Consideration of Mineral Lands of Statewide or Regional Significance
North San Francisco Bay Production-Consumption Region
Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Southwestern Solano Counties, California
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) proposes to hold a public hearing in order to consider adoption of regulations to designate areas of statewide or regional significance and specify the boundaries thereof, for mineral lands located in the North San Francisco Bay Production-Consumption Region Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Southwestern Solano Counties, in accordance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA), pursuant to Public Resources Code Division 2, Chapter 9, Article 6, Section 2790.
BACKGROUND
The SMGB, based on recommendations from the State Geologist and public input, designates, or terminates the designation of, mineral deposits of regional or statewide significance within California. Designation is the formal recognition by the SMGB of lands containing mineral resources of regional or statewide economic significance that are needed to meet the demands of the future. At its November 14, 2013, regular business meeting, the SMGB accepted California Geological Survey (CGS) Special Report 205, titled "Update of Mineral Land Classification: Aggregate Materials in the North San Francisco Bay Production-Consumption Region, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Southwestern Solano Counties, California." This report updated information previously published by the California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG; now CGS) as Special Report 146, Part III - "Mineral Land Classification: Aggregate Materials in the San Francisco-Monterey Bay Area, Part III, Classification of Aggregate Resource Areas, North San Francisco Bay Production-Consumption Region." Special Report 205 updated the classification portion of the two-step Classification-Designation process mandated by SMARA.
As reported in Special Report 205, the 115 million tons of currently permitted reserves of all construction aggregate grades are projected to last through the year 2023, 10 years from the present (2013). An additional 3,069 acres of land containing 853 million tons of construction-grade aggregate resources are identified in the North San Francisco Bay P-C Region. Since the designation of 7,579 acres containing 1,876 million tons of aggregate resources in 1987, about 3% has been lost to urbanization.
On March 13, 2014, the SMGB accepted the recommendations set forth by the State Geologist for designation, and termination of designation, of mineral resources lands of regional or statewide economic significance in the North San Francisco Bay Production-Consumption Region, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Southwestern Solano Counties, California, based on the information in Special Report 205.
The SMGB seeks recommendations of concerned federal, state, and local agencies, educational institutions, civic and public interest organizations, and private interest organizations, and private organizations and individuals, in the proposed actions.
PUBLIC HEARING AND WRITTEN COMMENT
The SMGB has scheduled a public hearing on this proposed action to receive public comments for May 14, 2014. The public hearing will take place in the City Council Chambers, Napa City Hall, 955 School Street, Napa, CA 94559 at 9:00 a.m.
The hearing facility will be barrier free in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the hearing, any person may present statements or arguments orally or in writing relevant to the proposed action. The SMGB requests, but does not require, that persons who make oral comments at the hearing also submit a written copy of their testimony. Comments can also be provided in writing up to ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.
CONTACT PERSON
Inquiries concerning the substance of the adopted regulation should be directed to:
Mr. Stephen M. Testa, Executive Officer
State Mining and Geology Board
801 K Street, Suite 2015
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 322-1082
Fax: (916) 445-0738
Stephen.testa@conservation.ca.gov
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