MADERA COUNTY — After an emotional meeting lasting nearly 11 hours, the Madera County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move forward with the Austin Quarry project, planned for the southwest corner of Highways 41 and 145.
Today’s hearing was to consider two appeals of the Planning Commission’s July 19 decision to certify a Final Environmental Impact Report, approve two Conditional Use Permits, and other components of the project (see details below).
The meeting started at 9 a.m. this morning, and at 7:40 p.m. District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler made a motion to deny the appeals by opponents and adopt the Planning Commission’s decision. The motion was seconded by David Rogers who was joined by Rick Farinelli in voting in favor. Supervisors Brett Fraiser and Max Rodriguez voted against.
The Board Chamber was filled to overflowing as those on both sides of the issue wanted to make their voices heard.
With quarry supporters and employees in blue shirts on one side, and opponents in red shirts on the other, the overflow room was also full, and chairs and monitors were set up out in the lobby to accommodate all those interested in what has become a very emotional issue.
Over 90 opponents of the project signed cards to be given three minutes to address the board with concerns that included air and noise pollution, and traffic and safety issues due to what Vulcan Materials estimates would be up to 408 daily round trips by large trucks on Highways 145 and 41.
One of the biggest concerns was the fear of wells going dry in Bonadelle and Madera Ranchos, and impact on water quality in the aquifer.
Residents also raised questions about what may happen to their property values if there is noise, dust, blasting and flood lights impacting their quality of life.
Opponents also delivered about 1,500 signatures that had been collected in recent days, all signatories being residents standing in opposition to the project.
About 40 employees and proponents of Vulcan Materials were also ready to address the Board, citing the company’s commitment to community and environment, the need for aggregate as the county continues to build and grow, and the economic benefits through tax revenues and new jobs.
The project, which Vulcan Materials says will generate approximately 125 new jobs in the county when the quarry is in full production — some at the quarry itself, and some in supporting businesses — and would mean annual payments of approximately $250,000 in additional revenue, improvements along Highway 41 and Highway 145 at the project entrance, and the purchase by Vulcan of two Type 6 Fire Engines for the Madera County Fire Department.
Members of the Ranchos communities were visibly emotional as they addressed the Board, with some nearing tears as they expressed what they say this would do to their way of life and the health and safety of their families.
Austin Quarry proponents, along with Supervisor Rogers, said the residents have been the victims of “fear mongering” by attorneys and the Madera Oversight Coalition who they say have been disseminating false and misleading information.
It is not clear at this point what the next step may be by those fighting to stop the project, but based on conversations with some of the opponents, it is not likely that this will be their last battle.
Chairman Rick Farinelli said this was the largest crowd ever for an issue to come before the Board in his experience.
The Board voted 3-2 in favor of denying the appeals and to:
1. Certify the Austin Quarry Project Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH#2010071036) and make findings and a statement of
overriding considerations as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
2. Adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)
3. Approve CUP #2009-017 for an aggregate mine and related facilities and activities and make required findings for approval of the CUP
4. Approve CUP #2009-020 for a reclamation plan and approve the March 2016 Austin Quarry Surface Mining and Reclamation Plan and make required findings for approval
5. Approve a Variance (VA #2016-003) to allow a maximum height of 70 feet for equipment, where 35 feet is permitted by ordinance and make required findings for approval of the Variance
6. Approve the Updated Water Supply Assessment for the Austin Quarry (October 5, 2015)
7. Adopt staff-recommended conditions of approval
8. Approve tentative partial cancellation of Williamson Act contract 2217-C-75 as it pertains to a 207-acre parcel contingent on the Applicant’s payment of a cancellation fee based on 12.5 percent of the assessed fair market value of the parcel
(Photos by Bill Ritchey)
