Gravel ordinance reconsidered, amended

MAT-SU— New Borough gravel mining rules contain the first reclamation requirements ever in Borough code for gravel extraction and provide a process for mining in the water table. Most industry representatives who testified support the new rules. The gravel extraction ordinance was reconsidered Tues. night, brought back to the table by Assembly Member Noel Woods who wanted to read a clean draft.

The Assembly made a handful of amendments involving reclamation and permitting. Among the notable: Assembly Member Ron Arvin added language that removes an exemption for a permit for small gravel extraction operations that dig near the water table.

The existing language reads "2,000 cubic yards or less annually on any one parcel does not require a … permit. The new language adds: Where a site is exempt under this subsection the exemption is revoked if operations proceed within four feet of the seasonal high water table.

Another amendment: the slope of the final grade was amended to allow for the angle of repose or the angle in which material is stable rather than the more conservative 50 percent slope. Assembly Member Steve Colligan said the final grade would have topsoil or overburden with plant growth on it and would not be loose gravel.

The new ordinance allows development to occur after a gravel operation ends in the place of reclamation. On this, Assembly Member Colligan removed the requirement for driveways and roads to be paved.

See the Dec. 7 news release from the first adoption of the ordinance at https://bitly.com/NewGravelRules

Assembly Member Warren Keogh said he would still like to add language on reclamation bonding.

For more information call Alex Strawn Borough Permitting Services Manager at 745-9854.