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t <br /> : Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> destabilize rock outcroppings and subsequent rains may then trigger rock falls. The landslides <br /> may injure passing motorist or damage vehicles and may damage portions of the road out. <br /> There are concerns related to landslides within the quarry operation and at the fines and topsoil <br /> stockpiles. <br /> Response: Rock falls are natural occurrences in steep terrain, particularly near cliffs of broken, <br /> faulted or jointed bedrock (Colorado Geological Survey (CGS), 2008). Public comments suggest <br /> that rock falls are already common along Little Turkey Creek Road. These rock falls are the result <br /> of geology and topography and will continue to occur regardless of operations at the quarry. <br /> Rock falls are typically triggered by natural causes including mechanical or chemical weathering, <br /> erosion, precipitation, and freeze/thaw cycles (CGS, 2008). Human activities, including blasting, <br /> can cause rock to fall earlier than they would naturally (CGS, 2008). The instability and resulting <br /> fall remains a natural occurrence, and the rock fall will eventually happen; thus, the blasting <br /> operation is not the root cause of the rock fall. Also, the Blasting Plan requires the road be <br /> secured during the blasting operations and peak vibrations limited and monitored to prevent <br /> damage to structures. The road from each gate to the operation will be inspected following each <br /> blast. Should a rock fall occur, regardless of the cause, Transit Mix will have equipment available <br /> to clear rocks off the road. <br /> Collisions between rock and cars typically occur when a car runs into a rock already on the road; <br /> however, rocks falling onto cars are rare (CGS, 2008). Also, cars running into rocks on the road <br /> require the car to be travelling at a rate of speed where it cannot stop before colliding with the <br /> rock. The conditions at the project area do not allow for these speeds. As previously mentioned, <br /> the road will be secured during blasting operations and a rock falling onto a car cannot occur. <br /> Consequently, future rock falls are likely to occur on Little Turkey Creek Road, but they will be a <br /> continuation of the ongoing processes already occurring and any collision between a car and rock <br /> would be extremely rare. <br /> Reference: Colorado Geological Survey (CGS), 2008. "Rocktalk", Volume 11, Number 2, Winter <br /> 2008, Rockfall in Colorado. Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado <br /> Geological Society. Denver, Colorado. <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Permit Application M-2016-010 <br /> Responses to Objection Letters <br /> July 28, 2016 3 <br />