Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement No. 1600-2010-0251-R1, McKenzie Bar (Middle Fork Eel River) Gravel Extraction Project

The project is limited to three encroachments: 1) commercial gravel extraction from the Middle Fork of the Eel River at the site known as McKenzie Bar (CA MINE ID 91-23-0033); 2) installation of a temporary crossing at Cable Creek; 3) water drafting from the Middle Fork Eel for the purposes of dust abatement. On December 17, 2015, the County of Mendocino issued a Resolution granting approval of Conditional Use Permit and Reclamation Plan Renewal UR_2014-0001 GARMAN FAMILY LAND COMPANY LLC. Consistent with the parameters set forth in the County permit, and subject to annual approval from the gravel-extraction review agencies, the Permittee proposes harvest of replenishment-based extraction volumes a maximum of 10 years over the 20-year period ending in 2035. Gravel volumes shall not exceed 20,000 cubic yards of gravel, rock, and sand in any given year. Gravel extraction shall be limited to the period between July 15 and October 15 in any given year. Operations shall generally employ approved skimming methods that minimize impacts to bar or channel morphology. Accordingly, no gravel shall be extracted from the upper portion of the bar, upstream of Cable Creek, to protect gravel bar shape and function. Gravel extraction shall begin two feet above the pre-extraction cross-section water level and maintain a smooth 2% upward slope to the bank. Equipment shall not be operated within 10 feet of the water’s edge for wildlife and habitat protection. Total annual extraction volumes shall be replenishment-based and shall be determined on an annual basis based on channel morphology and gravel replenishment, subject to review and approval by Mendocino County and CDFW. No extraction shall occur in any given year unless sufficient replenishment is achieved. During operations, water may be drafted from the Middle Fork Eel River adjacent to the gravel bar for use as dust control only. Drafting will be limited to a maximum of 3,500 gallons/day and the maximum instantaneous diversion rate will not exceed 350 gallons per minute. Intake screens will meet CDFW/NMFS fish screen requirements. A temporary stream crossing may be necessary for access to the bar. The location, design, installation, and removal of crossings will be subject to review and approval by the gravel-extraction review agencies. Post-extraction reclamation activities will include removal of any remaining temporary gravel stockpiles, finished grading of the gravel bar utilizing native materials to fill in low areas and depressions, re-contouring of the gravel bar to meet agency-approved post extraction slopes and gravel bar configuration, removal of temporary crossings, installation of storm water control measures, and removal of all work materials and debris.