Gravel mining has no place in residential area.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Joel Narva For The Register-Guard

On Nov. 1, the Eugene City Council and the Lane County Board of Commissioners will meet jointly to hear testimony and discuss Delta Sand & Gravel's application to rezone 72 acres from farmland to sand and gravel extraction. For the good of the neighborhood, the application should be denied.

It is likely that members of the community, and perhaps local government officials, will make comparisons to the failed Eugene Sand & Gravel application for a site off River Road. There are some similarities, but also many differences.

The biggest difference is that the Eugene Sand & Gravel proposal was denied in large part because it was too close to other farmland and would have significantly changed agricultural practices there.

The current proposal by Delta Sand & Gravel is even worse. The land proposed to be rezoned and mined protrudes into residential neighborhoods.

Newer developments of 70 homes in and near the Silver Meadows subdivision border the proposed parcel on the west. Within the 1,500-foot `impact zone' are hundreds of other new and older homes. The impact zone also includes a large parcel owned by the Eugene School District that could be used for a future elementary school. This zone extends to within about 800 feet of Madison Middle School.

Mining gravel in this location will disrupt nearby families' lives with the serious health threats of aerial dust dispersal, the change in both groundwater and floodwater flows, and the annoyance of loud mining activities near homes.

The impact on neighbors' health is possibly the greatest concern. Mining gravel creates dust and particulate matter that becomes airborne and is then dispersed by wind. This particulate matter, especially the smallest particles, can be inhaled into the deepest part of the lungs. This can then exacerbate respiratory problems, especially in younger and older people.

Delta Sand & Gravel proposes to mitigate this problem by measures that include watering the roads used by their heavy trucks. Managing the dust created by the digging activity, however, is not so easily accomplished. `Mitigation' here is suggested by prevailing wind direction. During the six drier months of the year, the prevailing wind direction is from the north, so homes south of the excavation site receive dust. These prevailing winds occur about half the time, so as the direction of winds and wind gusts change, other nearby neighborhoods will be dusted.

The groundwater and floodwater issues are complex. To prevent the dewatering of local wells, Delta Sand & Gravel has proposed to build an underground dam, or `aquaclude.' Theoretically, this barrier would prevent the lowering of the local water table that would occur due to the excavation.

Neighbors have questioned what the aquaclude's effect will be when water tables rise during large winter storms. It is possible that preventing the natural flow of groundwater will cause water tables outside the aquaclude to rise higher and exacerbate flooding. The applicants have offered no evidence of where this experimental technology has been successfully used.

People should not be burdened with the annoyance of increased noise created by gravel excavation 150 feet from their homes for 10 to 20 years. Acoustic engineers hired by the gravel company and the neighbors disagree on whether the proposal will mitigate these problems. However, common sense and experience dictate that the noise created by large excavations in close proximity to homes is disruptive to peaceful neighborhoods.

Delta Sand & Gravel and its owners have good reputations in the community as both employers and citizens. After decades of mining, they are within six to eight years of using up their supply of natural rock resources. Refilling their pit with construction debris and other material can be a profitable business. With expertise in gravel processing, Delta may consider becoming a local pioneer in recycled rock products. If employment will need to be reduced six or more years from now, Delta has the lead time to design and implement a plan now that would give employees severance pay packages commensurate with their longevity at the company.

The issue of expanding this mine vs. preserving the farmland has important consequences for Delta Sand & Gravel, but also for the hundreds of local families and the community at large. Hopefully, the City Council and Board of Commissioners will carefully weigh all these consequences when they make their important decisions.

Joel Narva, a teacher and hobby farmer, has lived in Santa Clara for 18 years.