2016-04-07_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (4)

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March 29, 2016 Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 RECEIVED APR 012016 DIVISION c AuglotistartiNG AND XV( Re: Transit Mix Concrete Company application for Reclamation Permit, Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry (# M2016010) To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to express my opposition to the referenced quarry permit application. I live in the Pifions of Turkey Canon Ranch, just south of the proposed Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry operation. We, along with all my neighbors within the Pifions area, are opposed to bringing yet another large-scale aggregate mining operation to our community, in addition to the three quarries already in service along a five mile stretch of Highway 115. I seriously doubt you've taken into account all the ramifications that this additional quarry will impose on this area. This has been in the makings for years and just now bring it to the people??? Seems more money driven than anything else! Significant constraints to additional quarry development exist in the area, include but not limited to: 1. Limited water supplies (most of us depend on ground water for our domestic water supply) 2. A fragile groundwater system 3. Rich wildlife and vegetation resources (where can we find your completed study on this topic??) 4. Public health and safety 5. Air contamination for those with lung conditions or those that WILL develop a lung condition because of the silica in the dust you create. This is a health issue that will affect ALL folks as well as pets and livestock. 6. Noise contamination 7. Compromised transportation within the community with even MORE traffic hazards along Highway 115. Existing trucks already don't follow the rules of the road and now we'll have an ADDITIONAL onslaught of trucks entering and existing in an already dangerous section of Hwy. 115 as well as loads not being covered properly and spewing rocks on the highway and hitting windshields creating more problems for our vehicles. Highway 115 is the lifeline upon which residents depend. It is the only means of transportation into, out of, and within the community. There are no other alternatives, and residents cannot avoid using Highway 115 for their life-sustaining transportation needs. 8. Existing quarries that satisfy the demand that are not yet running at capacity because of low demand. WHY ANOTHER ONE?? 9. This application is in clear violation of the current southwestern highway 115 comprehensive plan. 10. Proximity to local residents and limited or no alternatives for residents. The policies incorporated in the El Paso County Southwestern Highway 115 Comprehensive Plan state "any resource extraction operation should be located a minimum of two miles distant from any dissenting residents". The Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry application is in specific violation of the following policies in this plan: 1