www.sdchamber.org

San Diego County’s Construction Aggregate Supply Crisis

Prepared by EnviroMINE Inc.

Construction aggregate resources (sand, gravel and crushed rock) are the raw materials necessary for all construction projects.  These materials are utilized in constructing and maintaining highways, houses, schools, hospitals and more.  San Diego County’s economic future depends on the accessibility and availability of local aggregate supplies.

Currently, San Diego County is facing a shortage of construction aggregate.  The California Geological Survey estimates that San Diego County could deplete its permitted aggregate supplies within 10 years.  The construction aggregate shortage is a result of the number of active quarries in the county declining from 50 in 1982 to 13 in 2008.  These remaining quarries can only supply 60 percent of County aggregate consumption needs.  If no new quarries are permitted, only five operations will remain by 2030.

The dramatic reduction of production sites has resulted in importing over 40 percent of total County aggregate needs.  These imports are originating from production sites over 100 miles away; located in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties and Baja California.  Due to high transportation costs, the price of aggregate products has increased dramatically.  For instance, aggregate base for Caltrans projects in San Diego County is double the State average. 

In addition to increasing costs, the aggregate shortage has also increased greenhouse gas emissions.  As the supply of aggregate continues to decline, imports will rise.  This will result in an increase in vehicle miles traveled.  Estimates show that if new sources of aggregate are permitted within the county, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 300%.

San Diego County has abundant high quality aggregate resources that can be mined locally to serve the County's growing demand. The County has reached a critical point where additional aggregate resources should be permitted to satisfy present and future demands.  San Diego County’s population is expected to reach 4.5 million by 2050 resulting in an increasing demand of aggregates to over 24 million tons annually.  The increasing demand for aggregates cannot be met without the adoption of policies designed to preserve and develop aggregate resources.  Aggregate resources should be protected in the General Plans by identifying Mineral Resource Reserve areas and designating these areas for aggregate development.  With sound and enforceable aggregate resource policies, the County can establish a sustainable supply of construction materials that will ensure future aggregate consumption needs are satisfied.