| Barr Road Quarry (Site N) |
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| Current News |
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Earlier this year (2008), the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) met to review the Barr Road (Site N) quarry application. In August, ODOT submitted additional application materials which in part reduced the size of the quarry from 200 to approximately 105 acres.
FHWA concurred that the application package demonstrated specific conditions and/or criteria for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) were satisfied and that significant environmental effects will not result. This completed the environmental process.
FHWA has sent the formal application to BLM, who will review the application and respond according to the Interagency Agreement (IA) between the two agencies. The BLM is soliciting comments to assist them in developing conditions for protection and use of public lands in the Barr Road Quarry area. Comments are due to BLM by December 15, 2008. More information can be found on the BLM's website.
ODOT expects the application process to be finalized this winter.
An updated vicinity map was posted November 20, 2008. A number of people responding to the BLM mailing were finding it difficult to place the planned quarry in relationship to surrounding communities. Another view is available using the following link. The planned Barr Road Quarry is located just west of the red cinder pit, the red dot on the left hand side of the map.
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| Key Project Components |
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 Development of a high quality rock source in the Cline Buttes area for use on state highway projects.- The quarry site is located west of Barr Road on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and is approximately 105 acres in size. It is adjacent to an existing 30 acre cinder pit.
- Exploration in the area has revealed a high quality rock source that could produce approximately three million tons of aggregate and could last 20 years.
- Having a public rock source allows more contractors to bid for state highway projects, in turn allowing the State to receive the most competitive bids possible, and the taxpayers to get the best transportation value for their tax dollar.
Resource Materials:
November 2008 Information Paper
Updated Vicinity Map - November 2008
Frequently Asked Questions
Project History and Timeline
Printable Information Paper and Vicinity Map
Watch a short video about the Barr Road Quarry (.wmv 17MB)
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| Background |
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Maintaining and constructing highways requires high quality sources of aggregate materials. More than 90% of a highway consists of rock or soil products. Sources of aggregate, an essential road building material, are an integral part of ODOT’s mission “To provide safe, efficient transportation systems to support economic development and livability for Oregonians”.
The Cline Buttes area is proximate to several highways: OR 126, US 97 and US 20. Development of a material source in the area would ensure a long-term supply of materials needed for maintenance and construction of highways in the Bend-Redmond-Sisters area.
Through extensive studies conducted in the 1990’s, this area was identified as an area in great need of an aggregate supply. Of all of the sites considered in the study, Site N is the only remaining viable public rock source in the Cline Buttes area. This site is within an area that is available for the development of mineral materials per the BLM's Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan (UDRMP) Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision completed in 2005 (see page 87 and Map 8 of the UDRMP). Other alternative sites proposed for development by ODOT were eliminated from consideration through the UDRMP process and decision.
Site specific environmental studies were conducted in the Barr Road Quarry area by ODOT in 2006 and 2007. These studies included: archeology, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, socio-economics, air quality, water quality, erosion, and visuals.
ODOT sets specific contractual operating conditions for development and use of quarry sites. These conditions include: dust control plans and dust abatement, adherence to noise standards, blasting safety and protection measures, site-specific erosion and pollution control plans, long-term site safety measures, and concurrent development and reclamation efforts.
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| Timeline |
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1992-2006 - ODOT conducted many studies to identify and address the aggregate need in Central Oregon. These efforts included significant public involvement and environmental studies. The most recent of these efforts was the BLM Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan.
Fall 2007 - ODOT made an application through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for use of Barr Road Quarry (Site N) as a source of aggregate materials for public road projects.
Summer 2008 – ODOT submitted additional application materials to FHWA. This reduced the size of the quarry site from 200 to approximately 105 acres.
Fall/Winter 2008/2009 – FHWA sent the formal application to BLM. BLM will review the application.
Winter 2009 - The application process will be finalized. The land remains the property of the BLM, but ODOT acquires the ability to use the site to mine and process aggregate materials for use on public road projects. ODOT will develop a reclamation plan and other documents necessary to permit the site through the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).
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