The 422-acre Olsen Canyon Project is on the east side of the I-15 and stretches from the Dos Lagos Golf Course on the north to the El Sobrante Landfill on the south. If approved, mining operations could begin in 2017.
Olsen Canyon Mine update …
(Published Oct. 12, 2017)
Since the November 2015 introduction of plans to put a new mine in Temescal Valley, many residents who spoke out against the project are asking, “What’s happening with the Olsen Canyon Mine?”
The mine would span 422 acres east of the I-15 between the Dos Lagos Golf Course and the El Sobrante Landfill in the hills above the Wildrose Business Park. The project currently is going through the county’s permit process.
Because of the environmentally-sensitive nature of the property, the mining permit application must first be reviewed under the county’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. According to Ken Baez, a county planner who deals with MSHCP issues, “This project is currently under review for the HANS process (Habitat Evaluation and Acquisition Negotiation Strategy), and finalizing the Criteria Refinement Review by the wildlife agencies.”
Baez said Olsen Canyon Properties, LLC, and its consultants are working on comments from the wildlife agencies, which should be completed this month. Once the HANS process and the Criteria Refinement Review is completed, the planning process for the application will move forward.
That next step will be overseen by planner John Hildebrand, who said the county will need to conduct the environmental review process and analyze any associated technical studies. This usually is a lengthy process.
Once completed, all documentation and the staff report with recommendations will be available for public review and comment. A Planning Commission public hearing will be scheduled and, ultimately, a public hearing before the county’s Board of Supervisors to either deny or approve the mining permit.
Residents say ‘No new mines in Temescal Valley’
(Published Nov. 15, 2015)
Residents and business owners at the November 20015 Municipal Advisory Council meeting cited dust, light and noise pollution, health issues, a gridlocked transportation infrastructure, and scenic and environmental concerns in speaking out against Olsen Canyon Project.
Read Press-Enterprise story HERE
APPLICATION FOR THE MINING PERMIT
Website: OlsenCanyon.com
What we know …
Olsen Canyon Property Background
- 1992 permitted for mining – Standard Concrete did not mine the property; permit expired
- Property purchased in 2006 by developer as a site for residential use
- Olsen Canyon Properties LLC bought out developer in 2110
- Olsen Canyon Properties LLC also owns Lakeshore Plaza office building at Dos Lagos
- Residential use of land not compatible with proximity to El Sobrante Landfill
- Core samples showed significant aggregate reserves
- Olsen Canyon Properties LLC filed application with county for mining permit Nov. 6, 2015
- If permit is approved, Olsen Canyon Properties LLC will either lease or sell the property to a mining company
- Olsen Canyon Properties LLC, due to agreements, cannot divulge mining operations that have shown interest
- If permit is approved, mining operations could begin in 2017
- Mining operations would be overseen by Riverside County, subject to state and national regulations
Brief Industry Background
- Construction aggregate cost an average of $10 a ton
- Construction aggregate is costly to transport
- Temescal Valley is high in aggregate resources
- Fifty percent of the aggregate mined in the Temescal Valley Production Area (an 810-square-mile area), is transported to Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
- State Mining and Geology Board identifies areas that contain high-quality aggregate resources to ensure supplies will meet future demands.
Olsen Canyon Project Area
- 422 gross acres
- 219 acres to be disturbed
- 203 onsite acres devoted to open space conservation
- 195 acres purchased in Lake Elsinore for additional open space conservation
- Quarry area approximately 135 acres on north end of property
- Primary crusher on two-acre parcel for placement on elevated conveyor belt
- Elevated conveyor belt slightly less than one mile in length
- Processing pad area 44 acres with slopes 22 acres, terraced on the east side and eight-foot berm on the west side
- Eight-foot berm in front of processing pad to mitigate view from Wildrose Business Park
- All landscaping will be native plants and trees
- Recycled water will be used to suppress dust and dirt from operations and blasting
- Water supplier not yet identified
Annual Production and Reserves
- 2 million tons per year
- Products being produced: aggregate, ready mix, hot mix asphalt, sand cement and asphalt oil, demolition recycleMining operations would take place over 70 years
- Mining operations would include blasting
- Mining to a depth of 400 feet
Transportation / Truck Route
- 301 loads each day; 602 roundtrips
- Truck weight 25 tons
- Trucks will travel along Dawson Canyon Road to Temescal Canyon Road to the Interstate 15 freeway
- Majority of truck traffic is to the north
- No road expansions planned
- Mining and rock crushing from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday
- 20 truck loads during peak traffic hours 6 to 8 p.m.
- 30 percent of truck traffic after 6:30 p.m.
Benefits
- Operation will result in over 145 jobs
- Average wage for the Industry is $70,000
- Sales tax revenue in the development phase of project is estimated to be $3.6 million, with about $1.1 million remaining in Riverside County
- After project reaches full capacity, annual sales tax on aggregate, concrete and asphalt will be $2.4 million, with almost $800,000 remaining in Riverside County
- With improvements to the property and increased value from entitlements, the annual property tax to Riverside County is estimated to be $750,000
I concur with the comments above. I have lived in Sycamore Creek for 11 years and I have to use air purifiers to minimize the dust. NO MORE MINING IN TEMESCAL VALLEY. I am sure that the developers of the new Terramor community that will have half of its homes facing this eyesore would litigate to prevent this from happening. Considering the fact that this new development is intended to be 2/3rds age restricted for active adults age 55+ it is likely to be an extreme health hazard to those who have any pulmonary conditions. I moved out here to get out of the smog….but the dust is just as unhealthy.
This must be stopped at all costs. These mines do not provide a significant source of income or jobs to the County. It will destroy property values and destroy both our environment and picturesque views. It’s time to stop the insanity of these politicians getting greased to approve such projects. One franchise car dealer would provide more in terms of sales tax per annum. Any Riveside Assembly Member voting yes on this should be investigated for kickbacks! By the way I’m a Republican for the environment and this must be stopped! The mine behind Sycamore Creek creates more dust than ever and they were just granted a significant extension to their permit!!