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| KAWEAH SOUTH PROJECT FACT SHEET Visalia Times-Delta, October 6, 2007 - Court rules for quarry firm Board approves mine site report Supervisors vote to OK Kaweah gravel project's environmental review
California is preparing to embark upon a Strategic Growth Plan that will allocate $105 billion Kaweah River Rock Prepares Response to Ruling on Rock Plant, Press Release, April 4, 2006 The Fresno Bee, Saturday, May 28, 2005 - Kaweah mine gets go-ahead The Foothills Sun-Gazette, June 1, 2005 - Supervisors OK Woodlake quarry
Location : The Kaweah South Project is located between the Kaweah and St. Johns rivers, one mile east of the Woodlake Highway (State Route 245). This site is 18 miles east of the city of Visalia and one mile south of the city of Woodlake. Size : The Kaweah South project area is 240 acres plus a 40-acre plant site. The depth of excavation will be 45 to 55 feet rather than the 85 feet proposed in the earlier project. The existing Kaweah River Rock Company site is 260 acres and 45 to 55 feet deep. Reason for project : New gravel resources, such as the Kaweah River Rock Company project, are needed if local gravel companies are to be able to supply construction materials to the Visalia-Tulare area. According to the State of California Division of Mines and Geology, gravel deposits in the Lemon Cove area will be depleted in fewer than 10 years. Special features : The Kaweah South Project utilizes a new design to protect local groundwater levels. This design includes a cutoff wall system around the perimeter of the site that will effectively isolate the excavation from the local groundwater. This system also includes a groundwater recharge system to maintain local groundwater levels and a bypass system to avoid blocking upstream groundwater flows. Reclamation plan : When mining operations are completed, the reclamation plan will produce a site suitable for water resource management. The Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District is proposing to utilize this site as a water management facility after reclamation. Highlights of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR ): The report examines how the sand and gravel operation might impact the environment - including water quantity and quality, noise, transportation, air quality and wildlife. The document must then detail how any negative impact could be minimized. Process and timeline : The draft EIR will be available for public review for 60 days, and the process will include a public hearing. A final EIR will then be prepared, taking into account public comment and concerns, followed by another hearing. Once the final EIR is in hand, the staff of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency could issue a permit to proceed with the project, possibly by this fall. For information on the Draft Environmental Impact Report, or to be notified of upcoming meetings, contact Tulare County staff member Patrick Ford at 559-733-6291. For information on Kaweah River Rock Company, contact general manager Dave Harrald at
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