Neighbors near a rustic, mostly unknown park east of Fresno near the Kings River, say a gravel company’s proposal to change how it mines could dry up their wells and decimate an ancient oak grove in China Creek Park. Vulcan Materials Company wants to resume “dry” mining at its Sanger-area quarry nearly 20 years after the county approved its switch to “wet” mining, according to Fresno County Planning Department documents. The company wants to switch back to dry mining, Vulcan area manager Terry Marshall wrote in an email, because it can no longer reach the deeper permitted reserves by wet mining. So, it is seeking an amendment to its conditional use permit to dewater two pits to more easily access those reserves. Marshall confirmed that dewatering the pits would cause “a localized drop in the water level elevation.” 

Other water and mining news:

• Fresnoland (Calif.): Fresno CEMEX blast mine at high risk for breach due to flood? Here’s what experts say ahead Thursday’s key vote
• The Fresno Bee (Calif.): Will Fresno County allow 600-foot blast pit near San Joaquin River? Supervisors to decide
• Community Alliance (Fresno, Calif.): San Joaquin River protectors speak, want CEMEX to kick rocks