Gravel Mining

[catman70]

Anyone hear about the gravel mining permit issued for downstream of Warren Bridge? If so, you know where they're doing it?

I've seen folks taking gravel out of Caney Creek, but not out of the Bryant - at least not an any great amount.

[minnow]

Anyone hear about the gravel mining permit issued for downstream of Warren Bridge? If so, you know where they're doing it?

I've seen folks taking gravel out of Caney Creek, but not out of the Bryant - at least not an any great amount.

I've heard about the mining. A gravel company is asking for a ten year permit to mine gravel from the creek. They state they will be using pit mines along the side of the creek but will be able to cross creek with heavy equipment to obtain rock. Will muddy the water for miles. Will certainly change the fishing and floating conditions of the river. so far the permit has not been granted but the the process has been kept very quiet.

[catman70]

Do you know where along the river? I'd like to do what I can to help ensure our resources are used wisely. I understand the need for gravel, but would like to make sure there's oversight and limitations on what they can do.

Suggestions on who to contact?

[Kyle Kosovich]

Hello I saw the post yesterday on the gravel mining and had to do some reseach on it. I grew up on that river and do not want to see it get jacked up by a gravel minning opp. If any of you have been on that stream I'm sure you would agree. I found this out....

Apparently the applicant Spring Creek Materials, owned by Travis Morrison, wants to

build a few floodpain pits for gravel removal and remove gravel from one gravel bar. The biggest problem

is the way he has constructed floodplain pits in the past. He constructs the pits close enough to an

eroding bank on an outside bend that the erosion breaches the buffer between the pit and the channel during

a flood and gravel pours into the pit. This is a serious problem since the pit is deeper than the bottom

of the creek channel, gravel from the bottom of the creek erodes into the pit. This is known

as "headcutting" with the stream bed dropping for long distances upstream. When the bed erodes in this

manner the banks become less stable, and they tend to collapse and erode more. It's great for the operator

because the pit then has a fresh supply of gravel to mine. There is no minimum distance required between

the pit and the stream channel, so the DNR has been powerless to stop it at the other locations this

excavator mines. They recently renewed a permit on Spring Creek a little north of Twin Bridges where he

operated 2 pits this way for years.

This is what DNR has to say about it

The Land Reclamation Program appreciates your concerns with the permit

> expansion for a new sand and gravel mining site sought after by Spring

> Creek Materials in Ozark County. We encourage the public to take part

> in the application process of new gravel mining permits or sites.

>

> We have your comments of concern on file. The staff director of the

> Land Reclamation Program will take your comments into consideration when

> making the decision to grant or deny the permit expansion. The

> department’s Land Reclamation Program can not simply deny this permit

> application based on requests. The permit application is in compliance

> with the provisions of The Land Reclamation Act and an application that

> meets the standards of the Act must be recommended for approval.

>

> As stated in the public notice there is an option for you to request a

> public meeting or a formal hearing. If either of these requests is

> desired they must be submitted by the end of the public comment period

> which is Thursday March 27, 2008. These requests may be submitted by

> e-mail, facsimile or regular mail. If the company agrees to participate

> in a public meeting then a meeting will be scheduled.

>

> If a hearing is requested, you must provide evidence that the operation

> of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If

> no evidence can be provided the permit expansion will be approved. If

> you believe that you have credible evidence you may submit a request for

> a hearing. The hearing request would be presented to the Commission at

> one of their regularly scheduled meetings. The Land Reclamation

> Commission meets every two months in Jefferson City, Missouri. As the

> petitioner, the burden of proof would be on you to prove that operation

> of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If

> the evidence is conclusive that your health, safety or livelihood will

> be unduly impaired, the Commission may grant a hearing.

>

> If you wish to request a public meeting, formal hearing or have any

> other questions please feel free to contact me by phone at (573)

> 751-4041, by e-mail at chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov or by mail at

> MDNR/DEQ/LRP, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 56102-0176.

>

>

> Chris Thiltgen

> Environmental Specialist

> Missouri Department of Natural Resources

> Land Reclamation Program

> Telephone: (573) 751-4041

> Fax: (573) 751-0534

> chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov

>

I just recieved this so I am not sure if there is still time to save it. It looks like if there is time then we might be able to prove this If a hearing is requested, you must provide evidence that the operation

> of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood.

Not sure but worth a try?

Thank everyone pass it on.

Kyle

[Brian Wise]

Kyle,

I usually try to keep the Bryant as my "getaway" for fishing myself.

This HAS been VERY hush hush. Living within 15 minutes of where I have heard they are applying to put this mine and I only heard one thing several months back...and that is in a SMALL county--we all know those small city, small county deals everyone knows everything about everything.

I am going to be in touch with the local newspaper today. At least people need to know about it.

Brian

[catman70]

There appears to be some discrepancy on the length of the permit being applied for. First I heard it was 10 years, but found the following on GrassRootsOzark.net:

Application filed for a 42 year Bryant River gravel mining permit- comments needed by March 25!

An application was filed with Missouri DNR, requesting a permit for a gravel mining operation on Bryant Creek until the year 2050!

This is in-bed gravel mining, which has been proven to raise stream temperature and turbidity. comments are being accepted until March 25 (next week!) from anyone with a "direct, personal interest" in this situation.

I am not sure how the DNR will define "direct, personal interest". Of course Ozark waterways are of interest to everyone in the Ozarks who cares about clean water, tourism, and the environment we share.

I consider myself directly affected for many reasons, including my membership in the "freinds of the bryant river".

Anyone who might want to speak out about this subject might also want to become a "Friend of the Bryant River" this is a grassroots organization that requires no membership dues and will not send you any "junk mail". If you want to be a friend of the Bryant River, send an email to danieleastwind@hotmail.com and I will put you on the list.

HERE IS THE NOTICE FROM THE OZARK COUNTY TIMES THIS WEEK:

Spring Creek materials, Inc PO BOX 30 West Plains, MO 65775 has applied for a permit from the Dep. of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Commission, to mine sand and gravel on 10 acres of land located in Ozark County. Sections 16 & 21 Township 23 N. Range 12W in Bryant Creek (5 acres, flood plain pit 5 acres)

This operation will be conducted during the approximate dates of 1-31-2008 to 1-31-2050

Comments or requests for hearing and /or informal meeting may be made by any person with a direct, personal interest in one or more of the factors that the MO land Reclamation Comission may consider in issuing a permit.

Larry Coen, Program Director

Land Reclamation Program

Department of Natural Resources

P.O. Box 176

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Phone: 573-751-4041

Fax: 573-751-0534

E-mail: larry.coen@dnr.mo.gov

Mr. Coen,

As you are aware, Spring Creek materials, Inc PO BOX 30 West Plains, MO 65775 has applied for a permit from the Dep. of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Commission, to mine sand and gravel on 10 acres of land located in Ozark County. Sections 16 & 21 Township 23 N. Range 12W in Bryant Creek (5 acres, flood plain pit 5 acres)

This permit should not be granted. Bryant Creek has a high value for recreational uses, including canoeing and fishing. It is also an important source of clean water and a fisheries resource for Lake Norfork and surrounding communities. Any increased turbidity from gravel mining will harm all of these existing uses.

I have personally enjoyed the beauty, clean waters, and peaceful surroundings of this river on several occasions. Any mining activity near the river would have significant adverse impacts on the quality of the water and surrounding environment. Bryant Creek deserves increased protection as part of the Lake Norfork watershed. Gravel Mining should not be allowed on this river.

Sincerely,

Shawn Porter

This reply to my comment came from DNR

Dear Mr. Porter,

The Land Reclamation Program appreciates your concerns with the permit expansion for a new sand and gravel mining site sought after by Spring Creek Materials in Ozark County. We encourage the public to take part in the application process of new gravel mining permits or sites.

We have your comments of concern on file. The staff director of the Land Reclamation Program will take your comments into consideration when making the decision to grant or deny the permit expansion. The department’s Land Reclamation Program can not simply deny this permit application based on requests. The permit application is in compliance with the provisions of The Land Reclamation Act and an application that meets the standards of the Act must be recommended for approval.

As stated in the public notice there is an option for you to request a public meeting or a formal hearing. If either of these requests is desired they must be submitted by the end of the public comment period which is Thursday March 27, 2008. These requests may be submitted by e-mail, facsimile or regular mail. If the company agrees to participate in a public meeting then a meeting will be scheduled.

If a hearing is requested, you must provide evidence that the operation of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If no evidence can be provided the permit expansion will be approved. If you believe that you have credible evidence you may submit a request for a hearing. The hearing request would be presented to the Commission at one of their regularly scheduled meetings. The Land Reclamation Commission meets every two months in Jefferson City, Missouri. As the petitioner, the burden of proof would be on you to prove that operation of this site will unduly impair your health, safety or livelihood. If the evidence is conclusive that your health, safety or livelihood will be unduly impaired, the Commission may grant a hearing.

If you wish to request a public meeting, formal hearing or have any other questions please feel free to contact me by phone at (573) 751-4041, by e-mail at chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov or by mail at MDNR/DEQ/LRP, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri 56102-0176.

Chris Thiltgen

Environmental Specialist

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Land Reclamation Program

Telephone: (573) 751-4041

Fax: (573) 751-0534

chris.thiltgen@dnr.mo.gov

[Brian Wise]

I just got back from the Ozark County Times office. I have the legal notice in hand and yes, the operation could start as early as 1-31-08 and continue until 1-31-2050. The sec. twn. and range is equalling the water just downstream of Horshoe Bend.

It is never too late for letters and again the address is:

Land Reclamation Program

Department of Natural Resources

PO Box 176

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: 573-751-4041

Fax: 573-751-0534

E-mail: larry.coen@dnr.mo.gov

[bryantsmallie28]

Everyone has their own money making scheme on our creeks and rivers no matter the detrimental effects on them. From people mining gravel like that, people cutting all the trees along the banks just to get a few more blades of grass so their cows can eat and erode a bank, or the people who rent 5 million canoes to drunks throwing tons of beercans in the river. Just for a few more dollars in their pockets. Money...the downfall to everything good in life.

[Stream Friend]

I found this topic after attempting to learn more about the J & R Sand and Gravel company that is located on the hill west of Hwy 76 bridge over Bryant Creek. They have expanded the operation and are removing LARGE rocks, silt, and of course, gravel from Bryant Creek. With the flooding now, it is very apparent from Hwy 76 that they are RAPIDLY destroying what was a pristine creek. Drive by the place, and just west of the company with the big sign, you can see the destruction from the road. It should be a crime. They have a Facebook page, and had the nerve to ask people to pick up trash for Earth Day. What a joke. Please, please contact anyone that might care about this, and ask your contacts to do the same. I'm not sure if anything will help, but doing nothing certainly won't help. If you know of anything that we can do, please reply. I have contacted US Fish and Wildlife and DNR to check into it, but so far I only have promises to "look into it".

Thanks!

[Al Agnew]

I hope Phil won't think this is too political, but I have some first-hand knowledge of the forces that have caused this stuff to be a problem, having participated in a gravel mining work group a number of years ago that had the goal (not made) of coming up with sensible rules for gravel mining. There were state representatives there, gravel miners, DNR people, MDC people, a couple of representatives of environmental groups, private citizens like me, and representatives of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Even the gravel miners themselves weren't as radically against having ANY rules as the Republican state representatives and the Farm Bureau. Both took the tack that gravel mining is a GOOD thing for streams, and nobody had the right to tell a landowner he couldn't sell gravel to a mining company. The politicians had already insisted that the rules of the workgroup were such that the DNR and MDC people couldn't even speak about the science unless they were asked specific questions, they just had to sit there and keep their mouths shut as all this drivel about the benefits of gravel mining was being spewed. And the result of it was that the workgroup ended up being a joke, and no good rules ever came about.

So we have the situation we have now, where the politicians have made sure that the permitting process is a joke. As long as the i's are dotted and t's crossed on the permit, it has to be rubber stamped. No science allowed. No consideration of the harm to the resource considered. I suspect that the only way to stop this mining is if a group of downstream landowners can get together and attend the hearings and hire a real hydrologist to list the potential dangers to their riverbank land and property values if the mining isn't done in a very responsible manner. Just us poor river users aren't going to be enough; we wouldn't be able to prove concrete harm to us from a messed up Bryant Creek.