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Neighbors opposed to shale-mining plan By J.T. BUSHNELL Bob and Janet Kimmel want to mine 22 acres of their property for shale, but neighbors adamantly oppose it. The Kimmels have applied for a permit that would allow them to excavate an estimated 800,000 cubic yards of shale from their property on Shasta Avenue in Eagle Point. But at least 22 of their neighbors have written requests to the Jackson County Planning Department that the Kimmels' application be denied. Most complain the mining operation could cause dust, noise and traffic problems. Many fear it could destroy wells in the area. The two sides will argue their cases at a public hearing Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the Jackson County Offices Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale, Medford. Charles and Claudia Smith, who live about 1,000 feet from the proposed site, are among those who oppose the operation. "In your later years, you try to build up a place and sell it so you can travel or retire," said Charles Smith, 59. "This will seriously affect our property value." Bob Kimmel said he would take the proper measures to make sure dust and noise are minimized. "I know my neighbors have concerns, and I respect that," he said. "Some of their concerns are legitimate and some aren't. "And Jackson County is concerned about their concerns. There are several conditions I have to meet (to be allowed to mine)." Kimmel said he already has constructed berms - high rows of dirt - to the north and east of the property to reduce noise. He also said he is committed to treating the gravel road that trucks will use with a dust-abatement liquid. The Kimmels mined about four acres of the property in 1995 but voluntarily shut down the operation after failing to follow a site plan review. Kimmel said he intends to minimize problems not only to be a good neighbor, but also because he is required to. "If I am out of compliance, (the county) can withhold my permit to operate," he said. Gerald Clouse, who owns property adjacent the Kimmels', said his primary fear revolves around traffic. He said school buses and trucks from Dan Jones' shale pit, which is behind the Kimmels' property, use the Kimmels' gravel road. Its junction with Highway 62 is already dangerous, he said, and more trucks would aggravate the problem. "It will be a death trap," Clouse said. "Somebody will get killed." He also said the trucks from Jones' shale pit create a large quantity of dust. Smith said the dust the Kimmels generated with their previous operation dirtied his crops of hay and made them difficult to sell. Kimmel said he and Jones have been using dust abatement on the road and that dust has not been a problem. Both Clouse and Smith were concerned that the Kimmels would use blasting to excavate the shale. They believe blasting may collapse water veins and ruin nearby wells. But the staff report for the Kimmels' application states that because it would disrupt brooding at the Willamette Egg Farm to the north, the Kimmels have withdrawn the proposal to blast. Kimmel said future blasting is a possibility if excavators come across shale that can not be removed any other way. But he noted that it would be a last resort and would require another public hearing. The Kimmels will turn over the excavation to a private contractor. Kimmel said tractors will crumble the already fractured shale and remove it from the ground. The shale will take seven to eight years to mine. Reach reporter J.T. Bushnell at 776-4468. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.