Petaluma asphalt plant threatened with lawsuit

<p>Opponents of an asphalt plant proposed along the Petaluma River said Thursday they are likely to sue Sonoma County if the Board of Supervisors gives final approval to the project next month.</p><p>David Keller, founder of the Petaluma River Council, said studies for the 38-acre project by San Rafael-based Dutra Materials fail to adequately address environmental concerns such as the plant’s effects on nesting birds and air quality, especially at nearby Shollenberger Park.</p><p>If the board follows Tuesday’s straw vote approval with a formal endorsement on March 24, Keller said his group likely would file suit claiming violations of the California Environmental Quality Act and land use regulations.</p><p>Keller, a former Petaluma city councilman, called supervisors “intentionally deaf” to the outpouring of criticism of the project, including dozens who spoke against it at the 5 1/2-hour public hearing.</p><p>But supervisors by a 4-1 margin favored the proposal. Only newcomer Shirlee Zane of Santa Rosa was opposed.</p><p>Dutra’s plans call for production of up to 650,000 tons of road construction material a year, the use of river barges to reduce truck traffic, materials recycling and the preservation of 19 acres as wetlands. </p><p>Supervisor Mike Kerns, who respresents the south county, said the Petaluma River has always been home to industrial uses such as gravel operations and two previous Dutra sites further upriver.</p><p>He defended his support for the latest project, saying there was no evidence that it would cause pollution or disrupt wildlife and it would save taxpayers money on road repairs.</p><p>He said the county’s lawyers determined environmental studies for the asphalt plant were done properly.</p><p>“The facts show they meet all the requirements,” Kerns said. “You have to be fair to people. You can’t base your decision on what a bunch of people who show up at a board meeting say.”</p><p>Company spokeswoman Aimi Dutra did not return a call Thursday seeking comment.</p><p>Members of the Petaluma River Council disagree the project is right for the area.</p><p>Their attorney, Richard Drury, said consultants incorrectly analyzed elements of the project such as the amount of road dust that would be kicked up by trucks entering the plant. And he said the environmental report failed to adequately consider other sites to spare impacts on nesting heron and egrets.</p><p>At a minimum, Drury said the group would seek a new environmental review and additional operating restrictions limiting dust and noise. He also would ask the board to consider moving the plant elsewhere.</p><p>“Our clients don’t want to stop it. They need the asphalt and the jobs,” Drury said. “They just think it’s a dumb location. And there are additional controls that could reduce the impacts.”</p>