyms....................................................................1-11

2. Summary ..............................................................................................................2-1

3. Project Description................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Project Site Location and Description...........................................................3-1
3.2 History of the Projects.................................................................................3-10
3.3 Environmental Baseline..............................................................................3-17
3.4 Project Description: Amended Reclamation Plan........................................3-18
3.5 Project Description: Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit.........3-65
3.6 Administrative Actions and Next Steps in the Project Review Process
for Both Projects.....................................................................................3-76
3.7 CEQA Responsible Agency Actions, Federal Agency Actions,
and Trustee Agencies.............................................................................3-80
3.8 Distinction between Review of Environmental Issues and Project Merits...3-82

4. Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures
4.1 Aesthetics..................................................................................................4.1-1
4.2 Air Quality..................................................................................................4.2-1
4.3 Biological Resources..................................................................................4.3-1
4.4 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity...................................................................4.4-1
4.5 Hydrology and Water Quality.....................................................................4.5-1
4.6 Land Use and Planning..............................................................................4.6-1
4.7 Noise and Vibration....................................................................................4.7-1
4.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials.............................................................4.8-1
4.9 Public Services, Utilities, and Energy.........................................................4.9-1
4.10 Transportation and Traffic........................................................................4.10-1
4.11 Population and Housing...........................................................................4.11-1
4.12 Cultural Resources...................................................................................4.12-1

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Page

5. Growth-Inducing and Cumulative Effects ...........................................................5-1
5.1 Growth-Inducing Effects................................................................................5-1
5.2 Cumulative Impacts.......................................................................................5-3

6. Alternatives to the Projects..................................................................................6-1
6.1 Alternatives to the Amended Reclamation Plan............................................6-2
6.2 Analysis of Alternatives to the Amended Reclamation Plan..........................6-3
6.3 Alternatives to the Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit...........6-22
6.4 Analysis of Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit Alternatives...6-23

Volume II (bound separately)
7. Comments and Responses...................................................................................7-1
7.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................7.1-1
7.2 Master Responses.....................................................................................7.2-1
7.3 Comments on the Draft EIR and Responses.............................................7.3-1

8. EIR Authors, Persons and Organizations Contacted.........................................8-1
8.1 EIR Authors...................................................................................................8-1
8.2 EIR Consultants............................................................................................8-1
8.3 Persons and Organizations Consulted..........................................................8-2

List of Figures
2-1 Project Location..................................................................................................2-3
2-2 Existing Conditions..............................................................................................2-5
3-1 Project Location..................................................................................................3-2
3-2 Site Map (Existing Conditions)............................................................................3-7
3-3 Aerial View, 1946................................................................................................3-9
3-4a Aerial Views, 1982 vs. 2005..............................................................................3-11
3-4b Aerial Views, 1982 vs. 2005..............................................................................3-12
3-4c Aerial Views, 1982 vs. 2005..............................................................................3-13
3-5 ARP82 Reclamation..........................................................................................3-21
3-6 ARP82 Planned Post-Reclamation Land Uses.................................................3-23
3-7 Activity Areas During Phases 1-4......................................................................3-29
3-8 ARP04 Future Land Uses.................................................................................3-30
3-9 Phase 1 Grading...............................................................................................3-31
3-10 Phase 1 Erosion Control and Revegetation......................................................3-37
3-11 Phase 2 Grading ..............................................................................................3-41
3-12 Phase 2 Erosion Control and Revegetation......................................................3-42
3-13 Phase 3 Grading...............................................................................................3-43
3-14 Phase 3 Erosion Control and Revegetation......................................................3-47
3-15 Phase 4 Grading...............................................................................................3-48
3-16 Phase 4 Erosion Control and Revegetation......................................................3-51
3-17 1982 vs. 2004 Grading Plans............................................................................3-55
4.1-1 Vantage Points Location Map..........................................................................4.1-3
4.1-2 Existing Views from Vantage Points 1 and 2....................................................4.1-5
4.1-3 Existing View from Vantage Point 3.................................................................4.1-6
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List of Figures (cont.)
4.1-4 Existing Views from Vantage Point 4................................................................4.1-7
4.1-5 Existing View from Vantage Point 5 – Day and Nighttime Views.....................4.1-8
4.1-6 Existing Views from Vantage Points 6 and 7....................................................4.1-9
4.1-7 Existing Views from Vantage Point 8..............................................................4.1-10
4.1-8 Existing Views from Vantage Points 9 and 10................................................4.1-12
4.1-9 Existing View from Vantage Point 11 – Day and Nighttime Views.................4.1-13
4.1-10 Simulated Views from Vantage Point 3 – Phase II and Phase IV...................4.1-16
4.1-11 Simulated Views from Vantage Point 5 – Phase II and Phase IV...................4.1-18
4.1-12 Simulated Views from Vantage Point 6 – Phase II and Phase IV...................4.1-20
4.1-13 Simulated Views from Vantage Point 8 – Phase II and Phase IV...................4.1-22
4.1-14 Simulated Views from Vantage Point 11 – Phase II and Phase IV.................4.1-24
4.1-15 1982 Conceptual Model of Post-Reclamation Land Use................................4.1-26
4.2-1 Wind Rose Data for Via Montebello Site and Marin Bay Park Site
April 2004 to June 2005...............................................................................4.2-2
4.2-2 Approximate Locations of Soil and Rock Samples.........................................4.2-20
4.2-3 Diesel Particulate Matter Emission Rate Factors Used in the
Health Risk Assessment for On-Site Mobile Equipment and Haul
Trucks, 1982 through 2024........................................................................4.2-47
4.2-4 Incremental Cancer Risk: Toxic Air Contaminant Emissions of the
Combined Projects....................................................................................4.2-51
4.2-5 Incremental Cancer Risk: With Mitigation Measures Incorporated.................4.2-53
4.2-6 Incremental Chronic Risk: Toxic Air Contaminant Emissions of the
Combined Projects....................................................................................4.2-54
4.2-7 Incremental Acute Risk: Toxic Air Contaminant Emissions of the
Combined Projects....................................................................................4.2-56
4.2-8 Incremental Cancer Risk from Past Operations 1982–2007..........................4.2-58
4.3-1 Habitat Types...................................................................................................4.3-3
4.4-1 Principal Faults in the San Francisco Bay Area...............................................4.4-6
4.6-1 Neighborhoods in the Project Vicinity...............................................................4.6-2
4.6-2 Land Uses in the Project Vicinity......................................................................4.6-4
4.6-3 Countywide Plan Update Map 3.2: Point San Pedro Land Use Policy Map.....4.6-7
4.7-1 Effects of Noise on People...............................................................................4.7-2
4.7-2 Noise Monitoring Data from SRRQ Station....................................................4.7-12
4.7-3 Noise Monitoring Locations............................................................................4.7-13
4.7-4 Location of Complaints Regarding Blast Effects............................................4.7-20
4.10-1 Roadways Around Project Site.......................................................................4.10-2
4.12-1 Historic Resources on the Project Site.........................................................4.12-21
List of Tables
2-1 Proposed Hours of Operation..............................................................................2-7
2-2 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures for the San Rafael Rock
Quarry ARP and AQP...................................................................................2-23
3-1 Current Permit and Approval Status....................................................................3-3
3-2 San Rafael Rock Quarry ARP 04 Reclamation Phasing Schedule...................3-26
3-3 Summary of Grading Activities, Cut and Fill Volumes.......................................3-33
3-4 Planned Revegetation in each Reclamation Phase..........................................3-36
3-5 Definitions of Fill Materials................................................................................3-58
3-6 Standards for Permanent Fills and Slopes........................................................3-59
3-7 Standards for Temporary Fills and Slopes........................................................3-59
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Page

List of Tables (cont.)
3-8 Quarry Products Production and Estimated Truck Trips, 1980–1982...............3-66
3-9 Proposed Hours of Operation............................................................................3-72
3-10 Project Elements...............................................................................................3-77
4.2-1 State and Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status........4.2-4
4.2-2 San Rafael Air Pollutant Summary (2002–2006)..............................................4.2-8
4.2-3 San Rafael Toxic Air Contaminant Monitoring Data (2003)............................4.2-11
4.2-4 SRRQ Permitted Daily Emissions by Source.................................................4.2-12
4.2-5 Existing Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants from Quarry Operations............4.2-14
4.2-6 24-Hour and Annual Average Concentrations of PM-10 and PM-2.5
Adjacent to SRRQ.....................................................................................4.2-15
4.2-7 Metals Content of Samples from County-Sponsored Air Quality Study..........4.2-18
4.2-8a Soil and Rock Sample Location, Description, and Requested Laboratory
Analyses....................................................................................................4.2-22
4.2-8b Mineralogical Percent Composition of Soil and Rock Samples......................4.2-23
4.2-8c Inorganic Chemical Concentration of Soil and Rock Samples.......................4.2-24
4.2-9 Existing Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from Quarry Operations
(assuming current level of operations).......................................................4.2-25
4.2-10 Increases in Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants from the ARP
(without mitigation measures)....................................................................4.2-31
4.2-10.1 Allowable Emissions Levels for Simultaneous Mining and Reclamation........4.2-33
4.2-11 Increases in Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants from the
Phase 4 Reclamation (without mitigation measures).................................4.2-35
4.2-12 Emissions Of Greenhouse Gases From Proposed Reclamation Activities.....4.2-36
4.2-13 Estimated Post-Reclamation Operational Emissions.....................................4.2-38
4.2-13.1 Projected Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants from Quarry Operations
Under the AQP........................................................................................4.2-40a
4.2-14 Existing and Proposed Countywide Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from
Quarry Operations (assuming 20 percent increase in level of extraction
and processing operations and 30 percent increase in barge transport)...4.2-42
4.2-15 Health Risk Assessment Results Maximum Exposed Individual,
Future Emissions from the AQP and ARP Combined................................4.2-50
4.2-16 Cancer Risk Source Contributions to the Risk of Increased Cancer Cases
per 1,000,000 Exposed Individuals at the Location of the
Maximum Exposed Individual....................................................................4.2-52
4.2-17 Sources and Substances, AQP and ARP Emissions Contributing to
Chronic Health Risk at Location of the Maximum Exposed Individual for
the Proposed Project.................................................................................4.2-55
4.4-1 Active Faults in the Project Vicinity..................................................................4.4-7
4.4-2 Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale......................................................................4.4-9
4.6-1 Relevant Policies of the Marin Countywide Plan and Consistency with the
AQP and ARP Projects................................................................................4.6-9
4.7-1 Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Environments...........................4.7-9
4.7-2 Benchmarks for Allowable Noise Exposure from Stationary Noise Sources..4.7-10
4.7-3 SRRQ Operational Equipment Noise Emission Levels in 1982......................4.7-11
4.7-4 Ambient Noise Levels at Monitored Locations, dBA.......................................4.7-14
4.7-4.1 Hourly Noise Levels at 28 Marin Bay Park Court......................................4.7-14a
4.7-5 SRRQ Vibration Monitoring Data Summary...................................................4.7-19
4.7-6 Typical Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels................................4.7-23
4.7-7 Vibration Effects Threshold Values................................................................4.7-30
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Page
List of Tables (cont.)
4.8-1 Hazardous Material Storage at SRRQ.............................................................4.8-5
4.10-1 Definitions for Intersection Level of Service...................................................4.10-4
4.10-2 Existing Intersection Level of Service and Delay............................................4.10-5
4.10-3 Post-Reclamation Vehicle Trip Generation....................................................4.10-9
4.11-1 Bay Area Population by County, 1990-2020..................................................4.11-2
4.11-2 Marin County Population by Municipality, 1990–2020....................................4.11-2
4.11-3 San Rafael and SOI (including Peacock Gap), and Vicinity Employment
Change, 2000-2020...................................................................................4.11-4
4.11-4 Number of Housing Units by County for the Bay Area 1990–2005................4.11-4
4.11-5 San Rafael and SOI (including Peacock Gap) and Vicinity Households,
2000–2020.................................................................................................4.11-5
4.11-6 Bay Area, Marin County and San Rafael (and SOI) Jobs to Employed
Residents Ratios (2005, 2020)..................................................................4.11-6
4.11-7 San Rafael Projected Housing Needs..........................................................4.11-10
4.12-1 Recorded Buildings and Structures..............................................................4.12-13
4.12-2 Historic Resources on the Project Site.........................................................4.12-18
5-1 Development Projects and Plans in the Vicinity of or Otherwise Related to
San Rafael Rock Quarry.................................................................................5-8
6-1 Ability of Alternatives to Reduce or Avoid Significant Impacts of the
ARP Project..................................................................................................6-12
6-2 Ability of Alternatives to Satisfy ARP Project Objectives...................................6-21
6-3 Ability of Alternatives to Reduce or Avoid Significant Impacts of the
AQP Project..................................................................................................6-30
6-4 Ability of Alternatives to Satisfy AQP Project Objectives...................................6-34

Volume III (bound separately)
Appendices
A. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)...........................................A-1
B. Noise Calculations...................................................................................................B-1
C. Air Quality Calculations ..........................................................................................C-1
D. Health Risk Assessment.........................................................................................D-1
E. Biological Resources...............................................................................................E-1
F. Notices of Preparation.............................................................................................F-1
G1 Comments on the NOP and Public Scoping Comments on the ARP....................G1-1
G2 Comments on the NOP and Public Scoping Comments on the AQP...................G2-1
H. Applicant’s Project Objectives for the Amended Reclamation Plan........................H-1
I. Harbor and Coastal Analysis Technical Reports.......................................................I-1
J. Assessment of Rock Blasting Practices and Impacts..............................................J-1
K. Geotechnical and Geological Technical Memorandum............................................K-1
L. Species List and Planting Methods for Revegetation of Reclaimed Areas..............L-1
M. Marin County Sustainability Principles....................................................................M-1
N. Laboratory Reports for Rock and Soil Samples......................................................N-1
O. Best Practices Analysis of Quarry Operations........................................................O-1

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FEIR Vol. I: Revisions to the DEIR Text January 2009
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1.1 Marin County Planning and Project Review Process
This document is a combined Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) for two closely
related projects at the San Rafael Rock Quarry (SRRQ): an Amended Reclamation Plan (ARP)
and an Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit (AQP). The Final EIR evaluates the
potential for each project to result in adverse effects on the physical environment. Analysis of the
two projects is being combined in a single EIR document in order to enable an expeditious and
efficient public review process. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
§15165 authorizes the lead agency to prepare a single EIR for two or more separate projects
where “one project is one of several similar projects” even when they are not part of the same
project. Marin County determined on preliminary review that an EIR was required for the ARP
and proceeded with preparation of that EIR. In the interim, the County prepared and circulated an
Initial Study for the AQP separate from the ARP (Marin County, 2007). The County determined
on the basis of the Initial Study that an EIR is also required for the AQP.
The County of Marin prepared and circulated Notices of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR for each
project pursuant to §15082 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines1 to
seek comments from affected agencies and the public about the scope of the EIRs. The date of the
NOP for the ARP was October 26, 2005, and the date of the NOP for the AQP was August 17,
2007, subsequent to preparation of an Initial Study and determination that a focused EIR was
required for the project; both NOPs are included in Appendix F. Several comment letters and oral
comments were received from individuals and from interested governmental agencies in response
to the NOPs. The County of Marin held public scoping sessions (meetings) regarding the
proposed projects on January 25, 2006 for the ARP and on September 12, 2007 and October 3,
2007 for the AQP. The public scoping sessions were held to help identify potentially significant
environmental effects to be analyzed in depth in the EIRs. Numerous oral comments were
received at the scoping meetings, and additional written comments were received at and
following the meetings. Comment letters on the NOPs and comments from the public scoping
meetings are contained in Appendix G, together with an indication of where in the document
issues raised are discussed.
Marin County circulated the Draft EIR for review by public agencies, interested parties, and
organizations for a 60-day public review period, in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines
§15087. Written comments were accepted through April 14, 2008, the closing day of the review

1 California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3.
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1. Introduction

period. Oral and written comments were also accepted at a hearing by the County Board of
Supervisors (BOS) held on March 25, 2008.
As required by CEQA Guidelines §15088, the County has evaluated all comments received on
the environmental issues, and has prepared written responses. The comments and responses are
included in the Final EIR in Volume II, Chapter 7. Revisions to the EIR text necessitated by the
response to comments are included in the responses, and are also shown in Chapters 2 through 6
in Volume I, Revisions to the Draft EIR.
Pursuant to County environmental review procedures, the County will circulate the Final EIR to
Responsible and Trustee Agencies that commented on the Draft EIR and all interested parties for
a 45-day review of the adequacy of the response to comments. Upon the conclusion of the review,
the BOS will consider whether to certify the Final EIR. In certifying the EIR, the BOS would be
affirming that the EIR is adequate and complete pursuant to CEQA and the County
Environmental Review Guidelines. In conjunction with a decision on the projects, the BOS would
also find that it reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR prior to
taking action on the projects (CEQA Guidelines §15090).
No action can be taken to approve the proposed projects until the Final EIR has been certified.
However, certification of the EIR does not require nor ensure approval of the projects. Once the
EIR is certified, the BOS may consider approval of the projects. At that time, the BOS may
decide to approve one or both of the projects, with mitigation measures specified in the Final EIR
incorporated as conditions of approval; to disapprove one or both of the projects; or to approve an
alternative to one or both of the projects that has been evaluated in the Final EIR.
1.2 Scope of the EIR
With regards to the ARP, the EIR is limited to evaluation of environmental impacts associated
with activities covered by the applicant’s proposed 2004 Amended Reclamation Plan (ARP04), as
these activities differ from the adopted 1982 Amended Reclamation Plan (ARP82). For the AQP,
the EIR is limited to examination of proposed changes to the existing Surface Mining and
Quarrying Permit, which was issued by Marin County pursuant to County Code Chapter 23.06
and the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA).
Amended Reclamation Plan
Preparation of a reclamation plan, and amendment of this plan to ensure its consistency with
current and planned operations and post-reclamation use of the site, are requirements of both the
Marin County Code and SMARA. Under SMARA, all operators of surface mines in California
must prepare and submit for approval by the lead agency a reclamation plan, along with financial
assurances that sufficient funds would be available to accomplish reclamation (Public Resources
Code [PRC] §2770). The lead agency under SMARA is the jurisdiction with land use authority
over the surface mining operation – in this case the County of Marin. Substantial deviations from
an approved reclamation plan may not be undertaken without the submission to and approval by
the lead agency of amendments to the reclamation plan (PRC §2777). Under SMARA, each lead
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1. Introduction

agency must adopt a surface mining ordinance which establishes procedures for the review and
approval of reclamation plans and financial assurances, and for issuance of permits to conduct
surface mining operations (PRC §2774). Marin County has adopted the required ordinance and it
is codified as Title 23, Chapter 23.06 of the Marin County Code.
SMARA (PRC §2733) defines “Reclamation” as the combined process of land treatment that
minimizes water degradation, air pollution, damage to aquatic or wildlife habitat, flooding,
erosion, and other adverse effects from surface mining operations, so that mined lands are
reclaimed to a usable condition which is readily adaptable for alternate land uses and creates no
danger to public health or safety. The process may extend to affected lands surrounding mined
lands, and may require backfilling, grading, resoiling, revegetation, soil compaction, stabilization,
or other measures.
The following activities are considered reclamation:
• Establishment of final reclamation grades;
• Stockpiling of topsoil and other materials for future use in site reclamation, including
loading and hauling of material to stockpiles for this purpose;
• Planning of post-reclamation uses of the Quarry site.
Amended Surface Mining and Quarrying Permit
The primary permit related to the operation of the San Rafael Rock Quarry is Surface Mining and
Quarrying Permit No. Q-72-03, issued by Marin County in 1972 pursuant to County Code
Chapter 23.06 (County of Marin, 1972). SRRQ’s proposed amendments to their permit, which are
contained in a letter from Dutra Materials, the parent company of SRRQ, to the Marin County
Department of Public Works dated October 27, 2004, and further clarified by a letter dated
December 14, 2004 (Dutra Materials, 2004a, 2004b), apply to SRRQ’s ongoing quarrying and
related production operations.
The following activities are considered a part of ongoing quarry operations, and are considered a
part of the AQP project:
• The activities described and proposed in the project application;
• Removal of topsoil and overburden to expose the mineral resource for quarrying;
• Management of mining wastes and overburden unrelated to reclamation;
• Blasting and extraction of quarry products;
• Importation of San Francisco Bay sand;
• Crushing, processing, stockpiling prior to shipment offsite, loading, and shipping offsite of
quarried materials, including by truck or barge;
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