2016-03-25_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (3)

Home Browse Search

March 22, 2016 Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Ms. Amy Eschberger: RECEIVED MAR 2 2016 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING AND SAFETY I am writing this letter on behalf of the twenty-three properties located in the Highlands of Turkey Canon Ranch ("the Highlands"). The proposed Reclamation and Mining development at Hitch Rack Ranch; submitted by Transit Mix Concrete Company, Permit No. 20160104would bring a large-scale aggregate mining development unnecessarily close to our neighborhood. Quarry development brings significant, long-term consequences to the environment, public health, safety, and well-being of the affected neighborhoods due to: substantially increased truck traffic, dust, and noise pollution, water supply disruption and a significant increase in fire danger. An Ad Hoc committee, Highway 115 Citizen's Advisory Committee, was formed to represent the residential sub -divisions along the corridor; that either abut, or are in close proximity to the proposed reclamation mining site. As a member of the Advisory Committee, the Highlands cannot support this development and is; therefore, opposed to the development for the following reasons: • Quarrying requires drilling and blasting with explosives, which create vibrations, noise, and dust. Once this process is completed, rock crushing machines crush the rock, conveyor belt machines move the rock around the processing plant; trucks are loaded and unloaded. The process and heavy machinery required to mine, is intrusive and creates significant noise and air pollution; thus having a direct impact on the surrounding areas and community. • Air quality is compromised and diminished by the fugitive dust associated with aggregate mining. Dust generated by mining often contains silica, a common naturally occurring crystal found in most rock beds. Prolonged exposure to silica may result in silicosis. According the Centers for Disease Control, "silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by over-exposure to respirable crystalline silica... Over-exposure to dust that contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, which reduces lung's ability to extract oxygen from the air we breathe." In addition to silicosis, inhalation of crystalline silica particles has been associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis. This is a health issue for the abutting and nearby residential home owners and their livestock. • The proposed quarry will create significantly increase truck traffic by approximately 624 trucks per day, in addition to the existing truck traffic from the three operating quarries. This on a highway that is already one of the most dangerous passageways in Colorado. This will create traffic hazards detrimental to the safety of County residents as well as the bicyclist and motor