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3. Water impact assessments are inadequate: Prior Loveland Ready -Mix application studies <br />(cited in Section 22.0 as Telesto 217b) projected groundwater depletions of more than 9 feet <br />in the quarry, and of five feet or more in properties adjacent to and near the quarry. The <br />application addressed potential (but inconvenient) remediation of shallow wells, but it did not <br />assess impacts to the many trees and other vegetation. The impacts of groundwater depletion <br />will be seasonal, and they vary with differences in natural rainfall. <br />In the LaPorte area, we have observed tree death long distances (100's of yards) from past <br />gravel pits that occurred when the pits were constructed and dewatered. Evidence of tree <br />death can still be seen at the nearby Stegner, Timberline Resources, and Martin Marietta pits <br />(all three within 3 miles of the proposed quarry). Many of the existing tree species are <br />known to be shallow rooting, and they are very likely to die with a sudden reduction in <br />ground water level. The application needs to include a much more comprehensive <br />assessment of the environmental impacts of groundwater reduction, and include a realistic <br />mitigation plan for existing trees and other vegetation in the impacted area, including effects <br />during average and drought years. This is completely absent in the current application <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />