FAQs of Proposed Sand and Gravel Project

In collaboration with the Town of Prescott Valley, Fain Signature Group has worked diligently to answer many of the questions received from residents in regard to the proposed sand and gravel operation.

Water Usage

Will water be used in the operation of the proposed project? Yes.

What are those uses? Dust control and processing of material.

How much water will be required (measured in gallons or acre-feet or whatever gauge of measurement you would prefer and whatever temporal parameters you prefer – e.g., Daily/weekly/monthly/annually)? Water usage will remain at current operational levels. The subject site will not increase our water usage.

Where will the water used by the proposed project be sourced? Our current source in Lynx Creek. A new well will not be drilled at the proposed site or the existing site.

Will there be any on-site groundwater pumping to supply such water? No

Will there be off-site groundwater pumping to supply such water? No

Will there be any impact on the water supply for the surrounding housing developments? No

Are there any permits that will be needed for the water to be used for the proposed project? All permits are currently in effect, and if any additional permits are required in the future, they will be acquired at the appropriate time.

Blasting

Will the operation of the proposed project involve blasting? Yes

What will be the likely frequency of blasting events? Blasting will be completed as needed but has yet to be determined. Currently, we are anticipating blasting to occur 5 times/year. The actual blasting process takes less than 5 minutes. Demand will dictate whether that occurs more or less often.

When during the day will blasting events occur? Between 7am-7pm. This is not an all-day event. Blasting will occur and then the site will be evaluated for its effectiveness.

Have you determined the decibel level at various distances from the blast site? If so, what are those decibel levels? If not, do you plan to do so? A licensed blasting contractor will be utilized, and all regulations will be adhered to including monitoring.

Have you determined the seismic impact of a blasting event at various distances from the blast site? Do you plan to do so? Seismographs will be in place during blasting as required.

Have you consulted any experts concerning either the decibel levels or the seismic impact of blasting events? Yes, during the current operation blasting and licensed blasting contractor will be utilized and all regulations will be adhered to including monitoring for the new site.

Do you plan to consult with experts on these topics? Yes, as a part of current operations and a licensed blasting contractor will be utilized, and all regulations will be adhered to including monitoring.

Crystalline Silica Dust

Air quality monitoring is performed on a regular basis at our current location and will also be at the proposed site according to ADEQ regulations regarding the questions below. It is important to note that while levels of crystalline silica in the air, such as those workers may be exposed to, can have adverse health effects, there is no evidence that exposure to low levels of crystalline silica in the air such as those that residents may experience has any adverse health effects. Workers are continuously tested and monitored by air quality regulations to ensure employee safety.

What measures will you adopt for suppressing the crystalline silica particles from escaping into the ambient air? Dust control measures will be in place.

Have you consulted with any experts concerning the potential adverse impact of crystalline silica particles on the health of persons who reside at various distances from the proposed project? Air quality monitoring is performed regularly. Crystaline silica levels will also be monitored and kept within acceptable regulated limits.

Have you applied to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for an air quality permit? We are not at that stage of the process. A permit is applied for after zoning.

Other

Have you compiled information concerning the potential adverse impact of the proposed project on the value of the homes in surrounding neighborhoods and developments? Our current gravel operations which have been in existence for over 50 years is approximately 560’ from homes in Stoneridge, and there have been no adverse effects to the property values. The proposed site is approximately 8,000 feet from the nearest home in Stoneridge, approximately 6,200 feet from the nearest home in the Prescott Country Club, and approximately 3,000 feet from the nearest home in Blue Hills.

Will the operation cause traffic/trucks on Old Black Canyon Highway? Trucks will not drive down Old Black Canyon Highway. Equipment will only cross over Old Black Canyon Highway at one designated intersection.

Why was this site chosen? Working in collaboration with the town and county, it was a goal of the parties to find a source that was further away from the residents than the current source. Only sites in remote areas were tested. Material from various land sites in the landowner’s ownership was tested. This site met requirements for the material needed by AP&S and a location that is away from residents. Other sites did not meet qualifications during testing for the material requested to harvest.

Will I see or hear this operation from my home? The proposed site is approximately 8,000 ft from the nearest Stoneridge residents. The current site is much closer at approximately 560’ from the closest homes in Stoneridge. The proposed site is also located over an embankment from Stoneridge; therefore, the majority of residents will be unable to see/hear the operation.

Does this site pose the same public health & safety concerns as the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter? The borrow pit proposed is NOT a mining operation. It will be used as a pit from which hard rock is taken for use at another location for the excavation and crushing of rock only. This pit will not pose the health and safety dangers that the Humboldt Smelter and Iron King Mine present. The borrow pit will not use ANY chemicals and will only excavate and crush rock. Due the recent press on the Iron King Mine and the declaration of the former site as a Superfund Site, we wanted to clear up any confusion and draw a comparison between the Iron King Mine and the proposed Borrow Pit and Zoning Request for sand and gravel. Please see the chart below that describes the differences between the two operations: