Gravel mining extension debated

<p>A request by Syar Industries for a five-year extension of its gravel mining operation along the Russian River got a rocky reception Wednesday as longtime opponents said new road projects in Sonoma County aren't adequate justification.</p><p>Debate during a three-hour public hearing before county planning officials reprised many of the issues raised in the early 1990s when Syar and other companies sought terrace mining rights along the river south of Healdsburg.</p><p>This time, however, Syar is arguing that local rock is needed for local projects, and opponents aren't buying it.</p><p>"You can buy and import rock but you can't buy and import this valuable resource," said Don McEnhill of the Russian Riverkeeper group.</p><p>Syar's mining permit expires in April and it will have to stop work for at least nine to 12 months while its request for an extension is processed by the county.</p><p>In seeking an extension, Syar said it hasn't been able to mine all the rock allowed by its permit because of regulatory delays and a lawsuit.</p><p>The extension process involves environmental reviews and hearings before the planning commission and county supervisors.</p><p>About 50 people attended Wednesday's meeting, which was held to identify issues to be considered in environmental reviews.</p><p>The Board of Supervisors also is weighing requests from two Forestville quarries to expand in anticipation of major road projects, including widening of Highway 101 between the Steele Lane and Highway 12 interchanges. The quarry operators also argue that rock is needed for asphalt, concrete and road base.</p><p>Syar spokesman Kevin Guy said reliance on "foreign aggregate could reduce projects in size" and increase costs.</p><p>He argued that full environmental studies of Syar's application aren't necessary because most issues were examined a decade ago. Only supplemental updates are needed, he said.</p><p>However, several area residents and river preservation advocacy groups called for the county to conduct a full range of hydrologic studies and an examination of Syar's adherence to the 1994 Aggregate Resources Management plan.</p><p>Dennis Hill, president of the Westside Association to Save Agriculture, said Syar has failed to install effective levees, failed to protect the surrounding aquifer, failed to return mined pits to agriculture and "disregarded" most aspects of the plan.</p><p>Syar denies violating the 1994 plan.</p><p>Bert Lockwood of Superior Supplies ready mix, a Syar supporter, said his company has contracted to work on the Highway 101 project. His part of the project will require 31,000 tons of rock and he said it would be too expensive to haul it from Sacramento Valley quarries.</p>