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2016-04-08_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (4)
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2016-04-08_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (4)
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Last modified
5/24/2021 10:36:45 AM
Creation date
4/12/2016 9:57:33 AM
Metadata
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Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
M2016010
IBM Index Class Name
Permit File
Doc Date
4/8/2016
Doc Name
Letter of Objection
From
Wayne Diggs
To
DRMS
Email Name
AME
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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but also for the many commuters who use this major thoroughfare to Colorado Springs, as well as <br />the many tourists, bicyclists, and motorcycle clubs who frequent the area for it's unique <br />geographic and aesthetic appeal. <br />Existing Quarries. There are currently three quarries operating within a five mile stretch along <br />Highway 115, the nearest less than three miles from the proposed Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry site. <br />The quarry operators report they are currently operating at roughly half their capacity. When <br />questioned why such low production, the response is "insufficient demand". This calls into <br />question the need for yet another quarry on the backs of the already burdened local residents. <br />Proximity to Local Residents. There are more than 140 properties within two miles of the <br />proposed quarry site, some as close as 1200 feet and with direct line -of -sight to the quarry <br />operations. The vast majority, if not all, of these property owners are vehemently opposed to the <br />applicant's quarry plans. The policies incorporated in the El Paso County Southwestern Highway <br />115 Comprehensive Plan (see below) state "any resource extraction operation should be located a <br />minimum of two miles distant from any dissenting residents". <br />Comprehensive Development Plan. This application for permit is in clear violation of the <br />current Southwestern (Highway 115) Comprehensive Plan. This is a plan commissioned and <br />adopted by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners for the Highway 115 area. This <br />comprehensive plan foresaw the potential for future demands for mineral resource extraction in <br />the area, and adopted specific policies to address it. The Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry application is <br />in 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 <br />resources in the Master Plan for the Extraction of Commercial Mineral Deposits should <br />in no way be seen as a 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 <br />dictate the necessity for additional supplies of aggregate, the expansion of existing <br />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 <br />water supplies. The full burden of proof for assuring this will lie with the applicant. <br />4. Access from Highway 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 <br />of two miles 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 <br />undertaken in the area should be treatd in the most natural way possible to minimize any <br />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 <br />not compatible with most public access, and management should maximize wildlife and <br />scientific values. <br />3 <br />
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