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,11 <br /> Transit Mix Concrete Co. <br /> • "The last one (fatal accident) we had was about a month ago when one of these quarry trucks lost <br /> control and crossed to the other side of the road killing someone." <br /> Response: Unfortunately,there was a fatal accident involving an aggregate haul truck and an <br /> automobile, but the accident was caused by the driver of the automobile drifting across the road <br /> into the path of the oncoming truck. The aggregate truck driver swerved, but he was unable to <br /> avoid the automobile. <br /> • Many of the objection letters claim they are not anti-mining, and that the Hitch Rack Ranch is not <br /> the right location for a quarry. They also state that they would prefer to see the existing quarries <br /> expand rather than a new quarry. <br /> Response: However, letters also mention that landowners in the Hwy 115 area have effectively used <br /> the area's"natural beauty, history and wild life"to have two other quarry permits denied. These <br /> letters indicate that some objectors are not willing to consider any quarry in the Hwy 115 area, and <br /> that they are even opposed to expanding the existing quarries. Determining whether the location <br /> can be developed as a quarry is a land use issue that is outside the authority of the Division and <br /> Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB);these types of concerns will be addressed in the El Paso <br /> County Special Use Permit process. <br /> • The quarry will be located immediately adjacent and in the creek,or"The quarry will significantly <br /> impact the area's riparian ecosystem" and "The quarry will mine down to the creek". <br /> Response:These statements are inaccurate and mischaracterize the quarry extents and impacts. As <br /> stated in the permit application,the quarry will remain at least 100 feet from the creek and at least <br /> 10 feet above the creek elevation. This 100-foot buffer was included in the quarry design to <br /> preserve the riparian corridor. The valley walls rise much more than 10 feet in the 100-foot buffer <br /> area, and this results in a native screen left in place that will separate the quarry area from the <br /> riparian corridor. The riparian corridor lies entirely within this 100-foot buffer. To be clear,the <br /> quarry will not mine down to the creek,and the riparian corridor along the creek will be preserved. <br /> • "The permit application hardly mentions or addresses ground water". <br /> Response:There is a significant assessment (97 pages) of groundwater resources, prepared by a <br /> professional hydrogeologist with extensive experience in the Colorado Front Range, included as <br /> Attachment G-2. <br /> • The operation will "Block access to their homes during blasting for up to one and a half hours,three <br /> times per week". <br /> Response:The Blasting Plan included in permit actually states that"The access corridor will only be <br /> secured for the length of time needed to successfully complete the blast. A typical length for a blast <br /> is less than 30 minutes." The Blasting Plan also states: "Transit Mix will make every effort to blast <br /> only when Little Turkey Creek Road,within the Hitch Rack Ranch property, is not in use. If a vehicle <br /> arrives at the safety corridor prior to the blast,the blast guards will advise the lead blaster, and the <br /> lead blaster will delay the shot and allow the vehicle to pass through the safety area. The only time <br /> traffic might be briefly delayed is in the unlikely event that a vehicle arrives at the border of the <br /> safety corridor at the moment a blast occurs." This claim mischaracterizes the length of time the <br /> road will be secured. Transit Mix is confident that all blasting can be performed without any impact <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Quarry Response to Comments <br /> March 9,2018 2 <br />