SYAR NAPA QUARRY EXPANSION PROJECT - SURFACE MINING PERMIT (P08-00337-SMP)

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status:  Napa County has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  A Draft EIR was prepared and public hearings were held on the Draft EIR during a 90 day public review and comment period.  The standard CEQA 45 day review and comment period was extended an additional 45 days by the County at the request of members of the public.  Written responses to comments received during the public review and comment period have been incorporated into the Final EIR which consists of the Draft EIR, public and agency comments, responses to comments, and required clarifications and changes to the text of the Draft EIR.  The Planning Commission will consider approval or denial of the project following certification of the Final EIR.  

Request:  Approval of Surface Mining Permit (SMP) P08-00337-SMP to modify the mining and reclamation plan and associated aggregate processing, production and sales as currently permitted under UP-128182, UP-27374, and County Agreement No. 2225 to allow: a) an approximate 124-acre expansion of the current surfacing mining and reclamation plan for a 35 year term; b) an increase in mining depth from approximately 300 feet and 150 feet above mean sea level (msl) to no greater than 50 feet above msl; c) an increase in production of aggregate materials from approximately 1 millon tons per year to 2 million tons per year; d) add Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) handling equipment to the existing asphalt batch plant; and e) relocate and improve portions of Skyline Trail that were originally constructed on the quarry property back onto Skyline Wilderness Park lands. This SMP is intended to replace UP-128182, UP-27374, and County Agreement No. 2225, and bring existing and expanded mining and reclamation areas and associated aggregate processing, production and sales under one permit.  

The project site is located on the east side of State Highway 221 (Napa-Vallejo Highway) at its intersection with Basalt Road and 2301 Napa-Vallejo Highway, within the unincorporated portion of Napa County within both the Industrial and Agricultural Watershed zoning districts.  Assessor's Parcel Numbers (APNs) 045-360-005,046-370-012, -013, -015, -022, -025, 046-390-002, -003, and 046-450-071.  

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission:

1)  Hold a public hearing pursuant to County Code Section 16.12.370 to consider the merits of the proposed project prior to taking action on #P08-00337-SMP and on the adequacy of the Final EIR.

2)  Adopt a resolution certifying the Final EIR was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines and Napa County's Local Procedures for Implementing CEQA.

3)  Adopt a motion of intent to: (a) adopt findings and a statement of overriding considerations and reject the no project alternative and the reduced footprint/conservation alternative pursuant to CEQA; (b) find the reduced production alternative consistent with the County General Plan; (c) adopt the mitigation monitoring and reporting program; (d) adopt the reduced footprint alternative; and (e) approve Surface Mining Permit No. P08-00337-SMP.  Staff intends to bring a resolution that reflects the Commission's motion of intent to the Commission on January 21st for formal adoption.

4)  Continue the public hearing to January 21st for consideration and adoption of a resolution of CEQA findings and the final conditions of approval for the Syar project.

Staff Contact:  Donald Barrella, 707-299-1338 or donald.barrella@countyofnapa.org

Applicant Contact: Jennifer Gomez, 707-259-5728 or jgomez@syar.com

PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE WATER AVAILABILITY ANALYSIS PROGRAM

CEQA Status: Consideration and possible adoption of Categorical Exemptions Class 7 and Class 8. It has been determined that this type of project does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. [See Class 7 (“Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act at 14 CCR §15307 and see Class 8 (“Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act at 14 CCR §15308.]

Request: Consideration of Staff's proposal to revise the Water Availability Analysis (WAA) Program, which is used in environmental evaluation documents prepared for new discretionary development proposals that rely on groundwater resources.  The WAA is a technical document prepared by a project applicant or their professional representative that quantifies the estimated amount of available groundwater and relates it to the amount of groundwater required to serve the proposed development.  Proposed changes consist of replacing the past Phase I and Phase II theoretical analysis, with a two-tier approach based on best available technical documentation.

Staff Recommendation: Recommend to the Board of Supervisors that they adopt the proposed WAA revisions and find that they are Categorically Exempt from CEQA.

Staff Contact: Patrick Lowe, Natural Resources Conservation Manager, (707) 259-5937, patrick.lowe@countyofnapa.org