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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRIME FARMLAND SOILS - M AND T RANCHFrom KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAUIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 AM P01 K&ARS, INC. FAX TRANSMITTAL pATEr 25 Sl l'1'f:M131X 199"1 TIME: 10:30 AM TO: MIKE POl )i RF.: MSI' CFIIC:O RANCH 14NIIL• GRAVEL MINING RiVI'.ItC%)RIX)RATION PI'M'P rAXr 7U1-25,5=U,5C�(I NUMBER OF PAGES ROI.LOTV3NC: 11 Here's something you 11001't already r*' The attached is a copy of the material navid f' axed Jens Wessel yesterday regarding farmland soils. Plm- e feel free to gi%,c us a all if you have any qucstials. Take care, LINDA D. ABRILI E Exocutive Assistant [ELLE✓ & ASSOCIATES F.WVIRONMENTAL SCIENICElSSIences Consultation and Restoratinn Services in 1 arlh, Fawiromnental, Sud Ag 216 7 STREET #51, DAVIS • CALIFORNIAFAX: 95616 6 U. U.S.A. TEL: 916-753-1232 From KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep..25.1997 10:36 AN P02 DAVID B. KELLEY Consulting Plant and Soil Scientist FAX MEMO/TRANSMMAL 24 September 1997 TO: ,lens Wessel Environmental Analyst Litburn Corporation 11019lue Ravine Road, Suite 209 Folsom, CA 95630 TEL: 916-355-1950 FAX: 916-355-1949 RE: Prime Farmland Solis --M&T Ranch Jens: _ Per our discussion this morning, I am sending you some information on the M&T Ranch soil map units and their designation as.prime farmland soils. As you know,. many of the unleveled, unirrigated soils mapped on the proposed mine site have the characteristics of prime soils, as defined by the criteria the NRCS uses in their interpretation of the capabilities of a given map unit. However, since many of the soils out there (wetlands and frequently flooded units, for example) do not show up in the survey because they are of too small extent (less than 6 acres) for the resolution achieved in the mapping effort, I think the interpretation of their capabilities for your purposes in the EIR should be a bit more refined. I am attaching a copy of the criteria used by NRCS to designate prime farmland soils in their mapping efforts. I spent a couple of hours discussing this with one of the soil scientists mapping in Butte County (Andrew Conlin) and with a soil scientist from another field office of the NRCS {Terry huff). Officially, they cannot take a position on the relative "primeness" until the survey is complete. However, they are aware of and use the criteria for the classification on the preliminary maps, and, in fact, provided me with a copy of this excerpt and with a copy of their (updated) soils maps and map unit descriptions for the mapped units on the site. if you read the descriptions, under the last entry ("Interpretive Groups") you will notice that (on units 177,180, and 200) where the Wrap units as a whole may be called prime farmland, the land culpability classification entry indicates that there is one (higher) classification for irrigated land and another (lower) classification for unirrigated land. 1 think it is up to you to analyze these criteria for inclusion in the EIR. What I have tried to do here is give you an idea of my own interpretation of the issues on those soils. 'Attached is my version of the interpretation. Please feel free to use it in any manner you wish. Please call me if ,you want to discuss this further --I will be in the office today and tomorrow, leaving Friday morning for two weeks in Peru (where 1 will give a talk on soils and crop suitability at an international symposium on asparagus). If you'd like to look at. the National Soils Handbook, I have a copy in my office (about 10 pounds worth). Hest regards. IDBK KELLEY & ASsoCIATES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE$, INC. Coruultatiion and Restoration Services In Earth, Environmental, and Agricultural Sciences 216 F STREET, #51 • Dens, CALIFCRNLA 95616 U.S.A. TEL: 916-753-1232 o Fax: 916-753-905 From KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM P03 K&AES, INC. FAX MEMO M&T Chico Manch Farmland Capability The mapped soil units on the M&T Chico Ranch project. site (as shown in an, advance copy of the soil survey report map prepared and provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)) include the following: • 177=Farwell silt loam, 0 -2% slopes, occasionally flooded, i 180=Uodgel and silty clay loam, 0 . 5% slopes, occasionally flooded, and • 200=Hurst silt loam, 0 - 2% slopes, occasionally flooded. The mapped units contain inclusions of other soils, especially along the waterways and swales through the site, which are frequently flooded. This is a factor in the farmability of the site, because the flooding in the area delays access for farm equipment in many years until well into the late spring or early summer.. For this and other reasons, the operator has infrequently farmed this area in the last few years, and the crops most often grown on the site are low -yielding safflower and sometimes small grains. Flooding and access to the site prohibit farming about 5 years out of 10 under normal conditions. The site is not, irrigated and is not protected from flooding; it is unleveled and not suitable for furrow irrigation; and site conditions prohibit the establishment of perennial crops because such crops require wintertime access for pruning, weed control, pest control, and other management, and may not tolerate flooding. These constraints are recognized in the map unit descriptions for the units mapped on the site (see map unit descriptions for the three series mentioned above, attached). 7n addition, criteria used by the mapping staff of the NRCS (formerly the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)) for prime farmland (see excerpt from the National Soils Handbook (NSH) below) include: Page 2 ' KELLEY & ASSOCIATES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, INC. Consultation and Restoratlon Servloas in Earth, Environmental, and AgIcUtUral klerv)w 216 F STREET, 051 - DAVIS, CAUFORNIA 95616'U.$A, TEV 916-753-1232 4 FAX: 916-763-9935 ,From KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep. 25. 1997 10:36 AM PO4 K&AES, INC. - FAX MEMO • the land's ability to economically produce sustained.high yields of crops,. • the absence of frequent flooding, • the presence of a developed and reliable irrigation water supply, and • that the land -be drained where the water table is close to the surface. All of the soils of the site fail to meet atleast one, and in some cases several, of these criteria. As the NSH states, "...soil properties are only one of several criteria that are necessary (to classify farmlands as prime farmlands)..." The soils of the site possess properties which might allow them to be classified as prime, but the site itself (its geomorphic position, its flooding frequency, its low yields, its wetlands, and, most. important,.its lack of.a developed irrigation system) is not prime farmland. Itis, instead, an inclusion of non -prime farmland in a larger area of prime farmland to the west, north, and east.. The aih�tched map unit descriptions cover these points to some degree; other _ information is available in the NSH. Page 3 KELLEY & / sWiATES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, INC. Corm taflon and Restorortion Services In Earth, Envlrorvnental, and Agdouftal ScIenm 216 F STREET, #51 0 DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616 U.SA. TEL: 916.753-1232 FAX: 916-763-2935 From KELLEY ,INTERNATIONAL DAVIS,CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep. 25. 1997 10:36 AM . K&AES, INC. FAX MEMO EXCERPT FROM THE NATIONAL SOILS HANDBOOK* 622.03 Prime Farmland Soils 622.03.1 Definition Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is available for these uses.` It has the combination of soil properties, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. In general, prime farmlands have an -adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season, acceptable acidity or alkalinity, acceptable salt and sodium content, and few or -no rocks. They are permeable to water and air. Prime farmlands. are not excessively eroded or saturated with water for long periods of time, and either do not flood frequently during the growing season or are protected from flooding. Users of lists of prime farmland map units should recognize that soil properties are only one of several criteria that are necessary. Other considerations: (a) Land use •- prime farmland designation is independent of current land use, but cannot be water or urban built-up land as defined for National Resource Inventories. Map units which are complexes or associations containing components of urban land or miscellaneous land types as part of the map unit name cannotbe designated as prime farmland. The soil survey memorandum of understanding determines the scale of the mapping and should reflect local land'use interests in the design of map units. ' P05 Page A KELLEY & ASMIAM ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, INC. Consultation and Restoration Services In Earth,. Environmental, and Agricultural Sclenoes 216 F STREET, 061 0 DAVIS, CALIFORNIA X616 U.S.A. TEs: 916-753-1232 o FAX: 916.753°2936 i F rom KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DRUIS'CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM P06 K&AES, INC. FAX MEMO (b) Frequency of flooding -- some map units may include both prime and non -prime farmland -because of variation in flooding frequency. (c) Irrigation -- some map units include both areas that have a developed irTigation water supply that is dependable and of adequate quality and areas without such a supply: In this case, only the irrigated areas meetthe prime farmland criteria. (d) Water table -- some map units may include both drained and undrained areas. Only the drained arcaq meet prime farmland criteria. (e) Wind erodibility - produce of I (soil erodibility) x C (climate factor) cannot exceed () for prime farmland. A map unit may be prime farmland soil in one survey area but not in another. 622.03.2 Purpose. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) is committed to the management and maintenance of the resource base that supports the productive. capacity of Americari agriculture, including identification of the location and the extent of the most suitable land for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops. Prime farmlands may be Supplemented with separate designations of soil map units with state-wide, local, or unique importance as farmland capable of producing these crops. 622.03.3 Final Rule. SCS policy and procedures on prime and unique farmlands are published in the Federal Register, Vol. 43, No. 21, January 31, 1978. The final rule is reproduced in Exhibit 622.1 (*Excerpted from SCS National Soil Survey Interpretations Handbook, 430-VI-NSH, Draft, September 1992) Page 6 KELLEY & A socIATEs ENVIRONMENTAL NAL SCIENCES, INC. Consultation and'Restoration Services In Earth; Environmental. and Agdcutial Sctancw 216 F $MEET, 651 • DAVIS, CAUFORNIA 95616 U.B.A. TEL: 916-763-1232 o FAX: 916-7W2935 From KELLEY. INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM- P07 KUTF 1,(110TY S01?, -'SURVEY 612, DRAFT )WORMATION S:1111,1FCT TO CHANCE 577=Y,'tPW71.1: %1LT LOAM, 0 TO 2 PERCENT ELOPES, OCCASTONALLY FLOODED etti,'.r• ' i:andfc;r ,: > o% -:d plains ?.tinc=,� r•_ .�P. f �;;.=gyres : �• [�a,scripa ic,n — =f ars ,): Highly modified and leveled frr c,sriculture Elcvr,t.;cn C0 to 760 feet. `done ransr.:: 0 to 2 percent Vegetation: i,sed for agriculture, but. natural. ycget.atiots probably included :alley cr., r;rases, end for"bs liEar, a'. A,nl .,recipitat ion: 20 to 25 inches M."an :,nnual tempo at.ure: 60 to 64 degrees F Frc.st'y.cri od; 260 to 290 clays ::ompc r. 1'c:rac3: sii: loans and similar inclusions: 85 percent GonLr .s•t ing inclusions: 15 percent. Cbarar.;.0 :' i r,t i cs of the. Farwel 1 Soi 1 'asii.i�•:i ";r Ie.ndform: Near.abandoned and present. r..hann61,n and drainages Parerr, :::<<c-1 inl : Alluvium weathered from mired rocY sourcar• C.U:'fE'Ce feature: Intensive and extensive modifie-ation 5'ypicr.; profile: ' is to nrir.�-der); brown silt loam 9 to ::•, 1r,ene: •=vF•cy f,towr, s51c+y 1 uwn 7,7 try 77 iL•c:h�:s- sown loam .. 7'/ to M. :rir.i,er.•trown sandy loam Dopth c? : r r.: Vcs;, doop P�:rmerti 1 it.y: Moderately slow Availatlr- wtmr cdpncity: Moderate to high F•hrirl:-sw�:il potential: moderate Ain3t.y.; ' t•a is ,mhos/cm from * to * inches o<lit it•y 1 FAR.) : a to 4: from * to 4; inches, * to A from 4 to * inches, * t.o from none Depth to none TIC-pl.l, Its1=e;frock: over 85 inches S M -f:•„ •R r ::n:If f : : law rloodi:.-i- Occ o%ional brief flooding from December t.hrcugh March ?iigh .rater ta!,1e: Greater than 85 inches Eind of w;;te:r tiihle: Apparent No pcnd�L$ Fros:c:r; fc.rt•.ors: K=.40; T=5 sof wmil.e..r rror Ton in bare areas: Moderate Wino index: 48; WEG 6 fie::�4rc? of w nCi c -os i.on in bare areas: Slight. From : KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep. 25. 1997 10:36 frit P08 0ontrc:azir.�! ;nciusor,s: Horst it lc:<,m, L:hich is fine -silty; also occurs nn flood nlnins, but is .located close_ the 'Sacrh i*:t,to River. Brsm:a'r) -',r-!, u1:5 ch is fine; occurs in interfan 1 a!ki ns Aquic :,apic:xcrcrts, which are fine; occur on slightly higher positions than Farwell .Small breas with rounded gravelsand/or coarse sands; in old drainage aha:Tnels and in :evel eahmc. itiee arFas is Simila- soils with clay loam or loam surface textures lire itY:';j 1�s1,��(raiE:nt Land vse: vow crops and orchard:, nonirrigptod grain and hay, li.ve.stock I:rr7.in�:, wilrilifo. hal:.it.at. Commr.-nd j' -rc.wn crops: Beans, saf f l ower, sunflowers; k s. (I uC)M I- •.i gated gra i t1 and hay Ma lol" ri ol.ors: Occasional flooding, modrratl-, poi:.ent.3a1 for she t. and rill C•1'OS° C M;;na fs::-rrt c•„:,sic?rr•,)tions; Flooding potential should be. c:one,idcred hcfore any rropping or cnpit.al improvements are installed 1!oCiErr.t pCAcni.iel for detachment and transport of soil particles by raindrop impact shou Ci l:r. C. eT -d during agricultural operation:: Livesto l; srazirg i7ol unOT: 7:1 R stn Hnrer..:.c: aevcic,pment . Kaiar ::,�cnrnEment factors: Moderate shrink/swell pot.rttt.. M Managcrx-nc considerations: Special designs for roads.and foundations are requjired to ava l7 'naz ard:, and damage associated wi.tlithe moderate sh-r ink/swell rot.ent.ial of ti�asR �.;,i 1; • Interrrctive Grov:s L:tr.d cA_,;4oiI iiy classification: IIw-2, irrigated, and sift, c:lass, 111 c., nonirrigated yes hS'.Rh: • 7 FT1mF : �:ril �t:d: r 1L1•dinan- : r:.. syc:hol . :;anEy ,at � : �• St:anci r•s aifE:: ,' From KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAMS"CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM P09 BUTTE COUNTY SOIL SURVEY 612, DRAFT INFORMATION SUBa&CT TO CHANGE 10/18/94 I:G rev.DWS 1l/96 180=DODGFI,AND SILTY CLAY LOAM, 0 TO 5 PERCENT SLOPES, OCCASIONALLY FLOODED Setting Landform: Older flood plains in higher positions; usually along margins of flood plains and basins Description of area: Is often extensively modified and leveled for agriculture _ Elevation: 10b to.120 feet Slope range: 0 to 5 percent Slope features: Undulating Vegetation: 11rimari3y used for agriculture Mean annual precipitation: 18 to 20 inches Mean annual temperature: 60 to 62 degrees F Frost free period: 240 to 26o days Characteriaties'of the bodgeland Goil Position oil landform: High flood plains Slope: 0 to b percent Slope features: Undulating , Parent material: Alluvium from mixed sources Important surf.ace.feature: Usually leveled for agriculture , Typical profile: 0 to 4 inches -Mottled light brownish gray silty clay loam 4 to 45 inchca=Mott)cd gray, grayish brown, and brown silty clay 45 til 53 inchen- Mottled light 'yellowish_ brown silty clay 53 to 60 inches -Mottled light yellowish brown silty clay )oam 60 to 60 inches -Mottled very pale brown silty clay loam Depth class: ,Very deep Drainage cla:;::: Poorly Permeability:Slow Available Meter capacity: High Salinity: 0 to 2 mmhos/cm from 45 to 53 inches Shrink -swell potegial: High Surface runoff: fronded Flooding% Occasional, for brief periods, from December through March; after flood events water fills channels for long to very long duration,. High water table: 0 to 60 inches from December through April and is below 40 inches from June through October Kind of water table: Apparent Ponding: Occasional, up to 6 inches above the surface for brief periods, from December through March Erosion factors: Y,=,37; T=5 Hazard of water erosion in bare areas: Slight Wind Crodibility index: 66; WEG=4 Hazard of wind erosion in bare areas:.Slight Inclusionr., ContraSting inclusiotl&: From KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF'USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM P10 Horst soils on flood plains closer`to the Sacramento River Farwell silt roams on'floodplains and usually along either present or abandoned channels and drainages Rdjobe soils in basins and basin sloughs Soils similar to Dodgeland but have silt loam surface and or sandy clay loam subsoils Similax inclusions: Soils similar to Dodgeland"but have thinner of silty clay loam surface overwash Soils similar to Dodgeland but have clay loam surface texture Use and Management Land use: Drylarnd and irrigated crops; wildlife habitat 7rriyated.crop; Commonly grown crops: Rice, safflower, sunflowers; a I so' nonirrigated grain and hay crops Major management factors: Occasional flooding, slow.permeability, poor drainage Management considerations: Flooding potential should be considered before any cropping or capital improvements are installed. Slow pexmeahility and poor drainage in fine -textured horisons shoule] bu uunuidered when %(A cctinq crops; vegetation that is susceptible to.root rots. should be avoided These soils are well suited to dryland crops since the fine textured soils remain moisLJor relatively long periods after rainfall. The•high clay content makes these soils difficult to til] when moist. Tilling when wet can saute: soil, compaction and may lead to the development of large, very hard clods. Livestock grazi.ntl Common plLints on Lhe • soil: t Common, plants on the • soil: «' Major manageme.nL factors:,*_�_ w,.0 Management considerations: Homesite development Major manadrmFnt factors: Flooding hazard, High shrink -swell potential Management corisiderati ons a Special denigfis. for foundations and roads are required because of the high shrink - swell poT.ential of these soils Interpretive Groups Land_ capability classification: 2w-2, irrigated, and 3w, nonirrigatedi MLRA: 17 Prime farmland: Vegetative seal grovp: Range nitc: b�•. Standard :oit.c:s •_• From KELLEY INTERNATIDNAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.'1997 10:36 AM P11 BUTTS'COUNTY SOXL SURVEY 612, DRAFT 1180RMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE. 12/2.7/54 PG 200 -HORST SILT LOAM, 0 to 2 percent slopes., occasionally flooded Setting Landform: Flood plains ,Description of area:•13road, nearly flat flood plain of the Sacramento River. Intensively modified and leveled for agriculture. Hydrology has been altered. Historically, these areas were inundated by numerous ephemeral streams and drainages. Elevation: 50 to 140 feet Slope rarule: O.to 2 percent Slope foat:ures: Plane vegetatian:'MosL3y cleared for agriculture, but natural vegetation included valley oaks, cottonwoods,.hlackberries, California wild grape, poison oak,.annual grasses and torbs Mean annual precipitation: 20 to 24 inches Mean annual temperatures 60 to 64 degrees F Frost -free period: 240 to 260 days Composition Horst silt loam and similar inclusions: 85 percent Contrasting inclusions: 15 percent Characteristics of the Horst Soil Position•on landform: Flood plains Parent material: Alluvium from mixed sources Important surface feature: Leveled Typical profile: 0 to I inches=light brownish gray silt loam 1 to 16 inches.•grayish brown Silt loam 16 to 50 inches=grayish brown silt loam 50 to 60 inches -yellowish brown silt loam Depth class: very deep Drainage class: Well drained Permeability: Moderate (0.6 to 2.0 inches per hour) Available water capacity: High (average 0.16 inches water per inch sail) Shrink•swnll Potential: Low Salinity: 0 to 2 mmhos/cm Depth to bedrock: More than 72 inches deep Surface runoff: Slow Flooding: Occasional, for very brief periods, from December through March High water -table; More than 72 inches deep Kind of water table: Apparent Ido Pondiny - RYosSon fOCIOrS: K=:37; T=5 Hazard of water erosion in.bare areas: Slight Wind crodibility index: 48 Hazard of wind erosion in bare areas: Slight Inclusion:; . Contr.osLing inclusions: I From :"KELLEY INTERNATIONAL DAVIS CALIF USA 9167532935 Sep.25.1997 10:36 AM P12 . .. Gionellu fine sandy loams and loems;'which are coarse -loamy; usually, located nearer the .Sacramento .River Kusal silty clay loam&, which are fine; along flood plain and fan margins Conejo clay loam and Almendra loam, which are fine -loamy fan soils Soils with.varying horizonation and textures,, limited to small areas where old channels and streams have been diverted or tilled Similar inclusions: Like Horst. soils, but with lighter colored surface horizons Like Horst Coils, but with.thinner.surface horizons Use and Management Land use: Agriculture and homesite development Irrigated crops Commonly grown crops: Almonds and walnuts Major managemenL factors, occasional flooding, silt loam surface and subsurface texturr. Management considerations:, Flooding potenLittl should be considered before land is developed for orchards or crops. Although flooding is of brief, duration, soil Wetness may be detrimental.to with some types of root stock. Seeding emergence can be reduced by surface crusting. Crusting can be reduced by returning crop residues to the soil and by frequent light irrigations. These soils can be severely compacted, especially with repeated passes of heavy farm equipment. This can lead to platy structure and can significantly decrease water Infiltration, percolation, available water capacity, aeration to plant roots, •The potential for soil particle detachment and transport by rai,ndrop'impact should be considered during agricultural operations. HomesiLe. development Major management factors: occasional flooding Management considerationse rloodincl por.ential should be considered before any buildings or capital improvements.. are installed. InterpYeLive Groups Land capability classification; 2w-2, irrigated toccasional.flooding), and 39, nonirrigaLed (low RTa) MLRA: 17 Prime farmland: yes vegetative soil group: + Ordinarinn symbol: Range cite: Standard !.Ste; Lucille Bocks 1� .-��- Chico, California - Butte County Planning Commission RE: M & T Ranch Gravel Mine I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed gravel mine on River Road near Chico.. My family has been farming on River Road for almost 50 years near the proposed mine. For the following reasons, I encourage you to deny the gravel mine application and keep_the land -in agriculture. First, I am concerned about water quality. The mine will expose the, aquifer in an area prone to seasonal flooding and agricultural spraying. This will lead to groundwater contamination. Homes and farms in that area are dependent on that same aquifer as their source for clean water. It is inevitable than this mining operation will decrease the quality of our water supply. I want you to know that I do not agree to be harmed by this project. There is no level of contamination of my water source that I consider acceptable. Second, I am concerned about land preservation. This project will convert almost 200 acres of land the County has been calling "prime farmland". This land is surrounded by productive fields planted to almonds, walnuts and rice. Permitting this project will create added pressure on the neighboring farming operations to change their agricultural practices. Additionally, the ability to put this land to agricultural use will be destroyed. Your decision to allow the mining of the aquifer on this land will serve as an example to other agricultural land owners that the planning commission is ready to allow the development of agricultural land west of Chico. Third, I am concerned about the traffic generated by this project. River Road was not built to support the constant heavy truck traffic this project will produce.. The gravel -- _ trucks will destroy the road. In addition, River Road is used by many farmers for slow moving and oversized farm equipment. Much of River Road has no shoulder to pull off safely. This truck traffic can not be safely introduced into that area and should not be allowed. Thank you very much for considering my concerns. I appreciate your time and attention to this project. I,hope you decide to turn down the application for this mining permit. Sincerely, Lucille Bocks "B4 B f IE 9V 2 ? 2095 DEVELOPR ', O SE, WrL 3 November 28,2006 To: Planning Commission: Harrel Wilson Nina Lambert Chuck Nelson - Richard Leland Fernando Marin 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 From: George and Jennifer Young 8 Lakewood Way Chico, CA 95926 Re: Proposed M & T Ranch - Baldwin Construction Mining Project Dear Planning Commission, We are unfortunately unable to- attend the Thursday, November 30`h meeting at 1:30pm, in the Supervisor's Chambers in Oroville, CA. dealing with Baldwin .Construction's proposed gravel pit project. Therefore, we are writing this letter to express our deep opposition to approving this ill-conceived operation which will at once destroy prime agricultural farm land, reduce air quality and have tremendous traffic impacts — all for the gain of Baldwin Construction resulting in the loss of quality of life not only for the surrounding families in that area, but for all of us, for many, many years to come. The thought of large gravel trucks traveling our inadequate roads every 4 minutes on. Chico River Road, and every 6 minutes on Ord Ferry Road is unfathomable at best. The dust and air pollution would be a serious health issue for our residents, not to mention the precedent an approval would set for future projects in inappropriate areas, such as this one. We urge you to vote against approving this project and place the importance of our irreplaceable farm land, rural quality of life, air quality, traffic and noise impacts above all so called merits of profit for Baldwin Construction. Sincerely, George and Jennifer Young BU 11 -FE couray NOV 2 9 2006 DEVELOPMENT SELRVICE3 Pat Perkins 2542 Durham Dayton Highway Durham, CA 95938 Home Telephone: (530) 342-6103 Work Telephone: (530) 895-1621 Fax: (530) 894-5043 November 28, 2006 Dan Breedon Butte County Planning Office 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 Dear Mr. Breedon: Re: Proposed M & T Gravel Plant It= is iri understanding that the M & T Ranch -Baldwin Construction Gravel Pit matter is once again coming before the Planning Commission on November 30, 2006 at 1:30 P.M. I will be unable to attend the meeting; however, I am writing this letter to you to express my concern and opposition to the proposed River Road gravel operation. It is obvious that the gravel trucks will have to use Durham Dayton Highway, as well as other roads in this area. There is already extensive traffic on this highway with new construction of homes in the area. Besides the noise and inconvenience, there would be damage to the highway, exposure to danger to bicyclists and pedestrians, and especially danger to school children who cross Durham Dayton Highway to get to the Durham schools. I am also opposed to the noise, dust and pollution that this activity would create. Please take my concerns into consideration in your review of this application by- M & T to mine gravel at this location. Thank you. Very truly yours, -Pat Perkin's _ COUNI V 140V 2 9 2006 DEVELOPI'r1�IM-Ni i SERYX ' y.