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2016-04-05_PERMIT FILE - M2016010
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2016-04-05_PERMIT FILE - M2016010
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Last modified
5/24/2021 10:36:44 AM
Creation date
4/7/2016 5:06:44 PM
Metadata
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Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
M2016010
IBM Index Class Name
Permit File
Doc Date
4/5/2016
Doc Name
Letter of Objection
From
Lisa Pecoraro
To
DRMS
Email Name
AME
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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Most notably,the site is mapped by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as Critical Potential Conservation Habitat <br /> for the Mexican Spotted Owl,a federally listed threatened species.The Mexican Spotted Owl has been <br /> documented in the immediate area.The applicant's statement that"turkeys are not common in the mining area"is <br /> ludicrous.Anyone who frequents this area knows it harbors one of the largest concentrations of turkeys in this <br /> part of Colorado. Sighting of turkeys is an almost daily occurrence here.Turkeys, in particular,are intolerant of <br /> industrial operations such as mining.Colorado Parks and Wildlife identifies the proposed quarry site as a primary <br /> elk residence and migration area.More than 100 species of birds have been documented using the area,and the <br /> stream corridors are known to be important movement areas for wide-ranging animals such as mountain lions, <br /> black bear,mule deer,and elk. There are unconfirmed reports of the presence of Canada Lynx,an endangered <br /> species recently reintroduced into Colorado, in the area. <br /> The proposed mining plan does not appear to provide an adequate buffer to protect the use of intermittent stream <br /> corridors by these sensitive species. <br /> Vesetation. <br /> Whoever prepared the vegetation analysis sections of the application apparently didn't spend much time on the <br /> site.The quarry site provides high quality foothills plant communities that are rapidly being converted to <br /> development north and south of this area.The dry(xeric)tallgrass sites along the Front Range are also rarely <br /> found in the high quality condition in evidence at this site.It contains excellent to good examples of globally- <br /> imperiled mountain mahogany/needlegrass community,an excellent occurrence of globally vulnerable pinon <br /> pine/Scribner needlegrass community,as well as an excellent occurrence of mesic oak thicket community.The <br /> lodgepole pine and blue spruce mentioned repeatedly in the application do not appear in significant numbers, <br /> while the white pine,which is very common at the site, is not mentioned at all. <br /> Noise and Air Contamination. <br /> Quarrying requires drilling and blasting with explosives,which create vibrations,noise,and dust. Once this <br /> process is completed,rock crushing machines crush the rock,conveyor belt machines move the rock around the <br /> processing plant;trucks are loaded and unloaded. The process and heavy machinery required to mine, is <br /> intrusive and creates significant noise and air pollution;thus having a direct impact on the surrounding areas and <br /> community. <br /> Air quality is compromised and diminished by the fugitive dust associated with aggregate mining. Dust <br /> generated by mining often contains silica,a common naturally occurring crystal found in most rock beds. <br /> Prolonged exposure to silica may result in silicosis.According the Centers for Disease Control,"silicosis is a <br /> disabling,nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by over exposure to respirable crystalline silica. <br /> Over exposure to dust that contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the <br /> lungs,which reduces the lung's ability to extract oxygen from the air we breathe." In addition to silicosis, <br /> inhalation of crystalline silica particles has been associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and <br /> tuberculosis. This is a health issue for the abutting and nearby residential home owners and their livestock. <br /> Transportation. <br /> Transportation in the Highway 115 area is unique in that the normal hierarchy of roads does not exist.Highway <br /> 115 is the lifeline upon which residents depend.It is the only means of transportation into,out of, and within the <br /> community. There are no other alternatives, and residents cannot avoid using Highway 115 for their life- <br /> sustaining transportation needs.Thus,the condition and safety of Highway 115 are primary concerns of all <br /> residents.According to the El Paso County Major Transportation Corridors Plan(MTCP),Highway 115 south of <br /> Fort Carson's main gate is functionally classified as"congested".Major sections of the highway are two lanes, <br /> including the point at which Transit Mix proposes to access the highway. <br /> The proposed highway access point is also located at a historically dangerous place,with multiple fatal traffic <br /> accidents in recent years. <br /> Unfortunately,the 2040 MTCP Roadway Plan does not call for any improvements to Highway 115 through the <br /> year 2040,so the highway we have now is what we will live with for many years to come.If the Hitch Rack <br /> 2 <br />
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