San Rafeal Rock Quarry in California has launched a reclamation project to restore around seven acres of lands at its site, according to a report by Marinij.com.
The four-year process will involve restoring a section of the quarry as part of a state requirement of the Dultra Group, which owns the business.
Berenice Davidson, civil engineer with the county’s department of public works, which is overseeing the initiative, says: “The work is identified in a specific reclamation plan. It will be phased over time and work will occur for 10 weeks each year.”
This project will involve moving up to 150,000 tonnes of material as part of the grading of around 300,000 square feet of the northeast quadrant of the quarry. It will then be followed with erosion and sediment control measures and the planting of new vegetation with work taking place between 7.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.
According to the report, Aimi Dutra Krause, Dutra spokeswoman, says in an email: “Dutra is pleased to finally begin the reclamation process and we fully intend to work collaboratively with our local leadership and neighborhood groups during this process to minimize any impacts.”
“Dutra remains responsive to the concerns of our community and has a website available for up to date information regarding our reclamation activities at (the quarry),” Krause adds.
The report says reclamation was scheduled to begin in 2014 but was pushed back when California red-legged frogs, which are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, were found on site. The work was delayed to initiate a plan to protect the species in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Sonama Technologies will monitor air quality during the project as well as dust and emissions on behalf of the public works department.
“The $250,000 contract for monitoring will cover the initial two years of the project. Based on the results of the monitoring, however, the contract may be extended. Dutra will reimburse the county for the cost”, the report adds.
The monitoring will be carried out with the intention of ensuring the work remains within state and federal standards. The work is estimated to be a quarter of a mile from Marin Bay Park which is a residential area above Point San Pedro Road.
