16.06.220 Commercial mining of gravels.
The following provisions shall apply to the commercial mining of gravels within shorelines:
(1) Prior to the authorization of a commercial gravel mining operation, the project proponent shall provide maps to scale which illustrate the following:
(A) The extent to which gravel excavation and processing will affect or modify existing stream corridor features, including existing riparian vegetation;
(B) The location, extent and size in acreage of any pond, lake, or feature that will be created as a result of mining excavation;
(C) The description, location, and extent of any proposed subsequent use that would be different than existing uses.
(2) The operations and any subsequent use or uses shall not cause permanent impairment or loss of floodwater storage, wetland, or other stream corridor features. Mitigation shall provide for the feature's replacement at equal value.
(3) Any surface mining allowed within the floodway shall meet the standards of Chapter 11.19.
(4) Except where authorized by the city of Selah in consultation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Ecology, the following shall apply:
(A) The excavation zone for the removal of gravels shall be located a minimum of one hundred feet upland from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the stream channel.
(B) Equipment shall not be operated, stored, refueled, or provided maintenance within one hundred feet of the OHWM.
(C) Gravel washing, rock crushing, screening, or stockpiling of gravels shall not occur within one hundred feet of the OHWM.
(5) Mining proposals shall be consistent with the Washington Department of Natural Resources surface mine reclamation standards (Chapter 332-18 WAC, Chapter 78.44 RCW).
(6) Additional Shoreline Standards for Industrial Mining of Gravels. The requirements below shall apply to all mining activities within shoreline jurisdiction.
(A) Applicants shall submit a mining and reclamation plan to the administrator describing the proposed site, quantity of material to be removed, method of removal, and measures that will be taken to protect lakes and streams from siltation and sedimentation. A surface mining plan or a reclamation plan judged by the administrative official to be insufficient for protection or restoration of the shoreline environment shall cause denial of a substantial development permit.
(B) Mining processing activities and stockpiles shall be sited in such a manner so as to avoid damage or loss resulting from flooding.
(C) Mining processing activities shall utilize existing and/or new vegetation where necessary to minimize visual and noise impacts.
(D) New mining and associated activities shall assure that proposed subsequent use of the mined property is consistent with the provisions of the environment designation and that reclamation of disturbed shoreline areas provides appropriate ecological functions consistent with the setting. (Ord. 2123, § 1 (Att.), 2021.)