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APPENDIX E: SAND & GRAVEL RESOURCES 1. For the purposes of promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare, Missoula County desires to provide for the extraction of sand and gravel resources in a manner that meets the needs of a growing population while concurrently protecting natural resources and the health and safety of area residents and visitors. 2. Gravel resources are generally, but not always, located along streams and rivers or areas where certain kinds of geologic activities have occurred. Map A shows areas where these resources are likely to occur in Missoula, either where currently permitted or where there are Quaternary surface deposits, which may help identify where additional gravel resources have a greater potential of being found. However, it must be noted that the existence of Quaternary surface deposits does not necessarily mean there are sand and gravel resources in a particular location. Also, it does not preclude the existence of sand and gravel resources in other locations. This information provides evidence of where there is a greater likelihood of such resources. Zoning may specifically preclude sand and gravel extraction in areas not so zoned. The governing body shall carefully consider the impacts of the proposed resource extraction on: 1) water quality issues; 2) impacts to agriculture and agricultural land; 3) impacts to existing residential development; and, 4) general health, safety, and welfare criteria found in the Missoula County Growth Policy 2005 Update. When zoning previously unzoned areas, the same criteria should be utilized in addition to statutory requirements. 3. Missoula County intends to revise its County Zoning Resolution to provide standards for gravel and sand extraction operations and the processing of those materials. Particular concern will be paid in that Resolution to issues such as the public’s need for such resources and public health, including but not limited to: dust, noise, odor, lighting, traffic, water quality and water quantity, as well as to the criteria outlined in the Montana Code Annotated, 76-2-203 Criteria and Guidelines for Zoning Regulations. Conditional Use Permits should be considered as one possible tool for mitigating impacts from sand and gravel extraction. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX F: WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) 1. The County has determined that a high potential for fire hazard exists that may jeopardize life and property in Missoula County. Missoula County mapped and evaluated the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) through several planning documents; that mapping is included herein. Neither the definition of the WUI nor the mapping of its extent shall inform future land-use decisions beyond the paragraphs that follow: In 2010, in order to protect human life, private property, and natural resources, Missoula County is adopting a county-wide Emergency Operations Plan and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Those plans are currently under revision by the Missoula County Office of Emergency Services and will be completed in 2010. The plans, upon adoption, and the adoption of any future revision of those plans or the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), will concurrently amend the Missoula County Growth Policy 2005 Update after going through the appropriate public review process. 2. Wildland fire hazard exists throughout the County. Further study of fire prone areas in both Missoula County and the City of Missoula should inform future land use action. a. Missoula County will begin a 2010 revision of its subdivision regulations to address fire hazards in the County, including consideration of, among other items: defensible space around structures; access for emergency services and fire planning; and the potential for delivery of adequate water for fire protection. Amendments are anticipated to be proposed for adoption in 2010 and 2011. Further regulation will be based on additional consideration of fire hazard and other health, safety, and welfare concerns. b. Missoula County is in the process of reviewing its zoning regulations to determine if or how zoning could be used to protect life and property in fire prone areas. That review includes but is not limited to issues such as defensible space around structures, access for emergency services and fire planning, and the potential for delivery of adequate water for fire protection. Further regulations will be based on additional consideration of fire hazard and other health, safety, and welfare concerns. 3. Existing maps of the Wildland Urban Interface, noted as Map B (Wildland Urban Interface – Excluding Seeley and Swan), Map C (Wildland Urban Interface – Swan), and Map D (Wildland Urban Interface – Clearwater), are hereby amended to the Missoula County Growth Policy 2005 Update. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK---