Sanger residents outraged over gravel mine proposal
SANGER, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some people who live in Sanger are outraged because of a proposal to build another gravel mine in the area. About 40 people showed up at a public hearing to comment on an Environmental Impact Report about the plan to build the gravel mine.
Life on the Kings River is peaceful for Diane and Steve Findley who bought land near the river to retire. Now they're worried about how dramatically everything will change if a gravel mine is built near their dream home.
The Findleys are fighting Riverbend Sand and Gravel which is the company pushing to build the mine located on Goodfellow near the Kings River. On Wednesday angry neighbors shared concerns about an environmental impact report. Their top issues were potentially more traffic, more noise and worse air quality.
"Everyone will be impacted. There will be consequences for this community. Stand up and be proud of Sanger," said Findley.
"You got emissions from all the trucks too. Let's not forget that," said another neighbor.
The proposed mine is located several smiles away from the Carmelita Mine project. Herb Land says the addition of another mine will being more jobs here and fuel the local economy.
"It's top quality aggregate which is a great resource for the area," said Lang.
If approved construction could start as early as next year. Lang says his crews will work hard to protect the environment while digging.
"We are going to reclaim about 95 percent of our water used. Unlike other mines we won't have pits for slurry that people are accustomed to," added Lang.
Written public comments about the mine will be accepted for about another month.
River Bend Sand and Gravel Project:
MAIL WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Briza Sholars
Fresno County
Department of Public Works and Planning
Development Services Division
2220 Tulare Street, Sixth Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Direct questions or comments concerning this project to Briza Sholars - (559) 600-4207 or bsholars@co.fresno.ca.us
