Loading...
An application for construction shall be filed with the California Division of Safety for Dams and approved prior to the start of construction for any new dam that falls under the State jurisdiction for safety.
(§ 1, Ord. 1190, eff. September 5, 1996; as amended by Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
This ordinance regulates the size of the footprint of the mining operation, and establishes no regulatory depth limit for off-channel mining. Unless an environmental analysis concludes that unacceptable environmental impacts will result, mining operations shall be encouraged to excavate the full depth of available resources at any particular mining site. In conjunction with a minimized mining footprint, this will ensure efficiency in resource extraction, help minimize impacts to agriculture by containing the area of surface disturbance of any individual mining operation, and minimize impacts of water loss associated with evaporation from reclaimed lakes.
(Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
"Dewatering" shall mean lowering the water level in a wet pit by pumping water from the pit, regardless of the purpose of the pumping. Water generated from dewatering activities must be beneficially used and discharged on-site. Pumps systems used to dewater the wet pits shall be powered by electricity (i.e., through connection to power lines) or solar power. This ordinance does not permit water generated from dewatering activities to be used or discharged off-site. No off-channel excavation shall use dewatering as a part of surface mining operations, unless site-specific technical analysis performed by a qualified Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist with experience in hydrogeology demonstrates that the proposed dewatering will not adversely affect off-site wells with respect to groundwater level and quality. The Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist shall demonstrate, using appropriate hydrogeologic analysis (i.e., using data-supported empirical, analytical, and/or numerical investigative tools), that the proposed dewatering activity will not adversely impact active off-site wells or other water resources (e.g., creeks and wetlands) within one thousand (1000) feet of the proposed dewatering pit boundary. Average historic low groundwater levels in the subject well shall be used for the analysis. Site-specific aquifer testing shall be conducted, if needed, to determine aquifer properties for the analysis. Consistent with the OCMP EIR, an effect shall be considered adverse if the reduction in simulated groundwater levels exceeds two (2') feet at any well located within one thousand (1000) feet of the pit boundary or results in well failure.
The hydrogeologic analysis shall be submitted to the County for review and approval prior to implementation of any dewatering activities. If an adverse impact is identified by the analysis (either impacts to existing wells or other water resources, including creeks and wetlands), dewatering activities will be modified to eliminate any adverse impacts, and/or the applicant shall otherwise mitigate adverse impacts to the satisfaction of the County.
Prior to and for the duration of dewatering activities, the applicant shall: 1) monitor water levels in the wet pit(s) and nearby monitoring wells on a quarterly basis; and 2) quantify the amount of water pumped from and returned to the wet pit(s). This monitoring data shall be reviewed by the applicant's Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist to determine whether any adverse impacts are occurring. Documentation of the monitoring and data evaluation shall be submitted to the County annually. If adverse impacts are found to be occurring, dewatering activities will be modified to eliminate adverse impacts, or the applicant shall otherwise mitigate impacts to the satisfaction of the County. Any measures designed to mitigate adverse impacts identified after implementation of dewatering activities shall be approved by the Planning Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting, with written notice of the adverse impact and proposed mitigation measures given by mail to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the pit boundary in addition to any notice otherwise required by law.
For purposes of this section, mitigation measures of adverse impacts may include, but are not limited to, well modification, well relocation, compensation of well owners for increased pumping cost, or providing an alternative water supply. Such mitigation measures shall be paid for by the mining operator, with sufficient financial security to ensure completion of the measures.
Pumping of water from the wet pit in lieu of pumping of groundwater from a well shall not require predictive impact analysis in addition to analysis provided in the approved, site-specific CEQA document, unless the total annual water demand, as set forth in the CEQA document, is exceeded. This does not remove the requirement for monitoring and reporting activities described above.
(§ 1, Ord. 1190, eff. September 5, 1996; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1487, eff. April 6, 2017; as amended by Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
Surface water may be allowed to enter mined areas, through either perimeter berms or ditches and grading, when designed and engineered pursuant to an approved reclamation plan and where effective best management practices (BMPs) to trap sediment and prohibit contamination are included. Appropriate erosion control measures shall be incorporated into all surface water drainage systems. Stormwater drainage systems shall be designed to connect with natural drainages so as to prevent flooding on surrounding properties and County rights-of-way. Storm water runoff from mining areas shall be conveyed to lowered areas (detention basins) to provide detention of runoff generated during a twenty (20) year, one-hour storm event. All drainage conveyance channels or pipes (including spillways for detention areas) shall be designed to ensure positive drainage and minimize erosion. The drainage conveyance system and storm water detention areas shall be designed and maintained in accordance with Best Management Practices for the reduction of pollutants associated with runoff from mined areas. The design and maintenance procedures shall be documented in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan required for mining operations. The drainage system shall be inspected annually by a Registered Civil Engineer, Registered Geologist, or Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist to ensure that the drainage system is functioning effectively and that adverse erosion and sedimentation are not occurring. The annual inspection shall be documented in the Annual Mining and Reclamation Report. If the system is found to be functioning ineffectively, the operator shall promptly implement the recommendations of the engineer.
(§ 1, Ord. 1190, eff. September 5, 1996; as amended by Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
Unless superseded by newer more effective standards, the following measures shall be implemented in order to control fugitive dust:
(a) All stockpiled soils shall be enclosed, covered, or have sufficient moisture to control fugitive dust at all times. Inactive soil stockpiles should be vegetated or adequately watered to create an erosion-resistant outer crust.
(b) During operating hours, all disturbed soil and unpaved roads shall be adequately watered to keep soil moist.
(c) All disturbed but inactive portions of the site shall either be seeded or watered until vegetation is grown or shall be stabilized using methods such as chemical soil binders, jute netting, or other Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District approved methods.
(§ 1, Ord. 1190, eff. September 5, 1996; as amended by Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
All internal combustion engine driven equipment and vehicles shall be kept tuned according to the manufacturer's specifications and properly maintained to minimize the leakage of oils and fuel. No vehicles or equipment shall be left idling for a period of longer than is required by law, recommended by the Air District, or ten (10) minutes, whichever is shorter.
Fueling and maintenance activities of heavy equipment (except draglines and floating suction dredges) are prohibited within one hundred (100) feet of open bodies of water during mining and reclamation. All Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans shall include provisions for releases of fuels during fueling activities for draglines and floating suction dredges.
(§ 1, Ord. 1190, eff. September 5, 1996; as amended by Ord. 1518, eff. February 13, 2020)
Loading...