Edited by author 01-07-2004 03:13 PM
To start off the discussion, be sure to read two fact-filled documents on the 95436.com main page:

Last spring Sig Anderman made a forceful presentation against the expansion at a Town Meeting. Here's his text.

And just today Vesta Copestakes added a lengthy report with maps.

Stay tuned to when we put up the information about the Environmental Impact Reports which are pending. It's government, so don't hold your breath.

We'll also give you information on how to respond to the EIRs and when the subsequent hearings will be held.

One thing that's interesting is that I have had more people come up to me and verbally support the quarries than ever before. And not just people who have lived here for decades and are quite adjusted to their presence.

These are people who KNOW that gravel products are a part of rural life and have no interest in our area becoming paved over with asphalt and concrete. They know that septic systems are also rural and we won't be getting any major sewer systems to our cabins any time soon. And gravel driveways are more tree/watershed friendly than paved driveways. AND that the alternative to gravel land mines is river mining (way bad for the Russian River) and shipping gravel from distant places (way expensive and polutting with deisel emissions).

So when you hear loud voices complaining about gravel truck traffic, remember that it's not necessarily the majority of locals thinking that way.

 And take a look arond these days during the winter months. Where are the trucks now? This is a seasonal business afer all.

Yes, I support the gravel mines for all of the above reasons. I'm leaving my decision about the expansion plans until I see the EIRs and I recommend others do so as well. This is an issue we need to be educated about - not run on emotions.

The gravel quarries, as they now operate, let alone expanded, don't belong in a residential area. Started decades ago, with use permits of limited duration, covering limited land area, these quarries have 'had their run.'

The quarries now overwhelm our small town - with up to 700 gravel trucks a day (according to the quarries' count) rolling through town or down Mirabel Road. With noise of crushing, loading and back-up whistles starting at 7 in the morning, six days a week disturbing neighbors for miles, with unsightly equipment and rockpiles intruding on our Scenic Highway. And worst of all, with toxic diesel fumes from quarry trucks poisoning our air for everyone adult and child visiting, living, or working in Forestville.

While we need gravel for construction (the Forestville gravel is used mainly for road beds, as I understand it), most other populated areas in these parts(San Francisco, Marin County) have long since given up quarrying in residential neighborhoods, and turned to imports from less populated areas. That way everyone bears the real 'cost' associated with gravel production, not just the unlucky neighbors of the quarries burdened with the relentless traffic, the intrusive noise, the poisonous diesel fumes, and the unsightly operations.

Anectodes about people 'favoring the quarries' (do they also favor the traffic and the toxic fumes?) are very much at odds with the sentiments expressed at town meeting after town meeting when the topic is invariably raised. At the town meeting held specifically to discuss the quarries, after presentations by both the quarries, and full, open discussion, a show of hands showed four (4)people in favor of expansion and seventy-one (71) opposed. A written survey was distributed at the last town meeting. The results: two (2) in favor of expansion and everyone else opposed.

There are many other sources of road bed gravel - other than the Russian River. Most residential communities have turned to them already. Sooner or later, we will have to as well. Let's do it sooner, rather than later, before all the damage is done.

Edited by author 03-04-2004 08:42 PM
Hi all, just trying to find out more information about the proposed expansion. I've been following the conversations thru the paper and whatnot but no am trying to find out more specific facts such as propsed boundaries and possible expansion areas. As I currently live in the Hacendia area I am interested in the issue of noise from the quarries. I've lived in Forestville for 7 years now and am considering purchasing a house off of Martinelli Road. Thanks in advance for any information. Michael

Michael, I believe right now none of us have very much information about the impacts of the quarry expansions. All the factors are supposedly to be covered in an Environmental Impact Report out "real soon now." You can bet that when the EIR comes out it will be heavily scrutinized by lots of us in Forestville.

Hmm - wonder what happened to my earlier message?
For Michael and anyone else - the easiest way to learn about the quarries is to visit them. They are open to people coming by and taking a look around. Just give them a call so they know you're coming and can arrange for someone to give you a tour of their faciliites. They have maps and plans on the walls for anyone to look at.

Edited by author 02-01-2006 08:37 AM
Hi im doing a school project for school and I was wondering what happens to gravel quarries when the gravel has been extracted? Please help!

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Hi All,
 
Just new not sure where to post. Having a look around.
Nice too see all the good stuff. I'll be back for more soon.
 
 
Regards,
 
Aaron