Planning Commission Meeting - January 6, 2009 IMMC2

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Topic: Planning Commission Meeting - January 6, 2009 IMMC2

Barb
Administrator

posted 07-28-2009 09:24 AM

JOY WAITE: I'm Joy Waite. I live in Grass
--oOo--
MARK CALHOUN: Mark Calhoun.
the record?
THE CHAIRMAN: Could you give us your name for
Thank you.
hope you make the right decision when the time comes.
So that's my impact -- that's my comment, and I
consideration when you make your decisions.
Valley, and I think you have to take that into
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Public Comments - January 6, 2009
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25 sales of tiles are a major portion of the economic fiscal
plant will require its own permitting process while the
Why has David Watkinson said that the ceramics
and the environmental implications?
location of this new pipeline, the scope of this project
the ceramics plant. What are the specifications and
any information about the gas pipeline required to serve
DEIR, and that is an important factor. I could not find
water treatment plants for each discharge point in the
I could not find the specifications for the
part to inadequate water quality predictions.
to 20 billion dollars for Superfund sites, due in large
assurance shortfalls at existing mine sites, in addition
liability of up to 20.4 billion dollars in financial
to research, taxpayers are currently faced with potential
Due to deficiencies in required bonds, according
for water quality.
means that the reclamation bond may not have a provision
shows no mitigation required for water quality. This
Environmental Impact Report. The Idaho-Maryland DEIR
of water quality problems were not predicted in an
review of the scientific literature shows that 89 percent
Problems at Hardrock Mines, an Earthworks web paper, a
According to the Predicting Water Quality
per minute, which has been officially presented to us.
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Public Comments - January 6, 2009
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25 The main thing I've learned from this process to
remains a vital component.
reclamation plan has not been included in the DEIR, yet
devastation of unforeseen or underestimated costs. The
are necessary to protect our community from the economic
royalties on the gold extracted or mention of bonds that
potential revenue. I could not find any mention of
economic impacts on our community and overstates the
The economic fiscal analysis underestimates the
shared accommodations.
that could house about three workers, on average, in
majority of housing demand would be in the rental market
living in the area. The other half would relocate. The
half of the workers are expected to be people already
economic fiscal analysis states that, on average, about
It should be noted on the issue of jobs that the
believe this to be slightly overstated.
of ceramic tiles within the city of Grass Valley. I
which includes $400,000 per year in sales tax from sales
revenue would range from $220,000 to $690,000 per year,
sales tax revenue -- that's sales tax alone -- sales tax
Page 33 of the economic fiscal analysis states
the ceramics plant?
of the jobs that have received so much attention are for
analysis (see page 29 in the DEIR) and at least one half
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Public Comments - January 6, 2009
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25 emissions from construction and operation of the project
The Draft EIR states that nitrogen oxide
and the elderly for those days.
air was unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children
42 times in 2008 and 55 times in 2007, meaning that the
Grass Valley's air exceeded the health standard for ozone
level ozone in federal 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas.
it does not address the mine's contribution to ground
I believe the Draft EIR is insufficient because
opportunity to provide input to the Draft EIR.
at 11650 Forest View Drive in Nevada City. Thanks for the
MARK WILSON: Hi, my name is Mark Wilson and I'm
--oOo--
environmental devastation.
economic growth, have wreaked havoc, economic and
gold mining corporations, rather than contributing to
Internet, such as earthworksaction.org, documenting that
society in decline. There are a number of websites on the
are interested in our community indicates that we are a
industries. The very fact that Emgold and Newmont Mining
regulations created by and for deep-pocket extractive
citizens spend countless hours trying to battle laws and
applicant would be required to prove no harm. Instead,
permitting process were meant to protect the public, the
date is that it has been an exercise in futility. If the
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Public Comments - January 6, 2009
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25 ignore environmental issues because people's livlihoods
Once people are employed by the mine it is too easy to
the facility is open and people's jobs are on the line.
The time to examine this issue is now, not after
with acceptable ozone levels.
the number of years it takes for us to meet compliance
have high ozone levels, and those emissions could extend
likely to increase the number of days each year that we
produced by the mine's construction and operation are
person in Western Nevada County. Additional NOx and VOCs
that high ozone levels will affect the health of every
That's eight years from now. That's eight more summers
Western Nevada County will reach attainment in 2017.
Management District's plan to address ozone predicts that
Sacramento and the Bay Area. The Sacramento Air Quality
Currently, much of our ozone is transported from
unavoidable.
emissions from the mine's construction and operation are
and can cause asthma. The Draft EIR states that the NOx
project, produce ozone which condemns lungs and aggravates
compounds, or VOCs, which will also be produced by the
NOx emissions combined with volatile organic
there is potential for the emissions to be significant.
For that one remaining phase the document states that
will be significant in every phase of the project but one.
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25 the Empire Mine when it closed. How many in the audience
leasers. I leased at the New Brunswick Mine. I leased at
a good living. They opened up briefly after the war to
that time, they were making money and everybody was making
it has never recovered. These mines were operating at
that time. Overnight this country became a ghost town and
mining nonessential. I was working in the mines here at
community. In 1941 President Roosevelt declared gold
We're at a point here that either we do or die in this
automatically think California. Gold is our heritage.
The history of gold, when you mention gold you
here in behalf of reopening the Idaho-Maryland Mine.
Nevada City. I thank you for the opportunity of appearing
name is Leonard Bednorz. I live at 11275 Crescent Drive,
LEONARD BEDNORZ: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My
--oOo--
before approving this project. Thank you.
Idaho-Maryland Mine on ozone in Western Nevada County
a more thorough evaluation of the impacts of the
I recommend that the Planning Commission require
people's health suffered.
economic consequences of addressing them. As a result,
from industrial facilities such as this because of the
the tendency to turn a blind eye to environmental impacts
are at stake. Growing up around Detroit, Michigan, I saw
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25 I did not come prepared to give the speech that
working jobs in this area? Very few.
one thing. People are working. How many people have
heavy traffic, trucks going back and forth, that tells you
dewatering. You have the heavy traffic. When you have
to be answered, and et cetera and so forth. You have the
There's going to be a lot of questions to have
would say five years before we come.
venture, and it's not going to last a short while. I
work. There are many questions pro and con to this
tourism, people living off of people. And it doesn't
have no tax base, none at all. We have nothing. We have
Now, we have in this town, in this county, we
as important as you are.
LEONARD BEDNORZ: Yeah. These people are just
commission, please.
THE CHAIRMAN: You have to address the
LEONARD BEDNORZ: Pardon?
commission, please.
THE CHAIRMAN: Leonard, you have to address the
uphill battle to fight, let me tell you.
LEONARD BEDNORZ: You're in one hell of an
address your --
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hansen (sic), you've got to
are gold miners?
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25 is Bob Nienaber. I live at 523 West Broad in Nevada City.
BOB NIENABER: Good evening, everybody. My name
--oOo--
Where did you come from?
it is like now. But what it will be I ask you this:
was in construction. I know what it has been, I know what
I was raised here, worked in these mines for 15 years, I
So in closing I would like to say to the people
next four to five years.
project and these meetings will probably go on for the
be an easy decision for any of you. I think that this
with the general plan? And believe me, it's not going to
county? Is it benefiting the people? Is it in accord
future. You want to ask yourself is this benefiting the
this project for the future; not for yourselves, for the
Now, you want to consider everything and every aspect in
millions of dollars before they produce one ounce of gold.
country investing -- preparing to invest millions upon
Now, these people are coming from out of this
people.
We lost the one mine by eight votes. It was up to the
have to get our foot in the door, and this is our chance.
not see any gold mining in the state of California. We
you one thing. Either we open these mines up or you will
I had in mind because of different things, but I will tell
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25 have tunnels and areas that already exist, then we might
it's a natural forming rock in gold fields. And since we
sought after in very few locations around the world, but
It's a very dynamic mineral, and it's being
actually breaks down CO2 carbons.
it's a rock that when you pull it out of the ground it
And what it does -- it's becoming very popular because
about is a natural forming rock that exists underground.
from the rock itself. And the mineral that I'm talking
the bad stuff really comes out of breaking out the gold
I read and hear about gold mining, that all the risk, all
throw that out, you know, it sounds like, from everything
field areas. It's called peridotite. And the reason I
And there's a rock that exists in most gold
are underground?
just want to know if we've investigated other options that
too hazardous or, you know, what the other view may be, I
conflict going between should we mine for gold or is it
the only thing that I think about when I think about the
meetings so if I step out of line I'll apologize now. But
and this is the first time I've ever been at one of these
know you guys follow some type of etiquette in the room,
having this meeting tonight. The -- first I have -- I
much unprepared. My wife called me and said you were
And like the previous speaker, I came pretty
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25 we're living in. Thank you.
destroying the economy or, two, destroying the ecology
solution that's amiable on both sides without, one,
way that both can meet in the middle, I think, and find a
because I like the environment as well. But there is a
community. So I guess I'm a confused Wall Street guy
community. I've -- my child has grown up in this
I live in this community. I love this
other solutions.
maybe they're worth looking at and seeing if there are
solutions that are maybe less toxic to the environment
can't fight it, but if you solve greed by finding other
a billion dollars going into a presidential election. You
Money talks. Just look at the last election, when you see
will tell you that capitalism will probably win out.
that routinely make seven, eight, nine figure incomes. I
a Wall Street guy. I spend my day job working with people
at other things. I'm not against mining in any way. I'm
So I just want to make sure that we're looking
humans.
carbon pounds that we add to the environment every year as
that does, obviously, a dynamic good for the 30 billion
breaks down over four billion tons of carbons a year. And
that mineral right now, a five kilometer stretch of that
be walking over diamonds to get to gold so to speak. And
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25 impact and would not provide the hoped for depressionemployed
at this mine. This would have, at most, a minor
less than 0.4 percent of the local residents would be
was employed in mining. This time, in full operation,
reality, back in 1936 15.8 percent of the local population
that the mine would provide depression-proving. In
Point one. The proponents of the mine claim
this project.
Let us examine the strength of the economic arguments for
local waters and disrupts the normal growth of the city?
risk of chemical hazards, creates negative impacts to
generates air pollution, increased traffic, noise, and the
enticing to justify the approval of the project which
But are the economic benefits sufficiently
helping to pay for needed city infrastructure.
just such a project, providing recession-proofing and even
Idaho-Maryland Mine and ceramics factory is presented as
general all-around stimulus to the local economy. The
good-paying jobs, additional revenue to the City, and a
troubled times? A new industry in Grass Valley, providing
What sounds appealing in these economically
That's in Grass Valley.
Ralph Silberstein, and I live at 10505 Bragg Avenue.
RALPH SILBERSTEIN: Good evening. My name is
--oOo--
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25 tile installed in 12 houses per day continuously. This
perspective, that's equivalent to 4,000 square feet of
year sold at $2.50 per square foot. To put this number in
to local sales of 16.8 million square feet of tile per
retail from within Grass Valley city limits. This amounts
the full production of the ceramic tiles will be sold
tax revenue is based upon the estimate that ten percent of
collected for gold as mandated by federal law. The sales
Regarding sales tax revenue, there is no revenue
tax revenue.
increase in sales tax revenue and, B, increase in property
increase would come primarily from two sources; A,
According to the Environmental Impact Report, this
would be a substantial increase in revenue to the City.
Point two. The mine proposal claimed that there
summary, little or no depression-proofing.
area would have normally been experiencing growth. In
of having shutdowns in the mine during the time when the
the price of energy will soar. This could have the result
gold as a safe haven for investment will diminish while
the time the mine achieves full production, the appeal of
When we see an economic recovery in a few years, at about
operations depend on enormous amounts of cheap energy.
In fact, the opposite may be true. The mine
proofing.
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25 located on the site. They would continue indefinitely.
business park -- an estimated 800 full-time jobs would be
its current land use designation -- that is, housing and
analysis of the general plan, if the property were left in
What is interesting is that, according to
documents that were submitted.
would actually be about 100. This information is from the
jobs lasting more than 12 years that would go to locals
jobs going to people from out of the area, the number of
of new jobs sounds good, if one corrects for the number of
provide 400 permanent jobs. Great. Even though the idea
Point three. The project does propose to
materialize.
overinflated tile sales estimates and likely will not
seems based on overinflated property tax estimates and
In summary, the estimated revenue to the City
revenues to both the City and the County.
property values, causing a net loss of property tax
factory to our populated areas will reduce residential
evidence that the proximity of the mine and ceramics
Idaho-Maryland sites. However, there's compelling
development of the structures and improvements on the
based upon the increased property values due to the
Secondly, the second source of city revenue is
estimate seems wildly inflated.
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25 pollution. When examined from this viewpoint, with a real
increased noise, truck traffic, chemical hazards and
Valley if we become a smokestack factory town with
of appeal be to businesses wanting to relocate to Grass
charming town. One must seriously ask what will the level
are attracted to the pristine, forested beauty of our
other clean local job-creating businesses. Many employers
for the development of additional high tech industries and
As an alternative, we have seen the potential
businesses.
are overstated; and, four, the project may damage existing
City; three, no permanent jobs and the longer term jobs
proofing; two, overinflated estimates of revenue to the
So recapping, one, little or no depressionbenefit.
considerations, further reducing any overall job creation
town due to vibrations, pollution and quality of life
likelihood that some employers would be forced to leave
businesses. Should this project proceed, there is a
Point four. This project may discourage other
are overstated.
three summary: No permanent jobs and the longer term jobs
cease when the mine closes as planned, in 20 years. Point
achieve their full operations, most of the jobs would
In contrast, even if the mine and ceramics factory do
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25 Boca Quarry up in Hirschdale. It went from a mom and pop
projects here in Nevada County when Teichert bought the
I was working for the County doing their mining
up a gravel facility in downtown Grass Valley.
mining permit if you issue it -- then Teichert could open
is issued it would be a minor modification, they have a
mining permit to produce gravel -- once the mining permit
out of the Sacramento Bee. So if Teichert purchases the
company Emgold has never run a mine. That article came
permit is sold to another mining company -- and the
doesn't need the ceramics plant to open. If the mining
This EIR is written showing that the mine
with CEQA and SMARA.
that it be implemented in 1994 -- '92. I'm very familiar
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act when the law required
Cruz County for 11 years. I started implementing the
I was a mining planner for Nevada -- for Santa
City.
resident. Mailing address is Post Office Box 2176, Nevada
SUZANNE SMITH: Hi, Suzanne Smith, Grass Valley
--oOo--
questions. Thank you very much.
Mine and ceramics factory are subject to serious
local economy, the economic benefits of the Idaho-Maryland
realization of the importance of growing a sustainable
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25 area needs to be in the EIR in order for your commission
assessment for diesel trucks within the same area. This
that a health assessment be done for them. Also, a noise
be covered. They are sensitive receptors. CEQA requires
Now, that's an environmental impact that should
street from Safeway.
particular for Hennessy School which is right across the
and the smell is going to accumulate downtown, and in
all of those trucks are going to leave their diesel there
downtown area of Grass Valley, because it's a valley. And
should be prepared for the Wolf Creek Parkway, the
A health risk assessment for diesel particulate
be a serious loss of recreational resources.
Parkway are not included in the EIR, and that's going to
actual proposed mining route. The impacts to Wolf Creek
mapping, up to where they go up onto Safeway, of the
follow the Wolf Creek Parkway. It's the most accurate
about that is that the proposed mining haul route will
It's dangerous, and what I want you to know
granddaughter.
The houses are dusty. We can't -- they almost ran over my
me up daily. They said: My god, we can't up our window.
both ways, which is what this EIR proposes. They called
10 trucks an hour, some of them 20 trucks. That was going
mine to a full-on producing mine. Those people had over
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25 only happens in emergencies.
shall be notified of any emergency conditions." So this
Hinton Road." That's a cap. "The Planning Department
of no more than 10 trucks per hour be established for
hours. In the event of emergency condition, a truck cap
or full, shall use the new route during normal operating
access and emergency use. All large truck traffic, empty
Road will remain available for employee use, off-season
Stampede Meadows Road, the existing haul route via Hinton
"Upon completion of the new haul road over
ought to be written.
mitigation measure. This is how a mitigation measure
the Hirschdale area all together. So this is the
Hinton Road and proposed a new haul route that would avoid
four, Boca Quarry. They eventually backed out of using
I want to read the condition that was condition
particulate matter.
aggravate asthma. And it contributes to smog and fine
increases the risk of cancer. It can cause coughs and
the health effects of diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust
This is a paper that the State has put out on
just the CEQA findings.
a mining project in your zoning ordinance, which are not
proposed mine and make the findings that are required for
to be able to evaluate the environmental impacts of the
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25 This was a notice of preparation letter dated
impact of constructing treated water pipelines."
impact on surrounding wells, the EIR should address the
water pipelines are under consideration as mitigation for
"Regarding potential depletion of groundwater, if treated
letter NID requested that -- this is their request.
plant. That's one project under CEQA. In the October 12
ceramics plant and you have the mine and the reclamation
Okay. So you have two projects. You have the
markets when it smells like diesel fuel?
Are we going to have our wonderful little evening farmers
truck stop? What's going to happen with all that noise?
to downtown Grass Valley when it smells like a diesel
Creek Parkway or Hennessy School. What is going to happen
noise or health risk assessment has been done for Wolf
Ten trucks an hour is a lot of trucks, and no
not responsible. So you have to think about that.
listened to this story -- we don't own the trucks, we're
And the mines always tell you -- for 11 years I've
up so they can get their haul and get an extra trip in.
employee traffic," because they come early and they line
Hinton gate shall be closed preceding nonessential
trucks," the mine doesn't own the trucking companies, "the
"Recognizing that the operator cannot control independent
"Recognizing" -- this is the big one.
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25 JONATHAN KEEHN: Good evening. I'm Jonathan
--oOo--
And it should be included in a revised Draft EIR.
assessing the project should the ceramics plant not open.
need to include LAFCO's notice of preparation request for
need to include an air quality health assessment. You
need to recirculate this Environmental Impact Report. You
MS. SMITH: -- and that has to be in it. So you
THE CHAIRMAN: Ms. Smith --
plan as part of the environmental --
written a comment letter that wants to see the reclamation
In addition, the Bureau of Mine Reclamation has
to go to the state board.
mine down. This city cannot shut it down ever. You have
Board of Mining and Geology to shut a quarry down, or a
ceramics plant. Once that permit is given it takes the
mine and never have the cement plant -- I mean the
separated because they understood that you can open the
So, in addition, LAFCO wanted these two projects
SUZANNE SMITH: Yeah, I'm trying.
up.
THE CHAIRMAN: Ms. Smith, you need to wrap it
requested by NID, and it's not in the EIR.
another gentleman tonight that addressed that. This was
October 12th, 2007. It's not in the EIR. There was
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25 available to the City to do something with the Wolf Creek
finished they might allow the City to -- it would be made
all it says is that after the reclamation project is
Parkway, and it's in section 2.9.1. And it basically --
So far I've only found one brief mention of the
and that's the Wolf Creek Parkway.
a lot of previous city councils and planning commissions,
subject that I know is in the heart of this commission and
actually the previous speaker mentioned also, and it's a
small item in the Draft EIR. This is a subject that
But I just wanted to bring your attention to one
newcomer. I've only lived here for 38 years.
have been here for their whole lives, I still feel like a
are kind of in between. The Wilders and other folks that
here tonight, old-timers and new-timers and some of us who
And I'm glad to see a wide variety of people
itself.
Vista Avenue. I also own a house in the city limits
from standing out there. I live in Grass Valley, Alta
were standing outside the first half. My back got sore
JONATHAN KEEHN: -- (inaudible) some people that
COURT REPORTER: Excuse me.
everybody here, too --
thank (inaudible) for your time this evening, and
Keehn, and thank you for providing this opportunity and
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25 When I was here a couple of weeks ago I asked
use and planning in this area.
house built here. So I've learned a great deal about land
worked on the county general plan and land use, had a
a lot of commissions, a lot of committees, did grand jury,
because the community has given a lot to me. I've been on
I have tried to give back to the community
prize about this area.
music, all those things I think we all really enjoy and
of this area as a cultural center, a center for arts,
work in the mines. I came here because of the reputation
I've been here 24 years. I didn't come here to
School Street in Grass Valley, right downtown.
try to be brief. I'm Pat Wynne. I live at 207 South
PAT WYNNE: Hi. We're all getting tired. I'll
--oOo--
very much.
won't take up any more of your time tonight. Thank you
wording for that section, and I'll submit that. And I
point to your attention. I've written a revised possible
So I would just like to -- want to bring that
possibly longer if the ceramics plant goes on for longer.
Creek Parkway on that property for at least 20 years,
that wording would block any implementation of the Wolf
Parkway. When I read that, to me it sounds like basically
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Public Comments - January 6, 2009
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25 remote.
And there's no way that we can say that that is relatively
that site. I know where it is. I know where the gate is.
them. So it's right in the middle of town. I've walked
every time I go to the dentist across the street from
by there every time I go to my doctor's at Miners Clinic,
absolutely not. It's within a mile of where I live. I go
not true. Another point, the site is called rural. No,
location. That's page 4.6-12 of the Draft EIR. That is
the site of the mine as relatively -- a relatively remote
That's important. The Draft EIR at one point describes
real estate people say, location location location.
First thing I looked at was location. Like the
I'll try to hit a few high spots.
It should be rejected. I have a little bit of time so
back to us. Okay. So to begin with, that is my opinion.
ESA, tell them to do a good job, take their time, bring it
Council just to reject this Draft EIR. Send it back to
I would advise the Planning Commission and City
doubtful mitigations.
comprehensiveness. There are many inaccuracies, many
of that document. I found it to be lacking in
from a lot of other people so far about the inadequacies
done that. I've gone through it. And you've heard a lot
for more time to go through the Draft EIR. Well, I've
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25 know, we have to think about jobs, and I can see the
about it thoroughly. This is not good for us. And, you
all need to go home and get some sleep. But please think
Okay. I'm going to quit there because I know we
poorly done.
So that is another area that I thought was very, very
Hospitals operate 24/7. They do not close down at night.
then, at the mine, blasting, might be done at night.
to work in with that. That is not reasonable. Mining
blasting to be done by the mine. Then they are expected
Well, the mitigation is to give those people a schedule of
Whispering Pines, sensitive equipment they have to use.
that, and that involves the hospital, also high tech up on
Ground vibration from blasting, mitigation for
the damage. That needs to be reworked.
is after the fact, let's help those folks out after we do
that's been pretty well covered. That mitigation, again,
We talked about loss of wells, and I think
whole section needs a more thorough look.
going to do us any good before the accident. I think that
forth. This is after the accident happens. It's not
after the fact. A litany of laws and ordinances, so
very, very inadequate. The mitigations proposed are all
residents and the mine workers. I found that section
I looked at the hazards to Grass Valley
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25 Well, at the present time, the Northern Sierra Air Quality
at the Idaho-Maryland Mine in the future and not now?
Why will it be possible to mitigate air impacts
the near future the air impacts will be mitigatable.
of being mitigated. The report doesn't explain that in
Idaho-Maryland Mine, IMM, are significant and not capable
Impact Report, DEIR, says the air impacts at the
mitigatable, and I disagree. The Draft Environmental
Draft EIR on air impacts because it says they're not
Anyway, what I have -- want to talk about is the
all the way to Sierra City and Highway 49.
crushed it in 1949, and that's where all the base rock is
used to be about a 250-foot rock dump there. And they
of what I'm going to say, but where the jail is now there
moved to Grass Valley. But where the -- this isn't part
the Eric Rood administration building is now. And then I
City -- where the Nevada County Sheriff's Office is and
The tailings and the rock dump there is where the Nevada
the tailings of the old Oostamont (phonetic) mine dump.
was born in Nevada City 68 years ago. I used to play in
I live at 11465 Butler Road, Grass Valley, California. I
PATRICK HURLEY: My name is Patrick Hurley, and
--oOo--
community has got to be foremost. Thank you.
mining people are doing that, but what's good for the
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25 just limited to those. There's a lot of different things
gasoline or diesel with electric pumps. It wouldn't be
agricultural pumps with electric pumps, replace the
hybrid-electric buses; and replacement of diesel-fueled
bus retrofits or replacement with natural gas or
replacements or retrofits with EPA-certified units; diesel
include, but not limited to, woodstove/fireplace
millionth of an inch. Examples of off-site measures would
particulate matter 10 microns or smaller. A micron is a
possible for nitrogen oxides, reactive organic gases, and
Starting in 2010, off-site mitigation will be
vehicles.
from (inaudible) such as fire trucks and other emergency
dioxide, except for special equipment most of which comes
pollution, including greenhouse gases such as carbon
it CARB -- regulations concerning all sources of air
all of the California Air Resource Board's -- we'll call
In 2010, our district will begin implementing
in use off-road diesel equipment.
including engine exhaust, gases from portable diesel and
in the state regulates every source of air pollution,
time. Almost every other air quality management district
such as diesel engines and burn piles, at the present
from now on -- only regulates stationary emission sources,
Management District -- which we'll call just the district
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25 Coast sometimes in less than a week.
plant on line every week. Air from China reaches the West
AB 32. Meanwhile, China brings another coal-burning power
gasoline and other financial burdens all implemented under
increases in natural gas and electric rates, much costlier
call Assembly Bill 32 now, is AB 32 -- lays out sharp
scoping plan, under AB 32 -- because that's what we'll
emissions, will have to be severely reduced. Under CARB's
time passes, the amount of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2
Assembly Bill 32, the greenhouse gas reduction bill. As
We are going to be hit with the recently passed
it won't be regulating all of them.
enforcing the CARB regulations until 2010, and even then
in the future. It is that currently our district won't be
not that air emissions will be significant and unavoidable
Idaho-Maryland Mine as Significant and Unavoidable. It's
leaves the EIR analysis of air emissions for the
is indeterminable. There's no way to figure it out. This
this time, the amount of reductions that may be attained
our district has no established off-site emission plan at
an off-site air emission plan for implementation. But as
with the City of Grass Valley and our district to develop
guidelines to consider off-site mitigation in coordination
IMM is required by our district -- our
you could do.
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25 temperatures to cool, thus creating a C02 sink that
worldwide decline, it takes centuries for the oceans'
releasing CO2. When the atmospheric temperatures
temperatures, as it takes that long for the oceans to warm
eight centuries behind a rise in the earth's atmospheric
CO2 buildup in the atmosphere usually lags about
hundred to six hundred thousand years.
contents of the earth's atmosphere for the last four
Antarctica give us the temperatures and carbon dioxide
Analysis of ice cores from Greenland and WASTAC and
oceans into CO2 sinks, absorbing vast quantities of CO2.
CO2. Conversely, slightly cooling oceanic water turns the
heating oceanic water releases tremendous quantities of
century. MIT's Carl Wunsch's research shows that slightly
risen by less than a half degree Celsius in over a
The temperatures of the world's oceans have
not seem relevant, but it really is.
wonder why he didn't superimpose them? And this now may
has lagged behind the rise of atmospheric temperatures. I
apparent that the buildup of CO2 gases in our atmosphere
temperature graphs on each other, it would have been
preaches. If Al Gore had superimposed the CO2 and
opposite of what Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth
behind the rise of atmospheric temperatures, just the
CO2 buildup in the atmosphere lags centuries
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25 decreasing, for the last eight years. Some climatologists
few to no sunspots the earth's temperature has been
Presently the sun is quiescent. And during this time of
of sunspots sees a cooling of earth's temperature.
earth's temperature with an increase in sunspots. A lack
sunspots, and earth's temperature. We see an increase in
There is a correlation between solar activity,
change is insignificant.
apparent that man's contribution to global warming or
PATRICK HURLEY: Yeah. From this it is quite
up, please.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hurley, you need to wrap it
reservoir for CO2. From this it is quite --
over 50 percent. The oceans are earth's buffer and
of their dissolved CO2 it would raise atmospheric CO2 by
apparent that if oceanic waters released even one percent
atmosphere. It is apparent that oceanic waters -- it is
oceans contain over 50 times as much CO2 as the earth's
And I'm not going to read all this, but the
1.29% of that CO2.
the earth's atmosphere, and man is only responsible for
amounts to only three percent of the greenhouse gases in
especially CO2 generated by man, is negligible. CO2
amount of CO2 in our atmosphere. In contrast, CO2,
absorbs CO2. It is apparent that temperature controls the
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25 years, gold ore processing not applicable; there is none.
That time line, Phase I, for the first four
application.
stick to the time line as proposed in the latest
City Hall has to enforce it, to enforce that the plans
other opportunity outside the scope of the DEIR that the
enforce, as a mitigation into the DEIR and also at every
getting into the game of venture capitalism unless they
one scenario means that the City and City Hall is really
So the fact that the Draft EIR only addresses
places elsewhere.
been suggested from within City Hall and from a lot of
suggested they really are two separate processes. That's
process and the gold mine process. A lot of people have
one scenario of the intertanglement of the ceramics
fact that -- the problem that the Draft EIR only addresses
City. What I wanted to talk to you about today is the
TOM GRUNDY: Thank you. Tom Grundy of Nevada
--oOo--
PATRICK HURLEY: Yeah, okay. That's most of it.
closed.
THE CHAIRMAN: Okay. Mr. Hurley, your time is
warming.
believe we are entering an ice age. Surely not global
and astronomers, including some top Russian scientists,
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25 just to illustrate that the future of the ceramics process
Now, if -- what I'd like to do is read a couple of quotes
not break even until later on in year three of operations.
this project to operate for the first two years and does
Table 12 that the City of Grass Valley lays out money for
So even with those assumptions, you can see in
of ceramics sold from within Grass Valley every day.
with ceramics, we're talking about 1,120 ton trucks' worth
hypothetically. If we've got 110 trucks going outbound
4,000 square feet of tile products per house
some numbers have been given, 4,200 houses per year at
square feet per year, I think that's enough for -- well,
within the city limits of Grass Valley, 16.8 million
were saying 10 percent of the ceramics output sold from
assumptions in place that they've listed -- other people
page 28, you can see there that even with some of these
in the economic analysis appendix, Appendix H, Table 12,
I don't know if you have it in front of you, but
at 1,200, gold goes up to 2,400.
being put back into the ground as backfill, ceramics stays
Phase III, half of the rock that is pulled out starts
1,200 short tons per day of gold ore and 1,200 ceramics.
employees, operations employees. Phase II, after that,
for the first four years of the project. That's only 210
Six hundred tons per day of ceramic production, that lasts
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25 because we don't yet have the permit to operate in Grass
reason we have not scaled up the ceramics process is
available. It was words to the effect of: The only
get the exact quote because the transcript was not
question on the issue of the ceramics plant. We couldn't
interview, a response from David Watkinson about the
December 28 -- so this is just last month -- KVMR
And a very interesting, more recent comment,
stage at 1,200.
Mine site, first stage being 600 tons a day and the second
next plant to be built would then be at the Idaho-Maryland
excellent responses from local agencies there. And the
such a plant such a plant elsewhere first, and have
local one. They say they've identified several sites for
That's the second step. Third step would be the
of 200 tons per day elsewhere.
next step: To build a first commercial plant in the range
That would come first, ten tons locally. The
Grass Valley to 10 tons a day.
the technology is to upgrade our pilot plant facility in
believe the better approach to proving the viability of
From IMMC's email November 27 of '07: We
of them.
is why we're getting into venture capitalism. Just a few
locally is really uncertain, is really in jeopardy, which
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25 Those have been worded and submitted as a Draft
there's any other definition of it, I'm not sure.
that's venture capitalism and corporate welfare. If
eight years and doesn't break even until year 12. So
tax in half also, the City lays out money for the first
running and making money locally. If you cut the property
assuming that the gold and ceramic processes are both
throughout here that the property tax is also inherently
some of the property tax in half -- because it says
until later in year six. If you were to additionally cut
out money for the first four years and does not break even
cutting the sales tax numbers in half, then the City lays
If you run just a couple numbers, hypothetically
to enforce that.
opportunity you have outside of the scope of the Draft EIR
doesn't go. And also, as I said, at every other
mitigation says you need to stick to this time line or it
time line that's in the latest application. And the
environmental reasons as a mitigation, to spell out this
that needs to be addressed in the Draft EIR for
in the economics is dependent on that is really something
fact that the whole project is intermingled with that and
ceramics operation is really, really uncertain. And the
All these just go to illustrate that the local
Valley.
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25 since 2005 as we all know. I am wondering why the City is
the Idaho-Maryland Mine has been in the permitting process
try and complete an EIR within a 12-month time frame, and
lie dormant at our feet. The City is required by law to
longer allow this valuable natural resource to continue to
It is our hope that the City of Grass Valley no
Nevada County, Special Report 164.
Mines and Geology, and the Mineral Land Classification of
Reference source is Bulletin 193, California Division of
gold production by hundreds of millions of dollars.
surpassed every other gold district in California in lode
state of California? The Grass Valley gold district
Valley gold district is the richest gold district in the
time. Regarding employment, are you aware that Grass
addressed, and this is a very good result after all this
adequate. The report is very positive in all aspects
The Idaho-Maryland Mine EIR is more than
statement.
I'm going to shock and awe you with a very short
Marshall, and I live on Rockwood Drive in Grass Valley.
CAROL MARSHALL: Good evening. I'm Carol
--oOo--
enforce that. Thank you.
that's not the only opportunity that the City has to
EIR mitigation, added mitigation, but just to keep in mind
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25 questions raised. I tend to disagree with most of them,
are opposed to the mine. There have been a lot of
there has been some very good arguments from people who
I'd like to, in the first place, recognize that
sorry. Making a lot of noise.
off and on ever since. I've lived here since '94. I'm
work in Rough and Ready in 1952. I've worked in the area
has lived in northern California ever since. I started to
through this area a number of times in 1846, and my family
Lake of the Pines. My great-great-grandfather was -- came
Forrest Cureton. I live at 11253 Wanderer Road. It's in
FORREST CURETON: Good evening. My name is
--oOo--
every way possible. Thank you.
now. Please take action and expedite this process in
spent in construction and the mine could be in production
of lagging bureaucracy. Those monies could have been
Corporation has already spent millions of dollars because
of opportunity pass us by. Idaho-Maryland Mining
We implore you, please, do not let this window
Valley.
This has not been required for any other project in Grass
IMMC was required to do a master environmental assessment.
project than it does to other projects. In particular,
applying a much higher standard to the Idaho-Maryland
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25 engineer at Caltrans and so I am conversant with the EIR
was here, at our last meeting, I'm a retired environmental
concern over the pollution. I mentioned the last time I
vehicle trips and therefore, obviously, you know, less
that many people working there then there will be less
trips in, 400 trips out; 800 of 1250. If there are not
be the people working at the mine. And that would be 400
trips, and of the 1,250 it's -- about 800 of those would
truck trips a day. I think it's about 1,250 vehicle
everything from, as I've heard it, 1,800 down to 1,200
Another thing that's been said is there's been
think it had anything to do with the mine.
Nevada City laid off 17 of their 20 employees. I don't
Union this morning, that one of the high tech companies in
possibly high tech. I think I read in the paper, in The
that if the mine opens there will be jobs lost from
some of the hysteria, there's been things said. One is
think that with the emotion that's been shown here, and
the community, other than the miners working here. I
there's going to be the trickle-down effect to the rest of
and the county. There will be the increased jobs. And
I think the Idaho-Maryland will benefit the town
bad.
there's even been veiled threats, and that's really too
but there been some, but there's also been hysteria and
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25 moving here in 2000 from Southern California. We chose
the mine. I'm a newcomer to this area, retiring and
I am here tonight speaking in favor of reopening
Nevada City.
opportunity to speak. My name is Gary Brown. I live in
GARY BROWN: Good evening. Thank you for the
--oOo--
I've talked enough anyway. Thank you very much.
FORREST CURETON: I appreciate that, but I think
THE CHAIRMAN: You still have time.
concern it's being made out to be.
really think that that is a thing which is not nearly the
cannot do anything about. And as far as blasting, I
which is given to us by the great valley that we just
mitigatable. There are some things like air pollution
I think the majority of the problems are
there.
that's why there will be state-of-the-art lighting down
mine, but it has to be mitigated. Mining is dark, and
should get rid of them. Water is to be pumped out of the
cop, so is being a fireman, and I haven't heard that we
wanting to shut that down. It's dangerous. So is being a
is dirty. Well, so is farming, and I don't hear anybody
There have been statements made that the mining
and all.
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25 Grass Valley because your nose and eyes tell you. You
what bad air is. And we're not even close to bad air in
Basin, Pasadena or San Bernardino, you really don't know
with all due respect, unless you've lived in Los Angeles
the opposition have been air quality and traffic. Again,
Two of several negative areas I have heard from
subject.
something if one does not understand the process and the
articles I've read in the paper. It's very easy to oppose
of the mine reopening, at the meetings I have attended and
base that on comments by those opposed to the reopening,
I base this on the comments of those who -- I
than I do about modern mining.
oppose the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine know less
modern mining but, with all due respect, I think those who
going through here tonight. As I said, I'm no expert in
ago, or even maybe 10 years ago, i.e., the process we're
the same as mining 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 20 years
in modern mining, but I do know that modern mining is not
I will be the first to admit that I am no expert
of tactical optics.
the field of explosive ordinance and 27 years in the field
engineer and engineering program manager for 13 years in
no traffic and the plentiful forest. I was a mechanical
this area because of the wonderful people, the clean air,
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25 DAVID BROWNSTEIN: Good evening. My name is
--oOo--
forward. Thank you.
Planning Commission to accept the EIR report and move
been in 81 days to review of the report. I urge the
environmental impact for over two years. We will have
who can't be here. You have been analyzing the
speaking here tonight, but I think I can speak for many
identified and solutions recommended. I am only one voice
about every direction. Possible problem areas have been
have analyzed the Idaho-Maryland Mine reopening from just
In my review of the EIR, it would seem that you
you can proceed to make the product.
know when enough study and enough analysis is done so that
a good engineer and a poor to mediocre engineer was to
study and more analysis. However, the difference between
the studies and all the analysis was you need to do more
I learned over the years is that one conclusion from all
studies and analysis was a part of my job. And the thing
In my profession as an engineer, conducting
are.
Crush in Anaheim, you don't know what traffic and trucks
downtown Los Angeles or been on the I-5 on the Orange
traffic, again, with all due respect, unless you've driven
don't have to read it from some number. With regards to
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25 but no one knows how many wells will be thus effected.
owners' wells will be adversely affected, they'll dry up,
For example, we believe that some property
extent of the known effects.
we don't even know what the impacts will be or even the
say that it isn't. I found this hard to believe because
of groundwater is mitigatable, at least the DEIR doesn't
you an example. Apparently, pumping billions of gallons
isn't even well understood can be mitigated. Let me give
I find it hard to believe that an impact that
win-win proposition its proponents have attributed it.
simply cannot believe that such a vast undertaking is the
incredible. In fact, I don't believe it. I, for one,
impact is exemplary. In fact, it's fantastic. It's
Grass Valley, to contain only a single nonmitigatable
project, located right on the edge of the city limits in
pollution. For such a large and complex industrial
of the IMM project that isn't mitigatable is air
mitigatable. According to the Draft EIR, the only impact
especially like to talk about what is and what is not
Tonight I'd like to talk about mitigation. I'd
organization.
Alliance and am an active board member of the same
Street. I'm a former president of Wolf Creek Community
David Brownstein. I live here in Grass Valley on Alta
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25 insulting presence of a ceramics factory, then will I see
mine, not to mention the similarly compounding and
of a large, noisy, smelly, ugly, polluting vehement of a
my house is worth nothing because of the nearby presence
devaluation if this project is allowed to proceed. When
here in Grass Valley, is property valuation, or
High on my list, probably because I own a house
I'm going to list a few of these now.
mitigatable which I fear are, in fact, not mitigatable.
declaratory silence of the Draft EIR, are apparently
There are other impacts which, according to the
know about or understand?
importantly, how can we plan to mitigate impacts we don't
effects be described blithely as mitigatable? More
knows the answer to these questions then how can the
affect the forested lands around Grass Valley? If no one
it affect springs and seeps and wetlands? How will it
will groundwater depletion affect the watershed? How will
groundwater level ever return to its historic level? How
What about the unknown impacts? Will the
as mitigatable?
the extent is unknown what does it mean to categorize this
ever recover at all? This is a known impact, but because
For one year or for ten years? Will the effect on wells
Will the effected wells dry up partially or completely?
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25 effect will be even greater. After all, when is the last
growth will negatively affect tourism. I suspect the
probable that the same impacts that negatively affect job
Another concern is tourism. It seems highly
that impact?
do we mitigate such an impact? What will be the extent of
of jobs created and maintained in this community. So how
living here is an adverse impact that affects the number
So anything that detracts from the quality of
reasons.
living here for 11 years, and I moved here for these
this personally. I'm a software engineer. I've been
eager to enjoy a high quality lifestyle. And I know about
companies locate here to attract knowledge workers who are
a giant industrial complex. After all, many of these
won't continue to relocate here when Grass Valley becomes
impacts? It seems highly likely that high tech companies
jobs that the mine will create, but what about the
to claim that this community will benefit from all the
Another concern is jobs. I know that IMMC likes
that?
live in? In fact, how do you mitigate something like
compensated as well? What about the nice town I used to
fashion? What about my neighbors? Will they be
mitigation in action? Will I be compensated in some
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25 how dangerous mining is. There's this perception that
Another thing that people have talked about is
moving in. So one may wash against the other.
in now to build all of the houses from the people that are
Someone mentioned to me all of the gravel trucks that come
trucks, the type that might be running out of here.
One comment earlier was about all the gravel
areas reasonably at all.
able to study this and come out with certainty in any
uncertainties, life is uncertain. We're not going to be
Number one, about all the mitigations and
address them to section numbers.
organized thing here, just a number of comments. I won't
the interest of being brief, I'm not going to have an
JIM MULLIN: Hi, Jim Mullin, Nevada City. In
--oOo--
that? Thank you.
profit and closes down, then what? How do we mitigate
the corporation has finished its operations and made its
this project is finished in five years or 20 years, when
I'll leave you with one final question. When
mitigate this? What is the extent of the effect?
Douglas, Arizona? I thought not. Again, how do you
mining town? Maybe you've been to Globe or Clifton or
time you spent your hard-earned dollars visiting a working
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25 that's already occurred and will occur anyway.
mine is going to be nothing compared to the building out
1990, including myself. The environment impact of this
so on, from all of the people that have come here since
all of the infrastructure, all of the home building, and
any bigger environmental impact here than you will from
tech worker in 1990. I don't think you're going to see
As far as the tech jobs go, I came here as a
the gold in and our money out.
money to Russia, South Africa and other places and bring
we don't mine as much gold as we need, we need to send our
only for this city, this county, but for this country. If
gold ring? Now, if we mine it and sell it it's a plus not
the best metal known for dental work. Any of you have a
have some gold crowns. Maybe some of you do. It's still
all of these abstract things, technical uses and so on. I
to a personal level is think about gold, not in terms of
And the thing that I think would bring this down
that we don't pay double what you would pay for a miner.
year in premiums, and there is no work category at all
percent. We pay a lot of Workers' Comp, around $50,000 a
risky they think roofing is. Miners' Workers' Comp is ten
Comp on roofing is 100 percent of the wages. That's how
you might be particularly surprised about is that Workers'
it's got to be bad because it's so dangerous. One thing
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25 currently unhealthy to breathe far too often due to high
already poor air quality. Our air in Grass Valley is
a project that we know will significantly degrade our
Our community simply cannot afford to enter into
maybe, definitely.
will be significant, unavoidable and unmitigatable; not
Idaho-Maryland Mine reopened. The harm to our air quality
Report, our air quality will suffer greatly if the
pollution. According to the Draft Environmental Impact
EPA has us ranked number 10 in the nation on ozone
quality in the nation. Our ozone levels are higher -- the
This isn't California. This is some of the worse air
County has some of the worst air quality in the nation.
I just want to say that Grass Valley and Nevada
Air in Nevada County.
And I represent or am a part of the organization Save the
and I live up on 12278 Cement Hill Road in Nevada City.
ED WELCH: Good evening. My name is Ed Welch,
--oOo--
green and so on, really can't be sold short. Thank you.
have production and manufacturing, even though they're not
good in the long-term for any of us. Opportunities to
of a service economy, which I don't think is going to be
the U.S. economy going to continue becoming more and more
So we need to think also about the issue of is
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25 occurrence of childhood asthma are higher than the overall
averaged 63 exceedances a year. Nevada County rates of
48 and 42 days, and over the last five years we have
2008, Grass Valley exceeded the California ozone standard
both state and federal health-based ozone standards. In
Nevada County has continuously been in nonattainment of
manufacturing facilities. Since the early 1990s, Western
including motor vehicles and industrial, agricultural and
primarily from high-temperature combustion sources,
in the presence of sunlight and heat. NOxs are emitted
organic compounds and nitrous oxides react with each other
Ground level ozone is formed when volatile
those with preexisting respiratory conditions.
children, the elderly, outdoor workers, athletes, and
most at risk for the harmful effect of ozone include
permanent damage to children's lungs. The most -- those
Long-term exposure to high level of ozone has lasting and
accelerated lung aging and reduced lung function.
lead to increased instance of childhood asthma,
Studies show that repeated exposure to ozone can
emphysema, bronchitis and other lung diseases.
wheezing, headaches, fatigue, aggravation of asthma,
inflammation of the lungs, coughing, sore throat,
harmful impacts of ozone on our health include
levels of ozone pollution during the ozone season. The
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25 unanimously passed the Clean Air Resolution in response to
In 2007, the Grass Valley City Council
precursor emissions.
Idaho-Maryland Mine would be a very large source of ozone
transport. There is simply no doubt that the proposed
nearby upwind areas that impact our ozone levels through
likely be significantly larger than any other source in
source of ozone precursors in Nevada County, and will
Idaho-Maryland Mine would be, by far, the largest emission
Even by conservative estimates, the
than the Air District's "Significant" threshold.
1,200 pounds of NOx per day, which is nine times greater
full operation the Idaho-Maryland Mine will emit over
on our local air quality. According to the DEIR, when in
NOx per day has the potential to have significant impact
determined that any source that emits over 136 pounds of
The Northern Sierra Air Quality District has
remain significant and unmitigatable.
construction and operation the emissions of NOx would
implementation of mitigation measures for all years of
significant and unmitigatable, and that even with the
negative impact on the local air quality will be
Idaho-Maryland Mine clearly states that the project's
The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the
California average as well.
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25 So, therefore, when you set off a charge in a tunnel, I
you can reduce this, which is done, to fracture your rock.
fire it off you cause a shock wave. And at certain waves
wave. And depending on your firing sequence, when you
sequence of series in milliseconds which creates a shock
got to say, my little part here, is charges are set in a
everything like this from the explosive charges. All I've
I've been hearing about ground vibrations and
10656 Alta Street in Grass Valley.
DAVE ANDERSON: I'm Dave Anderson. I live at
--oOo--
listening to me.
serious and continuing air quality problem. Thanks for
right here in our community when it already has such a
reopen this mine and create a huge ozone precursor source
makes simply no sense and it's simply unacceptable to
violation of this resolution. The bottom line is that it
The Idaho-Maryland Mine is a clear and direct
citizens and children."
for all of our county's residents, including senior
in Nevada County and create a clean, healthy environment
available efforts to substantially reduce ozone pollution
Council of Grass Valley will support all reasonable and
resolution states, in part, "... and resolve that the City
the community's ozone air pollution problem. This
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25 needs a major operation has to go to Sacramento because
medical up here. And as it stands right now, anybody that
this income or this economic value to even bring in
And if you're an elderly of 65, we don't have
pretty basically it.
paying job to do maintenance on a retiree's house. That's
work unless you want to work at McDonald's or a very lowon
18 to 65. (sic) If you hit 18, there's no jobs here to
here. Our children -- we've got a town that almost exists
We need this mine open. We're losing businesses
coming into the mountains.
down there, because that's the way the air current flows,
the highest smog pollution up here. Well, it comes from
all from the valley. And, you know, they say we've got
county and dump their pollution off up here. This comes
down these freeways going to Reno, coming through our
have more gross-polluting cars out here that drive up and
-- you know, that's just -- that's almost nothing. We
the most stringent smog laws in effect. Diesel, we have
It comes right up to here. The State of California has
pollution from Sacramento. It comes right up the valley.
As far as air pollution goes, we get our air
rock is so hard. It will not travel through it.
living room table, because the ground is so dense, the
doubt if you'd get a ripple in a glass of water on your
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25 You've got Ford that, to best of my knowledge,
groceries, whatever.
created. That's 450 families spending money on clothes,
class of people. You've got 450 jobs that are going to be
start off at 20. And that's just an entirely different
most of them are at eight dollars an hour when mining jobs
know, there's not too many of them here to begin with, and
technology jobs being lost and stuff and, as far as I
And I've heard a lot of complaints about the
here on kind of a whim. I came out looking for a job.
people that I've gathered from hearing tonight, I came
I live on Oak Tree Road in North San Juan. And like most
TED SAPP: Good evening. My name is Ted Sapp.
--oOo--
mine.
And that's all I've got to say. Please open the
our taxes. We all pay taxes.
repaired from the state or from our county funds, out of
don't we all pay taxes? That road, I'm sure, will be
And as far as the one mile stretch of road,
jobs than a lot of people are even anticipating.
suppliers to supply the mine. This will create a lot more
of the more high tech companies in. This will bring in
And by opening this mine, this will bring some
this county cannot afford medical facilities up here.
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25 live here in Grass Valley.
the president of Idaho-Maryland Mining Corporation. I
DAVE WATKINSON: My name is Dave Watkinson. I'm
--oOo--
work. Thank you.
I'd just like to open up the mine and go to
because you opened up too many big supermarkets.
the Painters mad at you for running them out of town
stores. You know, your next commission you'll have all
heritage and alls we're doing is opening up grocery
know, and the hometown feel. You know, mining is our
lifestyle and the serenity of the area and everything, you
You know, everybody is worried about their
isn't even a quarter of a semi-truck load.
than a 50-pound sack of dog food. Four thousand pounds
scary, you know, but 100 pounds of powder isn't any bigger
powder and all this cyanide, and it sounds all big and
You know, you're talking about 4,000 pounds of
off back to Allegheny to go to work.
throw cases of powder in the back of the pickup and head
Hardware. I went there. And me and my grandparents, we'd
Broad Street Furnishings, when I was a kid it was Alpha
out to a grocery store. Alpha Hardware Building, that was
to Auburn. And they own their land, and they're selling
has been here for 33 years, they pulled up ship and moved
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25 It's not 1,200, it's not 1,400; so just to clarify that.
45 trucks per day. So that's 154 truck trips per day.
the mine and supplies, typically from local suppliers, is
per day. Trucks associated with parts coming to and from
day. Trucks associated with aggregate sales is 34 trucks
associated with the ceramics operation at 75 trucks per
Crane Transportation report. We're looking at trucks
pull the document out of the application, it's from the
trucks coming to and from the mine site tonight. Just to
I've heard a lot of different numbers with
on Idaho-Maryland's website.
that are available on the City of Grass Valley website or
Draft EIR, but read the additional application documents
where you look for it. So make sure you not only read the
actually contained in the project application. So that's
of people looking for the reclamation plan. That's
In particular, I've heard a number of comments
the project that has to be gleaned from those documents.
because there's quite a bit of additional information on
application and the appendices that are in there --
documents -- not just the EIR, but also the project
that people get their information by actually reading the
tonight, both for and against the mine. It's important
certainly like to thank the public for all their comments
I'd just like to make a few brief comments. I'd
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25 We'll be making our specific comments related to
through the process.
will be answering a lot of these questions more as we go
address those comments as we go through the process. We
is important. It is heard by our company. And we do also
continue to do that. So public comments from the public
improve it as we went through the process, and we will
have made a number of changes to the project in order to
take the comments from the public very seriously, and we
since 2005, when we started the application. And we do
had a tremendous amount of public input into the process
that is going to benefit the City of Grass Valley. We've
Our goal is to build a project that's something
urge people to take the time to read the documents.
application documents or in the Draft EIR. So again, I
that were raised tonight, the answers are actually in the
lot will be answered in the EIR. A lot of these questions
lot of these questions will be answered, and certainly a
And, you know, as we go through the process a
questions about the project to get information.
Read the documents. Make sure you call us if you have
misinformation about the project there. Take the time.
from blog sites and other places. There's a lot of
documents and not get your information from websites or
It's also important that you actually read the
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--oOo--
appreciate all the public input into the project.
So thank you very much again, and I certainly
those, too.
Draft EIR, and we'll be making our comments specific to
that we see things that we think should be improved in the
on, too. So it's also important for people to understand
we have our issues with the Draft EIR that we will comment
public comments the same way other people are. You know,
in the same boat as everyone else. We'll be making our
on the project. Many people don't realize it, but we are
the Draft EIR, you know, as part of the written comments
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State of California
Certified Shorthand Reporter
TRICIA N. KELLY, CSR No. 3604
_____________________________
this _______ day of ____________________, 2009.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
I in any way interested in the outcome of the matter.
counsel for any of the parties in said proceedings, nor am
I further certify that I am not related to nor
by me.
taken on the day therein named and thereafter transcribed
foregoing was reported by me; that said comments were
I, TRICIA N. KELLY, hereby certify that the
CERTIFICATE OF REPORTER
County of Nevada )
) ss.
State of California )
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