Agenda - 04-12-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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26 r zo 1) The amendments take along-range view (30+ years) of the community and its needs; the proposal is not anchored in short-term gains, but • the development of an economically viable and valuable primary resource (mining/exixactive use); . • is in a proximate location to the mazket to reduce traffic and pollution; and _ • most importantly, provides for the development of a secondary water resource for future generations at a relatively lower cost (as noted in EIS alternatives to water capacity). 2) The amendment does not sacrifice regional goals for localized benefits; • although other quarries may exist in adjacent counties, the use of a local resource is more responsible; • mining activities aze more efficient in one mining production facility versus multiple small quarry operations that could not use the better technologies because of the benefits derived from economies of scale; • the use of the completed quarry site as a water supply reservoir represents an adaptive reuse or recycling of the of land; and • the storage of water in a deep quarry pit is more efficient than the flooding of bottomland stream floodplains that would include mare acreage needs and condemnation of more land at an expense to the general public. 3) Sustainability goals should also be comprehensible, so policy makers can understand the issues and the causal forces in measurable terms. Water resources aze based on quantity (supply and demand) and quality. If demand projections are high because of the intent to promote conservation and complex nature of statistical projection then the proposed supply provided by the proposed quarry/reservoir ensures supply for a longer term and with more reserve insurance in the interim. 4) Sustainability also includes the concept of multiple or diverse benefits. The application is strongly supported by the additional benefits that accrue to the region through ample and/or excess storage volume. The Supplemental EIS dated March 1, 2000 addressed the benefits on pages 16 and 17: Added benefits include providing alternate water sources in the iregion, reduced drawdowns of Cane Creek and Jordan Lake, drought-proofmg, operational flexibility in emergencies, additional down-stream release, sustainable resource management, and optimizing available regional water resources. In summary, sustainability concepts are a good comprehensive measure of an amendment's positive or negative effect. The proposed amendment balances the interdependence of the economy (quarry operation), the environment (acreage needs are low since depth provides volume), and long- termpopulation water resource needs.