The Syar Industries Inc. Mining Use Permit Application

The Syar Industries Inc. Mining Use Permit Application

Applicant, Syar Industries, Inc., proposes to commercially mine gravel in the Middle Reach of the Russian River near Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Proposed work includes the following: 1.) Conduct instream gravel mining, by dry gravel bar skimming, in Healdsburg adjacent to the Syar plant at Bars 2 and 3, as shown in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice Number 18104N dated 6 February 1998. 2.) Conduct instream gravel mining, by gravel bar skimming, in the Middle Reach on Bar 13 just upstream for No Name pit, as shown in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice Number 18104N dated 6 February 1998. 3.) Install one temporary crossing of the Russian River in the Healdsburg bendway adjacent to the Syar plant to gain access to Bar 2. 4.) Remove stands of giant reed, Arundo donax, from the banks of the Russian River in the area of Bars 2 and 3. Gravel will be transported on the main haul roads to the Syar processing plant in Healdsburg. Gravel from bar 13 will be transported on the main haul road which crosses the Russian River near the highway 101 bridge. Construction of the main haul is regulated under a separate Agreement. The Russian River supports populations of chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead trout, all listed as Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The project area serves primarily as a migration route for these species. During the summer months a small number of juvenile steelhead may rear in the project area. Other sensitive species, such as western pond turtles and Russian River tule perch, occur in nearby portions of the Russian River. All mining activities will be out of the flowing stream. There is no significant riparian vegetation in the mining area on bars 2, 3, or 13. Any riparian vegetation on the outer stream banks or along the edge of the summer low flow channel is outside the designated mining area. What vegetation does occur within the mining area is widely spaced small clumps of very young willows on a mostly barren gravel bar. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is executing a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement Number R3-2001-0230 pursuant to Section 1603 of the Fish and Game Code to the project operator, John Perry/Syar Industries, Inc..

Healdsburg

Sonoma