HomeMy WebLinkAboutLower Bridge Mine Site PresentationLower Bridge Mine Site
•550 acre site mined since
1920’s for aggregate and
diatomite.
•From 1974 to 1985 hazardous
and radioactive waste was
stored on site.
•In 1985, a mining site plan
was approved for 18
previously undisturbed acres.
•In 2006, mining of the site was
complete and DOGAMI
closed the site.
Site Status ~ 2007
•All DOGAMI required reclamation complete. No reclamation is required of lands mined before 1972 (majority of the site).
•High winds continue to cause large dust storms.
•Hazard waste storage area was cleaned to industrial standards in1985.
•County required reclamation under 1985 site plan for 18-acre site not completed.
2008-09 Rezone
•The “West Area” (~410 acres, all west of Lower Bridge Way) is
placed under a Resolution of Intent to Rezone. The property must
be rezoned if certain conditions are met within 5 years.
•Key conditions:
•Rezone is restricted until a DEQ “No
Further Action” and DHS “no
apparent public health hazard” is
issued for residential use of the
property.
•Owner shall implement the DEQ
approved Planting Plan, Watering
Monitoring Plan, and Dust
Abatement Plan during the 5 year
period.
•The applicant shall complete the
County-approved reclamation of
the 18-acre area covered by SP-85-
23 through a modified reclamation
plan (This land use application is in
process).
The “West Area”
2008-09 Rezone
•A private developer (Daniels Group
LLC) applied to rezone the site from
Surface Mining to Rural Residential.
•In April 2009, the Board approves the
zone change treating the “East Area”
and “West Area” of the property
differently.
•The “East Area” (~160 acres, mostly
east of Lower Bridge Way) is approved
for immediate rezoning. Residential
development is restricted until a DEQ
“No Further Action” and DHS “no
apparent public health hazard” is
issued for residential use of the
property.
•“East Area” rezoning ordinance before
the Board June, 2011.
The “East Area”
Code Enforcement
•Staff have received a number of complaints over the past 10 years,
two of which have resulted in actual cases, described below. The
chief concern appears to be fugitive dust from the larger site, which
the County has limited direct jurisdiction to enforce. All complaints
have been investigated, whether or not a code case was opened.
•C09134 (2009) – Closed in February, 2011
•Dangerous Building – Old processing building was declared a
hazard by the County Building Official and was demolished by
the owners in November, 2009
•Solid Waste – In addition to debris associated with the
demolition, various pieces of old mining equipment as well as
accumulated trash, was gradually reduced over 2009 & 2010.
There was considerable discussion as to what was salvageable
(not solid waste). The last remaining pieces were moved to a
remote corner of the property, out of sight of the surrounding
area, and the case was closed in February, 2011
Code Enforcement
•C1151 (2011) – Active
•Failure to reclaim 18 acre
site in West Area in
accordance with 1985
approval
•Request for modification of
1985 approval currently on
hold.
•Some reclamation efforts
have been completed,
but does not meet 1985
standard.
•18 acre site does not
appear to be the primary
source of fugitive dust.
•Meeting to be set with
owners to discuss final
resolution.
The “West Area” 18 acres