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<br />a. Identify and/or confirm the location of nearby groundwater wells (groundwater receptors) and <br />surface water receptors on and immediately surrounding the mining and gravel washing <br />operation and document their proximity to the washing operations on a map. <br />b. Install a water table monitoring well or wells at the site and generally between the washing <br />operation and the nearby groundwater receptor(s). Survey the monitoring well(s) for <br />horizontal and vertical control and identify their location on a site map. <br />c. Measure and record water elevations at the monitoring well(s) within approximately one week <br />of initiating pumping of water from the dug pit for washing, mid-way during washing and within <br />one week upon cessation of washing operations. <br />d. Conduct water quality testing of samples collected from monitoring well(s) for diesel range <br />organics (DRO), BETX, pH (field), temperature (field) and specific conductance (field) prior to <br />and at the cessation of washing operations on an annual basis. <br />e. In the event of a spill, washing operations should be terminated until such time that the extent <br />and potential impact of the spill can be determined through testing as determined necessary by <br />the City. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />Knife River has applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to expand the existing gravel mining boundary to <br />include an additional 3.7 acres located in the northwest corner of the subject property. The proposed <br />expansion area is outside of the designated mining district but is contiguous with the existing gravel pit <br />operations. A minor addition like this is acceptable under state regulations. <br /> <br />The subject property is surrounded by mining activities, a landfill, and one residential property. The proposed <br />expansion is intended to incorporate additional land into the existing mining operation without introducing <br />new operational components or materials. <br /> <br />Existing vegetation located outside the proposed mining boundary will remain undisturbed. Screening for the <br />expansion area will match the standards and requirements currently applied to the existing mining area. <br /> <br />No additional building materials or operational processes are proposed as part of this expansion. The request <br />is limited to the extension of the mining boundary to allow continued gravel extraction within the additional <br />3.7-acre area. <br /> <br /> Applicable Regulations <br />1. Will not endanger, injure or detrimentally affect the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate <br />vicinity or the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or general welfare of the neighborhood or the <br />city. <br />The proposed expansion will not endanger, injure, or detrimentally affect surrounding properties or the <br />public health, safety, comfort, or general welfare of the community. The site is located within an area <br />characterized primarily by industrial-scale mining and landfill operations, which minimizes potential land-use <br />conflicts. Existing screening requirements will be extended to the expansion area to maintain consistency with <br />current mitigation measures. <br />2. Will be consistent with the comprehensive plan. <br />The proposed expansion is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which recognizes ongoing aggregate <br />extraction activities in this area. The expansion represents a logical continuation of an established mining <br />operation rather than the introduction of a new or incompatible use. <br />Page 13 of 71