Brimhall Outlines Plans For Sand And Gravel Operation

By Naomi Hatch
   Arizona State Mine Inspector Joe Hart held a public hearing in Taylor March 5 regarding a sand and gravel operation planned by Brimhall Sand & Rock in the Harvest Valley area north of Paper Mill Road and west of Cottonwood Wash.
   The firm submitted plans to Hart’s office in December 2006 and is nearing completion of the approval process.
   Taylor officials said that the operation would require rezoning of the property, and many neighboring residents have indicated that they hope that the rezone won’t be granted.
   Those citizens have expressed concern regarding the proposed mining of what is known as Joe’s Pit. Kirk Brimhall explained that the pit is named after Joe Brimhall, who was one of the first residents in Harvest Valley.
   Hart explained that his purpose was to hold a hearing on reclamation plans and closing plans for Joe’s Pit. He explained the process, noting that the plans would go to a consultant, which is required when opening a new pit or expanding an existing pit. He said that it takes approximately six months to get the plans back from a consultant. Hart also noted that the State Mine Department is an instrument to oversee the pro-gram for mining, and that mining aggregate comes under mining.
   Hart advised those attending that there were cards available for interested citizens’ input and said, “If there are good, valid reasons put forth, I will pass them on to the consultant.”
   Kirk Brimhall made a presentation in which he explained the law for mining gravel, then discussed his reclamation plan. Brimhall said that new laws were scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2007, so they submitted their request just prior to that date.
   Brimhall said that the property involved is range land with grass and many cedar trees, and they will restore it as range land. He explained that they have fenced the east, south and west sides of the 82 acres, but not the north because that is where there is a 6’ to 8’ drop off.
   Brimhall said that they will only have screening in this area, and it will be located in the middle of the property on the south where they are close to power, because power will be needed for a well. They will be screening rock and gravel, but not dirt, figuring they will mine 65 of the 82 acres. The dirt is made up of clay, sandstone and red heavy dirt, which is not good material for roads, so they will save that, putting a sign that says “soil,” and then it will be spread to return the property back to range land.
   Brimhall explained that they have chosen to give themselves up to 20 years before closing the opera-tion, saying, “It could go fast, it could go slow; it depends on the market.” He noted that there will be no structures left on the property and they will follow erosion control stability by seeding the property, which they will monitor for two years to make sure it has been put back to range land.
   Brimhall said that at this time they have no intention of putting in an asphalt plant, but have chosen to reserve their rights just in case a very large project is awarded to them.
   He further explained that aggregate is becoming more difficult to find, and along the wash is a good place to find aggregate. He said that they furnish much of the aggregate for state roads, and that leaves little for local projects.
   “We feel its appropriate now to start taking aggregate,” said Brimhall.
   Several residents of a nearby subdivision were in attendance, and many spoke of items not referenced in the plan. Their concerns were with dust, noise and traffic. Many noted that they didn’t want the operation in their back yard. One resident said that they were there before the sand and gravel operation, though it was noted that there have been two other sand and gravel operations located near this proposed operation for many years.
   Taylor Town Manager Eric Duthie explained to the community that the town has not received an application for rezoning, and that process will require two public hearings at which citizens will have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
   David Hamblin brought up several issues that he had discussed at a previous Taylor Town Council meeting.
   Hart said he felt that some of the issues were valid, but noted that they were not the responsibility of the State Mining Department, but of the legislature.
   One citizen asked why Brimhall was not looking on Forest Service land, because leases can be obtained from the government, keeping the operation away from residences.
   Hart closed the meeting by advising the residents that he will take the comment cards and will review any comments made to see if they warrant another public hearing, though he did not anticipate scheduling one. Hart also told those attending that he would send the results to everyone who signed up on a list even though the State Mining Department is not required to inform residents.