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JenniferT.HenningFrom:DavidHalinen<DavidHalinen@halinenlaw.com>Sent:Wednesday,April16,201412:16PMTo:JenniferT.HenningCc:BMerlinogmccinc.com;JBlais©gmccinc.com;ChipVincent;VanessaDolbeeSubject:Compliancewith“additionalcondition3”oftheKingCountyHearingExaminer’sSeptember3,1999ReportandDecisiononanappealofaKCDDESPeriodicReviewReportandDecisionre:BlackRiverQuarry(KingCountyFileNo.L89G3180)Attachments:HalinenLTFredWhitereKCGradingPermit,SuppSitePlanandReports(3-22-2000).pdf;BRQSuppSitePlanforptnlyingEofEmpireEstates’WBoundary(3-22-2000).pdf;SublerraBlasting&AirQualityEvaluation(3-20-2014).pdf;JGLAcousticsNoiseAnalysis&MonitoringProposal(3-22-2000).pdf;BCEAnalysisofVisualImpacts(McCrory,3-22-2000).pdfCityofRentonCEDAttn:JenniferHenning,PlanningDirectorDearJennifer:DuringtheMarch10,2014meetingthatJimBlais,BradMerlino,andIhadatyourofficewithyou,ChipVincent.andVanessaDolbee,youshowedusacopyoftheKingCountyHearingExaminer’sSeptember3,1999ReportandDecisionconcerninganappealbyPreferredfinancialCorporationofaKingCountyDDESPeriodicReviewReportandDecisionconcerningtheStonewayBlackRiverQuarry(PDFattached).Youpointedouttous“additionalcondition3”onpage16oftheHearingExaminer’sDecision,aconditionthatstates:3.Priortogradingpermitrenewal,thePermitteeshallsubmitasupplementalsiteplanfortheportionofthesitelyingeastofthewesternboundaryoftheEmpireEstatesparcel,showingexistingcontoursandproposedalterationsandusesforthefive-yearperiodbeginningJanuary1,2000.Theplanshalldescribeallproposedsiteactivitiesandusesforthisportionoftheproperty.Basedonthesiteplan,thePermitteeshallsubmitatechnicalreportanalyzingthefullrangeofoffsiteimpactsattributabletoitsoperationsduringthefive-yearstudyperiod,including,butnotlimitedto,visual,noise,blastingandairqualityimpacts.Foreachimpactanalyzed,thetechnicalreportshalldocumentthelevelofcomplianceofsiteoperationswithapplicableregulatorystandardsanddiscussstrategiesforfurtherimpactmitigation.Inperformingitsgradingpermitrenewalreview,DDESshallconsiderthematerialsubmittedwithinthecontextofexistingenvironmentaldocumentsand,basedonananalysisofthesufficiencyofinformationprovided,determinewhetherasupplementalenvironmentalchecklistandthresholddeterminationarerequired.(Emphasisadded.)Aftershowing“additionalcondition3”tous,youaskedmeifIhadacopyofthe“supplementalsiteplan”calledforbycondition3.ItoldyouIwouldcheckonitandgetyouacopyofitifIhadone.Iapologizeforthedelayingettingittoyou.Ihavefoundthatplanand,yesterdayafternoon,IhadmylegalassistantgetitscaimedsoIcouldemailittoyou.PleasefindattachedaPDFofthesupplementalsiteplandatedMarch22,2000preparedbyBarghausenConsultingEngineers.NotethatonMarch22,2000(thedaythesupplementalsiteplanwascompleted),IpersonallymetwithMr.FredWhite,aSiteDevelopmentSpecialistoftheKingCountyDDESLandUseServicesDivision.inregardtoboth(1)renewaloftheKingCountyGrading/ClearingPermitand(2)submittalofmaterialsinfulfillmentofabove-quoted“additionalcondition3”oftheCountyHearingExaminer’sReportandDecision.Atthatmeeting,inadditiontosubmittingtoMr.White(a)acoverletterfrommeaddressedtotheKingCounty1 DDESLandUseServicesDivision(Attn:FredWhite)datedMarch22,2000(seethefirstattachedPDF),(b)aStonewaycheckforagradingpermitrenewalfee,and(c)aKingCountyGrading/ClearingPermitformsignedonStoneway’sbehalf,infulfillmentofabove-quoted“additionalcondition3”oftheCountyHearingExaminer’sReportandDecisionIsubmittedtohimonStoneway’sbehalf:(1)FourcopiesoftheSupplementalSitePlanand(2)Threesetseachofthethreeconsultantreportsasexplainedinparagraph2ofthelistatthetopofpage2ofmyMarch22,2000lettertoMr.White.TheMarch22,2000submittaltoDDESoftheconsultantsreportswasinresponsetotheportionofCondition3oftheHearingExaminer’sDecisioncallingfora“technicalreportanalyzingoffsiteimpacts.”(SeethelastthreeoftheattachedPDFsforacopyofeachofthosethreereports.)FollowingthatMarch22,2000submittaltoDDES,tomyknowledge,DDESneverrequestedorrequiredasupplementalenvironmentalchecklistandthresholddeterminationfortheStonewayBlackRiverQuarry.Sincerely,DaveHalinenDavidHalinen,P.E.AttorneyatLawSeattle206.443.4684Tacoma253.627.6680david(ihaIinenlaw.comHALINENLAWhalinenlaw.comCONFIDENTIALITYNOTICETheinformationcontainedinthisemail,alongwithanyattachmentshereto,maycontainprivilegedandconfidentialmaterialandisintendedonlyfortheuseoftheindividual(s)orentitytowhichitisaddressed.Ifyouorenottheintendedrecipient,youareherebynotifiedthatanydissemination,distribution,copyingorforwardingofthecommunicationisstrictlyprohibited.Ifyouhavereceivedthecommunicationinerror,pleaseimmediatelynotifythesenderbyreturnemail,orbycalling(206)443-4684(Seattle)or(253)627-6680(Tacoma),anddeletetheoriginalmessageandanyattachmentstoitfromanycomputer.Thankyou.HALlNENLAWOFFICES,P.S.d/b/aHALINENLAW•1019RegentsBlvdSte202FircrestWA98466-6037FAX:(253)272-9876From:JenniferT.Henning[mailto:JhenningRentonwa.gov]Sent:Thursday,April10,20142:44PMTo:DavidHalinenCc:VanessaDolbee;ChipVincentSubject:CompliancewithPeriodicReviewDecision(KingCountyFileNo.L89G3180)HelloDavid,WhenwelastmetonMarch12thourunderstandingwasthatyouwouldbeprovidingdocumentationdemonstratingBlackRiverQuarry’scompliancewiththeKingCountyDDESPeriodicReviewDecision(datedSeptember3,1999).Couldyouprovidethatinformationtous,orgiveusanestimateofwhenyouwillbeprovidingtheinformation?JenniferHenning,A1CPPlanningDirectorCityofRentonPlanningDivision1055SouthGradyWayRenton,WA98057425.430.72862 I-i3 1-JALINENLAWOFFICES,P.S.AProfessionalServiceCorporation.DavidL.1-lalinen,P.E.McCarverSquareThcoma(253)627-66602115N.30thStreet,Suite203Seattle(206)443-4634Tacoma,Washington98403Fax(253)272-9876March22,2000,%HANDDELIVEREDKingCountyLandUseServicesDivisionISDepartmentofDevelopmentandEnvironmentalServices900OakesdaleAvenueSWRenton,Washington98055-1219Attn:FredWhite,SiteDevelopmentSpecialist,SiteDevelopmentServicesSectionRE:BlackRiverQuarry--GradingPermitNo.3180-655(DDESProjectNo.L89G3I$0)RenewalActivity#LOOGI023PermitHolder:StonewayRock&RecyclingGradingInspectionRenewalSubmittalDearMr.White:InresponsetoyourMarch14,2000letter(copyenclosed),Iamwritingonbehalfofmyclient,StonewayRock&Recycling(“Stoneway”),tosubmitthetwoitemscalled-forbyyourletterwithrespecttotheaboyc-referencedmatter:(1)aStonewaycheckpayabletotheorderofKingCountyOfficeofFinanceinthesumof$918.50forpaymentoffeesand(2)asignedGradinglClearingPermitform.NotethatthesecondcertificationatthebottomoftheGrading/ClearingPermitformhasnotbeensignedyetbyDonaldJ.MerlinoonbehalfofQuarryIndustrialPark,LLCbecausetheconditionsofapprovalhavenotyetbeenissued(andhethusisnotyetinapositiontocertitythathehasreadthem).PleaseforwardtheproposedconditionsofapprovaltomeandIwillaskhimtoreviewthem.Inaddition,pursuanttotheKingCounty1-learingExaminer’sSeptember3,2000ReportandDecisionontheAppealoftheDDESPeriodicReviewDecisionfortheBlackRiverQuarry(the“Examiner’sDecision”),Iamherewithsubmittingthefollowing:(1)four(4)setsofaSupplementalSitePlanpreparedbyBarghausenConsultingEngineers,Inc.ascalled-forbyCondition3oftheExaminer’sDecisioncopy KingCountyLandUseServicesDivisionFrcdWhite,SiteDevelopmentSpecialist,SiteDevelopmentServicesSectionMarch22,2000Page2(whichplanincorporatesawateringplanfortherevegetatedarealyingadjacenttothenorthernsiteboundaryinaccordancewithSubsectionAofCondition2oftheExaminer’sDecision);and(2)Three(3)setsofreportsfrom(a)SubTerra,Inc.(regardingblastingandairqualityimpacts),(b)JGLAcoustics(regardingnoiseimpactsaswellasregardingaproposedsitenoisemonitoringplanpursuanttoSubsectionBofCondition2oftheExaminer’sDecision)and(c)BarghausenConsultingEngineers,Inc.(regardingvisualimpacts),suchreportsbeingsubmittedinresponsetotheportionofCondition3oftheExaminer’sDecisioncallingforatechnicalreportanalyzingolTsiteimpacts.PleasenotethattheproposedfinishedcontoursshownontheSupplementalSitePlanarenowsubstantiallyhigher(generally30to60feethigher)thanthosedepictedonthepreviously-approvedGrading/TemporaryErosion-SedimentationControlPlanforthesite,whichwaspreparedbyBarghausenEngineersduringOctober,1991.TheproposedfinishedcontoursshownontheSupplementalSitePlanaremyclient’sproposedultimatecontoursforthequarryingoperationonthedepictedportionoItheBlackRiverQuanysiteandareintendedtoconfigurethatportionofthesiteintotwogentlyslopingareasinpreparationforredevelopment.Thegradingoftheeasterlyofthosetwoareas(mostofwhichwillhavefinishedgradesrangingfromabout85to110feet)isanticipatedtobecompletedwithinaboutonemonth.Thegradingofthewesterlyofthosetwoareas(mostofwhichwillhavefinishedgradesrangingfromabout130to142feet)isanticipatedtobecompletedwithinthenextonetotwoyears.Inviewof(a)thefactthaiStoneway’sproposedremainingquarrying,clearing,grubbing,sitegradinganddrainagecontrolactivities(seeItemAof“ProposedSiteActivitiesandUses”ontheSupplementalSitePlan)arenowbeingdoneinpreparationforsiteredevelopmentand(b)therelativelyshorttimeperiodfordoingsoasexplainedabove,StonewaycontendsthattheportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrysitedepictedontheSupplementalSitePlanisa“temporaryconstructionsite”forpurposesofthesoundexemptionsetforthinKCCl2.94.020B.l’andthatsoundscreatedby‘SubsectionB.IofKCC12.94.020(Soundsexemptduringdaytimehours)states:B.ThecountycouncilintendstoamendtheordinancecodifiedinChapters12.86through12.100byenactingspecificregulationsforthefollowingsounds,eachofwhichshallbeexemptfromtheProvisionsoftheordinancecodifiedinChapters12.86through12.100betweenthehoursofsevenam,andtenp.m.onweekdaysandbetweenthehoursofnineam,andtenp.m.onweekends,untilaspecificamendmentapplyingtothatsoundhasbeenadopted:Soundscreatedbyconstructionequipment,includingspecialconstrnctioiivehicles,andemanatingfromtemporaryconstructionsites,ifthereceivingproperty KingCountyLandUseServicesDivisionFredWhite,SiteDevelopmentSpecialist,SiteDevelopmentServicesSectionMarch22,2000Page3constructionequipment,includingspecialconstructionvehicles2,inconjunctionwiththeproposedremainingquarrying,clearing,grubbing,sitegradinganddrainagecontrolactivitiesaretherebyexemptfromtheprovisionsofKCCChapters12.86through12.100betweenthehoursofsevena.m.andtenp.m.onweekdaysandbetweenthehoursofnineam.andtenp.m.onweekends.PleasenotethatIhavehadJGLAcousticsprepareditsreportbaseduponthatpredicate.Pleaseissuetheinspectionrenewalassoonaspossible.Shouldyouneedanyfurtherinformationormaterialsregardingthismatter,pleasecontactme.Thankyouforyouranticipatedattentiontothismatter.Sincerely,HALINENLAWOFFICES,P.S.Enclosurescc:StonewayRock&Recycling(withcopiesofenclosures)Attn:Donald].Merlino,ManagingOfficerAttn:DickI-larrington,QuarryManagerislocatedinaruralorresidentialdistrictofKingCounty;(Emphasisadded.)2KCC12.87.320(Specialconstructionvehicle)states:‘Specialconstructionveliiclcmeansanyvehiclewhichistlcsignedandusedptiinanlyforgrading,paving,carthmoving,andotherconstructionwork;whichisnotdesignedorusedprimarilyforthetransportationOCl)CrSOflSOrproJ)etyOflaptiblichighway;andwhichisonlyincidentallyoperatedormovedoverthehighway.(Emphasisadded.)I)\(R?O,IOOI\K(cni,t\WhiI,III TAwnyBO ALA%AyA ATyT cc ATATTrIN nATTy WyfliTBy nun t y’ATp&cc yAw naTty MT ywc%yw AwyBy-cAT,TTT AS ant.MaNn ynnictyc N NASy Synstyncy &TLSTTN TTySAy ANy SyTSAM. ccycc wwnyTTSy cc PT fly ASjnaAyyyAwn MSAArTAcc wy!ScAn rwnMya.So Pyy UT -—,_ JtL°ctc -Scott cc TREE WATER END EROATDNLEQeC/SCI-ED1JLE AT TASTy-AT A:cAtTy Tnt—tn n-u put: a UTNTIS S-co OTN PAt S c.-TyLttn.NcocuccPPn.cu N A*AS.PJTKS&AATANOPAUAYTAMTAAAyATUTA—53 ByNnycA ‘$5 NySy AJTyT By pFS -ByT ——nASAl q4n Sty Act PT SAP ‘fiB SEC11ON A-A SEC]10N C SUPPLEMENTAL SITE PLAN SEC1]ON C 1- USA/A. -AT-- E1L /‘\/-/ SEC11DN B-B 1 n RUVETannIn ‘:y,My — “.PT4k -AAATSSAUTNTSSA:- AS ---- -cc, - LEGEND ‘AS Sy!TL)Tcyct BLACKRIVERQUARRYRENTON,WASHINGTONRECEIVEDMAP22MliBLASTINGANDAIRQUALITYEVALUATIONPreparedBySublerra,Inc.8112304thAvenueSEPreston,WA98050ProjectNumber98-09March20,2000SubTerra,Inc. SubTerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityEvaluationTableofContentsSectionDescriptionPageNo.No.IINTRODUCTIONI1.1FocusandScopeofStudy11.2Approach12QUARRYOPERATIONSandREGULATORYCRITERIAGOVERNINGBLASTOPERATIONSI2.1ApplicableRegulationsandRegulatingAgenciesI2.2QuarryOperations32.3ControlofGroundVibrations32.4BlastMonitoringandBlastingRecords43POTENTIALIMPACTSFROMQUARRYBLASTING43.1EvaluationofImpactsofBlastingonStructures43.2EvaluationofPotentialforFlyrockImpacts53.3NoiseImpactsandEffectsofBlastingonHumans54AIRQUALITYIMPACTS65FINDINGSANDCONCLUSIONS66REFERENCES7 Sublerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityEvaluationListofFiguresFigureDescriptionPageNo.No.15-YearQuarrySiteDevelopmentPlan2USBMRI8507“SafeLimit”Criteria3PeakParticleVelocityvs.ScaledDistance(WesternWashingtonQuarryData)4PeakParticleVelocityvs.ScaledDistance(BlackRiverQuarryData)5SoundOverpressureConversionListofTablesPlateDescriptionPageNo.No.IScaledDistanceCriteriaforBlasting2NationalStandardforAirBlastLimits3SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarry4ComparisonofStrainLevelsInducedbyHouseholdActivitiesandBlasting1 SubTerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityImpactEvaluationIINTRODUCTIONThisreportdocumentsanevaluationofblastingandairqualityimpactsforaportionofStonewayRockandRecycling’sBlackRiverQuarrynearRenton,Washington.TheBlackRiverQuarryisanactiverockquarrythathasbeeninoperationforabout50yearsandhasrecentlyundergoneaKCDDESperiodicreviewpursuanttoKCC21A.22.1.1FocusandScopeofStudyConditionofApproval3oftheSeptember3,1999KingCountyHearingExaminer’sReportandDecisiononAppealofPeriodicReviewDecisionrequiresanalysisofoffsiteimpactsattributabletoStoneway’soperationsanticipatedwithintheportionofthesitelyingeastofthewesternboundaryoftheadjacentEmpireEstatesparcelduringa5yearstudyperiod.Thoseoperationsaresetforthona“SupplementalSitePlan”preparedbyBarghausenConsultingEngineers,Inc.thatcoversthatportionofthesite(seeaccompanyingDrawingdatedMarch20,2000).ThisreportdealswithBlastingandAirQualityimpactsstemmingfromthatportionofthesite.TheremainingtasksconcerningCondition3arebeingundertakenbyothers.1.2ApproachOurapproachtoevaluatingthepotentialforblastingimpactsattheBlackRiverQuarrysitehasinvolved:adetailedreviewoftheregulatorybasisforblasting,areviewofpastblastingpracticeatthesiteincludingtheperformanceofeachblastwithrespecttooff-siteimpacts;andanevaluationofpotentialfutureoff-siteblastingimpacts.AirqualityissueshavebeenaddressedforthoseoperationsthatwillbeconductedwithintheSupplementalSitePlanarea.2QUARRYOPERATIONSandREGULATORYCRITERIAGOVERNINGBLASTOPERATIONSAnunderstandingoftheplannedblastingoperationsattheBlackRiverQuarryandtheregulationsthatgovernblastingpracticesintheStateofWashingtonisimportantbackgroundtounderstandingthenatureandextentofblast-relatedimpacts.2.1ApplicableRegulationsandRegulatingAgenciesTherearecurrentlynodirectlyapplicableStateorFederalregulatoryrequirementsaddressingairblastorblastvibrationsemanatingfromrockquarries.However,theStateofWashingtonDepartmentofLaborandIndustries(WADL&l)iscurrentlyworkingonamodificationtotheStateofWashingtonexplosivescodetoincorporatecriteriadevelopedfromregulationspromulgatedbytheFederalOfficeofSurfaceMinesReclamationandEnforcement(OSMRE).AlthoughthoseFederalregulationsapplyonlyI SubTerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysistosurfacecoalmines,thecriteriaforcontrollinggroundvibrationisoftenusedtoguideblastingactivitiesatothertypesofsurfacemines.ExpandedOSMREblastvibrationcriteriahavebeenadoptedbytheInstituteofManufacturer’sofExplosives(IME)andformthebasisforproposedamendmentstotheWashingtonAdministrativeCode(WAC)atWAC-296-52.TheproposedBlastVibrationStandardsprovide2possibleapproachesfordemonstratingthecomplianceofablastingprogramwithrespecttostructuraldamage.Method1:Requiresthatshotsbedesignedusingthescaleddistanceformula;W=(D/SD)2WhereWsafeweightofexplosivesperdelay(lbs)D=distanceoftheblasttoadwellingorstructure(ft)SD=scaleddistancefactordefinedas;Table1:ScaledDistanceCriteriaforBlastingDistanceofStructurefromBlastScaledDistancetobeusedSite(ft)WithoutSeismicMonitoring0-30050301-5,000555001beyond65Method2:Allowsparticlevelocitylimitstovarywithfrequency(seeFigure1).Themethodrequiresbothfrequencyandpeakparticleanalysisofeachblast.BlastsareinitiallydesignedusingMethodIandmonitored.Monitoringdataarethenused,inconjunctionwithscaleddistance,togenerateagraphicalrelationshipbetweenPPVandscaleddistance.ThegeneralizedrelationshipbetweenPPVandscaleddistanceisdefinedasfollows:PPV=KX(SD)b=Kx(DHW)b(1)Where,bandKareconstants.ThisrelationshipisplottedinFigure2usingvaluesofbandKforquarryblastsinigneousrocksinthePugetSoundarea.Fordesignpurposes,thechartindicatesthatascaleddistanceof50wouldresultinaPPVof0.4in/secunderaverageconditions(0.8in/secat90%confidencelimits).2 Sublerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMatch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysisCriteriahavealsobeendevelopedbythelnstituteofManufacturersofExplosivesforpermissibleairblastorsoundoverpressure.TheIME’srecommendedlimitsareprovidedinTable2.Table2:NationalStandardforAirBlastLimitsLowerFrequencyofMeasuringSystem(Hz)MeasurementLevel(decibels)0.1HzorLower...FlatResponse134peak(dBL)2HzorLower...FlatResponse133peakfURL)6HzorLower...FlatResponse129peak(UBL)C-Weighted...slowresponse105peak(UBC)TheapparentlyhigherproposedstandardforL”weighteddataisduetothefactthatthelinearmicrophonetypicallyusedinblastmonitoringstudiesrecordstheverylowfrequenciesthatareanimportantcomponentoftheblastwave.Conversely,“C”and“A”weightedmicrophonesdonotincorporatethelowfrequencydataandthereforereportalowerintensity(indecibels)fortheairblast.ThereisnosimplewayofcalculatingthçdifferencebetweencIBAordBCandUBL;however,differencesaretypicallyintherangeof10to25decibels.2.2QuarryOperationsTheBlackRiverQuarry,originallyopenedin1949,hasbeenoperatingunderaKingCountygradingpermitsince1971.Onsiteactivitiesincludedrillingandblastingbenchesfrom30to60-fthighandcrushingandsizingthefinalproduct.Blastholespacingandburdenvarywiththequalityofrocktobeminedbutaretypicallyintherangeoffrom6to10feet.Holesaretypicallydrilled3to5feetbelowtherequiredbenchfloor.Eachholeisloadedwithexplosiveandstemmedwithdrillcuttings.Aminimumstemminglengthof6feetistypicallyemployed.DryholesaretypicallyloadedwithANFO(AmmoniumNitrateandFuelOil)whilewetholesareloadedwithslurryexplosives.Eachholeistypicallybottom-pnmed;however,doublepriminganddeckedchargesaresometimesused.Holesarefiredusingamilliseconddelaysequencewiththemaximumweightofexplosivesperholedeterminedusingscaleddistancecriteria.Roundsarefiredatatimepre-arrangedthroughthepermitprocess.Awindowbetween12:00pm(noon)and3:00pmiscurrentlyutilizedandlocalresidentsarenotifiedofpendingblastsbymail,fax,ortelephone.Pre-shotwarningsirensaresoundedon-sitepriortoeachblast.2.3ControlofGroundVibrations3 SubTerra,Inc.BlackRivetQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysisPeakparticlevelocityiscontrolledinthevicinityofnearbystructuresusingthe,scaleddistancedescribedinMethod1above.Inaddition,eachblastismonitoredusingcommercialseismographsincompliancewithMethod2.2.4BlastMonitoringandBlastingRecordsSinceearly1998,eachblastatthequarryhasbeenmonitoredbySubTerra,Inc.usingtwoormorecommercialseismographstodeterminepeakparticlevelocity,acceleration,anddisplacement,peakairoverpressure,andairandgroundvibrationfrequencies.RecordsofeachblastaremaintainedbySubTerra,Inc.andprovidedtoKingCountyandtoEmpireEstatesattorneyBrianLawleronamonthlybasis.Recordsinclude:layoutofblastholes,locationsofblastsrelativetopropertyboundaries,amountsandtypesofexplosivesused,locationsofblastmonitoring,weatherdata,andgeneralnotesonblastperformance.Table3containssummaryrecordsforblastsbetweenApril,1998andtheendofFebruary,2000.Thepeakparticlevelocitydataarealsoplotted,usingthelog/logformat,inFigure3.Thefollowingsummarydatahavebeenextrapolatedfromthetable:•Withoneexception(May29,1998),thepeakparticlevelocityhasbeenmaintainedbelow0.9in/secwithanaverageof0.4in/sec(thehighestmonitoredvalueis1.3in/sec).•Airblastvalueshaverangedfrom100dBL(triggerlimit)to125UBLwithanaverageof116dEL.3POTENTIALIMPACTSFROMQUARRYBLASTINGPotentialimpactsfromquarryblastingcanbebrokendownintothree(3)maincategories:1.EffectofBlastingonStructures2.FlyrockHazards3.NoiseImpactsandEffectsofBlastingonHumansSuchpotentialimpactsarediscussedbelow.3.1EvaluationofImpactsofBlastingonStructuresAsillustratedintheattachedSupplementalSitePlan,theEmpireEstatesApartmentsarethecloseststructurestothequarrypropertyboundary.BuildingCisthecloseststructureandislocatedapproximately60-ftnorthoftheQuarry’snorthernpropertyline.Currentpracticehaslimitedscaleddistanceatthepropertyboundaryto50andattheapartmentcomplexto60withacceptableresults.However,wheneverpossible,werecommendthatthescaleddistancebasedontheapartmentlocationbesetat70.onaverage,thisshouldmaintainpeakparticlevelocitiesattheapartmentcomplexwellbelowlevelsofconcernforstructuraldamage.4 SubTerta,Inc.BlackRivetQuarryMatch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysisWealsorecommendthatthefollowingproceduresbeimplementedandmonitoredforeffectivenesswithregardtothedesignandlayoutofblastpatterns:A.Thestiffnessratio(BenchHeight/Burden)shouldbemaintainedabove3whenblastingclosetothepropertyboundaryandproximateresidences.B.Holesthataremostlikelytobeover-confinedondetonationshouldbelocatedfurthestfromthepropertyboundarytoavoidunusuallyhighpeakparticlevelocity.Thisconditionmayexistonthelastdelayinthelastrowofmulti-rowblasts.C.Blaststhataredetonatedwithin300-ftofthenorthpropertyboundaryshouldbemaftedtoprotectagainstthepossibilityofflyrock.Theseprocedureswillservetominimizeimpactsfromtheblastingactivities.3.2EvaluationofPotentialforFlyrockImpactsCurrentblastingpracticeshavebeenoptimizedwithregardtothecontrolofflyrock.Thishasincrudedutilizingaminimumstemminglengthof6-ftandtheuseofblastmatswhenblastingontheupperquarrybenchesorwhenevertheBlasterinChargeconsidersthattheremaybeapotentialforflyrock.Anecdotally,blastmatshavebeenusedelsewherebyStoneway’sBlastingContractor,McCallumRockDrilling,whenblastingwithin50-ftoflarge,residentialstructureswithoutanyimpacts.ContinueduseoftheseBestManagementPractices(BMPs)willeliminatethepotentialforflyrock.AppendixAprovidesfurtherindustryguidanceinthisarea.3.3NoiseImpactsandEffectsofBlastingonHumansTherearenostandardsforblast-relatednoiseinKingCounty.However,theWashingtonStateDepartmentofLaborandIndustriesiscurrentlyconsideringadoptionofamaximumairbiastnoiselevelof134dBLintheirrevisionoftheWashingtonBlastingCode.Currentpracticemaintainsblasting-relatednoisewellbelowthisstandardasillustratedinFigure4.Forthelasttwoyears,peakparticlevelocitiesatthecornerofBuildingChaveaveraged0.4in/secand,withoneexception,beenmaintainedbelow0.9in/sec.Comparisonbetweentheseobservedvibrationlevelsandlevelsassociatedwithvarioustypesofcommonhouseholdactivities,areprovidedinTable4.5 Sublerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMarch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysisTable4ComparisonofStrainLevelsInducedbyHouseholdActivitiesandBlastingHouseholdActivityMicrostrainInducedbyActivityCorrespondingBlastLevel(in/in.106)(in/sec)Walking9.10.03HeelDrops16.00.03Jumping37.30.28DoorSlams48.80.50PoundingNails88.70.88Source:Stagg,M.S.,Siskind,D.E.,Stevens,M.G.,andDowding,C.H.,1984Therecommendeduseofascaleddistanceof70withregardtoBuildingCshould,onaverage,maintainvibrationslevelsbelow0.4in/secandwouldprovidefurthermitigationofpotentialimpactstonearbyresidents.4AIRQUALITYIMPACTSActivitiesoccurringintheSupplementalSiteAreathatwillpotentiallyactassourcesofdustinclude:clearingandgrubbing,grading,blastholedrilling,blasting,rockhauling,andstockpilingofrawandprocessedmaterials.BestManagementPractices(BMPs)areusedfordustcontrolattheBlackRiverQuarryunderafugitivedustsuppressionplanimplementedin1998thatcomplieswithSection9.15ofthePugetSoundAirPollutionControlAgency’sRegulation1.Currentpracticesincludeutilizationofapermanenton-sitewatertruckformaintainingpotentialdustproducingsurfaces.ContinuationoftheseBMPsorBestAvailableControlTechnologies(BACTs)willminimizethepotentialforairqualityimpacts.Inaddition,furtherimpactmitigationcouldincludetheapplicationofchemicalstabilizerstohaulroadsandtheuseofwaterspraysonstoragepiles.Further,DDESstaffcouldrequestPSAPCAinspectionsundercircumstancesofobserveddustemission.5FINDINGSANDCONCLUSIONSWedonotexpectanysignificantimpactsfromblastingatStoneway’sBlackRiverQuarryifexistingpracticeismaintainedandtherecommendationscontainedinthisreportarefollowed.Carefulblastingshouldbepracticedwhenminingtheupperbenchesonthenorthernsiteboundarytominimizevibrationandair-blasteffectsonproximateresidenciesandminimizeblastdamageeffectstothefinalhighwall.Werecommendthatthecurrentarrayofblastingseismographsbeusedtomonitoreachblast.Thiscurrentlyinvolvesplacingmonitorsat(a)thenorthpropertyline,(b)the6 Sublerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMatch20,2000BlastingandAirQualityAnalysissouthwestcornerofEmpireEstatesBuildingC,(c)attheEmpireEstatesmanagersoffice,and(d)neateachblast.Thislastmonitorisusedtoensurethatatleastonerecordisretrievedforeachblast.6REFERENCES1.Crum,S.V.andSuskindD.E.,1993ResponseofStructurestoLowFrequencyGroundWbrations.APreliminaryStudy.ProceedingsoftheNinthAnnualSymposiumonExplosivesandBlastingResearch,SanDiego,California,February,1993.2.Kenya,C.J.,andWalter,E.J.,1990.SurfaceBlastDesign.PublishedbyPrenticeHall,EnglewoodCliffs,NewJersey.3.Stagg,M.S.,Siskind,D.E.,Stevens,M.G.,andDowding,C.H.,1984.EffectsofRepeatedBlastingonaWoodFrameHouse.ReportofInvestigations8896,USBureauofMines,Washington,DC,1984.4.Siskind,1994.PersonalCommunication.5.Siskind,D.E.,andStagg,M.S.,1997.EnvironmentalEffectsofBlastingandTheirControl.Proceedingsofthe23rdAnnualConferenceonExplosivesandBlastingTechnique,LasVegas,Nevada,February19976.Siskind,D.E.,1997.SafeBlastVibrationCriteriaforHomes.JournalofExplosivesEngineering,page38,July/August,1997.7 10.00 Figure 1:USBM RI $507 “Safe Limit”Criteria — 1.00 0C) Cu 00 C)> C) C.) Cu0 C) .0 Cu 0 Ez ExCu -.‘--- — — - - , - 0.10 I L0.01 I 10 Blast Vibration Frequency (Hz) 100 Dry WaIl Plaster C.)C)0C.)0C)>C)0‘I::000C)a-—Average:K=100,b=-1.4—NearFleid:Rocwcque,1993Figure2:PeakParticleVelocityvs.ScaledDistanceforFar-FieldandNear-FieldBlasts1000.0100.010.01.00.10.001101001ODOScaledDistance(SD)—Upper90%Bound:K=200,b-1.4 Figure4:SoundOverpressureConversion0a)IU)U)Ia)>00.0350.030.0250.020.0150.010.0050100110120130140Decibels(dBL) SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc. Black River Quarry 3/17/00 Table 3:Summary Blast Monitoring Data for the Black River Quarry Date Monitor Peak Frequency Peak Particle Sound Velocity Pressure Notes Level (in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa) I st t I Instrument located on site neat4/14/98 Minimate Plus 0.08 2.09 70 111 property line approximately 750 feet from blast. Inst ntel Instrument located at base of4/14/98 0.14 3.59 17 6 Apartment foundation approximatelyMinimate 750 feet from blast. I t t I Instrument located on site near4/22/98 Minirnate PIus 0.08 2.15 20 113 property line approximately 750 feet from blast. I t I Instrument located at base of4/22/98 nsan e 0.16 4.03 18 2 Apartment foundation approximatelyMinimate 750 feet from blast. 4/24/98 lnstantet 0.09 2.20 30 115 Instrument located at property lineMinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments.. I Seismograph did not tr gger so Instrument located at base of4/24/98 flS an e that PPV was less than 0.05 Apartment foundation approximately.Minimate in/sec (1.27 mm/sec).750 feet from blast. 5/1/98 Instantel 0 19 4 77 22 113 Instrument located at property lineMinimatePlus.between blast and apartments.. 5/1/98 Instantel 0.17 4.38 19 112 Instrument located at base ofMinimate1Apartmentfoundation. Blasting Data;Table 3 PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.BlackRiverQuarry3/17/00Table3:SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarryDateMonitorPeakFrequencyPeakParticleSoundVelocityPressureNotesLevel(in/sec)(mmlsec)(Hz)fdB(L)(pa)InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline5/6/980.369.2423116MinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments..lnstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof5/6/980.184.6419110MinimateApartmentfoundation.InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline5/8/980.348.6340120MinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments..InstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof5/8/980.143.6040120MinimateApartmentfoundation.InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline5/15/980.276.8730115MinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments..InstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof5/15/98Seismographdidnottrigger.MinimateVApartmentfoundation.InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline5/20/981.5038.2040128MinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments..InstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof5/20/980.389.7335125MinimateVApartmentfoundation.InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline5/27/98OutofRangeor>1.5in/secMinimatePIusbetweenblastandapartments..BlastingData:Table3PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,inc.3/17/00BlackRiverQuarry Table 3:Summary Blast Monitoring Data for the Black River Quarry Date Monitor Peak Frequency Peak Particle Sound Velocity Pressure Notes Level (in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa) Instantel Instrument located at base of5/27/98 0.65 16.40 40 119Minimate Apartment foundation. Instantel Instrument located at property line5/29/98 2.60 66.1 40 124MinimatePlus between blast and apartments.. Instantel Instrument located at base of5/29/98 1.29 32.70 40 117Minimate Apartment foundation. lnstantel Instrument located at property line6/5/98 1.08 27.50 35 125MinimatePlus between blast and apartments.. Instantel Instrument located at base of6/5/98 0.41 10.30 30 117Minimate Apartment foundation. Instantel Instrument located at property line6/10/98 0.90 22.91 34 119MinimatePlus between blast and apartments.. Instantel Instrument located at base of6/10/98 0.40 10.24 34 118Minimate Apartment foundation. Instantel Instrument located at property line6/12/98 1.17 29.72 30 120MinimatePlus between blast and apartments.. Instantel Instrument located at base of6/12/98 0.49 12.45 30 114Minimate Apartment foundation. Blasting Data:Table 3 PN0:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.BlackRiverQuarry3/17/00Table3:SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarryDateMonitorPeakFrequencyPeakParticleSoundVelocityPressureNotesLevel(in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa)InstantelInstrumentlocatedatpropertyline6/17/982.2456.9050118MinimatePlusbetweenblastandapartments..InstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof6/17/980.5413.7240121MinimateApartmentfoundation.lnstantel6/24/981.0225.9135131Instrumentlocatedatpropertyline.MinimatePluslnstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof6/24/980.6416.2630125MinimateApartmentfoundation.Instantel6/26/981.1930.2340125Instrumentlocatedatpropertyline.MinimatePlusInstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof6/26/980.6316.0040119MinimateApartmentfoundation.Instantel7/1/960.399.9145119Instrumentlocatedatpropertyline.MinimatePlusInstantelInstrumentlocatedatbaseof7/1/980.215.3330114MinimateApartmentfoundation.Instantel7/8/982.1053.3430124Instrumentlocatedatpropertytine.MinimatePlusBlastingData:Table3PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.3/17/00BlackRiverQuarry Table 3:Summary Blast Monitoring Data for the Black River Quarry Date Monitor Peak Frequency Peak Particle Sound Velocity Ptessure Notes Level (in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa) lnstantel Instrument located at base of7/8/98 0.63 16.00 30 119Minimate Apartment foundation. Instantel7/10/98 2.80 71.12 50 127 Instrument located at property line.Minimate Plus Instantel Instrument located at base of7/10/98 0.85 21.59 50 124Minimate Apartment foundation. Instantel7/15/98 2.10 53.34 33 123 Instrument located at property line.Minimate Plus Instante)Instrument located at base of7/15/98 0.69 17.53 30 120Minimate Apartment foundation. lnstantel7/17/98 0.16 4.06 30 112 Instrument located at property line.Minimate Plus Instantel Instrument located at base of7/17/98 0.25 6.35 25 114Minimate Apartment toundation. Instrument located at base ofSeismographdidnottriggersothatPPVwaslessthanApartmentfoundationapproximately4/23/99 Minimate (Apt)0.05 in/sec (1.27 mm/sec). 1,100 feet from blast. Blasting Data:Table 3 PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.BlackRiverQuarry3/17/00Table3:SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarryDateMonitorPeakFrequencyPeakParticleSoundVelocityPressureNotesLevel(in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(UB(L)(pa)Instrumentlocatedonsiteneat4/23/99Minimate(PB)0.153.7820112propertylineapproximately850feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedatbaseof4(29/99Minimate(Apt)0.082.1326114Apartmentfoundationapproximately1,100feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedonsiteneat4/29/99Minimate(PB)0.287.0627114propertylineapproximately850feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedatbaseof5/14/99Minimate(Apt)0.328.0834116Apartmentfoundationapproximately480and1000feetfromblastcenters.Instrumentlocatedonsitenear5/14/99Minimate(PB)2.2958.1737116propertylineapproximately210and800feetfromblastcenters.Instrumentlocatedatbaseof6/4/99Minimate(Apt)0.389.7027114Apartmentfoundationapproximately.510feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedonsitenear6/4/99Minimate(PB)2.6366.8027123propertylineapproximately250feetIfromblast.BlastingData:Table3PNo:98-09 Sublerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.3/17/00BlackRiverQuarry Table 3:Summary Blast Monitoring Data for the Black Rivet Quarry Date Monitor Peak Frequency Peak Particle Sound Velocity Pressure Notes Level (in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa) Instrument located at base of6/25/99 Minimate (Apt)0.56 14.10 37 118 Apartment foundation approximately .425 feet from blast. Instrument located on site near6/25/99 Minimate (PB)1.65 41.91 47 121 property line approximately 160 feet from blast. Instrument located on site neat 6/25/99 Minimate (Ma)1.26 32.00 47 130 property line approximately 170 feet from blast (approx.65 ft to east of main property line station). Instrument located on site near crest6/25/99 Minimate (Mb)5.45 138.43 37 124 of bench above blast area, approximately 60 feet from blast. .Instrument located at base of7/16/99 Minimate (Apt)0.50 12.70 10 117 Apartment foundation approximately 410 feet from blast. Instrument located on site near7/16/99 Minimate (PB)2.48 62.99 34 122 property line approximately 155 feet from blast. Instrument located at base of7/30/99 Minimate (Apt)0.33 8.38 20 122 Apartment foundation approximately 390 feet from blast. Blasting Data:Table 3 PNo:9809 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.BlackRiverQuarry3/17100Table3:SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarryDateMonitorPeakFrequencyPeakParticleSoundVelocityPressureNotes.Level(in/sec)(mmlsec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa)Instrumentlocatedonsitenear7/30/99Minimate(PB)2.6767.8218.132propertylineapproximately155feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedtbaseof8/27/99Minimate(Apt)0.092.3534110Apartmentfoundationapproximately640feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedonsitenear8/27/99Minimate(PB)0.102.4322110propertylineapproximately390feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedatbaseof10/1/99Minimate(Apt)0.5413.7234122Apartmentfoundationapproximately375feetfromblast...Instrumentlocatedonsiteneat10/1/990.7619.3047124propertylineapproximately220feetus(fromblast.MinimateInstrumentlocatedatsouthbaseof10/22/99PIus(south0.184.5722111ApartmentOfficeapproximately745sideofoffice)feetfromblast.Instrumentlocatedapproximately44011/5/99Minimate42470.348.6457116feetfromblastonnorthsideofIquarry.BlastingData:Table3PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.3/17/00BlackRiverQuarry Table 3:Summary Blast Monitoring Data for the Black Rivet Quarry Date Monitor Peak Frequency Peak Particle Sound Velocity Pressure Notes Level (in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dBfL)(pa) Instrument located approximately 44011/5/99 Minimate 4247 0.42 10.67 32 120 feet from blast on north side of quarry.Cutoff Blast Instrument located at south corner of11/5/99 Minimate 4403 0.35 8.89 30 112 Apartment Building approximately 770 feet from blast. Instrument located at south corner of11/5/99 Minimate 4403 0.28 6.99 28 116 Apartment Building approximately 770 feet from blast.Cutoff Blast Instrument located at propertyMinmatePlusboundaryapproximately540feet11/5/99 5671 0.31 7.75 64 117 from blast.Minimate Plus Instrument located at Apartment11/5/99 6670 0.08 1.91 47 104 Office 1250 feet from blast. .Instrument located at ApartmentMinimatePlusOffice1250feetfromblast.Failed to11/5/99 6670 na na na na detectCutoff Blast. ...Located 900 feet from blast area andSeismographdidnottriggersothatPPVwaslessthan.Minimate PIus 0.05 in/sec (1.27 mm/sec).failed to exceed the trigger level of1128/00 6713 .O5in/s Blasting Data:Table 3 PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.Stoneway,Inc.BlackRiverQuarry3/17100Table3:SummaryBlastMonitoringDatafortheBlackRiverQuarryDateMonitorPeakFrequencyPeakParticleSoundVelocityPressureNotesLevel(in/sec)(mm/sec)(Hz)(dB(L)(pa)SeismographdidnottriggersothatPPVwaslessthanLocated1100feetfromblastareaMinmatePlusandfailedtoexceedthetriggerlevel0.05in/sec(1.27mm/sec).1/28/005671of.O5inIsLocated1600feetfromblastareaSeismographdidnottriggersothatPPVwaslessthanMinimatePlusandfailedtoexceedthetriggerlevel0.05in/sec(1.27mmlsec).1/28/006708of.O5in/sLocated970feetfromblastareaatMinimatePlusthewestsideoftheApartment2/18/0067080.194.8320109BuildingOffice.MinimatePlusLocated580feetfromblastareaat2/18/0056710.4511.30320117nearestcornerofApartmentBuilding.MinimatePlusSeismograpnwastriggeredsecondsbeforeactualblastLocated330feetfromblastareaat2/18/006670andrecordedanunrelatedvibration.PropertyBoundary.BlastingData:Table3PNo:98-09 SubTerra,Inc.BlackRiverQuarryMatch20,2000BlastingandAltQualityAnalysisAttachmentAFlyRockData8 Everyoneintheblastingindustryknowswhatismeantbyflyrock,butthereareseveralperspectivesorwaystoviewfly-rock.Insomecases,flyrockhassimplybeendescribedasANYrockthrownintheairbyablast.Usingthisdefinition,evenrockthatroseonlythreefeetofftheground,couldtechnicallybeconsideredflyrock.Obviously,suchflyrockisnotthekindablasterneedstobeconcernedwith.Incertainothertexts,flyrocksdefinedas“anydirt,mud,stone,fragmentedrockorothermaterialthatisdisplacedfromtheblastsitebybeingthrownintheairorcastalongtheground.”Severalpointstonoteaboutthisdefinitionare:1.flyrockcanbemudordirt,itdoesnotnecessarilymeanonlyrockorstone.2.Thematerialcanbedisplacedfromtheblastsitebytravelingalongthegroundaswellasthroughtheair.Thatis,fly-rockdoesn’tnecessarilyhavetofly.Ifyoualsoexaminethisdefin1tionofflyrock,itsaysnothingaboutflyrockbeingdangerous.Therefore,castblastingcouldfitthisdefinitionsincethematerialisdisplacedfromtheblastsitebytheforceofthedetonation.However,evenifcastblastingmaymeetthisdefinition,itisnotthenightmarereferredtoearlier,becauseitisbothexpectedandcontrolled.Whendonecorrectly,castblastingisapositiveoutcomeoftheblastdesign.However,theflyrockthattheblastermustbeconcernedaboutisneithercontrollednorplanned,andwouldnormallybeconsideredasexcessive.Whentheblasterisconcernedwithflyrockandsafety,therearetwopossibleproblems:eithertheamountofmaterialthrown,orthedistancethematerialtravelsisexcessive.Wheneitherorbothofthesethingsexceedwhatmostexperiencedblasterswouldreasonablyexpectfromablast,theremaybeseriousproblems.Somelawsarewrittentospecifywhatisconsideredtobeexcessivedistanceforflyrock.Theymaysaythat“flyingrocksshallnotbeallowedtofallgreaterthanone-halfthedistancebetweentheblastandadwellinghouse,publicbuilding,school,church,commercialorinstitutionalbuilding.”Thisisaquantitativewayofevaluatingthedegreeofflyrock,whichhastheadvantageofflexibilityinthatitdoesnotsetaspecificdistanceandapplyittoallblastingoperations.Itwouldsimplynotbefeasibletosetaparticulardistanceasthelimitforflyrockforeverycase.forinstance,if300feetwaschosenasauniversallimitBACKBASICSbyLarrySchneiderFiymck(Part1:SafetyaiRd‘uses18TheJournalofEcplosivesEngineeringNovember/December1996 onflyrock,itobviouslywouldnotbeappropriatewhenblastinginthemidstofaresidentialarea.However,whenblastingonaminesiteinanisolatedareawhichmaybethreemilesfromyournearestneighbor,300feetisunnecessarilyrestrictive.Thedisadvantagetothistypeoflawisthatitdoesmeanthatflyrockcanremainwithintheboundariesofajobsiteorminepermitandstillbeinviolation.Inmostjurisdictions,therewillbelawsandregulationsthatrestrictflyrockinthevicinityofhighways,waterways,thatendangerpropertyorconstituteahazardtoemployeesorthepublic.Manyoftheselawsaremoredirectlyconcernedwithsecuringtheareaaroundablastsite.Providedablasterdoesagoodjobofclearingandsecuringthearea,evenifablastgeneratesalargeramountofflyrockthanusual,itshouldhavenoeffect.Iftheblasterislaxinclearingtheareaorblockingaccess,evenawellcontrolledshotcanresultinenoughflyrocktoinjureorkillsomeone.InfactaU.S.BureauofMinesstudydoneinthelate1980’s,showedthatthetwoleadingcausesoffatalitiesinblastingoperationsare1)failuretosecurethearea2)Excessiveflyrock.Therefore,inadiscussionofflyrockandsafety,thereshouldbesomeconsiderationgiventosecuringthearea.Immediatelybeforedetonation,theblaster’smostcriticalconcernmustbethattheareaiscompletelyclearandaccesstothesiteiscontrolled.Heshouldhaveapre-detenninedplanforsafeguardingallpersonnelandthepublic.Thisisamatteraboutwhichtheblastercanmakenoassumptions,hemustbeabsolutelysurethattheareaisclear.flyrockhasbeenknowntotravelremarkabledistancesfromablast,andaplantoprotectagainstflyrockmusttakeintoaccounttheworstcasescenario.furthermore,whenblastinginapublicarea,theblastermustrealizethatthepublicisbothcuriousanduninformedabouttheuseofexplosives.Theywillsometimesplacethemselvesindangeroussituationsinanattempttoseewhatishappening.InthesurfacecoalminesofAppalachia,therehavebeenanumberclosecallswherepeofilewhoride“fourwheelers”intheseisolatedareas,drivedirectlyuponablastsite.Therearealsoreportedinstancesofhuntersorback-packerswalkinginwoodedareasnearblastsitesandwhodeliberatelyremainnearbyinattempttowatchablastbeingsetoff.Miroadsleadinginto-thevicinityoftheblastareamustbephysicallyguarded,andallpersonnelandequipmentmustberemovedfromtheareatoalocationwhichisbothatasafedistanceandwell-protected.Athoroughvisualinspectionofallpossibleareasthatcouldbeaffectedisessentialpriortosoundingthewarningsignals.Itisimperativethatcontrolofaccesstothesitebemaintainedcontinuously;ifsuchcontrolislostorremovedforevenafewseconds,arepeatedinspectionoftheareaismandatorytobesurenoonehasenteredtheareaduringthetimethataccesscontrolwaslost.Theneedforprotectionfromflyrockismostseriousfortheblasterhimself,sinceheisusuallythepersonclosesttothedetonation.Eventhoughmostblasterswanttofiretheblastfromapositionwithadearvantagepointtoseetheentireblastareaandtheblastitself,itisimperativethattheytakeadequateprecautionstoprotectthemselves.Thismeansthattheblastermustbeatasafelocation,andundersubstantialcover.Lightbuildings,pickuptrucks,andothervehicleswhichareoftenusedascover,havealsooftenbeenpenetratedbyflyrock.Theuseofspeciallydesignedblastsheltersarebecomingmorewidelyavailableandused,andrepresentastepforwardinprovidingforthesafetyoftheblaster.Asafelocationandsufficientcoveriscriticaltotheblaster’sprotectionbecauseleadlinesortheshocktubeisseldomlongenoughtoallowtheblastertobebeyondflyrockrange.Anothercriticalpointisthatnoone,includingtheblaster,shouldeverbelocatedinfrontoftheshot.Sincesomanyinjuriesarecausedbyflyrock,anydiscussionofsafetyshouldNovember/December1996TheJournalofExptostvesEngineering BACK10BASICSemphasizethemeanstopreventit.Someofthecommoncausesofflyrockareasfollows:1)Excessiveamountofexplosivesused.2)InadequateBurden.3)Explosivesloadedintovoids,crevices,mudseams,oranyincompetentmaterial.4)Spacingandburdenexceedthedepthoftheborehole.5)Inadequateamountortypeofstemming.6)Liftshotsorshotswhichareover-confined.7)Poordelaytiminginthepatternordetonatorsfiringoutofsequence.Fromthislist,itshouldbeobviousthatthebestprecautionagainstflyrockisagoodblastpattern,onewhicheffectivelydistributestheexplosiveenergyintotherocksothattheenergyisnearlyallusedtofragmenttherock,andwhateverenergyisleftoverdisplacestherockinacontrolledmanner.Apoorblastdesigncanresultinablastwhichtheexplosiveisunder-confined,thatis,thestrataofrockisnotstrongenoughtocontaintheforceofthedetonation.üIFIT’SDUST-FREE,YOUKNOWITMEANSANINCREASEINPRODUCTIVITYEliminateDustProblemsWithYourAirTmckAndIncreaseDrillingProductionAtTheSameTime.InstallASafeAndReliableILMEGDustCollectorCalltollfree1-800-526-3837THEINDUSTRYSPR.EFERREDCH0ICETRAMAC%TheJournalofExploswesEngineeringNovember/December1996 BACKTOTHF.BASICSbyLarrySchneiderFlyrock(Part2:PreventionInpartoneofthisseriesonflyrocksevencommoncausesofflyrockwerelisted.Thefirstcausewasdescribedasanexcessiveamountofexplosives.Whenyouhearthatdescription,theimplicationisthattheblasterloaded‘TOOMUCHELOSIVESINTHEHOLE’Infact,thisiswhatthepublicoftenaccusesblastersof,whenevertheyhaveacomplaintaboutthegroundvibration,noiseorflyrock;thatis,theblasterdeliberatelyputtoomuchpowderinthehole.Astheblastersthemselvesarewellaware,thatexplanationistoosimplisticbecausethereisonlyacertainamountofexplosivesthatwillfitintoaboreholeofaparticulardiameteranddepth.furthermore.duetotheeconomicsofblasting,theideaiscertainlynottouseanymoreexplosivesthannecessary.Sothestatementthattherewasanexcessivechargeinablastusuallymeansthattheremaybesomeotherproblems.suchastheblastwasloadedwithapowderfactor(asmeasuredinlbofexplosivesperyard1ofrock)thatwastoolargeforthetypeofrockbeingshot.Apowderfactorthatistoohighcancauseenormousmovementoftherock.Andanexcessivelylargepowderfactorcanactuallyoccurduetoanyofseveralofthecausesdescribedinthelist.Forinstance,iftheburdendistanceistoosmallfortheboreholediameter,orifnotenoughstemmingisloadedintheborehole,thosefactor.salsoresultinanexcessivepowderfactorandanoverloadedblast.Thismayresultfrompoordesignwhenplanningtheburdenorspacing.Orsometimes,poorexecutioninthefieldoccurswhentryingtoimplementagoodblastdesign.forinstance,ablastermayloadaholewherethepowderfactorhasbeencalculatedcorrectlyforagivenburden,spacinganddepth,hutthehoreholeswerenotdrilledaccuratelyaccordingtothatdesign.Theblastermustalsobeawareofwhatthetrueburdenisoneachborehole,andwhetherornotthatburdenisconsistentthroughthelengthoftheborehole.Notethatthetrueburdenisdeterminedbythedelaytimingsequenceaswellastheblastgeometry.Ifwelookatsomeofthefollowingdiagrams,wecanseeinsomecasesclearlywheretheburdentumsouttobelessthanthatwhichtheblasterexpected.Infigure1,thebenchhasagoodverticalfreeface,butthedrillingwasdonepoorly.Iftheblasterpro-Figure177)eJrurnc1“ILrpthsusL?1,ç’s1Ye’17nç]anrujnyFthruafl’191) ceedstoloadtheboreholeforthe12footburdenhehasatthetop,hewillbeoverloadingthebottomoftheholewherehehasonly85ft.Aninaccuracysuchasthis,whenthedrillisoffthever•tical,willhemagnifiedthedeep-•ertheboreholeisdrilled.Asanexample,aborehole40feetdeep,whichisdrilled5degreesfromtheverticalresultsinanerrorof3,5feetatthebottomofthehole.Thesameboreholedrilled100feetdeepwiththesame5degreeerror,willbeoffbynearly9feetatthebottomofthehole.Eveninthefirstinstance,wheretheburdenwasoffby3.5feet,thepowderfactormayvaryby20%fromtoptobottomoftheborehole.Asanexampleofthistypeoferror,considerablasterwhointendstodrilla12x15pattern,40feetdeep,using8ftofstemmingina51/ainchdiameter,andloadsitwithaloadingfactorof8.25poundsofANFOperfoot.Withthispattern.heexpectstohaveanaveragepowderfactorof1.00lb/yd3fortheborehole.Tf,however,thedrillererrsby5degreesfromthevertical,hisburdenatthebottomisonly8.5ft.,andhisaverageburdenthroughouttheboreholewouldbe10.25feet.Hisactualpowderfactorfortheentireholewillbe1.16Ib/yd.Evenmorestriking,isthefactthatwhilethepowderfactorforthetoponefootofthepowdercolumnis1.29,thepowderfactoratthebottomoftheboreholeis1.75Ib/yd,anincreaseofmorethan35%.Figure2showsaperfectlydrilledvertical,holeonalevelbench,butduetotheequipmentexcavatingmaterialatthefrontofthebench,theblastermayencounterabenchwithaprofilelikethis.Inthisexample,iftheblasterdoesnotchecktheshapeofthefreeface,hemayloadtheshotfora15ftburdenandonlyhave8feetofrockconfininghisexplosivecharge.Asimilarinstanceiswheretheholesare“buffered”infron’theshot,andtheblasterdnearthefreefacetoensurehe“pullsthetoe.”Theprcmaylookliketheoneshowrfigure3.Thefirstrowofhokdrilledclosetothecrestsithereisalargebufferthatrea.esnearlytothetopofbench.Subsequentrowsholesaresetbackareasona;distance,andthebiasassumesthatthebufferwillccfinetheblastontheours;boreholes.Anditmayworkplannedprovidedthepowccolumnisnotloadedtoohisothatthetopportionofchargeisnotnearorabovebuffer.Ifachargeisloadedsuthatthechargeisunconfmedthistopportion,itcanthnrocksoveralongdistance.Accuracyindrillingextremelyimportantwhangledholesareused.Tsetupdistancefromtheface,t:angleofthedrillmustbemcsuredcarefullytoensureththeproperburdenexistsatttoe.failuretodosocanres.inchargesthatareplacedclosetothefacewithlessccfinementthanintended.Ifexplosivesareloadedinfaults,crevices,ormudsearthattheboreholepassthrough,theblastershouexpectexcessiveflyrock.Ttdrillerhasacrucialroletophinthepreparationofthebla.Informationaboutanyunusuconditionssuchasmudseanorvoidsencounteredin±boreholemustberecordedlogged,andtheblastermurelyonhisdrillertocommuncateanyunusualconditionsfigure2]anuar,yFebrua,,/99TheJournalof&ploswesEngrnemng BACKTOBASiCStheboreholeshehasdrilled.Thedrillermustbeconstantlyawareofwhatishappeningashedrills,Sc)hewillknowifheencountersasignificantmudseamf)tavoidsuchasacavernoranabandonedundergroundmine.Ifexplosivesareloadedintoamudseam,themuddoesnothavesufficientresistancetoconfinetheenergyofthedetonation.Aslongastheblasterknowsinadvancethatamudseamintersectstheborehole,hecantakestepstoeliminatethedanger.Thisisnormallydonebystemmingthroughthemudwithinertmaterialtomaketwoseparatechargesinthex)rehole.Acardinalruleforahktsteristhatexplosivesshouldneverbeloadedintoanythingexceptcompetentrock.Likewise,ifaboreholeisdrilledsothatitcutsintoacavernorundergroundmine,theblastermayloadhugeamountsofexplosives,andifdetonatedwillcreateaviolentresult.Iftheblasteriscarelesswhileloadingtheborehole,especiallywhenusinghulkexplosives,hemaynotdeectthefactthatalargeamountofexplosivesaregoingintotheborehole.Itisalwaysmpottantthatablasterconstantlymonitorstheriseofthepow-dercolumnintheboreholeusingatapeorothermethod.Adequatestemmingisrequiredtoconfinethehighpressuregasesreleasedbythedetonationoftheexplosivecharge.Thisstemmingmusthesufficienttopreventtheforceofthesegasesfromviolentlycrateringtothesurfice.Theexplosiveforcewillalwaysbeinthedirectionofleastresistance,whichshouldbetheburdendistancetothefreeniceattheinstantofdetonation.However,itthestemminglengthistoosmall,themostdirectpathforthegaspressuretoventmayhetothesurface.Inminoroccurrences,thisresultsinstemmingmaterialbeinglaunchedawayfromtheblast.Moreseriouscasesoccurwhenmaterialaroundthecollaroftheboreholecanhethrownsignificantdistances.Adequatestemmingdoesnotonlymeanthelengthofthestemming,butalsothecompositionofthematerialusedasstemming.Drillcuttingsordustareusuallyaverypoorstemmingmaterial,particularlyiftheboreholeiswater-filled.Crushedstoneofasuitablesizesothatitinterlocksintheboreholeisarecommendedstemmingmaterialonmostoperations.Anotherpotentialproblemoccursifablastpatternisdrilledsuchthatthespacingandburdenisgreaterthantheboreholedepth.Inthissituation,theblastershouldexpectflyrock.Blastersoccasionallydrillthistypeofpatternwithoutrealizingthattheyarecreatingapotentialhazard,forexample,ablasterusinga6Y4inchdrillhittriestoblastanexcavationtogradethatisonly8feetdeep.Hemaybeconscientiousenoughtorealizethatheonlyneeds2feetofpowderinaboreholedrilledona12x14feetpattern,8feetdeeptogetaproperpowderfactor.However,suchadesignproducesaburdengreaterthandepth.sothatthenearestdirectionforreliefisthesurface,androckmayhethrownstraightupintotheair.Certainoperationsuseblastingpatternswheretheburdensaresometimescloseto,orslightlygreaterthanthedepth.Oneofthesearethe“partingshots”insurfacecoalmines,wheretheblasterhastobreakalayerofrockthatliesbetweentwocoalseams,thisstrataofrockmayheanywherefrom8to20feetthickandthebla.stermayhavetousealargediameterdrillwitha12x12pattern.Itcanresultinagreatdealofmaterialthrown.butusuallysuchblastsarealargedistancefromhouses,androads.Occasionallyblastersinquarriesarerequiredtoshoottoeshots”wheretheycomebackafterthemainblastshavefailedtopulltograde.Ontheseshots.thehoreholesmaybedrilledinanirregularpatternandveryshallow.Whentheyarefired,flyrockisadefinitepossibility.Socalled“liftshots”oranyshotsfiredtobeginanexcavationarealsopronetogenerateflyrock.Theseshotshavenofreefaceandareintendedtocausetherocktofragmentandswell.However,iftheyarenotcarefullyloadedandcontrolled,thefragmentedrockagainislaunchedupward.Onsmallerscaleblasts,suchasthoseforsettingelectricutilitypoles.theuseof“burnorcut’holesservetoprovideaplaceforthebroFzgurc’3T7,eJwrna(fEXpio5u’t’sEij,,t’’rjutIa,tuanyFthruarv199’ BACK10BASICSkenrocktomoveandhelpcontroltheupwardthrow,Ontheseshots,blastingmatsmaybeuseful,butagoodblastdesignisstillcritical.Poordelaytimingcangenerateflyrock.Faultydelaytimemayhetheresultofbaddesign,butcouldalsobecausedbyinaccuratedetonatorfiringtime,orsimplyhumanerrorinlayingoutthedelaydetonators.Thetimingonallshotsmustallowenoughtimefortherocktomovesothemuckdoesnotpileupinfrontandpreventtheintendedhorizontalmovementof’subsequentcharges.Figure4showstheeffectthattakesplaceasthedetonationproceedsdeeperintothebenchifthereisinsufficienttimefortherockinfronttomove.Thatis,themovementoftherockfromeachboreholeprogressivelymovesupwardatanincreasedangleuntilthebackrowsbecomealmostaliftshotandtherockmovementisclosetovertical.Normallythiscanbesomewhatcorrectedbyprovidinglongerdelaysbetweentherowsastheshotprogressesdeeperintothepattern.figure5showsadelaypatternwhichillustratesaverysimpletypeoftimingdelaythatresultsinthesameeffect.Inthiscase,amistakehasoccurredanda#10delayismis..placedintheshotpattern.Whenthisshotisdetonated,thechargeinthatholewillfirewithnoreliefatallandtheonlypossiblemovementoftherockarounditwillbevertical.Ablasterwouldbeincompetentifhelaidoutashotlikethatonpurpose,andattheveryleast,carelessifhediditbyaccident.However,withcomplextiminglayouts,bothelectricandnon-electric,anyen-orintheconnectionscanresultinholesfiringoutofsequence.Thetimingmistakemaynotbeasblatantastheoneillustratedtohavethesameeffect.Regulationsusuallyrequirethatwhenblastingisdoneinproximitytobuildingsandroadswherenoamountofthrownmaterialcanbetolerated,blastingmatsorotherprotectivematerialsshouldbeusedtoconfineanypossibleflyrock.Buteveninthosecases,thebestmeansofcontrollingflyrockisstillthroughproperblastdesignanddelaytiming.Itisthereforeextremelyimportantthatwhenablasterworkingwithasuccessftilblastingprogrammakesanychangeintheblastdesign,hemustcarefullyconsideranychangesfromthestandpointofitspotentialeffectonflyrock.Whilemanyofthecausesofflyrockmentionedpreviouslycanbepredictedandavoided,itisalwayspossiblethatthereexistssomeunknownconditionthatwillcauseflyrock.Forthisreason,theblastermustalwaysassumetheworstpossibilityandformulatehisplanstodeartheareaforthiscase.Regardlessofhowmany“well-behaved”shotshehaspreviouslydetonated,thenextdetonationisalwaysthemostdangerous.ftistheultimateresponsibilityofeveryblastertooverseethesafetyandwell-beingofanyonethatcouldbeeffectedbytheblast.Theymustacceptthisresponsibilityanddowhateverittakestoprotectthepublic,theirco-workers,andthemselves.Whiletheexplosiveproductsweusetodayarethesafest,mostreliableeverproduced,theyareonlyassafeastheindividualsusingthem.Trainingandeducationinallaspectsofblastsafetymustalwaystakehighpriorityinourindustry,aswellasaccountabilityandresponsibilityinimplementingtheproceduresthatarelearned.IFigure4figure536TheJournalofExplosivesEngineering]anuari’/Fvbruarv1997 ConsultingServicesinSound&VibrationControlMarch22,2000LiUyRE.fi±nt5266NV’ViIIageParkDrivelssaquahW498027Phone.(425)649-9344Fax:(4256490737Stonewa?1Rock&Recycling912510AvenueSouthSeattle,WA98108Attention:Mr.DickHarringtonSubject:BlackRiverQuarryProposedSiteNoiseMonitoringProgramandAnalysisofNoiseImpactsGentlemen:ThisreportsetsforthaproposedsitenoisemonitoringplaninresponsetosubsectionBofCondition2oftheKingCountyHearingExaminer’sSeptember3,2000ReportandDecisiononAppealofPeriodicReviewDecisionforStoneway’sBlackRiverQuarry.Also,pursuanttoCondition3ofthatReportandDecision,thisreportalsosetsforthananalysisofanticipatednoiseimpactsontheadjacentEmpireEstatesApartmentspropertystemmingfromproposedsiteactivitiesandusesplannedduringthenextfiveyearsontheportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrypropertylyingeastofEmpireEstates’westboundaryasdisclosedonBarghausenConsultingEngineers’March20,2000SupplementalSitePlanfortheBlackRiverQuarry.ProposedSiteNoiseMonitoringProgramBackgroundAsIunderstandit,thefundamentalpurposeoftheongoingnoisemonitoringprogramcalledforbysubsectionBofHearingExaminer’sCondition2istodemonstratethatStoneway’soperationsattheBlackRiversitedonotcreatenoiselevelsontheEmpireEstatesresidentialpropertytothenorththatexceedthoseallowedbytheKingCountyNoiseOrdinance.AsIstressedinmypreviousreportsconcerningBlackRiverQuarryandasItestifiedduringlastyear’shearingontheappealoftheDDESPeriodicReviewDecisionconcerningBlackRiver,thisareaisheavilyimpactedbynumerousnoisesourcesotherthantheStonewayquarry.Thesesourcesincludefrequentaircraftfly-bys,constantfreewaytraffic,intermittenttraintraffic,andsporadicvehiculartrafficintheEmpireEstatesparkinglots.Undertheseconditions,installationofapermanent,continuousnoisemonitoringsystem(similartothatusedbyairports)issimplynotICBIBTICB.IIC.i!:AR22itfifrjLo’iiiU.. StonewayRock&RecyclingMarch22,2000Page2of6feasiblefortheintendedpurposebecausethemeasurementsystemsavailabletodayhavenomeansofsegregatingthevariousnoisesources.ThepastmeasurementsthatIhaveconductedhaveshownthatnoisefromthequarryisinsignificantincomparisontotheotherambientnoisesourcesatthislocation.TheonlywaytodetermineifnoisefromBlackRiverQuarrysiteoperationsattheEmpireEstatespropertylineisincompliancewiththeNoiseOrdinanceiswith“mannednoisemonitoring”,whereatrainedpersonisatthesiteduringthedatacollectionprocesstowitnessanddocumentallnoiseeventsastheyoccur.Onlybypost-processingthedata(i.e.,eliminatingtheIdentifiablenon-quarrynoiseeventssuchasaircraftflyoversandtrainpass-bys)canonebegintoassessNoiseOrdinancecompliance.Eventhen,itstillisnotpossibletototallysegregatethecontinuousnoisesources(e.g.,freewaytrafficnoiseornoisefromtheadjacentRentonConcreteRecyclers)fromthedatabase.Byeliminatingtheidentifiablenon-quarrynoiseevents,itisfairlyeasytoconfirmcompliancewiththeNoiseOrdinanceiftheremainingnoiseisfoundnottoexceedtheNoiseOrdinancestandards.However,itismuchmoredifficult(nearlyimpossible)toconfirmaquarrynoiseviolationiftheremainingnoiseexceedstheNoiseOrdinanceStandards.Thatisbecausetheresidualnoise(afterremovingthespecificidentifiablenon-quarrynoiseeventsfromthedatabase)alsocontainsfreewaynoiseandnoisefromothernearbyfacilitieswhichcannotreadilybesegregatedfromtheStonewayquarrynoise.Thebestthatcanbedonetoapproximatelydealwithsuchasituationistoeither(1)monitorthequarrysitenoiseatatimeofdaywhenfreewaytrafficnoiseisataminimum(e.g.,from2:00am,to5:00am.)or(2)measurethenon-quarrysitenoiseleveldirectlyduringnormalquarryoperatinghoursbytotallyshuttingdownquarryoperations.Neitheroftheseapproachesarefool-proofAstothefirstapproach,evenbetween2:00am.and5:00am.thereisstillsufficientambientnoisefromthenearbyfreewaystoimpacttheaccuracyofthequarrynoisemeasurements.Astothesecondapproach,shuttingdownquarryoperationstomeasuretheambientnoiseisdifficultfromaproceduralstandpointandtheaccuracyofthismethodisquestionablebecauseitispredicatedontheassumptionthattheambientnoiselevelfromallnon-quarrysourcesisidenticalduringbothmeasurementperiods(quarryon,quarryoff).Itistechnicallyimpossibletoknowifthisinfactisthecase.DetailsoftheProposedMonitorin%Pro2ramThenoisemonitoringprogramwillrequirenoisemeasurementstakenbyapersontrainedinnoisedatacollection.BecausethegoalistodeterminewhetherornotthequarrysiteisincompliancewiththeNoiseOrdinance,itwillbenecessarytocoordinatethesemeasurementswithQuarrypersonnel.Thecoordinationisrequiredinordertoscheduleoperationsfortestingbetween2:00am.and5:00am.andlortosynchronizeshut-downofsiteactivitiesduringthedaywithteststomeasureambientnoiselevels).Undereitherapproach,atleasttwomonitoringpeoplewillberequired:onetomonitortheacousticAIUIIIII,AI. StonewayRock&RecyclingMarch22,2000Page3of6instrumentationandtheothertomonitor(visually)andlogquarrysiteoperationsduringthenoisedatacollectionperiod.IrecommendthatStonewayconductnoisemonitoringtestsoftypicalquarrysiteoperationsonanannualbasis.Allmeasurementsmustbeconductedduringperiodsofgoodweatherwherethereisvirtuallynowind(windspeedshouldbelessthan3milesperhourtoavoidwind-inducednoise)andnoprecipitation.Becauseofweatherconditionrequirements,itisessentialthatalltestingbeconductedinthesummermonthswhenwecanreasonablyrelyuponweatherforecastingfora24-hourto36-hourperiod.Ifdaytimetestingisconducted,thedurationofeachannualtestshouldbeaminimumperiodoffourhours(includingatleastthree30-minuteperiodswithallquarrysiteoperationscompletelyterminated).Iflatenight—earlymorningtestingisconducted(2:00am.to5:00am.),thetestdurationshouldbethreehours(includingatleasttwo30-minuteperiodswithallquarrysiteoperationscompletelyterminated).AfiercolLectingthemeasurements,noisefromallnon-quarrysiteeventsshallberemovedfromthedatabase,Iftheresidualnoise(quarrynoiseplusremainingambientnoise)isincompliancewiththenoiseordinance,thenthequarrynoiseisclearlyincompliancewiththeNoiseOrdinance.Ifnot,themeasuredambientnoise(withquarryoperationsterminated)shouldbedeductedfromthedatabasetoobtainthebestestimateof“quarryonly”noise.Thisambient-adjusted(or“quarryonly”)noiseleveldatashouldthenbeevaluatedagainsttheKingCountyNoiseOrdinanceallowablenoiselevelstodeterminecompliance.AcompletereportdocumentingallfindingsshouldbepreparedandsubmittedtoDDES.SpecialTestingforBlastDriltinNoiseEvaluationIunderstandthattheSupplementalSitePlancallsformuchlessremovalofmaterialthandidthepreviously-approvedGrading/TemporaryErosion-SedimentationControlPlanforthesite,whichwaspreparedbyBarghausenEngineersduringOctober,1991,withfinishedcontoursnowplannedtobegenerally30to60feethigherthanthosedepictedonthepreviously-approvedplan.IfurtherunderstandthattheproposedfinishedcontoursshownontheSupplementalSitePlanareyourproposedultimatecontoursforthequarryingoperationonthedepictedportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrysiteandthatyouareintendingtoconfIgurethatportionofthesiteintotwogentlyslopingareasinpreparationforandasapartofsiteredevelopment.Inaddition,Iunderstandthat(a)thegradingoftheeasterlyofthosetwoareas(mostofwhichwillhavefinishedgradesrangingfromabout85to110feet)isanticipatedtobecompletedwithinaboutonemonthand(b)thegradingofthewesterlyofthosetwoareas(mostofwhichwillhavefinishedgradesrangingfromabout130to142feet)isanticipatedtobecompletedwithinthenextonetotwoyears.ACIIUSTIC5,.1AC. StonewayRock&RecyclingMarch22,2000Page4of6Yourattorney,DavidHalinen,hasadvisedmethat,inviewof(a)thefactthatStoneway’sproposedremainingquarrying,clearing,grubbing,sitegradinganddrainagecontrolactivities(seeItemAof“ProposedSiteActivitiesandUses”ontheSupplementalSitePlan)arenowbeingdoneinpreparationforsiteredevelopmentand(b)therelativelyshorttimeperiodfordoingsoasexplainedabove,StonewaycontendsthattheportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrysitedepictedontheSupplementalSitePlanisa“temporaryconstructionsite”forpurposesofthesoundexemptionsetforthinKCC12.94.0203.1’andthatsoundscreatedbyconstructionequipment,includingspecialconstructionvehicles2,inconjunctionwiththeproposedremainingquarrying,clearing,grubbing,site‘SubsectionB.1ofKCC12.94.020(Soundsexemptduringdaytimehours)states:B.ThecountycouncilintendstoamendtheordinancecodifiedinChapters12.86through12.100byenactingspecificregulationsforthefollowingsounds,eachofwhichshallbeexemptfromtheprovisionsoftheordinancecodifiedinChapters12.86through12.100betweenthehoursofsevena.m.andtenp.m.onweekdaysandbetweenthehoursofnineam.andtenp.m.onweekends,untilaspecificamendmentapplyingtothatsoundhasbeenadopted:1.Soundscreatedbyconstructionequipment,includingspecialconstructionvehicles,andemanatingfromtemporaryconstructionsites,ifthereceivingpropertyislocatedinaruralorresidentialdistrictofKingCounty;(Emphasisadded.)2KCC12.87.320(Specialconstructionvehicle)states:“Specialconstructionvehicle”meansanyvehiclewhichisdesignedandusedprimarilyforgrading,paving,earthmoving,andotherconstructionwork;whichisnotdesignedorusedprimarilyforthetransportationofpersonsorpropertyonapublichighway;andwhichisonlyincidentallyoperatedormovedoverthehighway.IIBBSIIIS.IBI. StonewayRock&RecyclingMarch22,2000Page5of6gradinganddrainagecontrolactivitiesaretherebyexemptfromtheprovisionsofKCCChapters12.86through12.100betweenthehoursofsevenam.andtenp.m.onweekdaysandbetweenthehoursofnineam.andtenp.m.onweekends.Baseduponthatpredicate,blastdrillingnoisewouldbeexempt.Shouldyouchoosetoconductablastdrillingnoiseevaluationanyway,testingshouldbeconductedduringtheday.Thefirststepwouldbetoconductaninitialtesttoassessbasicdrillingnoisecharacteristicsoftheparticulardrillingequipmentusedatthesite.Uponanalyzingthedata,Iwillbeinamuchbetterpositiontoformulateanoisemonitoringprogramforthedrillingprocessandfurtheradviseyou.AnalysisofNoiseImpactsThesiteactivitiesandusesproposedoverthenextfiveyears(2000through2004)ontheportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrypropertylyingeastofEmpireEstates’westboundary(whatIwillcallthe“easternportion”oftheQuarryproperty)arelistedontheupperleft-handcorneroftheSupplementalSitePlan(SheetClof1)preparedbyBarghausenConsultingEngineers,Inc.datedMarch20,2000.Thatplanalsodepictssitegradeswithintheeasternportionofthesiteanticipatedbytheendofthatfive-yearperiod(actuallymuchsooner,asdiscussedintheprecedingsection),gradeswhich,forthemostpart,willstillbesomewhatloweredfromexistinglevelsthroughoutthesite(withtheexceptionofthe50-footbufferalongthenorthboundaryandthe20-footbufferalongtheeastboundary).Whilethetemporaryconstructionsiteexemptionshouldapplytotheproposedremainingquarrying,clearing,grubbing,sitegradinganddrainagecontrolactivities,itpresumablydoesnotapplytotheproposedstockpilingofmaterialsinconjunctionwithrecyclingoperations.Suchstockpilingwouldordinarilyinvolveheavyequipment,whichwouldbethecontrollingnoisesourceinrelationtosuchstockpilingwithrespecttoNoiseOrdinancecompliance.Iunderstandfromyouthatthefollowingnoise-generatingequipmentwillbeusedfromtime-to-timeintheeasternportionofthesiteinrelationtothestockpilingofrecycledmaterials:1.ACaterpillar980Gfrontendloader2.ACaterpillar769Coff-roadhaultruck3.Awatertruck4.Adumptruck/trailercombination(similartoPeterbilt378)Ifurtherunderstandthatnotmorethantwopiecesofthisequipmentwillbeoperatingsimultaneouslywithintheeasternportionofthesiteinconjunctionwithstockpilingofrecycledmaterials.IC0II311C3.IIIC.(Emphasisadded.) StonewayRock&RecyclingMarch22,2000Page6of6Themaximumnoiselevelgeneratedbyeachpieceofsuchheavyequipmentvariesfromabout85to95cIBAatadistanceof50feet,dependinguponthequalityandconditionoftheenginemuffler.Ifanyoneofthesemachinesoperatesatfullloadforacontinuousone-hourperiodwithin300feetofEmpireEstatessouthpropertyline,thenoiselevelwilllikelyexceedtheNoiseOrdinance’sdaytimelimitunlessspecialprecautionarymeasuresaretaken.(forshorteroperationalperiodsassetforthintheNoiseOrdinance,somewhatshorterdistancescouldbemaintained.)Iftwoofthesemachinesoperatesimultaneouslyincloseproximitytoeachotherinregardtotherecyclingstockpilesatfullloadforacontinuousone-hourperiod,theywouldhavetobeatleast450feetsouthoftheEmpireEstatespropertylinetoavoidexceedingthedaytimenoiselimitunlessspecialprecautionarymeasuresaretaken.InordertopreventaNoiseOrdinanceviolationinregardtosuchequipmentusewithrespecttorecyclingstockpilesplacedclosertoEmpireEstates,itwouldbenecessarytoshieldtheadjacentpropertyfromthisnoisewithaneffectivenoisebarrier,Anoisebarriercouldbecreatedbymodifyingtheexistingtopographyand/orbyconstructingatemporaryacousticalshieldtoabsorbandre-directthenoiseawayfromtheEmpireEstatesapartments.Inaddition,specially-adaptedequipmentwouldalsohelp.forexample,highqualitymufflersareavailableformostdiesel-poweredequipmentthancanreducenoiseemissionsinsomecasesupto10cIBA.Ifyouwouldliketodiscussanyofthisinformationinmoredetail,donothesitatetogivemeacall.Verytrulyyours,JGLAcoustics,Inc.O&iJerryG.Lilly,P.E.PresidentMemberASA,INCE,NCACIBIUSIICS.IAC.cc.DavidHalinen RECEWEDBLACKRIVERQUARRYKingCountyFileNo.L89G3180nANALYSISOFVISUALIMPACTStBy:BarghausenConsultingEngineers,Inc.H.BrticeMcCrory,LandscapeArchitectMarch22,2000JobNo.6759ThisreportsetstorthananalysisofvisualimpactsassociatedwithproposedsiteactivitiesandusesplannedduringthenextfiveyearsontheportionoftheBlackRiverQuarrypropertylyingeastofEmpireEstates’westboundaryasdisclosedonBarghausenConsultingEngineers’March20,2000SupplementalSitePlanfortheBlackRiverQuarry.ThisreportisintendedtohepartoftheresponsetoCondition3oftheKingCountyHearingExaminer’sSeptember3,2000ReportandDecisiononAppealofPeriodicReviewDecisionforStoneway’sBlackRiverQuarry,whichrequiresthePermitteetosubmitaSupplementalSitePlanandaTechnicalReportbasedonthatSitePlanthatanalyzesoff-siteimpactsPROPOSEDSITEACTIVITIESANDUSESAsnotedontheproposedSupplementalSitePlan,proposedusesftrtheportionoftheStonewaysitelyingimmediatelysouthoftheEmpireEstatesApartmentsparcelareasfollows:1.Quarrying,clearing,andgrubbingofvegetation(exceptwithin50feetofthenorthbocmdaryand20feetofthecastboundary),sitegradingandassociateddrainagecontrols;2.Stockpilingofrawmaterialandprocessedmaterials,suchasrock,nibbleconcrete,wood,glass,andmetalinconjunctionwithquarryingandrecyclingoperations;3.Sitedustcontroland‘asbdown;and4.Temporaryirrigationof50-footbufferforreforestationplantings.EXISTINGCODEDEVELOPMENTSTANDARDSPortionsofKCCChapter21A,22(DevelopmentStandards—MineralExtraction)applytotheStonewaysite.However,hiviewofthefactthattheBlackRiverQuarryisanon-confominguse,KCC21A.22.060(Sitedesignstandards)doesnotapplyand,therefore,subsectionFthereof(whichprovidesforno“clearing,gradingorexcavation. . .within20feetofanypropertyline. ..“doesnotapply.EXISTINGCONDITIONSAsubstantialexistingnativeandindigenousgreenbeltbttfferofdeciduousandevergreenvegetationseparatesthetwoproperties.ThenorthernboiuidarvofthesubjectportionoftheStoncwaypropertyhasa50-foot-widebuffer,voluntarilyestablishedbythequarryownersinconjunctionwiththe1991gradingplanforthesite.An additional20-footwideunimprovedright-of-way(South137thStreet)liesimmediatelynorthoftheStonewayboundaryandsouthoftheEmpireEstatesboundary.Anadditionalgreenbeltextendsnorthwardintoportionsoftheabuttingapartmentproperty,andiscontrolledbythatproperty.In1996,Stonewayclearedaportionofthe50-footbuffer.Restorationplantingsubsequentlyoccurred,andwassupplementedbyNovember1,1999pursuanttoSectionAofCondition2oftheExaminer’sDecision.Inthepast,vorkassociatedwiththeapartmentsclearedaportionofthenortherlyandwesterlysideofthegreenbelt.AerialmappingindicatesthelimitsoftheseencroachmentsandisshownontheSupplementalSitePlan.Maintainingandprotectingthisscreenisthemostimportantobjectiveforpresen’ingavisuatscreenbetweentheproperties.VISUALCONSTRAINTSVisualimpactsofthequarryoperationstotheEmpireEstatesApartmentsbecameanissuewhenStonewaysiteclearingprogressedintotheareaduesouthoftheapartments.Priorcoverincludeddeciduousandconiferwoodland.SincetheapartmentsaresituatedwelluphilloftheStonewayproperty,theirprominenceaffordspotentialviewlinestonearlythesouthedgeoftheStonewaypropertybelow.TheconceptofVistialAmenitiesissubjective,relativetotime,placeandfunctionofindividualuses,andisinfluencedbyindividualperceptions.Rapidchangeinaccustomedviewsisdisconcertingtomanypeople.Ause,suchasquarrying,presentsaperceivedimageofconstantconstructionactivity.Iunderstandthatwhenthecurrently-proposeduseshavebeencompleted,thesitewillberedevelopedconsistentwithapplicablelanduseregulations.Theabove-notedmaterialstockpilesandquarrysurfacegradeswillcontinuetobevisiblefromvariouselevationswithintheadjoiningapartmentcomplextoadegreethroughouttheyearand,generally,moresointhelatefallandwintermonthswhendeciduousvegetationcoverisgone.DuetotheextremehillsidelocationoftheapartmentsabovetheStonewaysite,onlyexistingtreesbetweentheapartmentsandtheStonewaysitewillprovideavisualscreenofanysubstancedturingthefive-yearperiod.TheSupplementalSitePlanincludesarepresentativecrosssection(C-C),whichillustratesthis.The8-foot-highwoodfencetohelocatedonthenorthpropertylineoftheStonewaproperty,contiguouswiththeapartmentproperty,willprovideanaestheticamenitybutwillnotprovideanysignificantscreening.50-FOOTBUFFERThespecificationtbra50-footsetbackfromthenorthboundaryofthequarrywasshownontheapprovedGradingPlanof1991.Asnotedabove,thestandardsofKCC21A.22.060lista20-footsetbackforquarrying.Nocoderequirementforthe50-footbufferappearstoexist.Thebuffer’sstatusseemstohaveevolvedovertime.Presently,thebuffer”andexistingvegetationserveavisualandphysicalseparationrole.Whenclearingoperationsencroachedintothehtifirin1996,itssignificancewasrecognizedandReforestationPlanswereimplementedin1997,andaugmentedwithlargeplantstockinthespringof1999.Additionalaugmentation,asdirectedbytheHearingExaminer,wascompletedinthefallof1999.ThereforestationwasaddressedintheDecisionofSeptember3,1999.AspartoftheSupplementalSitePlan,a‘fixed”irrigationsupplyconsistingofatankandgravityfeeddriplinetonewplantingswillbeinstalled.Waterwillbetrucked-inbytheexistingsitewatertrucktothetank.Thiswillassureabetter,moreconsistentirrigationscheduleforthenewplantings.Theirrigationregimenwillbeprovidedfortwosummers. Theirrigationprogramneedstoincludedeepinfrequentwatering.Thisencouragesdeeperrooting.Itatsominimizestransitiontrauma.Coniferstypicallygodormantduringthedroughtsummermonths.Irrigationwillactuallyencouragegrowth.Therestorationplantingshaveexperiencedvaryingcyclesofseasons.Theolderplantingswilllikelysurvivenow,aftertwoorthreesummers.Thelargeplantingsinstalledinthespringof1999havesurvivedonedroughtseason,hutwillbenefitfromsupplementalirrigation.Theyoungestandsmallestplantingsinstalledthislastfallwillbenefitfromasummerseasonofirrigationwithadditionalgrowth,butwateringasecondsummermaynotbenefitacclimation.Withseveralstagesofacclimationpresent,theSupplementalSitePlanrecommendationsaremadeasthebestapparentcompromiseavailable.STRATEGIESThequarryshouldcompletethephysicalinstallationrequirementsofthePeriodicReviewDecisionofSeptember3,1999.Further,impactmitigationstrategiesincludemaintenanceoftherequiredinstallations.TheSupplementalSitePlanincludesthewaterscheduleforapproximately130plantedtrees.