Mining proposal goes to Azusa planning commission for study session
By Daniel Tedford, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/13/2010 10:15 PM
AZUSA - Only a couple dozen citizens showed up Wednesday night for the first public meeting to discuss a new mining proposal for the Azusa Rock Quarry.
The Vulcan Materials Company's mining application for the area near Fish Creek, as well as a recent environmental report, was presented during a study session at a regularly scheduled planning commission meeting.
Todd Priest, spokesman for Vulcan, said Wednesday the company believes
the new mining plan can be enhanced dramatically.
"We understand (the current operation) is not the most aesthetically
pleasing," Priest said. "In 1988, (the previous owner) didn't care as much,
but today we do care."
Vulcan has a permit to mine 190 acres near Fish Creek. The company wants to exchange 80 acres of unmined land on its eastern property line for the ability to mine 80 acres near its western property line.
The 270-acre Vulcan property sits in the city of Azusa but rests along the Duarte border. For Vulcan to move forward, Azusa officials would have to approve Vulcan's plan to mine the western 80 acres.
Part of Vulcan's proposal calls for the western mining operation to incorporate micro benches. Company officials said when mining is complete and the mountain is reclaimed, the 1- to 2-foot steps become more naturally part of the mountain slope.
In a mining operation near the eastern side, the company has already
carved out 30-foot benches, known as "Mayan steps." If the
proposal is approved, the entire project would begin to use the
micro-benching technique.
If it is turned down, Vulcan will use the 30-foot benches for mining on the far east property line.
During public comment, Sandra Rentschler, a former Azusa planning commissioner, said she thought the new proposal improved upon the current mining operations.
"As a whole, from what I remember, this is a much, much better plan in all facets of it," she said.
Rentschler, however, did say there were more issues that could be addressed. She raised questions on whether the mining end date of 2038 could be moved up to an earlier date.
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