(A) Purpose. The purpose of this appendix is to provide reasonable assurance that gravel mining operations will not adversely affect neighboring uses.
(B) Road capacity. No gravel mining shall be permitted where existing roads and/or bridges do not have adequate capacity to support the anticipated truck traffic.
(C) Buffer required. A buffer area of at least 50 feet wide shall be provided between all operating areas of the mine, including parking, storage, and the like, and the property line. No existing vegetation that has buffering capacity shall be removed from a required buffer.
(D) Operating hours. Wherever a proposed gravel mine is within 660 feet of an existing residence or a platted residential subdivision, mining operations shall be limited to the daylight hours. The noise level at the property line shall be limited to 70dBA.
(E) Groundwater protection. No gravel mine shall penetrate an aquifer. A variance of this standard may be considered, but only where a professionally prepared plan for the prevention of aquifer pollution is implemented. Any such plan shall, at a minimum, require the diversion of surface runoff from the excavation, the installation and maintenance of vegetative filter strips around the excavation, and the minimization of the area of aquifer surface exposed at any one time.
(F) Reclamation. The reclamation plan (reclamation plans are required by Idaho Code §§ 47-1501 et seq.) for the gravel mine shall show how the site will be reclaimed to a condition where it can be used for a compatible use. Reclamation that fulfills the requirements of state law shall generally be acceptable outside areas of city impact. In those areas of city impact where there is a comprehensive plan, the reclaimed site shall be suitable for a use permitted by that plan.
(Ord. 2007-8-13, passed 3-11-2019
; Am. 2-28-2022)