Aggregate plentiful in Yuba-Sutter
When it comes to having crushed rock available necessary for development, Yuba-Sutter can boast of being in better shape than much of the rest of California.
According to a California Geological Survey report released Tuesday, the region has enough aggregate — sand, gravel and crushed stone — to meet 90 percent of the perceived demand from new local construction over the next 50 years.
John Clinkenbeard, the California Department of Conservation's mineral resources program manager, said much of that is explained by the mineral tailings still being mined by private companies along the Yuba River east of Marysville, and the relatively small population.
Because the report found several other regions falling far short of what they need, they may look to companies in Yuba County — which charges fees for aggregate trucking within its borders — to make up the difference.
"Certainly, that has happened, and I expect it probably will in the future," Clinkenbeard said.
Overall, the state needs about 12 billion tons of aggregate in the next 50 years, but only about 4 billion tons are available from currently permitted sites, he said.
Sacramento County, the southern Bay Area and parts of Orange and San Diego counties are particularly facing shortages, according to the report.
However, overall demand for aggregate statewide has dropped compared to a previous survey in 2006, owing to projections of less population growth in the next half century.
CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.
