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LQNCA, 1111111116. �'o tip " ' t hop- - �.a TO PUBLIC WORKS & NATURAL RESOURCES ebhOR0% ENGINEERING :A_RV1C_S (303) 651-8330 I LONG;MON:c:OLORADO.G OV March 23,2016 Mr. Peter Hays Fnvironmental Protection Specialist Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety 1313 Sherman Street,Room 213 Denver,CO 80203 Re: Permit No. M-1989-029—Longmont Distel Operations Amendment Application Dear Mr. Hays, This letter is being provided to you as part of Aggregate Industries'Amendment application for Permit No. M-1989-029—Longmont Distel Operations.The City of Longmont(City)is in support of the Amendment application and we are collaboratively working with Aggregate Industries. The Colorado flood event of 2013 produced significant landform changes in the Saint Vrain Creek watershed.Specifically,the flood resulted in realignment of the creek in the Sandstone Ranch Reach located east of County Line Road and west of the Highway 119 crossing in Weld County,CO.The land that was most significantly impacted is primarily owned by the City of Longmont and leased by Aggregate Industries for gravel mining. Prior to the flood,the previously mined land between County Line Road and the southern access road (located due south of Spring Gulch No.2) had already been reclaimed and turned over to the City for operation and maintenance as an open space area and trail corridor. Prior to the flood,the City had constructed the Saint Vrain Greenway Trail through the area and connected the trail to the Sandstone Ranch Community and Distr ct Parks.The eastern portion of the site was still being actively mined when the flood occurred in September of 2013. It is the City's opinion that since portions of the Sandstone Ranch area had already been reclaimed prior to the 2013 flood, the upcoming St.Vrain Creek repairs by the City and Aggregate Industries shall be considered flood restoration activities,and not mining reclamation activities.Restoration of the site is best served through the collaborative restoration and repairs being pursued by the City and Aggregate Industries.Attempting to return the creek to its pre-flood alignment would be environmentally damaging,create future flood hazards, be in conflict with the desires of Colorado Parks and Wildlife,and would not allow the natural floodplain and fisheries restoration processes that are underway to continue. The City of Longmont is developing a flood restoration design for the Sandstone Ranch site in collaboration with Aggregate Industr.es,Colorado Parks and Wildlife,and other partners.The flood restoration and repairs will maintain the post-flood creek al gnment and allow for the natural restoration of the Saint Vrain floodplain.Stabilization measures will repair the Greenway Trail,construct