2016-04-18_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (12)

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April 12, 2016 RECs _ .. Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 APR 18 2016 Denver, CO 80203 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING AND SAFETY Ms. Amy Eschberger: I live in Red Rock Valley Estates and my home is approximately 1 mile from Hitch Rack Ranch Road. Transit Mix Concrete Company is seeking a permit (#M-2016-010) to operate a quarry in this area. After reading over their 809 page permit request and doing my own research, I am very much OPPOSED to the Hitch Rack Quarry Project. The proposed Reclamation and Mining development at Hitch Rack Ranch would bring a large-scale aggregate mining development unnecessarily close, and, abutting in at least two areas, to residential [A-5] neighborhoods. This proposal will result in long-term consequences to the environment, public health, safety, and well being of the affected and adjoining neighborhoods. There will be substantially increased truck traffic, dust, and noise pollution.This area is known for its strapped water resources, and is located in an area of the highest fire danger. Why would you want to put a quarry in an area of unparalleled natural beauty, abundant wildlife, wildlife habitats, and wildlife migratory trails, when another quarry is not even needed in this area?As a resident of Red Rock Valley Estates Neighborhood, I cannot support this development and; therefore, I am opposed to the development for the following reasons: • Quarrying requires drilling and blasting with explosives, which create vibrations, noise, and dust. Once this process is completed, rock-crushing machines crush the rock, conveyor belt machines move the rock around the processing plant; and trucks are loaded and unloaded. The process and heavy machinery required to mine is intrusive and creates significant noise and air pollution;and has a direct impact on the surrounding areas and community. I do not want to listen to daily pounding, crushing and blasting noises that will disrupt the quality of life in the neighborhood where I live. Why do we need a company from Illinois, with the main motive of financial gain,to come in and affect the health, lives, and environment of people who live in Colorado when there are already 3 operational quarries in this area that can do the same job and are not operating at their capacity? Colorado Springs does not need another quarry to fulfill the needs of the city. • Air quality is compromised and diminished by the fugitive dust associated with aggregate mining. Dust generated by mining granite contains silica,a common naturally occurring crystal found in most rock beds. Prolonged exposure to silica may result in silicosis. According the Centers for Disease Control, "[s)ilicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by over exposure to respirable crystalline silica...Over exposure to dust that contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, which reduces lung's ability to extract oxygen from the air we breathe." In addition to silicosis, inhalation of crystalline silica particles has been associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis.The larger particles PM10 (micrometers) can travel as much as 30 miles.The smaller particles PM2.5