Executive Summary of SOS ConcernsReference: Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), November 1994, Mission Valley Rock Company, Surface Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan, SMP-32, state Clearinghouse #93033040, Alameda County Planning Department, 399 Elmhurst Street, Hayward, CA 94544 (510) 670-5400. Court of Appeal of the State of California, First Appellate District, Division Four, Case N. A072054 CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act Executive Summary of SOS Concerns (8 points) 1. The proposed quarry will be an extension of several existing quarry sites on the east side of I-680. Judging by the dirt, dust, noise, poor screening and unmitigated visual impact of the existing quarry sites, we can imagine what will happen to the pristine area under threat from this project. Mission Valley's current quarry operation east of I-680 still does not now fulfill the original promises made for it. The current quarry is enclosed by unsightly, undulating, dusty dirt berms and still lacks any permanent native vegetation. It is noisy and generates destructive truck traffic throughout the area. So, we do not trust Mission Valley's promises and expect that none of the mitigation measures described in the FEIR (above) will work or be implemented effectively. In fact, judging by the existing sites, we expect that mere token efforts will be made for most of the mitigation measures, and that some of them probably won't even be attempted at all. Just take a look at the existing quarry sites for yourself. The following concerns describe in detail what we expect will occur - the scenic destruction of the Sunol Valley. 2. The Mission Valley Rock quarry project will negatively impact the nearby Sunol Glen School because: a) the school is now located within 200 yards of the proposed excavation; b) traffic caused by heavy quarry trucks and equipment along adjacent roads will endanger children and staff arriving and leaving the school; c) dust and dirt will be blown onto the school and surrounding grass and trees in the school playing field; this will be a nuisance when children are exercising or in classes and can cause respiratory problems; d) continuous noise, possibly loud, will interfere with both classroom and outdoor teaching and communication; and e) the 200-foot deep open pit near the school will become an "attractive nuisance," tempting and endangering children. 3. The Mission Valley Rock quarry project will negatively impact the town and residents of Sunol because: a) the presence of the quarry -- in fact, even the threat of a quarry -- immediately adjacent to the downtown Sunol area will deter customers and tourists; it will reduce property values and cause the loss of the town's remaining businesses, thereby destroying the economic vitality of Sunol. b) Sunol residents currently report hearing heavy equipment start up at 6:30am at the existing quarry site on the far (east) side of Interstate 680 freeway (see map of site) which is separated from the town not only by I680 and several hundred acres but also a 10-foot-high dirt berm. Similar noisy equipment is expected not just in the initial overburden stripping phase, but for the 45 year life of the quarry project. c) Traffic caused by heavy quarry trucks and equipment along adjacent roads, including Niles Canyon Road, will increase due the expanded quarry operation. This will impact everyone trying to drive through the area and reduce the quality of life in Sunol. 4. The Mission Valley Rock quarry project will permanently and unnecessarily destroy a historic and scenic region because: a) This quarry would encompass almost 90% of the land between I-680 and downtown Sunol. b) The beautiful eastern entrance to Sunol Valley and Niles Canyon that is now marked by a long avenue of mature walnut trees along Paloma Way will be permanently marred by a 10 to 20 foot high dirt berm and temporary, containerized plants. c) The historic Water Temple and the views of Sunol Valley along Paloma Way will be bulldozed behind the berm wall of dirt in an attempt - most likely unsuccessful - to disguise the ugly pit and minimize the heavy equipment noise. d) What is now a beautiful and picturesque resource in Southern Alameda County will become an eyesore and a detriment to the whole Tri-Valley area. 5. The Mission Valley Rock quarry project will result in permanent loss of nearly 200 acres of prime farmland because: a) This targeted area is currently zoned and used for agriculture. It consists of ideal soil on flat terrain with nearby water for irrigation in a location near to local markets. b) The topsoil from the quarry area will simply be removed and stockpiled to form the berms. This cannot be an effective mitigation for the destruction of prime farmland. c) The nurseries proposed to screen the berms will not replace the existing farming activities. d) The quarry pit will never be usable for row crop, orchard, vineyard or other agricultural use at any time in the future. It will merely be filled with water after the 45 year project is finished. 6. The Mission Valley Rock quarry project will permanently destroy nearly 200 acres of wildlife habitat because: a) the site is home to seven special status species designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game, including the Golden Eagle; the California Tiger Salamander; the Western Pond Turtle; the Alameda Whip Snake; the White Tailed Kite; the Loggerhead Shrike; and the San Francisco Dusky-Footed Woodrat. b) Professional biologists have stated that the site represents the last remnant of our Sunol Valley floor that is still relatively intact and benefits the community both visually and as a reservoir for wildlife. c) Although "reclamation" is part of the project title, the reclamation solely consists of filling the final quarry pit with water and placing a dirt berm and containerized plants around it. So, the quarry project will permanently destroy existing wildlife habitats. They will not be able to be restored. 7. The project is not consistent with Alameda County's own East County Area Plan, including: a) Policy #150 - the County shall participate with SFWD.... to ensure that future quarry activity should be compatible with Sunol community interests... b) Policy #153 - the County shall ensure that quarry operations shall be reclaimed as open space; reclamation plans are designed to restore the biological value to sites through appropriate vegetation, contouring of lake to simulate natural bodies of water and protection or in-kind replacement of significant trees... c) Policy #155 - the County shall require landscaping to reduce visibility of mining activity and ancillary uses during all phases of quarry operations.... Landscaping should approximate the pre-existing natural conditions prior to surface mining.... d) Program #66 - the County shall work with the SFWD to... ensure the compatibility of the quarries with the Sunol Community during active mining and following reclamation. Opportunities for habitat preservation and enhancement and recreational uses should be explored in conjunction with reclaimed uses. 8. The Environmental Impact study is fundamentally flawed by a conflict of interest because the work was performed by the same staff of the Alameda County Planning Department who were responsible for evaluating it -- and their work was paid for by Mission Valley Rock! Upon reviewing the draft EIR, the Planning Department of the City and County of San Francisco commented strongly that "Alternatives are described much too briefly, particularly 'No Project,' considering that they appear to be feasible and with potential to eliminate or reduce significant aspects of the project." SOS suggestions for use of this area The following list summarizes the most important suggestions for the alternative use of this piece of land. Please e-mail us your suggestions and ideas. 1. Protection of San Francisco water supply, including the existing Sunol gravel filtration beds. 2. Installation of a historical and interpretive center featuring the Water Temple designed by architect Willis Polk. 3. Hiking trails along the Alameda Creek and potentially inclusion in the Bay Area Ridge Trail system. 4. Continuation of local agricultural activities including organic farming and grape growing.
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