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Board approves emergency repairs for Exchequer Road after mining traffic damage
Summary
Supervisors approved a no-bid emergency contract to repair Exchequer Road after heavy hauling tied to exploratory activity at the Blue Moon Mine damaged the route; staff said a memorandum of understanding with the operator is being negotiated for longer-term repairs.
The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency repair contract for Exchequer Road on Feb. 3 after public works staff said heavy hauling related to exploratory mining at the Blue Moon Mine damaged a one-lane dirt route.
Supervisor Smalcom introduced CA 13, describing an agreement with Palmer Tractor Inc. for an Exchequer Road emergency repair project "in an amount not to exceed $356,450" with $357,000 in unanticipated revenue added to the public works budget to fund the work. Public works staff told the board the county determined the damage required an emergency response under Public Contract Code section 22050 and that competitive solicitation would have delayed urgent repairs.
Public works described ongoing coordination with the mine operator to negotiate a memorandum of understanding to address long-term impacts on Exchequer, Bear Valley and Hornitas roads. "They're doing exploratory mining as of right now ... hauling material in and out, which has damaged the road and, of course, caused us emergency repair," staff told the board.
Supervisor Poe praised staff for working with the operator and acknowledged concerns about permitting and traffic impacts. The board approved the consent agenda (which included CA 13) and the project will proceed under the emergency procurement cited in the item.
What’s next: County staff said they are negotiating a longer-term MOU with Blue Moon Mine to address recurring impacts; the county will proceed with the emergency repairs under the approved agreement.
