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<br />10/02/97 02:26pm From:Monica V. Olson <br /> <br />Page 002 of 002 <br /> <br />..1. - ~ <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />how the sun and the winds of Ophir will rearrange that snow pack after seeding is tenninated at the <br />end of January? <br /> <br />Ophir is a 150+ member, 45+ household community living and thriving in the cloud-seeding target <br />area. These are primary residences, not second or third or fourth vacation homes. The state <br />requires Western Weather Consultants to have only a one million dollar liability policy. That is <br />less than the recommended umbrella for the average homeowner! IfOphir is stung by an avalanche <br />during a cloud-seeded winter, mechanisms are in place that will protect Western Weather, Telski, <br />SWCD and the state of Colorado. Who protects Ophir? <br /> <br />The SWCD is a sponsor for this permit. The SWCD made no attempt to justifY this sponsorship at <br />the public hearing. Seeding does not create moisture, it just redistributes it - right over the target <br />area. How can an altered pattern of moisture distribution benefit the agricultural communties within <br />the nine-county jurisdiction of the SWCD? How can the SWCD support this permit if a community <br />that already must deal with avalanche danger resides within the target area? <br /> <br />The terrain around Ophir is heavily used by avid and experienced back-country skiiers. Cloud- <br />seeding will introduce an unknown and therefore unsafe factor for these individuals as they assess <br />avalanche conditions. Who will take responsibility for injury to our back-country enthusiasts? <br /> <br />Based on the above four points, Ophir emphatically objects to granting the cloud-seeding permit to <br />Western Weather Consultants and its sponsors SWCD and Telski. Additionally, Ophir recognizes <br />no justification for the SWCD sponsorship ofthis permit. <br /> <br />If this permit must be granted despite our objection, we feel that the following conditions should be <br />attached to the permit: <br />. Ophir has the right iQ.refuse a cloud-seeding session. <br />. In the event of avalanche at any time during a cloud-seeded winter, specifically named parties <br />are to be held accountable for life or property damage within the Ophir boundaries. <br />. A higher level of liability coverage will be required based on the number of affected households <br />in Ophir. <br />. Provisioning for avalanche control in the populated portions of the target area. <br />. Establishment of a fund for the reforestation and berming of Spring Gulch. <br />. Funding for the education and use of an Ophir weather watcher. <br />. Funding for an updated avalanche study for the Ophir community. <br />. Consultation with the insurers of our homes. <br /> <br />Thank you for this opportunity to state our hopes and concerns. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Monica Olson, Mayor of the Town ofOphir <br /> <br />Paul Machado, Town Manager for the Town ofOphir <br />