HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEIR Ch 05_09_MIN
5. Environmental Analysis
5.9 MINERAL RESOURCES
This section of the EI R evaluates the potential for implementation of the City of San Bernardino General Plan
Update, and the Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan to impact mineral resources in the City San Bernardino
and its Sphere of Influence (SOl). This document focuses on those issues determined to be potentially
significant as described in the Initial Study completed for this project (See Appendix A).
The analysis in this section is based in part on the following technical report(s):
. City of San Bernardino General Plan, Envicom Corporation, Adopted June 2, 1989,
. DMG Open-File Report 94-08, Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1995
Minerals are defined as any naturally occurring chemical elements or compounds, formed from inorganic
processes and organic substances. Minable minerals or an "ore deposit" is defined as a deposit of ore or
mineral having a value materially in excess ofthe cost of developing, mining and processing the mineral and
reclaiming the project area. Mineral resources are an integral part of development and economic well-being
of a city or county. The wise conservation, extraction and processing of those mineral resources is essential
to meeting the needs of society.
Mineral deposits are important to many industries, including construction, transportation, and chemical
processing. The first mineral commodity selected by the State Mining and Geology Board for classification
by the State Geologist was construction aggregate-sand, gravel, and crushed rock. The value of mineral
deposits is enhanced by their close proximity to urban areas; however, these mineral deposits are
endangered by the same urbanization that enhances their value. The non-renewable characteristic of mineral
deposits necessitates the careful and efficient development of mineral resources to prevent the unnecessary
waste of these deposits due to careless exploitation and uncontrolled urbanization.
~
Mineral Resource Classification
The California Geological Survey Mineral Resources Project provides information about California's non-fuel
mineral resources. The Mineral Resources Project classifies lands throughout the State that contain
regionally significant mineral resources as mandated by the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) of
1975. Non-fuel mineral resources include metals such as gold, silver, iron, and copper; industrial metals
such as boron compounds, rare-earth elements, clays, limestone, gypsum, salt and dimension stone; and
construction aggregate including sand, gravel, and crushed stone. Development generally results in a
demand for minerals, especially construction aggregate. The presence or absence of significant sand,
gravel, or stone deposits that are suitable sources of aggregate are classified as Mineral Resource Zones
(MRZs), as described below. The intent of classification is to assist lead agencies, planners, and the public in
the wise use, management, and conservation of California's mineral resources. As California's population
continues to expand, the demand for minerals, especially building construction such as aggregates, will
similarly grow.
. MRZ-1 - A Mineral Resource Zone where adequate information indicates that no significant mineral
deposits are present or likely to be present.
. MRZ-2 - A Mineral Resource Zone where adequate information indicates that significant mineral
deposits are present, or a likelihood of their presence and development should be controlled.
. MRZ-3 - A Mineral Resource Zone where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined
from the available data.
General Plan Update and Associated Specific Plans EIR
City of San Bernardino . Page 5.9-1
5. Environmental Analysis
. MRZ-4 - A Mineral Resource Zone where there is insufficient data to assign any other MRZ
designation.
5.9.1 Environmental Setting
5.9.2.1
San Bernardino General Plan
The City of San Bernardino lies on a broad, gently sloping lowland that flanks the southwest margin of the
San Bernardino Mountains. The lowland is underlain by alluvial sediments eroded from bedrock in the
adjacent mountains and washed by rivers and creeks into the valley region where they have accumulated in
layers of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Sediment accumulation has continued for a few million years, during
which time increasing thicknesses of sediments have gradually buried the original hill and valley topography
of the Bunker Hill-San Timoteo Basin. Shandin Hills and other smaller hill areas in the basin are remnants of
the original topography.
The San Bernardino Mountains, Shandin Hills, and other hilly areas are comprised predominantly of
Mesozoic and older crystalline basement terrain. Younger sedimentary deposits consist of late Pleistocene
alluvium outcropping on the older alluvial fans northeast of the City, and underlying the younger Holocene
alluvium of the San Bernardino Valley. These younger sediments accumulated in two different depositional
environments. Alluvial fans that extend downslope from the mouths of the San Bernardino Mountain canyons
consist of coarser grained and more poorly sorted boulders, cobbles, gravels, sands, silts and clays that
decrease in size and abundance to the southwest. Floodplain deposits from the Santa Ana River and Cajon
and Lytle Creeks in the vicinity of metropolitan San Bernardino are comprised predominantly of sand, sandy
silt, and silt. The alluvial fan and floodplain deposits interfinger and form a highly variable and often times
laterally discontinuous layering of various sizes of alluvial materials.
The sediments accumulated in the alluvial fans and floodplain deposits described above have been
classified by the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology. In the San
Bernardino City area, the bulk of construction aggregate is found in the natural sand and gravel deposits of
Cajon Wash, Lytle Creek, Warm Creek, City Creek, and the Santa Ana River. Figure 5.9-1 depicts the MRZs
as described earlier for the City of San Bernardino and its SOl and as classified in the 1995 California
Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 94-08 (CDC-DMG). The
primary goal of mineral resource classification is to identify regionally significant mineral deposits in an effort
to conserve and develop them for anticipated aggregate production needs of the region. The remainder of
the City is designated as MRZ-1 MRZ-3 and MRZ-4 zones.
The State of California designates a large meandering swath of MRZ-2 area predominately near the western
and southern City boundaries. The MRZ-2 areas indicate the existence of construction aggregate deposits
that meet certain State criteria for value and marketability based solely on geologic factors. By statute, the
Board does not utilize "existing land uses" as a criterion in its classification of Mineral Resource Zones. This
may often result in the classification of MRZs which are already developed in a variety of uses and intensities,
rendering these areas unsuitable for mineral production. However, additional State studies in San Bernardino
include the criteria of "existing land use." This helps identify resource sectors that contain aggregate
resources which remain potentially available from a land use perspective. The regionally significant
construction aggregate sectors within City planning areas are depicted in Figure 5.9-2. Private lands within
the City limit that are part of the significant construction aggregate sectors are designated IE, Industrial
Extractive and IH, Industrial Heavy, to facilitate mineral resource development.
Page 5.9-2 . The Planning Center
July 2005
5. Environmental Analysis
Mineral Resource Zones
I..,
i."
I
f.~.'
'ItOI
Ol<%-
$%
"lllo"
"i
I.
~
MRZ-l No Significant Mineral Deposits are Likely to be Present
~I MRZ-2 Significant Mineral Deposits are Likely, Development Should be Controlled
II MRZ-3 Significant Mineral Deposits Cannot be Determined from Available Data
I I MRZ-4 Insufficient Data to Assign any other MRZ Designation
City Boundary
: Sphere of Influence Boundary
NOT TO SCALE
[']
Note: MRZs reHected and refined in the Industrial
Extractive (IE) designation.
Source: California Dept 01 Conservation, DMG, Open:Fiie Report 94-08 (1995)
San Bernardino General Pia" Update and Associated Specific Plans EIR
The Planning Center · Figure 5.9-1
5. Environmental Analysis
This page intentionally left blank.
Page 5.9-4 . The Planning Center
July 2005
5. Environmental Analysis
Regionally Significant Construction
Aggregate Sectors
II
.. ....'-...., ~ ~.
,
~,
!
I
r---l Construction Aggregate Sectors (Sand and Gravel)
c=J Construction Aggregate Sectors Listed for Deletion in 1985
Existing Industrial Extraction (IE) Use Zone
Existing Industrial Heavy (I H) Use Zone
IU1 City Boundary
: Sphere or Influence Boundary
Source: Envicom Corporation
San Bernardino General Pia" Update and Associated Specific Plans EIR
I.
~
NOT TO SCALE
[']
The Planning Center · Figure 5.9-2
5. Environmental Analysis
This page intentionally left blank.
Page 5.9-6 . The Planning Center
July 2005
5. Environmental Analysis
The presence of resource sectors require that a General Plan show the location of the sectors and
incorporate policies for the management of their mineral resources. If a city proposes a land use that is
incompatible with mineral extraction in or near resource sectors, it must reveal why the mineral resource is
not being protected. In 1985, the City of San Bernardino requested deletion of 12 of their 31 designated
Mineral Resource Sectors. Since that time, at least five of the sectors had been deleted by the State, and
seven sectors were still being opposed by the City for mineral resource designation (Figure 5.9-2).
5.9.2.2
Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan
The Arrowhead Springs planning area is located in the northeastern portion of the San Bernardino planning
area. Generally, the Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan area has the same geological setting as the City of San
Bernardino as they are interconnected. However, while the City lies mainly at the base of the steeper slopes
of the San Bernardino Mountains, the Arrowhead Springs planning area extends up the flank of the San
Bernardino Mountains. The Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan area lies at an elevation of 1 ,480 feet to 2,400
feet above mean sea level (msl). Arrowhead Springs is located in the Waterman Canyon and East Twin
Creek Watersheds and three primary water courses flow through the planning area: the East Twin Creek;
Strawberry Creek; and West Twin Creek which flows through Waterman Canyon. The Arrowhead Springs
planning area can be described as hilly marked with sharp terrain, valleys, and inaccessible steep slopes of
the San Bernardino Mountains. In general the Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan area consists of numerous
canyons primarily facing south.
Within areas of the upper plateau and ridges, near the south, the subgrade soils are comprised of
moderately dense, deeply weathered gravely sand with some silts. Within the upper plateau and hillsides
near the north, subgrades are expected to consist of grayish brown to gray highly fractured metamorphic
rocks, weathered gravelly sand of decomposed granitic origin, and/or calcite as derived from old hot springs.
Within the canyon bottoms, subgrade soils consist of alluviums of silty fine sand and fine to medium coarse
gravelly sand of variable consistency along with numerous cobbles and isolated rocks. Subgrade soils
underlying the upper described alluviums are expected to consist of well consolidated gravelly sand or
weathered bedrock of siltstone/sandstone origin, generally compressible in nature.
~
The sediments accumulated in the alluvial fans and floodplain deposits described above have been partially
classified by the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology. The Arrowhead
Springs area is predominately outside the limit of aggregate classification and zoned as MRZ-4. However,
the most southern portion of the area is within the limit of classification and zoned as MRZ-3. Figure 5.9-1
indicates that the MRZ-3 zone lacks adequate information for the Arrowhead Springs area. The primary goal
of mineral resource classification was to identify regionally significant mineral deposits in an effort to
conserve and develop them for anticipated aggregate production needs of the region. The Arrowhead
Springs area does not have sufficient data available to make a determination of any significant mineral
deposits.
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the
environment if the project would:
M-1
Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value
to the region and the residents of the state.
M-2
Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan.
General Plan Update and Associated Specific Plans EIR
City of San Bernardino . Page 5.9- 7
5. Environmental Analysis
The following impact analysis addresses thresholds of significance for which the Initial Study disclosed
potentially significant impacts. The applicable thresholds are identified in parenthesis after the impact
statement.
5.9.4. 1
San Bernardino General Plan
GP IMPACT 5.9-1:
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION WOULD NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF
AVAILABILITY OF A KNOWN MINERAL RESOURCE. [THRESHOLDS M-1 AND
M-2]
Impact Analysis: As previously stated the City of San Bernardino further evaluated areas listed by the State
as containing regionally significant construction aggregate sectors as shown on Figure 5.9-2 and determined
several sectors could not be protected due to incompatible land use and such sectors were opposed by the
City. The reasons these sectors are opposed by the City include; rapid growth rate (in excess of 25 percent),
identification of rare and endangered plant species, traffic and safety concerns, proximity to highly urbanized
areas, inadequate freeway access, and incompatibility with surrounding land uses (lack of a adequate buffer
zone) .
The aggregate sectors identified on Figure 5.9-2 (not including the contested areas) all fall within Public
Flood Control or Industrial land use designations where mineral extraction is an allowed use and thus build-
out of the General Plan as proposed does not represent a loss in availability of a known mineral resource.
Relevant General Plan Policies and Programs
The following are City of San Bernardino General Plan policies and programs related to mineral resources:
Natural Resources Element
Policy 12.4.1: Continue to document current extraction sites, including sand and gravel quarries, including
the status and duration of existing permits and approvals.
Policy 12.4.2: Impose conditions and enforce mitigation measures on mining operations to reduce dust,
noise, and safety hazards associated with removal of construction aggregate and minimize impacts on
adjacent properties and environmental resources.
Policy 12.4.3: Determine and designate approved access routes to and from mineral resource sectors to
minimize the impacts to vehicular circulation on City streets.
Policy 12.4.4: Require that any applications to permit uses other than mineral extraction or the interim uses
defined in areas designated I E, I ndustrial Extractive include findings to be prepared by the project proponent
outlining the reasons why mining is not a feasible use and how the deletion of the area as a potential mineral
resource supply impacts the regional supply of aggregate resources.
Policy 12.4.5: Require that the operation and reclamation of surface mines be consistent with the State
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) and the Development Code.
Policy 12.4.6: Designate post aggregate extraction reclamation procedures to mitigate potential
environmental impacts and safety hazards. Long-term monitoring of the effectiveness of the reclamation
procedures should be considered as an integral part of the program.
Policy 12.4.7: Restrict incompatible land uses within the impact area of existing or potential surface mining
areas.
Page 5.9-8 . The Planning Center
July 2005
5. Environmental Analysis
Policy 12.4.8: Require that new, non-mining land uses adjacent to existing mining operations be designed
to provide a buffer between the new development and the mining operations. The buffer distance shall be
based on an evaluation of noise, aesthetics, drainage, operating conditions, biological resources,
topography, lighting, traffic, operating hours, and air quality.
5.9.4.2
Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan
AHS IMPACT 5.9-1:
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION WOULD NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF
AVAILABILITY OF A KNOWN MINERAL RESOURCE. [THRESHOLDS M-1 AND
M-2]
Impact Analysis: The Arrowhead Springs area is predominately outside the limit of aggregate classification
and zoned as MRZ-4. However, the most southern portion of the area is within the limit of classification and
zoned as MRZ-3. The area of Arrowhead Springs is not considered likely to contain significant sources of
mineral resources. Furthermore due to its mountainous terrain and limited access roads pockets of
aggregates which may be in the low lying stream bed areas are not likely to be economically viable.
Additionally the MWD pipeline would preclude mining in areas where it is located. There are currently no
aggregate mining activities in the area. At this time there is no evidence of economically viable mineral
resources within the area and development pursuant to the Specific Plan is not anticipated to result in loss of
significant resources. However, the future economic feasibility of mining any of the MRZ-3 or MRZ-4
resources would depend on future market conditions and the resource availability within the production-
consumption area.
. The intent of SMARA is to promote production and conservation of mineral resources, minimize
environmental effects of mining and to ensure that mined lands will be reclaimed to conditions
suitable for alternative uses. The act mandates a two-phased mineral resources process called
classification-designation. The California Division of Mines and Geology is responsible for the classi-
fication phase of the process and the State Mining and Geology Board is responsible for designating
areas of significance that are known to contain significant mineral deposits. This objective of
providing the information is to provide a basis for local land use decision makers in which the
availability of the mineral resource is acknowledged.
~
. California aggregate companies are heavily regulated and must meet the requirements of up to
80 agencies overseeing federal, state, county, and local laws. Regulations cover environmental,
technical, health and safety, aesthetic, cultural, land use, and reclamation standards. Obtaining an
operating permit is both intensive and extensive, involving in-depth studies and thorough data
compilation. Consulting with communities, regulatory agencies, government officials, and all other
interested or affected stakeholders is an equally important procedure. The permitting process often
takes from 2-10 years to complete, includes substantial up-front investment by the company, and
offers no guarantee of project approval. Once the permit is granted, the regulatory process
continues throughout the life of the operation with continued submission of data, and inspections.
Upon implementation of project design features, regulatory requirements, and standard conditions of
approval, the following impacts would be less than significant:
GP Impact 5.9-1
The aggregate sectors identified by the State fall within use designations where
mineral extraction is an allowed use; thus build-out of the General Plan as proposed
does not represent a loss in availability of a known mineral resource.
General Plan Update and Associated Specific Plans EIR
City of San Bernardino . Page 5.9-9
5. Environmental Analysis
AHS Impact 5.9-1
Although not specifically identified by the State, the Arrowhead Springs Specific
Plan area is not likely to yield economically significant aggregate sectors due to
mountainous terrain and preexisting uses.
5.9.7.1
San Bernardino General Plan
No significant impacts were identified and no mitigation measures are necessary.
5.9.7.2
Arrowhead Springs Specific Plan
No significant impacts were identified and no mitigation measures are necessary.
No significant adverse impacts relating to mineral resources were identified and no mitigation measures are
necessary.
Page 5.9-10 . The Planning Center
July 2005