2017-07-24_REVISION - C1981038 (5)

Home Browse Search

WEST ELK LOOP SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY STEERING COMMITTEE The Steering Committee works to preserve, protect, interpret, and enhance the Intrinsic Qualities of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway for the enjoyment of the public. Request for Byway consideration in change of application, SD 17-003 Bowie Resources LLC June 15, 2017 North Fork Area Planning Committee, the honorable Steve Wolcott, Dave Torkelson, Ross King, Barbara Peterson Delta County P&Z Board Committee, the honorable Dick Disner, Bob Stechert, Tony Prendergast, Angela Mackey, Jen Sanborn, Kim Shay Delta County Commissioners, the honorable C. Douglas Atchley datchley@deltacounty.com Don Suppes dsuppes@deltacounty.com Mark Roeber mroeber@deltacounty.com Delta County Manager, the hard working, effective Robbie LeValley rlevalley(a cleltacounty.com; Honored Madams and Sirs, The West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Steering Committee is committed to preserving and improving the intrinsic values of the 206 mile length of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway. Please visit our site www.westelkbyway.com for a map and brochure of the features on your byway. For years byway members and likely yourselves have noted the importance of the view transition that occurs just as one leaves the canyon of the North Fork of the Gunnison at the old transfer site. The view plain opens there to the agricultural power house of the Paonia Valley. Paonia has worked diligently to brand its organic and healthful lifestyles. The branding economically balances the continuing diminutions of the boom bust coal economy. That branding has bolstered the economy for a steadying long term effect and attracts thousands in this age of a declining healthy environment in our city's and industrial areas. The bond levied on Bowie Resources LLC upon commencing operations was intended to return the property to agricultural resource. The impacts of the use of the coal transfer site affect all the downstream uses of the land and should be mitigated, particularly due to Paonia's branding as organic and healthful. Delta County's support and backing for the successful Paonia and North Fork Valley would be hugely appreciated by the byway members that hold the intrinsic values of the Byway in the forefront of our minds. Please consider refusing, the application, for a change of use, until a full reclamation has occurred on the land, or consider using county funding to perform a proper reclamation and revegetation of the property. Best regards, John Hoffmann 970-963-1689 Dorothea Farris 970-948-9470 Dorothea Farris West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Steering Committee Co-chairs