Gravel mining, view-blocking berms and hauling routes are all being discussed as local officials drill down to details on mining plans for UMore Park, a 5,000-acre tract that the University of Minnesota plans to develop in Rosemount and Empire Township.

According to preliminary plans by Dakota Aggregates, discussed last week by the Rosemount City Council, mining would start in 2011 and continue in varying locations for 40 years.

Nothing can start, however, until the university completes an environmental impact statement later this year and the city issues a permit in late 2010 or early 2011.

Dakota Aggregates, chosen by the university to manage the project, has proposed mining on 1,250 of the 5,000 acres, along the western third of the property. Another 200 acres would be used for related facilities, including a concrete and asphalt plant.

Rosemount officials, concerned about the weight of trucks hauling aggregate, are considering whether to limit or ban the trucks on city-owned streets.

Hours of operation and the height and location of berms to shield the mining from view are also up for discussion. Current city rules allow mining from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but Dakota Aggregates would like to mine from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in some phases and operate 24 hours a day in others.

The mining and sale of aggregate is key to the university's plans to pay for future development at UMore Park.

The university decided in 2006 to turn the open land, which it has owned since the 1940s, into an education-focused, environmentally friendly, master-planned community. The development and mining would be done in phases, sometimes concurrently.

UMore Development LLC, with members appointed by the university's board of regents, is overseeing the mining and development. Revenue from mining and development will be managed by the UMore Development's legacy fund and put toward academic research, education and other projects.

In addition to generating revenue, the mining also will shape the residential and commercial development, leaving behind rolling hills and two lakes on the property.

Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056