2016-04-19_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (2)

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RECEIVE D I//APR 19 2016 April 13th, 2016 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION Ms. Amy Eschberger MINING AND SAFETY Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Ms. Eschberger, This letter is in regards to Transit Mix Concrete Company's application for DRMS Permit No. M-2016-010 to open a new quarry on Hitch Rack Ranch near Colorado Springs, Co ora o. My home is located approximately 1/2 mile from the proposed quarry. I object to this quarry proposal for the following reasons: 1. In Transit Mix's application, the executive summary of the Bishop - Brogden Associates, Inc. memorandum states "The operation of the proposed quarry is not expected(emphasis is mine) to directly affect surface or ground water systems." What if quarry operations do impact these water systems? This question is not addressed. If wells are impacted, it will leave property owners saddled with the burden of proof, at their own expense. I would encourage DRMS to investigate the disappearance of ground water that continues to this day at Cheyenne Mountain State Park resulting from blasting operations to create Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. I find it strange that potential impacts to groundwater systems as a result of blasting operations are not addressed in the Bishop - Brogden Associates, Inc. memorandum. Long term blasting operations do impact wells and water systems. The President of Transit Mix personally told me I would feel the effects of blasting at my home. By not addressing the long term consequences of blasting operations in its application, Transit Mix has= demonstrated that off-site areas will not be adversely affected. Additionally, excavation and the removal of vegetation in the quarry areas will exacerbate flash flooding and contaminate runoff along Little Turkey Creek, similar to what occurs over the Waldo Canyon burn scar. Potential fuel spills, use of herbicides to clear vegetation and other contaminate run off will impact wells located near the creek. The data in Transit Mix's application for the 100 year, 24 hour and 10 year, 24 hour storms is not accurate for the proposed mining area and, therefore, the proposed mitigation measures are inadequate. 2. There will be obvious and ugly views of the quarry (similar to those of Pike View quarry) as my neighbors and I drive west on Little Turkey Creek Road and, from my property. Per paragraph 1.1(4) of Construction Materials Rule 1, this creates negative economic and aesthetic impacts. Are there any benefits to the property owners in the area if this applications is approved? I have asked this question of my neighbors and no one has identified any benefit. Contrarily, we will be negatively impacted by reduced air quality, noise. increased traffic, views of the quarry, impacts to scare water resources. loss of biodiversity and stuck with economic and aesthetic loss. The quarry proposal does