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Ranch Quarry is allowed to proceed,an already congested highway,currently bearing truck traffic from three <br /> active quarries,will be burdened by as many as 624 additional trucks per day when the quarry is at full <br /> production.This 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 tourists,bicyclists, <br /> and motorcycle clubs who frequent the area for it's unique geographic and aesthetic appeal. <br /> Existing Ouarries. <br /> There are currently three quarries operating within a five mile stretch along Highway 115,the nearest less than <br /> three miles from the proposed Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry site.The quarry operators report they are currently <br /> operating at roughly half their capacity. When questioned why such low production,the response is"insufficient <br /> demand". This calls into question the need for yet another quarry on the backs of the already burdened local <br /> residents. <br /> Proximity to Local Residents. <br /> There are more than 140 properties within two miles of the proposed quarry site,some as close as 1200 feet and <br /> with direct line-of-sight to the quarry operations.The vast majority, if not all,of these property owners are <br /> vehemently opposed to the applicant's quarry plans. <br /> The policies incorporated in the El Paso County Southwestern Highway 115 Comprehensive Plan(see below) <br /> state"any resource extraction operation should be located a minimum of two miles distant from any dissenting <br /> residents". <br /> Comprehensive Development Plan. <br /> This application for permit is in clear violation of the current Southwestern(Highway 115)Comprehensive Plan. <br /> This is a plan commissioned and adopted by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners for the <br /> Highway 115 area.This comprehensive plan foresaw the potential for future demands for mineral resource <br /> extraction in the area,and adopted specific policies to address it.The Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry application is in <br /> specific violation of the following policies in this plan: <br /> 1. The entire burden of proof for demonstrating the existence of extractable mineral <br /> resources should lie with the applicant.Designation of potentially extractable mineral resources in the <br /> Master Plan for the Extraction of Commercial Mineral Deposits should in no way be seen as a <br /> justification or an implied right for mining. <br /> 2. Resource extraction operations in general are not supported in the planning area. <br /> However,the presence of existing operations is recognized,and if future conditions dictate the necessity <br /> for additional supplies of aggregate,the expansion of existing operations is preferred over new quarries. <br /> 3. At no time during their operations should resource extraction affect the quantity,quality, <br /> or dependability of residents' existing water supplies or result in the diversion of existing water supplies. <br /> The full burden of proof for assuring this will lie with the applicant. <br /> 4. Access from Hi hwgy 115 to any resource extraction operation should not affect the <br /> quality of the existing access to area residents. <br /> 5. Unless it can be demonstrated that topography will shield existing residents from visual, <br /> noise,and dust impacts,all resource extraction operations should be located a minimum of two miles <br /> distant from any dissenting residents. <br /> 6. Wildlife and wildlife protection routes should be protected through the development of a <br /> wildlife overlay zone,addressing the need for protecting critical habitat areas. <br /> 7. Development should not be allowed in riparian areas,both because the hazard of flooding <br /> and because of their exceptionally high wildlife values.Any drainage improvements undertaken in the <br /> area should be treatd in the most natural way possible to minimize any impacts on riparian areas. <br /> 8. The specific area of Aiken Canyon is identified as a unique and significant biological <br /> resource of state-wide significance that should continue to be preserved. Preservation is not compatible <br /> with most public access,and management should maximize wildlife and scientific values. <br /> 3 <br />