Azusa Agrees to Process Vulcan’s Application for a Modified Conditional Use Permit and Amended Reclamation Plan
The City of Azusa has determined and notified the Vulcan Materials Co., owners and operators of Azusa Rock Quarry, that its application filing for a Modified Conditional Use Permit and revised reclamation plan to move its current mining operations to the west in an 80- acre area above Duarte hillside homes is now complete. Prior to now, Azusa city officials had deemed the application incomplete.
Duarte residents can find Vulcan’s complete submittal, all technical attachments and draft Environmental Impact Report on the official City of Azusa website by using the following link: http://www.ci.azusa.ca.us/index.asp?NID=943
In its executive summary, Vulcan contends they have ownership of 270 acres and currently operates on only 190 acres. The crux of their application is based on the following three points:
1. Modification of its operation to now extract mineral resources from the westerly 80 acres of the 270-acre property; and,
2. Preclude further mining on the easterly areas of the site, and,
3. Alter the reclamation and re-vegetation methodology by initiating an aesthetically and environmentally superior design across the entire property, with specific and immediate emphasis on existing east side benches.
The revised plan would substitute 80 acres on the east side, acres currently approved for mining, with 80 acres on the west side of the property. If the City of Azusa approves the revised plan, Vulcan states that it will immediately begin reclamation on the east side with completion within five to seven years as opposed to commencing reclamation in 2038. Reclamation will focus on contouring and micro benching at 12 to 24 inches apart as opposed to the 20 to 40-foot “Mayan step” benches under the current reclamation plan.
Last year the Duarte City Council established a $700,000 fund to monitor and counter anticipated expansion plans by Vulcan that would adversely impact Duarte residents. The “Fight Against Vulcan Expansion” fund (FAVE) will allow the City of Duarte to monitor the approximately two-year application process involving a Conditional Use Permit and Environmental Impact Report through whatever legal and environmental means necessary.
Vulcan Materials hosted two public information meetings in January within Azusa to discuss the plan and answer questions. To learn more about upcoming Vulcan meetings, residents are encouraged to visit the company’s website at www.azusarock.com. Currently no further meetings are scheduled.
For more information about the City of Duarte’s Fight Against Vulcan Expansion activities, call Duarte Deputy City Manager, Karen Herrera at (626) 357-7931, ext. 221.
