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stream corridors are known to be important movement areas for wide-ranging animals such as <br /> mountain lions,black bear,mule deer,and elk.There are unconfirmed reports of the presence of <br /> Canada Lynx,an endangered species recently reintroduced into Colorado, in the area.The <br /> proposed mining plan does not appear to provide an adequate buffer to protect the use of <br /> intermittent stream corridors by these sensitive species. <br /> Vegetation. Whoever prepared the vegetation analysis sections of the application apparently <br /> didn't spend much time on the site.The quarry site provides high quality foothills plant <br /> communities that are rapidly being converted to development north and south of this area.The <br /> dry(xeric)tallgrass sites along the Front Range are also rarely found in the high quality condition <br /> in evidence at this site.It contains excellent to good examples of globally-imperiled mountain <br /> mahogany/needlegrass community,an excellent occurrence of globally vulnerable pifton pine/ <br /> Scribner needlegrass community,as well as an excellent occurrence of mesic oak thicket <br /> community.The lodgepole pine and blue spruce mentioned repeatedly in the application do not <br /> appear in significant numbers,while the white pine,which is very common at the site,is not <br /> mentioned at all. <br /> Noise and Air Contamination.Quarrying requires drilling and blasting with explosives,which <br /> create vibrations,noise,and dust. Once this process is completed,rock crushing machines crush <br /> the rock,conveyor belt machines move the rock around the processing plant;trucks are loaded <br /> and unloaded. The process and heavy machinery required to mine,is intrusive and creates <br /> significant noise and air pollution;thus having a direct impact on the surrounding areas and <br /> community.Air quality is compromised and diminished by the fugitive dust associated with <br /> aggregate mining. Dust generated by mining often contains silica,a common naturally occurring <br /> crystal found in most rock beds.Prolonged exposure to silica may result in silicosis.According <br /> the Centers for Disease Control,"silicosis is a disabling,nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung <br /> disease caused by over exposure to respirable crystalline silica.Over exposure to dust that <br /> contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, <br /> which reduces the lung's ability to extract oxygen from the air we breathe." In addition to <br /> silicosis, inhalation of crystalline silica particles has been associated with other diseases, such as <br /> bronchitis and tuberculosis. This is a health issue for the abutting and nearby residential home <br /> owners and their livestock. <br /> Transportation.Transportation in the Highway 115 area is unique in that the normal hierarchy of <br /> roads does not exist.Highway 115 is the lifeline upon which residents depend.It is the only <br /> means of transportation into,out of,and within the community.There are no other alternatives, <br /> and residents cannot avoid using Highway 115 for their life-sustaining transportation needs.Thus, <br /> the condition and safety of Highway 115 are primary concerns of all residents.According to the <br /> El Paso County Major Transportation Corridors Plan(MTCP),Highway 115 south of Fort <br /> Carson's main gate is functionally classified as"congested".Major sections of the highway are <br /> two lanes, including the point at which Transit Mix proposes to access the highway.The proposed <br /> highway access point is also located at a historically dangerous place,with multiple fatal traffic <br /> accidents in recent years.Unfortunately,the 2040 MTCP Roadway Plan does not call for any <br /> improvements to Highway 115 through the year 2040, so the highway we have now is what we <br /> will live with for many years to come.If the Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry is allowed to proceed,an <br /> already congested highway,currently bearing truck traffic from three active quarries,will be <br /> burdened by as many as 624 additional trucks per day when the quarry is at full production.This <br /> additional traffic will exacerbate traffic hazards not only for the local residents,but also for the <br /> many commuters who use this major thoroughfare to Colorado Springs, as well as the many <br /> tourists,bicyclists,and motorcycle clubs who frequent the area for it's unique geographic and <br /> aesthetic appeal. <br /> 2 <br />